Tresiba – Package Leaflet: InfoCons – Consumer Protection presents, in an accessible format, the official package leaflet of the medicine Tresiba, as authorised in the European Union and published in the Union Register of medicinal products.
Before anything else
Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start using this medicine because it contains important information for you.
- Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again.
- If you have any further questions, ask your doctor, pharmacist or nurse .
- This medicine has been prescribed for you only. Do not pass it on to others. It may harm them, even if their signs of illness are the same as yours.
- If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse . This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. See section 4.
ℹ️ 1. What Tre siba is and what it is used for
Tresiba is a long-acting basal insulin called insulin degludec. It is used to treat diabetes mellitus in adults , adolescents and children aged 1 year and above . Tresiba helps your body reduce your blood sugar level. It is used for once-daily dosing. On occasions when you cannot follow your regular dosing schedule, you can change the time of dosing because Tresiba has a long blood sugar -lowering effect (see section 3 for ‘Flexib ility in dosing time’). Tresiba can be used with meal -related rapid -acting insulin products. In type 2 diabetes mellitus, Tresiba may be used in combination with tablets for diabetes or with injectable antidiabetic medicines, other than insulin.
In type 1 diabetes mellitus , Tresiba must always be used in combination with meal -related rapid -acting insulin medicines.
⚠️ 2. What you need to know before you use Tresiba
Do not use Tresiba
- if you are allergic to insulin degludec or any of the other ingredients of this medicine ( listed in section 6).
Warnings and precautions Talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse before using Tresiba. Be especially aware of the following:
- Low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia) – i f your blood sugar is too low, follow the guidance for low blood sugar in section 4.
- High blood sugar (hyperglycaemia) – i f your blood sugar is too high, follow the guidance for high blood sugar in section 4.
- Switching from other insulin medicines – the insulin dose may need to be changed if you switch from another type, brand or manufacturer of insulin. Talk to your doctor.
- Pioglitazone used together with insulin, see ‘Pioglitazone’ below.
- Eye disorder – fast improvements in blood sugar control may lead to a temporary worsening of diabetic eye disorder. If you experience eye problems , talk to your doctor.
- Ensur ing you use the right type of insulin – a lways check the insulin label before each injection to avoid accidental mix -ups between Tresiba and other insulin products.
85 If you have poor eyesight, please see section 3.
Skin changes at the injection site The injection site should be rotated to help prevent changes to the fatty tissue under the skin, such as skin thickening, skin shrinking or lumps under the skin. The insulin may not work very well if you inject into a lumpy, shrunken or thickened area (see section 3 ‘How to use Tresiba’). Tell your doctor if you notice any skin changes at the injection site. Tell your doctor if you are currently injecting into these affected areas before you start injecting in a different area. Your doctor may tell you to check your blood sugar more closely, and to adjust your insulin or your other antidiabetic medications dos e.
Children and adolescents Tresiba can be used in adolescents and children aged 1 year and above. There is no experience with the use of Tresiba in children below the age of 1 year.
Other medicines and Tresiba
Tell your doctor, pharmacist or nurse if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines. Some medicines affect your blood sugar level , this may mean your insulin dose has to be change d.
Listed below are the most common medicines which may affect your insulin treatment.
Your blood sugar level may fall (hypoglycaemia) if you take:
- other medicines for diabetes (oral and injectable)
- sulfonamides , for infections
- anabolic steroids, such as testosterone
- beta-blockers , for high blood pressure. They may make it harder to recognise the warning signs of too low blood sugar (see section 4 ‘Warning signs of too low blood sugar’)
- acetylsali cylic acid (and other salicylates), for pain and mild fever
- monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors , for depression
- angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors , for some heart problems or high blood pressure.
Your blood sugar level may rise (hyperglycaemia) if you take:
- danazol , for endometriosis
- oral contraceptives (birth control pills )
- thyroid hormones , for thyroid problems
- growth hormone , for growth hormone deficiency
- glucocorticoids such as ‘cortisone’ , for inflammation
- sympathomimetics such as epinephrine (adrenaline), salbutamol or terbutaline , for asthma
- thiazides, for high blood pressure or if your body keep s too much water (water retention).
Octreotide and lanreotide: u sed to treat a rare condition involving too much growth hormone (acromegaly). They may increase or decrease your blood sugar level.
Pioglitazone : oral antidiabetic medicine used to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus. Some patients with long-standing type 2 diabetes mellitus and heart disease or previous stroke who were treated with pioglitazone and insulin experienced the development of heart failure. Inform your doctor immediately if you experience signs of heart failure such as unusual shortness of breath , rapid increase in weight or localised swelling (oedema) .
