Tresiba alternatives: What can I take instead of Tresiba?

Compare Tresiba alternatives | Basaglar | Lantus | Levemir | Novolin | Toujeo | Natural alternatives | How to switch meds

With over 37 million Americans living with diabetes and 96 million categorized as pre-diabetic, improving glucose levels early and effectively can be a challenge. Many times healthcare providers may choose insulin—a hormone used to lower blood glucose levels— to better manage their diabetic patient’s hyperglycemia.

Tresiba (brand-name) is a long-acting basal insulin approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to better control blood sugar levels. It is approved in pediatric patients as young as one and adult Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. Manufactured by Novo Nordisk, Tresiba is a subcutaneous injection. This insulin degludec injection improves glucose levels within a few hours of administration and provides glycemic control evenly for 24 hours. Tresiba also comes in a flextouch pen for easier application. 

Although Tresiba may improve hyperglycemia in different types of diabetes, there are some serious allergic reactions that may result in the need to inquire about an alternative. The most common side effects are hypoglycemia (low blood sugars), allergic reactions, injection site reactions, lipodystrophy, pruritus, rash, edema, and weight gain. Severe hypoglycemia may be life-threatening so careful glucose monitoring is needed whenever any type of insulin is used. If this occurs, your physician may prescribe glucagon to reverse the effects of the insulin used. All insulin products should be avoided during episodes of hypoglycemia or diabetic ketoacidosis. When using the thiazolidinedione (TZD) medicine in addition to Tresiba, water retention and heart failure may occur. Additionally, if oral antidiabetic prescription drugs are also being used (metformin or glimepiride), the combination of insulin products may increase the chance for serious heart problems. If any possible side effects of Tresiba are concerning, this should be discussed with your healthcare provider.

What can I take in place of Tresiba?

Although your healthcare provider may have prescribed Tresiba for the management of your diabetes, it may not be a good fit. Sometimes medications have serious side effects that make them less appealing or the medication may not be an affordable option even with health insurance coverage. If you find yourself wondering if there may be other alternatives to your prescription dose of Tresiba, the chart below lists some alternatives that may be just as suitable for the treatment of your elevated glucose levels.

Other alternatives to Tresiba

• Afrezza (rapid-acting insulin inhaler)
• Myxredlin (insulin regular)

Top 5 Tresiba alternatives

1. Basaglar

Basaglar is a long-acting insulin used for the management of diabetes. This type of insulin can be used in adults with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes. It can also be used in children at least 6 years old with Type 1 diabetes. When using Basaglar for Type 1 diabetes, it must be combined with another short-acting insulin. Basaglar is injected under the skin like most insulins but can not be used with an insulin pump for continuous infusion therapy.

2. Lantus 

The long-acting insulins Lantus and Lantus SoloStar are used for glycemic control in adults with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. It also treats pediatric Type 1 diabetes for those at least 6 years old. Short-acting insulins must be combined with Lantus if Type 1 diabetes is being managed. Lantus is a daily subcutaneous injection and should be closely monitored while using.

RELATED: Lantus side effects and how to avoid them

3. Levemir

Levemir, also known as Levemir FlexTouch, is another long-acting insulin used for the management of Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes in adults. It can also be used for glucose control in pediatric patients with Type 1 diabetes as young as 2 years old. Levemir has similar side effects as most insulin products which includes low blood sugars, low potassium levels, weight gain, swelling, rash, and injection site reaction.

4. Novolin

There are many versions of Novolin available for the management of elevated blood glucose levels. Novolin N is an intermediate-acting insulin. It typically begins working within 2-4 hours after administration of the insulin dose and lasts for 12-18 hours. Novolin R is a short-acting insulin that begins working after about 30 minutes of administration. Its glucose control lasts for about eight hours. Novolin 70/30 is a combination insulin which includes 70% intermediate-acting and 30% short-acting insulin. This allows the medication to start working 10-20 minutes after injection and lasts 24 hours. Novolin N and Novolin R can be used by adults and children living with diabetes mellitus. Novolin 70/30 is only for those 18 years of age or older.

5. Toujeo 

Toujeo is a long-acting insulin used for the management of diabetes in both adults and children as young as 6 years old. It is not appropriate for Type 2 diabetes in children. Toujeo begins to work a few hours after administration and works evenly for 24 hours. It is not appropriate for use with diabetic ketoacidosis. There are two pen preparations available: Toujeo SoloStar 1.5 mL syringe (300 units/mL) contains 450 units of insulin glargine and Toujeo Max SoloStar 3 mL syringe (300 units/mL) contains 900 units of insulin glargine.

Natural alternatives to Tresiba

Many times when a new diagnosis of diabetes occurs, many patients may consider a more natural approach to lower blood sugar levels. Proper diet and exercise is part of the medical advice given to many diabetic patients as this can sometimes even reverse the medical condition altogether for Type 2 diabetes mellitus. 

There have also been some recent studies showing certain supplements may be beneficial in lowering glucose levels. Some examples include apple cider vinegar, barley and fiber, chromium, zinc, aloe vera, berberine, cinnamon, fenugreek, gymnema, and nopal. These modalities should never take the place of prescription medications for glucose control but may be discussed with your healthcare provider as a potential adjunct with your medication. Once the levels are better controlled, gradual reduction of Tresiba can be considered with the help of your doctor.

How to switch to a Tresiba alternative

If Tresiba has not been meeting your expectations, the decision to switch to something different may occur. This should be done only under the guidance of your healthcare provider. Insulin dosages are usually specifically calculated based on your specific needs, so your provider will need to help you transition to something else. If Tresiba is stopped abruptly without a replacement anti-diabetic medication, this may cause extremely high blood sugar levels which may lead to ketoacidosis or other health complications. No matter what type of insulin you and your healthcare provider may decide on to manage your diabetes, cost savings should always be explored with SingleCare’s prescription discount coupons.

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