Tresiba (Insulin Degludec) prescription available online

If you are suffering from type 1 or type 2 diabetes, Tresiba can help. Get a new prescription or refill of Tresiba today from a board-certified doctor online.*

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FDA-approved use for Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes

Used for diabetes management

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About Tresiba 

Tresiba is a type of insulin that works similarly to how natural insulin works in your body. The medication was designed to provide a slow release into the blood circulatory system, which further contributes to its efficacy in terms of functionality. Like any insulin, this medication can only be used for diabetes management. It is ineffective against hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) because it will not help to increase blood sugar levels in a short period of time to prevent low blood sugar from worsening. This medication does not treat diabetic ketoacidosis. Patients with diabetic ketoacidosis require a different treatment than insulin degludec.

Tresiba is also classified as a type of biologic drug. This means the medication uses living organisms in its formulation.

Some conditions that Tresiba is known to treat include type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes. Tresiba is available only by prescription. There are currently no generic versions or biosimilar drugs that match the actions provided by Tresiba. The medication uses the main ingredient insulin degludec. Tresiba Flextouch comes with a dose counter for easy usage.

Tresiba may be prescribed as an injection. Pre-measured pens are also available, which can significantly ease injecting the correct insulin dose for the patient's condition. It’s always essential, as they can vary based on the formulation and dosage that you are prescribed.

If you are prescribed Tresiba, be sure to use it as advised, and do not stop using the medication unless your doctor tells you to. A daily insulin degludec injection can help to provide a more significant improvement in blood sugar levels. Together with blood glucose monitoring, your doctor can sometimes make suggestions regarding adjusted doses.

If you decide to stop using the insulin degludec injection to help manage your diabetes mellitus, then you may find that your blood sugar levels become unstable. This makes it hard to control high blood sugar. It also puts you at risk of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) in some cases.

Tresiba uses

There are two FDA-approved uses for Tresiba, but it may also be used off-label to treat other conditions. Your online medical professional may prescribe it for any of the following common reasons. It’s also possible that your healthcare provider may prescribe it for other reasons not listed here. If you have questions about why a medication is prescribed, ask your online doctor or pharmacist.

  • Type 1 Diabetes

    Type 1 diabetes is a condition where the pancreas is unable to produce an adequate amount of insulin. This is why a regular insulin dose is needed in these cases. The dose of Tresiba will largely depend on the severity of the patient's condition. It is also likely to be a long-term treatment with the Tresiba Flextouch pen or a different type of injectable solution. The use of this medication in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus helps to stabilize blood sugar levels by ensuring the patient has enough insulin in their body to assist with the metabolism of glucose.

  • Type 2 Diabetes

    Type 2 diabetes is often associated with high-calorie consumption, but there are several other risk factors and causes behind the disease as well. In patients with type 2 diabetes, there is usually insulin resistance that builds up over time. This makes it harder for insulin to transport glucose into cells. In turn, the patient may struggle to control high blood sugar levels. High blood sugar in these individuals can lead to a number of potential health complications. The patient may experience problems with their nerves and have a greater risk of a serious infection or get tired easily. A healthcare provider will assess the current blood sugar levels of the patient, as well as perform additional tests. This can help them to determine the right dose of Tresiba. Along with diet and exercise, Tresiba Flextouch can help provide improvements in body weight and reduce the risk of weight gain too.

Tresiba side effects

  • The side effects associated with taking Tresiba are typically mild or moderate. Most Tresiba side effects are associated with blood sugar levels and the digestive system.

    When looking at the potential side effects of Tresiba, there are a few things that one needs to take into consideration. Repeated insulin injections can cause side effects that are dependent on the dose the patient takes, as well as their age.

    Tresiba has some common side effects. They may include:

    • Diarrhea

    • Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)

    • High blood sugar levels (hyperglycemia)

    • Weight gain

    • Headaches

    • Itchiness at the injection site

    • Other types of injection site reactions


    Individuals who use insulin degludec are also at an increased risk to develop upper respiratory infections. This can sometimes make you get a serious infection. The healthcare provider will usually discuss these risks with the patient and ensure they know what symptoms to look out for.

    Weight gain can sometimes lead to obesity. This can affect glycemic control.