I f any of the above applies to you (or you are not sure), talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse .
Tresiba with alcohol If you drink alcohol , your need for insulin may change. Your blood sugar level may either rise or fall.
You should therefore monitor your blood sugar level more often than usual.
86 Pregnancy and breast-feeding If you are pregnant or breast -feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine. Your insulin dose may need to be changed during pregnancy and after delivery. Careful control of your diabetes is needed in pregnancy.
Avoiding too low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia) is particularly important for the health of your baby.
Driving and using machines
Having too low or too high blood sugar can affect your ability to drive or use any tools or machines. If your blood sugar is too low or too high, your ability to concentrate or react might be affected. This could be dangerous to yourself or others. Ask your doctor whether you can drive if:
- you often get too low blood sugar
- you find it hard to recognise too low blood sugar.
Important information about some of the ingredients of Tresiba This medicine contains less than 1 mmol sodium (23 mg) per dose. This means that the medicine is essentially ‘sodium -free’.
💊 3. How to use Tresiba
Always use this medicine exactly as your doctor has told you. Check with your doctor, pharmacist or nurse if you are not sure.
If you are blind or have poor eyesight and cannot read the dose counter on the pen, do not use this insulin product without help. G et help from a person with good eyesight who is trained to use the pen .
Your doctor will decide together with you:
- how much Tresiba you will need each day
- when to check your blood sugar level and if you need a higher or lower dose.
Flexibil ity in dosing time
- Always follow your doctor’s recommendation for dose.
- Use Tresiba once each day, preferably at the same time every day .
- On occasions when it is not possible to take Tresiba at the same time of the day, it can be taken at a different time of day . Make sure to have a minimum of 8 hours between the doses. There is no experience with flexibility in dosing time of Tresiba in children and adolescents.
- If you want to change your usual diet, check with your doctor, pharmacist or nurse first as a change in diet may alter your need for insulin.
Based on your blood sugar level , your doctor may change your dose.
When using other medicines, ask your doctor if your treatment needs to be adjusted.
Use in elderly (≥65 years old) Tresiba can be used in elderly , but if you are elderly , you may need to check your blood sugar level more often . Talk to your doctor about changes in your dose.
If you have kidney or liver problems If you have kidney or liver problems , you may need to check your blood sugar level more often . Talk to your doctor about changes in your dose.
Injecting your medicine Before you use Tresiba for the first time, your doctor or nurse will show you how to use it.
- Please also read the manual that comes with your insulin delivery system.
- Check the name and strength on the label to make sure it is Tresiba 100 units/mL .
87 Do not use Tresiba
- i n insulin infusion pumps.
- if the cartridge or the delivery system you are using is damaged. Take it back to your supplier.
See your delivery system manual for further instructions.
- if the cartridge is damaged or has not been stored correctly (see section 5 ‘How to store Tresiba’).
- i f the insulin does not appear clear and colourless.
How to inject
- Tresiba is given as an injection under the skin (subcutaneous injection) . Do not inject it into a vein or muscle.
- The best places to inject are the front of your thighs, upper arms or the front of your waist (abdomen).
- Change the place within the area where you inject each day to reduce the risk of developing lumps and skin pitting (see section 4 ).
- Always use a new needle for each injection. Re-use of needles may increase the risk of blocked needles leading to inaccurate dosing. Dispose of the needle safely after each use.
If you use more Tresiba than you should
If you use too much insulin , your blood sugar may get too low (hypoglycaemia) , see advice in section 4 ‘Too low blood sugar’.
If you forget to use Tresiba
If you forget a dose, inject the missed dose when discovering the mistake, ensuring a minimum of 8 hours between doses. If you discover that you missed your previous dose when it is time to take your next regular scheduled dose, do not inject a double dose, but resume your once -daily dosing schedule .
If you stop using Tresiba
Do not stop using your insulin without tal king to your doctor. If you stop using your insulin, this could lead to a very high blood sugar level and ketoacidosis (a condition with too much acid in the blood) , see advice in section 4 ‘Too high blood sugar’.
❗ 4. Possible side effects
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
Hypoglycaemia (too low blood sugar) may occur very commonly with insulin treatment (may affect more than 1 in 10 people). It can be very serious. If your blood sugar level falls too much, you may become unconscious. Serious hypoglycaemia may cause brain damage and may be life -threatening. If you have symptoms of low blood sugar, take actions to increase your blood sugar level immediately.
See advice in ‘Too low blood sugar’ below.
