Tresiba® FlexTouch Pens for Basal Insulin Therapy

Tresiba® FlexTouch pens contain insulin degludec, a long-acting basal insulin for people with diabetes. This page explains key facts so patients can compare strengths, dosing basics, storage, and price before ordering from Canada with US delivery from Canada. It also supports self-pay buyers purchasing without insurance.

What Tresiba® Is and How It Works

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Tresiba® (insulin degludec) is an ultra-long-acting insulin that helps control blood glucose between meals and overnight. It forms multi-hexamers after subcutaneous injection, creating a depot that slowly releases insulin into the bloodstream. The result is a stable, once-daily basal effect. It can be taken at any time of day, as long as doses are spaced appropriately.

This basal insulin is used with mealtime insulin in type 1 diabetes and can be used alone or with other non-insulin agents in type 2 diabetes. It is available in FlexTouch prefilled pens designed for simple, accurate dosing.

Who Tresiba® Is For

Tresiba is indicated to improve glycemic control in adults and children 1 year of age and older with diabetes mellitus. It is not appropriate during episodes of hypoglycemia. It is not for intravenous use, not for use in an insulin pump, and not for the treatment of diabetic ketoacidosis.

People with a known hypersensitivity to insulin degludec or to any of the pen’s excipients should not use it. Those with significant kidney or liver impairment require careful monitoring and dose adjustments under clinician guidance.

Dosage and Usage

Use Tresiba once daily at the same time each day when possible. If daily timing needs to change, ensure adequate spacing between doses.

• Type 2 diabetes: Many adults start with 10 units once daily, then titrate based on fasting glucose targets.
• Type 1 diabetes: Use as the basal component with rapid-acting insulin for meals and corrections. The dose is individualized as part of the total daily insulin plan.
• Dose adjustments: Adjust gradually and monitor for hypoglycemia, especially when therapy changes, diet shifts, or activity levels vary.

Administration is subcutaneous into the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm. Rotate injection sites to reduce the risk of lipodystrophy and cutaneous amyloidosis.

The FlexTouch pen is designed for ease of use. The U-100 pen delivers 1 to 80 units per injection in 1-unit steps. The U-200 pen delivers 2 to 160 units per injection in 2-unit steps. The dose window shows units of insulin for both strengths; no conversion is required.

Strengths and Forms

• Tresiba FlexTouch U-100: 100 units/mL, 3 mL prefilled pen (300 units total).
• Tresiba FlexTouch U-200: 200 units/mL, 3 mL prefilled pen (600 units total).

Availability may vary. Higher-dose needs may be met more conveniently with the U-200 pen, while delivering the same number of insulin units. Explore more basal options in Long Acting Insulin Pens.

Missed Dose and Timing

If a dose is missed, take it when remembered during the same day, ensuring at least 8 hours between injections. Then resume the regular once-daily schedule. Do not take extra insulin to make up for a missed dose. Follow the treatment plan provided by the prescriber.

Storage and Travel Basics

Unopened pens: Refrigerate at 36°F to 46°F (2°C to 8°C). Do not freeze. Keep in the carton to protect from light.

In-use pens: Keep at room temperature (below 86°F/30°C) or refrigerated. Protect from heat and light. Do not freeze. Keep the cap on when not in use. Discard each pen 8 weeks (56 days) after first use, even if insulin remains.

For travel, carry pens and spare needles in hand luggage with a backup plan for temperature control. Use an insulated case when appropriate and keep a copy of the prescription for security checks.

Pen Handling and Sharps Disposal

• Use a new sterile pen needle for every injection.
• Attach the needle, remove both caps, and prime per label instructions to ensure insulin flow.
• Dial the prescribed dose and inject subcutaneously. Hold the needle in the skin for the recommended time before removing.
• Remove the needle after each injection and dispose of it safely.

Never share pens or needles. Place used needles in a puncture-resistant sharps container and follow local regulations for disposal. For a device overview, see the article Tresiba FlexTouch Pen.