    Other side effects, which are less common but might be more severe, could include:

    • Severe Hypoglycemia: A high dose of Tresiba or following an inappropriate diet can sometimes lead to the development of low blood sugar levels. This is due to the blood glucose-lowering effect that the medication produces. When blood sugar levels decline too much, the patient may experience severe adverse reactions. This includes a racing heartbeat, excessive sweating, and even the possibility of passing out.

    • Hypokalemia: There have also been some reports of patients developing hypokalemia as a serious side effect. This condition refers to a low potassium level in the body. Potassium is a type of electrolyte that plays several important roles in the human body. Clinically significant drug interactions can occur when the patient mixes their dose of Tresiba with other medications that can also have a lowering effect on potassium levels.

    • Allergic Reactions: While rare, it is important that patients also understand the risk of allergic reactions developing after taking their dose of Tresiba. There are some reactions that may occur at the injection site. Adverse reactions at the injection site may include redness and itching. More serious reactions may affect the patient's breathing and cause the development of hives. Make sure you note allergic reactions early on, even with the lower 100 units ml dose for diabetes mellitus.


    You should call your doctor if you notice any of these side effects or if you develop any other new or concerning symptoms. There are some cases where the medication may be provided to pediatric patients. In this case, careful monitoring of adverse reactions is crucial. It is also important for regular blood glucose monitoring in these patients. This can help to ensure chances in blood sugar levels are detected in a timely manner. Take note of changes in your body weight, such as weight gain. Some people do experience weight gain when they use long-acting insulin. Sudden weight gain can indicate certain adverse effects.

How to take Tresiba

Your pharmacist will provide you with instructions on how to take your Tresiba prescription. Read the insulin label and follow a regular dosing schedule when you use this prescription medication.

Be sure to read your prescription label and follow the instructions. Call your doctor or pharmacy if you have any questions.

Tresiba generally comes in the form of an injection. The dose counter injection is called Tresiba Flextouch. It is important that the patient understands their dose and the ideal usage times. The patient should not use the same injection site with every dose. Repeated insulin injections in the same injection site may cause redness, soreness, swelling, and a rash to develop. This can lead to discomfort on the skin. Thus, rotate your injection sites with every dose of Tresiba.

Never share needles or syringes with another person as part of your insulin regimen. Do not use the same needle for too long, even if the needle still looks fine. If you take herbal supplements, talk to your healthcare provider. You should also talk to your doctor if you experience signs of diabetic ketoacidosis, localized cutaneous amyloidosis, or frequently have low blood sugar. They may change your dose to 100 units ml of insulin degludec. If you experience low blood sugar with 100 units of ml, then an alternative to Tresiba Flextouch may be considered.

What to avoid while taking Tresiba

Tresiba has several potential drug interactions. Don’t change what you are taking without checking with your doctor or pharmacist. That includes other medications or supplements, as well as over-the-counter drugs. 

You should be careful about using Tresiba Flextouch with other drugs that can affect your blood sugar levels. When multiple drugs affect glycemic control, it raises the blood glucose-lowering effect and increases the risk of low blood sugar. This may sometimes lead to low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). There are certain drugs that can increase blood sugar levels. In this case, they make it harder for your dose of Tresiba to work effectively.

There are also certain blood pressure medications that may interact with your dose of Tresiba. One of the major factors here is that these medicines make it hard to identify low blood sugar early on. In turn, this can lead to more severe low blood sugar levels.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist if it is acceptable to consume alcohol while taking Tresiba.

Some research shows that regular alcohol consumption may make it harder for your liver to produce sugar while it processes alcohol. When this happens, low blood sugar is something that can occur. If you do prefer to use alcohol with these prescription drugs, make sure you discuss this with your doctor. If you drink alcohol, checking blood sugar levels regularly can help. Extremely low blood sugar may require emergency medical help. It can also become life-threatening.

Be careful about using these prescription drugs with over-the-counter medicines. You should also not combine the drug with concomitant anti-diabetic treatment and some monoamine oxidase inhibitors. Talk to your doctor if you use other basal insulin products to avoid severe low blood sugar.

