Basaglar and Tresiba are both long-acting basal insulin which provide all-day blood glucose regulation and management for individuals with Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes. These insulin medications are used in conjunction with a healthy diet, exercise, and other medications to improve blood sugar levels in the body.
Long-acting basal insulin is taken once a day and works in the body to steadily regulate blood sugar level for 24 hours and more.
What is Basaglar?
Basaglar is a long-acting human insulin analog whose active ingredient is insulin glargine. Basaglar’s onset to action is one to two hours after injection and has no identified peak action. Basaglar lasts in the body for 24 hours.
Basaglar contains 100 units of insulin glargine per milliliter (U-100) and is available via the Lilly KwikPen delivery system.
What is Tresiba?
Tresiba is considered the ultra-long basal insulin because it lasts for about 42 hours in the body, the longest duration for any long-acting insulin. The active ingredient in Tresiba is insulin degludec.
Tresiba works an hour after administration and has no definite peak action. It lasts for at least 40 hours in the body. It is taken strictly once daily, with intervals to the next shot being anywhere between 8-40 hours.
Tresiba is available at a 100 U/mL and 200 U/mL pen that uses the Novo-Nordisk FlexTouch pen.
What is the difference between Basaglar and Tresiba?
Basaglar and Tresiba are two very different insulins. Their main difference lies in the formulation, duration, and individual prescription.
The active ingredient in Basaglar is insulin glargine, while Tresiba contains insulin degludec. This accounts for their difference in onset to action, peak action, and duration. Basaglar lasts in the body for 20 to 24 hours, while Tresiba lasts for twice as long for 48 hours.
Tresiba is approved for use for all adults and children ages 1 year and older for both Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes. However, Basaglar is only approved for both adults and children with Type 1 diabetes. For Type 2 Diabetes, Basaglar is only prescribed for adults.
Both Tresiba and Basaglar are significantly effective insulin medications for Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.
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Disclaimer: Please note that the contents of this community article are strictly for informational purposes and should not be considered as medical advice. This article, and other community articles, are not written or reviewed for medical validity by Canadian Insulin or its staff. All views and opinions expressed by the contributing authors are not endorsed by Canadian Insulin. Always consult a medical professional for medical advice, diagnosis, and treatment.
