What is Tresiba Flextouch? Uses, warnings & side effects

Take this medicine as prescribed. 

Please read the Patient Information sheet and Instructions for Use included with the pen. Please follow these instructions each time an injection is administered.

Administer only one injection daily.

• Children should receive injections at the same time every day.

A healthcare provider will demonstrate how to administer an injection and where on the body to make an injection. 

Do not inject Tresiba into skin that is pitted, thickened, lumpy, tender, scaly, hard, damaged, scarred, or bruised. 

Always check the label before an injection to make sure it’s the correct insulin.

How to prepare the Tresiba FlexTouch:

• Wash your hands.

• Check the pen to make sure it’s the right insulin and that the pen is undamaged.

• Pull the cap off to check the medicine. The medicine should appear clear and colorless.

• If the FlexTouch injector is damaged or the medicine is discolored or cloudy, do not use it.

• Prepare the pen for its first use by following the step-by-step directions in the Instructions for Use. 

How to administer an injection:

• Injections are made into the skin. Do not inject Tresiba into a vein or muscle.

• Rotate injection sites for each injection.

• To prepare the skin, wash your hands and wipe the skin with an alcohol swab. Let dry.

• Wash your hands.

• Remove the cap from the injection pen.

• Attach the needle to the pen. Always use a new needle for each injection. Use only a NovoFine or NovoTwist needle with the FlexTouch.

• Select the dose using the dose indicator. Doses are indicated in units, so do not do any conversions based on the insulin concentration.

• Insert the needle into the skin. The dose counter should be visible.

• Press the injection button and hold it. The dose indicator will gradually fall to “0.”

• When the dose indicator hits “0,” keep the needle inserted for another six seconds.

• After six seconds, remove the needle from the skin.

• Do not recap the needle. Carefully remove it from the pen and dispose of it in a sharps container. 

• Put the cap back on the FlexTouch injector.

Store unused Tresiba FlexTouch pens in the refrigerator (36°F to 46°F). Do not freeze. Throw away the medicine if it freezes.

Store used Tresiba pens in a refrigerator or at room temperature (up to 86°F).

Used Tresiba pens can be stored and reused for up to 56 days. After 56 days, dispose of any unused medicine.

Protect the pen and medicine from heat and light.

Keep the FlexTouch pen out of the reach and sight of children.

Take a missed dose if it’s the same day.

Take the next dose as scheduled.

Do not take doses within eight hours of each other.

Do not take a double dose.

If a dose is missed in a child, call the doctor for medical advice. Blood sugar levels may need to be checked more often.

This medicine is not right for everyone. 

Do not use it if you have had an allergic reaction to insulin degludec.

Do not use Tresiba when blood sugar is low (hypoglycemia).

Do not use the Tresiba FlexTouch in children who require less than five units daily. Use the U-100 vial instead.

This medicine is not right for everyone. Do not use it if you had an allergic reaction to insulin degludec.

Insulin treatment requires regular doctor’s visits and blood tests to make sure the dose is correct and that there are no side effects. Keep all appointments.

Make sure other doctors and other healthcare providers are aware you’re taking insulin. 

Tell the prescriber if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.

Before starting Tresiba, tell the prescriber about all your medical conditions.

Changes in what you eat or other aspects of your life can affect blood sugar levels. Your insulin dose may need to be temporarily modified. Always tell the prescriber about:

• Changes in your diet

• Changes in exercise or physical activity

• Changes in stress

• Illness

• Injury or surgery

• Stopping or starting medications 

The most common side effect of insulin treatment is low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Review the symptoms of hypoglycemia with the prescriber. Follow the doctor’s instructions for handling low blood sugar.  

Tresiba can also cause low potassium levels. This, too, can be a serious side effect, so know the clinical signs of low potassium and call a healthcare professional if they occur.

Because of the risk of hypoglycemia, insulin treatment increases the risk of accidents and injuries. Do not drive or do any other risky activity until you know how this medicine affects you. 

To prevent infections, never share the Tresiba FlexTouch pen or needles with other people.

Never use a syringe to draw medicine from the FlexTouch pen.

Make sure the prescriber knows about all the prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, and supplements you use, even if they’re only used occasionally.

Many drugs raise or lower blood sugar levels or cause other problems when taken with Tresiba or other long-acting insulins. The list is very long and includes:

• Diabetes drugs, particularly thiazolidinediones

• Diabetes and weight loss drugs called GLP-1 receptor agonists (such as Ozempic)

• Oral contraceptives

• Female sex hormones (estrogens and progestogens)

• Thyroid hormones

• Salicylates such as aspirin 

• Blood pressure drugs called ACE inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blockers, or beta blockers

• Cholesterol drugs called fibrates

• Corticosteroids

• Drugs that make you pee (diuretics)

• Drugs called sympathomimetics like epinephrine or albuterol

• Sulfonamide antibiotics

• Antiviral drugs called protease inhibitors

• Atypical antipsychotics or phenothiazine antipsychotics

• Drugs called monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)

• Clonidine, danazol, disopyramide, fluoxetine, glucagon, guanethidine, isoniazid, niacin, pentamidine, pentoxifylline, reserpine, somatropin

Immediately inform your healthcare team when you start or stop a new drug or supplement.

Do not drink alcohol or use medications containing alcohol when taking insulin.