This article describes Tresiba’s dosages and strengths and gives details on how to use it. You’ll also find information on cost savings and coupon options for Tresiba. If you want to know more about Tresiba, see this overview article. It covers details about the drug’s uses and side effects, ways to save on cost, and more.
Tresiba is a brand-name biologic medication that comes as an injectable liquid solution. It isn’t available in a biosimilar form. This article describes dosages of Tresiba.
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Forms and strengths of Tresiba
Tresiba comes as follows:
- Forms:
- multidose 10-milliliter (mL) vial of solution for injection under your skin
- FlexTouch pens prefilled with 3 mL solution for injection under your skin
- Strengths:
- multidose vial: 100 units insulin degludec/mL
- FlexTouch pens: 100 units insulin degludec/mL; 200 units insulin degludec/mL
Dosage of Tresiba
This article describes the recommended dosages for Tresiba. The drugmaker provides these dosages.
If your doctor prescribes this medication, you should follow the dosage they prescribe. Your doctor will determine the dosage that best meets your needs. Do not change your dosage of Tresiba without your doctor’s recommendation.
Usual recommended dosages of Tresiba in adults
Usually, doctors start by prescribing a low dosage of Tresiba. Then, they’ll adjust it over time until your blood sugar goal is reached.
The maximum dosage of Tresiba can be different for each person. It’s typically dependent on a person’s insulin sensitivity. Your doctor will help determine the right dosage for you.
Dosage for type 1 diabetes
If you have type 1 diabetes, your doctor will typically prescribe both long-acting and short-acting insulin to make up your total daily insulin dose. Tresiba is a long-acting insulin.
In general, your total daily insulin dose is 0.2 to 0.4 units per kilogram (kg) of body weight.
The dosage of Tresiba will depend on whether you’re already using insulin. The following table shows the recommended starting dosages of Tresiba for adults with type 1 diabetes:
| Starting dose | Frequency | |
|---|---|---|
| if you’re not already using insulin | one-third to one-half of your total daily insulin dose | once per day at any time of day |
| if you’re already using insulin | same amount of long-acting or intermediate-acting insulin that you’ve been using each day | once per day at any time of day |
Dosage for type 2 diabetes
The following table shows the recommended starting dosages of Tresiba for adults with type 2 diabetes:
| Starting dose | Frequency | |
| if you’re not already using insulin | 10 units | once per day at any time of day |
| if you’re already using insulin | same amount of long-acting or intermediate-acting insulin that you’ve been using each day | once per day at any time of day |
Dosages of Tresiba in children
Doctors prescribe Tresiba for type 1 or type 2 diabetes in children ages 1 year and older.
Your child’s dosage will depend on if they’re already using insulin. The following table shows the recommended starting dosages of Tresiba for children with diabetes.
For children who need less than 5 units of Tresiba per day, a Tresiba multidose vial is usually recommended (instead of a FlexTouch pen).
| Starting dose | Frequency | |
| Type 1 diabetes | ||
| children who aren’t already using insulin | one-third to one-half of your child’s total daily insulin dose* | once per day at the same time each day |
| children who are already using insulin | 80% of your child’s total amount of long-acting or intermediate-acting insulin they’ve been using each day | once per day at the same time each day |
| Type 2 diabetes | ||
| children who aren’t already using insulin | 10 units | once per day at the same time each day |
| children who are already using insulin | 80% of your child’s total amount of long-acting or intermediate-acting insulin they’ve been using each day | once per day at the same time each day |
* In general, total daily insulin dose is 0.2 to 0.4 units per kilogram (kg) of body weight.
Dosage adjustments for Tresiba
Your doctor will prescribe a dosage of Tresiba based on several factors. These include:
- the specific condition being treated and how severe it is
- your age
- other health conditions you may have
- other medications you may take
- whether you’ve been on insulin before or if you’re switching from another insulin medication
- changes in physical activity or diet
- periods of illness or stress
Missed dose of Tresiba
For adults, if you miss a dose of Tresiba, take your dose as soon as you remember. Then continue your regular dosing schedule. But make sure there are at least 8 hours between your doses of Tresiba.
If you have questions about a missed dose, talk with your doctor or pharmacist right away. They may advise you to take the missed dose. Or they may advise you to skip it and take your next dose as scheduled.
If your child misses a dose of Tresiba, contact your child’s doctor. They will likely advise you to check your child’s blood sugar more frequently until their next dose of Tresiba.
For tips on how to plan your doses of Tresiba and avoid missing a dose, read this article. You could also try:
- downloading a reminder app on your phone
- setting an alarm
- putting a note where you’ll see it, such as on your calendar, bathroom mirror, or bedside table
Frequently asked questions
Below are answers to some commonly asked questions about Tresiba and its dosage.
Does Tresiba have a twice daily dosing?
No. Tresiba is a long-acting insulin that’s made for once-per-day use. The drugmaker recommends using it once per day for both type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
It’s important to use Tresiba exactly as prescribed. Using doses more often than recommended can increase your risk of serious side effects, including low blood sugar.
If you have questions about the right dosage of Tresiba for you, talk with your doctor.
Is Tresiba used long term?
Yes, doctors typically prescribe Tresiba as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that it’s safe and effective for your condition, you’ll likely use it long term.
If you have questions about how long you should use Tresiba, talk with your doctor.
How Tresiba is used
Your doctor or another healthcare professional will show you how to give yourself Tresiba injections. You may also refer to Tresiba’s prescribing information for instructions for use.
You’ll inject Tresiba once per day. It should be injected under the skin of your thighs, upper arms, or abdomen. Be sure to rotate injection sites each time you take a dose. Doing so can lower your risk of lumpy, thickened, or pitted skin. Avoid injecting in any areas of your skin that are tender, bruised, scaly, hard, damaged, or scarred.
Your doctor may advise that you use this medication around the same time each day. This helps keep a consistent amount of the drug in your body. And that can help the drug work more effectively.
Also, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you’re having difficulty injecting your medication. They can offer recommendations about how to do it more effectively.
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Get free cardOverdose of Tresiba
It’s important that you do not take more Tresiba than your doctor prescribes. Doing so can lead to harmful effects.
Symptoms of Tresiba overdose
Symptoms of an overdose can include:
- low blood sugar
- hypokalemia (low blood potassium)
- seizure
- coma
What to do if you take too much Tresiba
If you think you’ve taken too much Tresiba, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.
What to ask your doctor
This article describes the usual recommended dosages for Tresiba. If your doctor prescribes this medication, they’ll determine the dosage that’s best for you.
Do not change your dosage of Tresiba without your doctor’s recommendation. You should take Tresiba exactly as your doctor prescribes it. Let your doctor know if you have concerns or questions about your treatment plan.
Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:
- How often will my dosage of Tresiba change?
- Do I need to notify you every time my meal patterns change?
- Will my dosage of Tresiba change if I take other drugs with it?
Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.