Taking the next step to control your blood sugar

Lindy had been taking diabetes pills but was struggling to manage her type 2 diabetes. With 3 teenagers who need her support and encouragement, Lindy found her reason to take control of her blood sugar. Hearing how Tresiba® can control blood sugar for a full 24 hours, Lindy decided it was time to ask her doctor about Tresiba®.

The truth about diabetes    |    Why insulin?    |    Starting on Tresiba®    |    Questions for my doctor

The truth about diabetes

Why insulin?

Starting on Tresiba®

Questions for my doctor

The truth about diabetes

My diabetes is changing over time. How come?

Managing your type 2 diabetes can be challenging. Watch the video to learn more about this condition.

It’s important to know that even if you’re following your treatment plan, your diabetes can change over time. Your health care provider may recommend insulin to better control your blood sugar levels and lower your A1C.

If you have diabetes, your body has problems making or using insulin, which is needed to get blood sugar into your cells. Managing your blood sugar is a key part of managing your diabetes.

Why insulin?

Insulin replaces the natural hormone your body is missing

The body releases insulin steadily throughout the day. It also releases insulin in response to rising blood sugar numbers during snacks and meals. If you have diabetes, your body does not make enough (or any) insulin, or your body does not use it correctly.

Insulin is prescribed for people who have type 1 diabetes and for those with type 2 diabetes who aren’t meeting their A1C goal with other medicines.

Some types of insulin work fast to control blood sugar when you eat (rapid-acting or mealtime insulin) and some work to control blood sugar throughout the day (long-acting insulin). Tresiba® is a once-daily, long-acting insulin that provides blood sugar control for 24 hours, for powerful A1C reductions.

Compare long-acting insulins »

Insulin is prescribed for people who have type 1 diabetes and for those with type 2 diabetes who aren’t meeting their A1C goal with other medicines.

Starting Tresiba®

Like the body’s insulin in a pen

Tresiba® releases slow and steady and works all day and night like the body’s insulin.

Tresiba® comes in a prefilled insulin pen called Tresiba® FlexTouch®, which:

Is small enough to travel in your purse or pocket

Lasts up to 8 weeks without refrigerationa

Uses one of the shortest, thinnest needles availableb

Tresiba® FlexTouch® also has no push-button extension, so you don’t need to extend your thumb when delivering any dose.

See how to use the pen »

aIn-use Tresiba® can be kept at room temperature (below 86oF), away from direct heat and light, or refrigerated (36oF to 46oF).
bNeedles are sold separately and may require a prescription in some states.

Worried about injections? So was Lindy.

I was nervous when I gave myself my first injection. Once I saw how short and thin the needle was and learned how the Tresiba® FlexTouch® pen worked, injecting became another part of my morning routine.

Lindy is not an actual patient.

Like the body’s insulin in a pen

Tresiba® releases slow and steady and works all day and night like the body’s insulin.

Tresiba® comes in a prefilled insulin pen called Tresiba® FlexTouch®, which:

Is small enough to travel in your purse or pocket

Lasts up to 8 weeks without refrigerationa

Uses one of the shortest, thinnest needles availableb

Tresiba® FlexTouch® also has no push-button extension, so you don’t need to extend your thumb when delivering any dose.

See how to use the pen »

aIn-use Tresiba® can be kept at room temperature (below 86oF), away from direct heat and light, or refrigerated (36oF to 46oF).
bNeedles are sold separately and may require a prescription in some states.

Worried about injections? So was Lindy.

I was nervous when I gave myself my first injection. Once I saw how short and thin the needle was and learned how the Tresiba® FlexTouch® pen worked, injecting became another part of my morning routine.

Lindy is not an actual patient.

Help with costs

Tresiba® is covered by most commercial health insurance plans and offers a savings card that may help lower your co-pay, if eligiblec

See a way to save »

cFormulary status subject to change. Formulary data are provided by Fingertip Formulary® and are current as of August 2018.

Questions for my doctor

Start a conversation about Tresiba®

Here are some questions to ask your health care provider when you ask about Tresiba®:

What is my A1C now, and what A1C should I be aiming for?

Is my current treatment enough to help me achieve my goal?

I watch my diet and stay active, and I’m already taking pills for my diabetes. Why isn't that enough to lower my A1C?

How would Tresiba® fit into my schedule?

Selected Important Safety Information

Do not share your Tresiba® FlexTouch® with other people, even if the needle has been changed. Do not share needles or syringes with another person. You may give other people a serious infection, or get a serious infection from them.

Who should not take Tresiba®?

Do not take Tresiba® if you:

  • are having an episode of low blood sugar
  • are allergic to Tresiba® or any of the ingredients in Tresiba® 

Before taking Tresiba®, tell your health care provider about all your medical conditions, including if you are:

  • pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding
  • taking new prescription or over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, or herbal supplements

Talk to your health care provider about low blood sugar and how to manage it.

