Insulin Degludec

💊 What is Insulin Degludec used for?

• •The label says it is used to improve blood sugar control in people 1 year of age and older with diabetes mellitus. The label also says it is not recommended for treating diabetic ketoacidosis.

How it works

How it is usually taken

• •The label says it is injected under the skin into the thigh, upper arm, or abdomen. Injection sites should be rotated within the same body region from one injection to the next. Adults are told to inject once daily at any time of day, and children once daily at the same time every day. The label says it must never be given into a vein or muscle, never used in an insulin infusion pump, and never diluted or mixed with other insulin or solutions. Only use it if the solution looks clear and colorless. Always check the insulin label before each injection. Follow the instructions from your prescriber or pharmacist and read the Instructions for Use that come with the product.

Comes as

• •100 units/mL (U-100) in a 3 mL single-patient-use FlexTouch prefilled pen
• •100 units/mL (U-100) in a 10 mL multiple-dose vial
• •200 units/mL (U-200) in a 3 mL single-patient-use FlexTouch prefilled pen

⚠️ Insulin Degludec side effects

🛑 Who should not take Insulin Degludec, and who should be careful

The label says not to take it if

• 🚨You are having an episode of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). The label says it is contraindicated during these episodes.
• 🚨You are allergic to insulin degludec or any of its ingredients (excipients).

Tell your doctor before taking it if

• •Tell your healthcare provider about all your medical conditions, including if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.
• •Tell your healthcare provider about all new prescription or over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, or herbal supplements you take.
• •Talk with your healthcare provider about low blood sugar and how to manage it before you start.
• •Never share a FlexTouch pen, needle, or insulin syringe with another person, even if the needle is changed. The label says sharing can spread blood-borne infections.
• •Know the type and strength of insulin you use. Do not change insulin type unless your healthcare provider tells you to.

🔀 Insulin Degludec with other medicines, food and alcohol

The label says to discuss these with your doctor or pharmacist

• •The label lists drugs that may increase the risk of low blood sugar, including other diabetes medicines, ACE inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blockers, fibrates, fluoxetine, MAO inhibitors, salicylates, sulfonamide antibiotics, GLP-1 receptor agonists, DPP-4 inhibitors, and SGLT-2 inhibitors.
• •The label lists drugs that may reduce its blood sugar lowering effect, including atypical antipsychotics, corticosteroids, diuretics, estrogens, glucagon, niacin, oral contraceptives, phenothiazines, protease inhibitors, somatropin, sympathomimetic agents such as albuterol and epinephrine, and thyroid hormones.
• •Alcohol, beta-blockers, clonidine, and lithium salts may either increase or decrease its effect.
• •Beta-blockers, clonidine, guanethidine, and reserpine may reduce or hide the warning signs of low blood sugar.
• •Pentamidine may cause low blood sugar, which may sometimes be followed by high blood sugar.
• •Thiazolidinediones (TZDs) may cause fluid retention and heart failure when used with this medicine.

Alcohol and food

The label says alcohol can change how much this medicine lowers blood sugar. It also says changes in meal patterns can affect blood sugar, so meal timing may need to be discussed with your healthcare provider.

🤰 Insulin Degludec in pregnancy and breastfeeding

Pregnancy

The label says available data have not identified a drug-related risk of major birth defects, miscarriage, or other adverse outcomes. It describes one trial of 91 pregnant women with type 1 diabetes, which showed no clear evidence of maternal or fetal risk. The label also notes that poorly controlled diabetes in pregnancy carries risks for the mother and baby. Animal studies at high exposures showed effects. Talk with your healthcare provider about pregnancy.

Breastfeeding

The label excerpt provided does not give specific breastfeeding information. Tell your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding before you use this medicine.

🗓️ Storage, missed doses and taking too much

Storage

The label excerpt provided does not list storage temperatures. The label says to only use the medicine if the solution appears clear and colorless, and to follow the Instructions for Use for the pen or vial.

If a dose is missed

The label says for adults, take the missed or delayed dose as soon as you remember, then continue your regular schedule, and make sure there are at least 8 hours between doses. For children, the label says to call the healthcare provider for instructions on checking blood sugar more often until the next scheduled dose.

If too much is taken

The label says too much insulin relative to food intake or activity can cause severe, sometimes prolonged, life-threatening low blood sugar and low potassium. Mild low blood sugar is usually treated with oral glucose. Severe cases with coma, seizure, or nerve problems may need emergency glucagon or intravenous glucose. Get emergency medical help right away if this happens.

🗒️ Questions to ask about Insulin Degludec

• Is this insulin the right type for my diabetes, and how should I check my blood sugar?
• What signs of low blood sugar should I watch for, and what should I do if they happen?
• How should I handle a missed or delayed dose?
• Will I need to change my injection sites, and how do I rotate them safely?
• How do my other medicines, including beta-blockers or diuretics, affect this insulin?
• What should I do if I am sick, exercising more, or changing my meals?
• How should I store my pen or vial and dispose of used needles safely?

❓ Insulin Degludec: frequently asked questions