Benefits

• Once-daily basal insulin designed for steady, 24-hour coverage.
• Flexible dose timing when needed, with minimum spacing between injections.
• Convenient prefilled pens with clear unit display.
• Two strengths (U-100 and U-200) to match a wide range of dose requirements.
• Compatible with basal-bolus plans using a rapid-acting insulin for meals.

For meal coverage, some patients use a rapid-acting insulin. Options include a faster aspart in a pen format such as Fiasp® Insulin FlexTouch, when prescribed.

Side Effects and Safety

• Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), which can be severe.
• Injection site reactions such as redness, swelling, or itching.
• Lipodystrophy or skin thickening at injection sites.
• Weight gain or edema.
• Allergic reactions, rash, or pruritus.
• Hypokalemia (low potassium).

Severe hypoglycemia is the most important risk and may cause confusion, seizures, or loss of consciousness. Serious allergic reactions are rare but require urgent attention. Insulins can cause sodium retention and edema, especially when used with thiazolidinediones. Discuss individualized risks with the prescriber and review official labeling.

Drug Interactions and Cautions

• Drugs that lower blood glucose (GLP-1 agonists, SGLT2 inhibitors) may increase hypoglycemia risk when used with insulin.
• Medications that raise blood glucose (corticosteroids, some diuretics, certain antipsychotics) may require closer monitoring.
• Beta blockers and similar agents may mask adrenergic symptoms of hypoglycemia.
• Alcohol can increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
• Do not mix Tresiba with other insulins or use it in an insulin pump.
• Use with caution in hepatic or renal impairment.

Coordinate the basal regimen with mealtime insulin and other diabetes medications under clinician guidance. For background on this therapy, see What Is Tresiba.

What to Expect Over Time

Fasting glucose generally improves over days as the basal dose is optimized. A1C reflects changes over several months. Dose adjustments are common when diet, weight, activity, or companion medications change. Consistent injection site rotation helps maintain predictable absorption and reduces local skin changes.

Compare With Alternatives

Other basal insulins may be appropriate in some cases. Insulin glargine 100 units/mL in a pen device such as Lantus® SoloStar Pens is a widely used option. A higher-strength glargine pen like Toujeo® DoubleStar Prefilled Pen provides concentrated dosing. Your prescriber will help choose among these based on glucose patterns, dosing needs, and preferences.

Editorial comparisons are available in Tresiba vs Basaglar.

Pricing and Access

Compare Tresiba FlexTouch Pens price and cost across U-100 and U-200 strengths with Canadian pricing. Many self-pay shoppers review the Tresiba insulin cash price to estimate out-of-pocket costs. You can buy Tresiba FlexTouch Pens online and order Tresiba insulin pens from Canada with US shipping. See the current price on this page before adding to cart.

Insulin is temperature sensitive; orders ship with prompt, express, cold-chain shipping. Secure checkout protects personal details.

Availability and Substitutions

Availability can change by strength or package size. If a specific presentation is unavailable, a prescriber may recommend a suitable alternative basal product or a different regimen. For those who may benefit from a fixed-ratio option combining basal insulin with a GLP-1, discuss whether Soliqua® SoloStar Pens could be appropriate.

Patient Suitability and Cost Saving Tips

Candidates include adults and children 1 year and older who require once-daily basal insulin. Those with recurrent severe hypoglycemia, allergy to insulin degludec, or who need intravenous insulin or pump therapy are not candidates for this product. Pregnant or breastfeeding patients should review risks and benefits with their clinicians.

• Ask the prescriber if a multi-month supply can reduce per-pen cost.
• Consider U-200 if high daily doses make U-100 pens less practical.
• Use refill reminders to avoid gaps in therapy.
• Keep consistent pharmacy records to support safe dose adjustments.

Questions to Ask Your Clinician

• Which strength is best for my dose: U-100 or U-200?
• What is the starting dose and how should it be titrated?
• How should rapid-acting insulin be used with Tresiba for meals?
• What are the signs of hypoglycemia and how should they be treated?
• How should the plan change on sick days or with travel?
• Which injection sites are preferred for consistent absorption?
• When should labs or glucose targets be reviewed and updated?

Authoritative Sources

Tresiba Official SitePrescribing Information (Novo Nordisk)Health Canada Drug Product Database

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