Overview
If you have diabetes, your doctor might suggest Tresiba (insulin degludec) as a treatment option for you.
Tresiba is a prescription drug that’s used to help manage blood sugar levels in people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Tresiba is used in adults and children ages 1 year and older.
This article describes the dosages of Tresiba, including its forms, strengths, and how to take the drug. To learn more about Tresiba, see this in-depth article.
Note: This article covers Tresiba’s typical dosages, which are provided by the drug’s manufacturer. But when using Tresiba, always take the dosage that your doctor prescribes.
What is Tresiba’s dosage?
Tresiba is a long-acting insulin that’s given as an injection under your skin. Your doctor will show you how to give yourself Tresiba injections. The drug comes in different forms and strengths.
What are the forms of Tresiba?
Tresiba comes as a liquid solution in two forms:
- multidose vials for use with syringes
- single-use, prefilled injection pens, called FlexTouch pens
What strengths does Tresiba come in?
Tresiba multidose vials come in a 10-milliliter (mL) size in one strength: U-100 (100 units of insulin per mL of solution).
Tresiba FlexTouch pens come in a 3-mL size in two strengths: U-100 and U-200 (200 units of insulin per mL of solution).
What are the typical dosages of Tresiba?
Typically, your doctor will start you on the dosage that’s recommended for treating your condition. Then they’ll adjust your dosage over time to reach the right amount for you. Your doctor will ultimately prescribe the smallest dosage that provides the desired effect. There isn’t a maximum recommended dose for Tresiba.
Your insulin dosage will be prescribed as a number of insulin units per day. If using Tresiba vials, you’ll remove the amount of insulin you’re prescribed from the vial using syringes. If you use Tresiba FlexTouch pens, you’ll select your FlexTouch dosage using a dial on the pen.
The information below describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. But be sure to use the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.
Dosage for type 1 diabetes
If you have type 1 diabetes, your doctor will determine your total daily insulin dose. This total daily dose is then divided into long-acting (or intermediate-acting) insulin and short-acting insulin. Typically, the dosage range for your total daily insulin dose is 0.2 to 0.4 units per kilogram of body weight.
Your starting dosage of Tresiba for type 1 diabetes will depend on whether you’re already using other forms of insulin. Your doctor will continue to adjust your dosage as needed until your blood sugar levels are within a healthy range.
Below is a Tresiba dosage chart for treating type 1 diabetes.
| Recommended starting dose | When it’s injected | |
| If you’re not already using insulin | one-third to one-half of the total amount of short-acting and long-acting insulin you’ll use each day* | once per day, any time of day |
| If you’re already using insulin | same as the total amount of intermediate-acting or long-acting insulin you’ve been using each day | once per day, any time of day |
* For example, if your doctor prescribes a total daily insulin dose of 50 units, your Tresiba dosage will be 17 units to 25 units each day.
Dosage for type 2 diabetes
Your starting dosage of Tresiba for type 2 diabetes will depend on whether you’re already using other forms of insulin. Your doctor will continue to adjust your dosage as needed until your blood sugar levels are within a healthy range.
Below is a Tresiba dosage chart for treating type 2 diabetes.
| Recommended starting dose | When it’s injected | |
| If you’re not already using insulin | 10 units | once per day, any time of day |
| If you’re already using insulin | same as the total amount of short-acting and long-acting insulin you’ve been using each day | once per day, any time of day |
Is Tresiba used long term?
Yes, Tresiba is typically used as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that Tresiba is safe and effective for you, it’s likely that you’ll use it long term.
What’s the dosage of Tresiba for children?
Tresiba is used to treat type 1 and type 2 diabetes in children ages 1 year and older. Your child’s starting dosage of Tresiba will depend on whether they’re already using other forms of insulin. Their doctor will continue to adjust their dosage as needed until their blood sugar levels are within a healthy range.
Below is a dosage chart for when Tresiba is prescribed for children.
| Recommended starting dose | When it’s injected | |
| For type 1 diabetes | ||
| if the child isn’t already using insulin | one-third to one-half of the total amount of short-acting and long-acting insulin the child will use each day* | once per day, at the same time each day |
| if the child is already using insulin | 80% of the total amount of intermediate-acting or long-acting insulin the child has been using each day | once per day, at the same time each day |
| For type 2 diabetes | ||
| if the child isn’t already using insulin | 10 units | once per day, at the same time each day |
| if the child is already using insulin | 80% of the total amount of intermediate-acting or long-acting insulin the child has been using each day | once per day, at the same time each day |
* For example, if your child’s doctor prescribes a total daily insulin dose of 20 units, their Tresiba dosage will be 7 units to 10 units each day.
Dosage adjustments
In some cases, your doctor may need to adjust your Tresiba dosage. This can happen because of changes in your physical activity or diet. Your dosage can also change if you’re sick or experiencing stress.
If you have questions about changing your Tresiba dosage, talk with your doctor.
What should be done in case of overdose?
