Prescribing Tresiba® to pediatric patients

Tresiba® U-100 is the only basal insulin indicated for type 1 and type 2 diabetes in children as young as 1 year of age.1-5 See guidance below on how to start or convert your pediatric patients to once-daily Tresiba®.

For pediatric patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes already taking insulin

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START

Tresiba® at 80% of the current dose of basal insulin to minimize the risk of hypoglycemia

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INJECT

Once daily at the same time of day

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TITRATE

Every 3 to 4 days as needed

  • If a pediatric patient misses a dose, they should contact their health care provider for guidance and monitor blood glucose levels more frequently until the next scheduled dose1
  • Individualize the dose according to the patient’s metabolic needs, blood glucose monitoring results, and glycemic control goals, with 3 to 4 days between each dose increase1

For insulin-naïve adult and pediatric patients with type 1 diabetes

CALCULATE

total daily insulin dose (basal + bolus)

0.2 to 0.4

units per kg of body weight

Plus

START

initial Tresiba® dose at

1/3 to 1/2

of total daily insulin dose

  • The recommended starting dose of Tresiba® in insulin-naïve pediatric and adult patients with type 2 diabetes is 10 units once daily
  • Adults already taking insulin can start on the same unit dose as their current basal insulin and take their injection at any time of day
  • Adult patients who miss a dose of Tresiba® should inject their daily dose during waking hours upon discovering the missed dose, then continue with their regular dosing schedule. Ensure that at least 8 hours have elapsed between Tresiba® injections
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Add Tresiba® to your electronic prescribing system

Tresiba® FlexTouch® U-100

Light Green FlexTouch® pen


NDC:

0169-2660-15

Form/Strength:

100 U/mL

Quantity per box:

5 pens
15 mL (5 x 3 mL)
1500 units total


Tresiba® U-100, 10-mL vial

Tresiba® U-100 vial


NDC:

0169-2662-11

Form/Strength:

100 U/mL

Quantity per box:

1 vial
10 mL
1000 units total


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More of your patients may now be covered for Tresiba®

Check local coverage

Selected Important Safety Information

Contraindications

  • Tresiba® is contraindicated during episodes of hypoglycemia and in patients with hypersensitivity to Tresiba® or one of its excipients

Warnings and Precautions

  • Never Share a Tresiba® FlexTouch® Pen, Needle, or Syringe Between Patients, even if the needle is changed. Patients using Tresiba® vials should never share needles or syringes with another person. Sharing poses a risk for transmission of blood-borne pathogens
  • Hyperglycemia or Hypoglycemia with Changes in Insulin Regimen: Changes in an insulin regimen (e.g., insulin strength, manufacturer, type, or injection site or method of administration) may affect glycemic control and predispose to hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia. Repeated insulin injections into areas of lipodystrophy or localized cutaneous amyloidosis have been reported to result in hyperglycemia; and a sudden change in the injection site (to an unaffected area) has been reported to result in hypoglycemia. Make any changes to a patient’s insulin regimen under close medical supervision with increased frequency of blood glucose monitoring. Advise patients who have repeatedly injected into areas of lipodystrophy or localized cutaneous amyloidosis to change the injection site to unaffected areas and closely monitor for hypoglycemia. Adjustments in concomitant anti-diabetic treatment may be needed.
  • Hypoglycemia is the most common adverse reaction of insulin, including Tresiba®, and may be life-threatening

Indications and Usage

Tresiba® (insulin degludec injection) is indicated to improve glycemic control in patients 1 year of age and older with diabetes mellitus.

Limitations of Use

Tresiba® is not recommended for treating diabetic ketoacidosis.