Medication alternatives to Tresiba

If your healthcare provider prefers to put you on another treatment, they may suggest another type of insulin or an antidiabetic medicine in another drug class. Here are some common doctor-recommended alternatives based on your health issue:

  • Insulin Resistance

    Insulin resistance is often a precursor to type 2 diabetes. In these cases, your healthcare provider may consider more appropriate drugs to produce blood glucose-lowering effects with insulin resistance. Regular blood glucose monitoring is still essential in this case.

    Thiazolidinediones

    Biguanide

Tresiba prescription FAQs

  • How much does Tresiba cost?

    You will find many factors that affect the cost of insulin degludec. You should take note of the dose that you are prescribed. The 100 units ml option comes at a lower price compared to a higher dose of Tresiba. Another thing that affects the cost is the type of Tresiba that you get. Tresiba Flextouch may come at a different price than containers that hold the liquid.

  • How can I refill my Tresiba prescription?

    If you have a repeat script for insulin degludec, then you simply need to go to your local pharmacy once every month to pick up your prescription.

  • How long can you keep Tresiba out of the fridge?

    Since Tresiba Flextouch and other forms of the medication use live organisms, the storage instructions are often not the same as regular insulin treatments. You can leave this medication out of the fridge as long as it remains below 86 degrees Fahrenheit. The insulin degludec will remain usable for a period of up to eight weeks.

  • What happens to Tresiba if it is not refrigerated?

    Even when you already started to use a Tresiba Flextouch pen, it is unlikely to decline in its efficacy to control high blood sugar if you do not add it to the refrigerator.

  • Can you take Tresiba after eating?

    Tresiba is not a short-acting insulin treatment. The insulin dose that you get from an injection site will work over a long period of time. This is because the medicine helps to control your blood sugar levels by gradually releasing into the bloodstream. Do not take the medication after you have a meal. Instead, stick to the instructions provided by your healthcare provider.

  • How long does it take for Tresiba to kick in?

    Even though not a rapid-acting option, the insulin dose you get from your Tresiba Flextouch should start to work within the first 60 minutes after you take it. The main ingredient, insulin degludec, will continue to remain active in your system for an extended duration of time. Each dose of Tresiba lasts for around 42 hours. This is why the medication often allows for easy adjustments and more freedom.

  • Who should not take Tresiba?

    A daily dose of Tresiba is usually not advisable for people with insulin resistance but rather only for those with diabetes mellitus. You also need to avoid other medications that could affect your blood sugar levels. Each dose of Tresiba that you administer can further increase the risk of low blood sugar in this case. There are also clinically significant drug interactions that you should be wary of. Tell your doctor about any other drugs that you will use with this insulin dose. Do not use Tresiba Flextouch if you have problems with low blood sugar or have experienced allergic reactions to similar drugs in the past. Talk to your doctor about treating diabetes mellitus if you previously experienced diabetic ketoacidosis.

  • What happens if I miss a dose of Tresiba?

    If you have a missed dose as part of your insulin regimen, then Tresiba offers flexibility. You should take the next insulin dose once you remember. This is because each insulin dose of degludec remains active in your system for up to 42 hours. With this said, even with the lower 100 units ml dose, timing is still something to remember. Your dose of Tresiba should not be within an eight-hour window of the previous insulin dose you injected.

  • What happens if I take too much Tresiba?

    Too much insulin degludec can cause low blood sugar. It can also make allergic reactions to the drugs more severe. This is why blood glucose monitoring is vital when you use this drug to manage your blood sugar levels. Blood glucose monitoring can help you identify low blood sugar when you use insulin degludec.

3 simple steps to request your Tresiba prescription today 

Step 1

Book a Tresiba prescription request appointment.

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Step 2

Talk to your medical provider regarding your Tresiba prescription.

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Step 3

Pick up your Tresiba prescription.

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Tresiba prescription pricing details

How pricing works

To get a new or refill on your Tresiba prescription, join our monthly membership and get discounted visits.

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Often the same as an office visit. Most patients with in-network insurance pay $30 or less!

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Paying without insurance

Membership

$16.99/month

First month free

Visits

$129

30 days of free membership

  • Same-day appointments 7 days a week

  • Unlimited messages with your Care Team

  • Prescription discount card to save up to 80%

  • Exclusive discounts on lab tests

  • Free memberships for your family

  • Cancel anytime

Visit price without insurance

Initial visits are $129.

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