In my 30 years as a primary care physician, I’ve talked with a number of patients about getting started on an insulin therapy, and what to do when it’s time to add a basal insulin to their treatment regimen. As Executive Vice President for Education for the Primary Care Education Consortium (PCEC), I tell the residents and practicing physicians I work with that an important part of our job is being open and honest with our patients, every step of the way. When it’s time for a patient to start taking insulin, I sit with them and talk in detail about the next steps. We also have a conversation about adding an injection to their daily routine. In my practice, I prescribe Tresiba® for my adult patients starting on basal insulin. After writing the prescription, I take time to discuss the features of Tresiba® FlexTouch®, and give them an idea of how it works. We can then work together to integrate basal insulin injections into their daily routine. |
How I approach basal insulin injections with my patients

Stephen Brunton, MD
- 30+ years as a practicing physician
- Executive Vice President for Education for the Primary Care Education Consortium (PCEC)
- Serves in an editorial role for 8 peer-reviewed journals
- Former President of the California Academy of Family Physicians and the Association of Family Medicine Residency Directors
- Winner of the American Medical Writers Association’s John P. McGovern Award for Excellence in Communication
How I introduce Tresiba® FlexTouch®
A patient once told me, “You always remember your first injection. You don’t remember your second.” I like to share this sentiment with my patients as we address any questions they may have about taking basal insulin injections. Then, right there in my office, I give them their first injection, and they can see what it’s like. With Tresiba® FlexTouch®, they can also experience the NovoFine® Plus needle,a which is Novo Nordisk’s shortest and thinnest needle available.
aTresiba® FlexTouch® can also be used with NovoFine®, NovoFine® Autocover®, and NovoTwist® needles.



Stephen Brunton, MD
bDose determined on an individual basis. The mean end basal doses across Tresiba® clinical trials in adult patients ranged from 19 units to 74 units. Sixteen units was the mean end basal dose in the pediatric study.1
Features of Tresiba® FlexTouch® U-200
References:
- Tresiba [package insert]. Plainsboro, NJ: Novo Nordisk Inc; September 2015.
- Lantus [package insert]. Bridgewater, NJ: sanofi-aventis US LLC; August 2015.
Features of Tresiba® FlexTouch® U-200


Up to 160 units in a single dose
Tresiba® U-200 can dose up to 160 units in a single injection.1

Same dose, half the volume
Only Tresiba® FlexTouch® U-200 delivers the same dose in half the volume of insulin glargine U-100.1,2

Lasts twice as long as insulin glargine U-100 after opening
Tresiba® FlexTouch® lasts up to 8 weeks after being opened, if it is refrigerated (36°F to 46°F) or kept at room temperature below 86°F vs 4 weeks for insulin glargine U-100.1,2

Additional dosing considerations
Tresiba® FlexTouch® U-200 contains 600 total units, with 2-unit dose adjustments. Also, there is no push-button extension.1
Needles are sold separately and may need a prescription in some states.