Don’t use more Tresiba than your doctor prescribes. Using more than this can lead to serious side effects.
Symptoms of overdose
Symptoms caused by an overdose can include:
- low level of potassium in your blood, which can lead to constipation, heart palpitations, muscle cramps, and weakness
- severe hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), which can lead to confusion, dizziness, headache, and sweating
What to do in case you use/take too much Tresiba
Call your doctor right away if you think you’ve taken/used too much Tresiba. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach the American Association of Poison Control Centers, or use its online resource. But if you have severe symptoms, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately or go to the nearest emergency room.
What factors can affect my dosage?
The dosage of Tresiba you’re prescribed may depend on several factors. These include:
- the type and severity of your diabetes
- your age
- your weight
- your blood sugar levels
- whether you’re already using other types of insulin
- your diet
- when or how much you exercise
- other conditions you may have (see “Dosage adjustments” under “What is Tresiba’s dosage?”)
How is Tresiba used?
Tresiba is injected under the skin of your arm, belly, or thigh. With each dose, be sure to rotate injection sites. This helps prevent problems such as lumpy, pitted, or thickened skin that can happen if the drug is injected into the same location over and over.
Your doctor will show you how to give yourself injections of Tresiba. You can also watch a video with step-by-step instructions for using the FlexTouch pens on the manufacturer’s website. Or you can read Tresiba’s prescribing information.
What if I miss a dose?
If you forget to inject a dose of Tresiba, inject your missed dose as soon as you remember. Just make sure that each dose of Tresiba is separated by at least 8 hours.
You shouldn’t use two doses at once or give yourself extra units of Tresiba to make up for a missed dose. Doing this could cause severe hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).
If you need help remembering to take your dose of Tresiba on time, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm, downloading a reminder app, or setting a timer on your phone. A kitchen timer can work, too.
Frequently asked questions
Are the dosages the same for Tresiba and Lantus?
Tresiba and Lantus have some similarities, but their dosages may be different.
Both Tresiba and Lantus are long-acting insulins used to manage blood sugar levels in people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Tresiba contains the active drug insulin degludec, and Lantus contains the active drug insulin glargine.
Both drugs are typically injected under the skin once daily. But Tresiba’s effects can last for at least 42 hours, while Lantus works for up to 24 hours. For this reason, the exact dosage (number of insulin units) for each drug may be different.
For more information on how Tresiba and Lantus are alike and different, see this comparison article.
Can Tresiba be used twice per day?
No, Tresiba shouldn’t be used twice per day.
Tresiba should be used once daily to manage blood sugar levels in people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Tresiba is a long-acting insulin that helps regulate your blood sugar levels between meals and overnight.
The level of Tresiba in your body remains consistent throughout the day. Its effects can last for at least 42 hours after a single dose. So there’s no need to use Tresiba more than once per day.
If you have questions about when to use Tresiba, talk with your doctor.
Could my Tresiba dosage be affected by other drugs that I’m taking?
Yes, other drugs that you take could affect your Tresiba dosage.
Depending on the type of diabetes you have, you might take other diabetes drugs along with Tresiba. Other diabetes medications will work to lower your blood sugar in a different way than Tresiba does. To help prevent episodes of severe hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), your dosage of Tresiba will likely be adjusted if you take other diabetes drugs.
Other drugs may interact with Tresiba and affect your dosage. For more information, see this in-depth article.
What should I ask my doctor?
Tresiba is used to help manage blood sugar levels in people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes.
The sections above describe the typical dosages of Tresiba provided by the drug manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Tresiba for you, they’ll prescribe the dosage that’s right for you.
Remember, you shouldn’t change your dosage of Tresiba unless your doctor recommends it. You should use Tresiba exactly as prescribed. If you have questions or concerns about your current dosage, talk with your doctor.
Here are some examples of questions you may want to ask your doctor:
- Should my dosage change if Tresiba isn’t working well enough for me?
- Will my dosage of Tresiba change if I become pregnant or start breastfeeding?
- Will my dosage change if I switch between using Tresiba vials and Tresiba FlexTouch pens?
If you use Tresiba for type 2 diabetes, subscribe to Healthline’s online newsletter for tips on managing your condition and other helpful information.
Ask a pharmacist
Q:
Do I have to inject my dose of Tresiba at the same time every day?
Anonymous patient
A:
No, adults using Tresiba can take their dose at any time of day. But when used in children, Tresiba should be given at the same time each day.
In studies, Tresiba was effective in adults whether it was given at the same time or at different times each day. This is because Tresiba is a long-acting insulin with effects that last for at least 42 hours. The level of Tresiba in your body remains consistent as long as it’s used daily, regardless of the time of day.
But in studies of children, Tresiba was only used at the same time each day. It’s recommended that children be given Tresiba at the same time each day or as directed by their doctor.
Victor Nguyen, PharmD, MBAAnswers represent the opinions of our medical experts. All content is strictly informational and should not be considered medical advice.
Disclaimer: Healthline 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 other 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.
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