Important Safety Information

Contraindications

  • Tresiba® is contraindicated during episodes of hypoglycemia and in patients with hypersensitivity to Tresiba® or one of its excipients

Warnings and Precautions

  • Never Share a Tresiba® FlexTouch® Pen, Needle, or Syringe Between Patients, even if the needle is changed. Patients using Tresiba® vials should never share needles or syringes with another person. Sharing poses a risk for transmission of blood-borne pathogens
  • Hyperglycemia or Hypoglycemia with Changes in Insulin Regimen: Changes in an insulin regimen (e.g., insulin strength, manufacturer, type, or injection site or method of administration) may affect glycemic control and predispose to hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia. Repeated insulin injections into areas of lipodystrophy or localized cutaneous amyloidosis have been reported to result in hyperglycemia; and a sudden change in the injection site (to an unaffected area) has been reported to result in hypoglycemia. Make any changes to a patient’s insulin regimen under close medical supervision with increased frequency of blood glucose monitoring. Advise patients who have repeatedly injected into areas of lipodystrophy or localized cutaneous amyloidosis to change the injection site to unaffected areas and closely monitor for hypoglycemia. Adjustments in concomitant anti-diabetic treatment may be needed.
  • Hypoglycemia is the most common adverse reaction of insulin, including Tresiba®, and may be life-threatening. Increase monitoring with changes to: insulin dose, co-administered glucose lowering medications, meal pattern, physical activity; and in patients with hypoglycemia unawareness or renal or hepatic impairment
  • Accidental mix-ups between basal insulin products and other insulins, particularly rapid-acting insulins, have been reported. To avoid medication errors, always instruct patients to check the insulin label before each injection
  • Severe, life-threatening, generalized allergy, including anaphylaxis, can occur with insulin products, including Tresiba®
  • As with all insulins, Tresiba® use can lead to life-threatening hypokalemia, which then may cause respiratory paralysis, ventricular arrhythmia, and death. Closely monitor potassium levels in patients at risk of hypokalemia and treat if indicated
  • Fluid retention and heart failure can occur with concomitant use of thiazolidinediones (TZDs), which are PPAR-gamma agonists, and insulin, including Tresiba®. Patients should be observed for signs and symptoms of heart failure. If heart failure occurs, dosage reduction or discontinuation of the TZD must be considered

Adverse Reactions

  • Adverse reactions commonly associated with Tresiba® are hypoglycemia, allergic reactions, injection site reactions, lipodystrophy, pruritus, rash, edema, and weight gain

Drug Interactions

  • There are certain drugs that may cause clinically significant drug interactions with Tresiba®.
    • Drugs that may increase the risk of hypoglycemia: antidiabetic agents, ACE inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blocking agents, disopyramide, fibrates, fluoxetine, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, pentoxifylline, pramlintide, salicylates, somatostatin analog (e.g., octreotide), sulfonamide antibiotics, GLP-1 receptor agonists, DPP-4 inhibitors, and SGLT-2 inhibitors
    • Drugs that may decrease the blood glucose lowering effect: atypical antipsychotics (e.g., olanzapine and clozapine), corticosteroids, danazol, diuretics, estrogens, glucagon, isoniazid, niacin, oral contraceptives, phenothiazines, progestogens (e.g., in oral contraceptives), protease inhibitors, somatropin, sympathomimetic agents (e.g., albuterol, epinephrine, terbutaline), and thyroid hormones
    • Drugs that may increase or decrease the blood glucose lowering effect: alcohol, beta-blockers, clonidine, lithium salts, and pentamidine
    • Drugs that may blunt the signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia: beta-blockers, clonidine, guanethidine, and reserpine

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References:

  1. Tresiba [package insert]. Plainsboro, NJ: Novo Nordisk Inc; November 2019.
  2. Lantus [package insert]. Bridgewater, NJ: sanofi-aventis US LLC; November 2018.
  3. Levemir [package insert]. Plainsboro, NJ: Novo Nordisk Inc; March 2020.
  4. Toujeo [package insert]. Bridgewater, NJ: sanofi-aventis US LLC; March 2019.
  5. Basaglar [package insert]. Indianapolis, IN: Lilly USA LLC; September 2018.