How should I take Tresiba®?

  • Read the Instructions for Use and take Tresiba® exactly as your health care provider tells you to
  • Do not do any conversion of your dose. The dose counter always shows the selected dose in units
  • Know the type and strength of insulin you take. Do not change the type of insulin you take unless your health care provider tells you to
  • Change (rotate) your injection sites within the area you choose with each injection to reduce your risk of getting lipodystrophy (pits in skin or thickened skin) and localized cutaneous amyloidosis (skin with lumps) at the injection sites.
    • Do not use the exact same spot for each injection.
    • Do not inject where the skin has pits, is thickened, or has lumps.
    • Do not inject where the skin is tender, bruised, scaly or hard, or into scars or damaged skin.

What is Tresiba®?

  • Prescription Tresiba® is a long-acting insulin used to control high blood sugar in adults and children who are 1 year of age and older with diabetes
  • Tresiba® is not for people with diabetic ketoacidosis
  • It is not known if Tresiba® is safe and effective in children under 1 year of age
  • Tresiba® is available in 2 concentrations: 200 units/mL and 100 units/mL

Important Safety Information

Do not share your Tresiba® FlexTouch® with other people, even if the needle has been changed. Do not share needles or syringes with another person. You may give other people a serious infection, or get a serious infection from them.

Who should not take Tresiba®?

Do not take Tresiba® if you:

  • are having an episode of low blood sugar
  • are allergic to Tresiba® or any of the ingredients in Tresiba®

Before taking Tresiba®, tell your health care provider about all your medical conditions, including if you are:

  • pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding
  • taking new prescription or over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, or herbal supplements

Talk to your health care provider about low blood sugar and how to manage it.

How should I take Tresiba®?

  • Read the Instructions for Use and take Tresiba® exactly as your health care provider tells you to
  • Do not do any conversion of your dose. The dose counter always shows the selected dose in units
  • Know the type and strength of insulin you take. Do not change the type of insulin you take unless your health care provider tells you to
  • Change (rotate) your injection sites within the area you choose with each injection to reduce your risk of getting lipodystrophy (pits in skin or thickened skin) and localized cutaneous amyloidosis (skin with lumps) at the injection sites.
    • Do not use the exact same spot for each injection.
    • Do not inject where the skin has pits, is thickened, or has lumps.
    • Do not inject where the skin is tender, bruised, scaly or hard, or into scars or damaged skin.
  • Adults - If you miss or are delayed in taking your dose of Tresiba®:
    • Take your dose as soon as you remember, then continue with your regular dosing schedule
    • Make sure there are at least 8 hours between doses
  • If children miss a dose of Tresiba®:
    • Call the healthcare provider for information and instructions about checking blood sugar levels more often until the next scheduled dose of Tresiba®
  • For children who need less than 5 units of Tresiba® each day, use a Tresiba® U-100 vial
  • Check your blood sugar levels. Ask your health care provider what your blood sugar levels should be and when you should check them
  • Do not reuse or share your needles or syringes with other people. You may give them a serious infection, or get a serious infection from them
  • Never inject Tresiba® into a vein or muscle
  • Never use a syringe to remove Tresiba® from the FlexTouch® pen

What should I avoid while taking Tresiba®?

  • Do not drive or operate heavy machinery, until you know how Tresiba® affects you
  • Do not drink alcohol or use prescription or over-the-counter medicines that contain alcohol

What are the possible side effects of Tresiba®?

Tresiba® may cause serious side effects that can be life-threatening, including:

  • Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Signs and symptoms that may indicate low blood sugar include anxiety, irritability, mood changes, dizziness, sweating, confusion, and headache
  • Low potassium in your blood (hypokalemia)
  • Heart failure in some people if taken with thiazolidinediones (TZDs). This can happen even if you have never had heart failure or heart problems. If you already have heart failure, it may get worse while you take TZDs with Tresiba®. Tell your health care provider if you have any new or worse symptoms of heart failure including shortness of breath, tiredness, swelling of your ankles or feet, and sudden weight gain

Your insulin dose may need to change because of change in level of physical activity or exercise, increased stress, change in diet, weight gain or loss, or illness.

Common side effects may include reactions at the injection site, itching, rash, serious allergic reactions (whole body reactions), skin thickening or pits at the injection site (lipodystrophy), weight gain, and swelling of your hands and feet.

Get emergency medical help if you have trouble breathing, shortness of breath, fast heartbeat, swelling of your face, tongue, or throat, sweating, extreme drowsiness, dizziness, or confusion.

Please click here for Tresiba® Prescribing Information.

Look up your cost and a savings offer at MyTresibaCost.com.

Tresiba® is a prescription medication.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA.
Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1‑800-FDA-1088.

If you need assistance with prescription costs, help may be available. Visit www.pparx.org or call 1‑888-4PPA-NOW.

Talk to your health care provider about your diabetes management plan, including diet and exercise.