If you have a serious allergic reaction (seen rarely) to the insulin or any of the ingredients in Tresiba, stop using Tresiba and see a doctor straight away. The signs of a serious allergic reaction are: • the local reactions spread to other parts of your body
- you suddenly feel unwell with sweating
- you start being sick (vomiting)
- you experience difficulty in breathing
- you experience rapid heartbeat or feeling dizzy.
Skin changes at the injection site:
If you inject insulin at the same place, the fatty tissue may shrink (lipoatrophy) or thicken (lipohypertrophy) ( may affect up to 1 in 100 people ). Lumps under the skin may also be caused by build -up of a protein called amyloid (cutaneous amyloidosis; how often this occur s is not known). The insulin may not work very well if you inject into a lumpy, shrunken or thickened area. Change the injection site with each injection to help prevent these skin changes.
Other side effects include
Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people)
Local reactions: L ocal reactions at the place you inject yourself may occur. The signs may include: pain, redness, hives, swelling and itching. The reactions usually disappear after a few days. See your doctor if they do not disappear after a few weeks. Stop using Tresiba and see a doctor straight away if the reactions become serious. For more information , see ‘serious allergic reaction’ above .
U ncommon (may affect up to 1 in 100 people) Swelling around your joints: W hen you first start using your medicine, your body may keep more water than it should. This causes swelling around your ankles and other joints. This is usually only short -lasting.
Ra re (may affect up to 1 in 1, 000 people) This medicine can cause allergic reactions such as hives, swelling of the tongue and lips, diarrhoea, nausea, tiredness and itching.
General effects from diabetes treatment
- Too low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia) Too low blood sugar may happen if you: drink alcohol; use too much insulin; exercise more than usual; eat too little or miss a meal.
Warning signs of too low blood sugar – these may come on suddenly:
Headache; slurred speech; fast heartbeat; cold sweat, cool pale skin; feeling sick, feeling very hungry; tremor or feeling nervous or worried; feeling unusually tired, weak and sleepy; feeling confused, difficulty in concentrating; short -lasting changes in your sight.
What to do if you get too low blood sugar
- Eat glucose tablets or another high sugar snack, like sweets, biscuits or fruit juice (always carry glucose tablets or a high sugar snack, just in case).
- Measure your blood sugar if possible and rest. You may need to measure your blood sugar more than once, as with all basal insulin products improvement from the period of low blood sugar may be delayed.
- Wait until the signs of too low blood sugar have gone or when your blood sugar level has settled. Then carry on with your insulin as usual.
What others need to do if you pass out Tell everyone you spend time with that you have diabetes. Tell them what could happen if your blood sugar gets too low, including the risk of passing out.
Let them know that if you pass out, they must:
- turn you on your side
- get medical help straight away
- not give you any food or drink because you may choke.
You may recover more quickly from passing out if you receive glucagon. This can only be given by someone who knows how to use it.
- If you are given glucagon, you will need sugar or a sugary snack as soon as you come round.
- If you do not respond to a glucagon treatment , you will have to be treated in a hospital.
- If severe low blood sugar is not treated over time, it can cause brain damage. This can be short or long-lasting. It may even cause death.
Talk to your doctor if:
- your blood sugar got so low that you passed out
- you have used glucagon 89 • you have had too low blood sugar a few times recently.
This is because the dosing or timing of your insulin injections, food or exercise may need to be changed.
- Too high blood sugar (hyperglycaemia) Too high blood sugar may happen if you: eat more or exercise less than usual; drink alcohol; get an infection or a fever; have not used enough insulin; keep using less insulin than you need; forget to use your insulin or stop using insulin without talking to your doctor.
Warning signs of too high blood sugar – these normally appear gradually:
Flushed, dry skin; feeling sleepy or tired; dry mouth, fruity (acetone) breath; urinating more often, feeling thirsty; losing your appetite, feeling or being sick (nausea or vomiting).
These may be signs of a very serious condition called ketoacidosis. This is a build -up of acid in the blood because the body is breaking down fat instead of sugar. If not treated, this could lead to diabetic coma and eventually death.
What to do if you get too high blood sugar
- Test your blood sugar level.
- Test your urine or blood for ketones.
- Get medical help straight away.
Reporting of side effects
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse . This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the national reporting system listed in Appendix V . By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
🌡️ 5. How to store Tresiba
Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the Penfill label and carton, after ‘EXP’. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
Before first use Store in a refrigerator (2 °C to 8 °C). Do not freeze. Keep away from the freezing element.
After first opening or if carried as a spare Do not refrigerate . You can carry your Tresiba cartridge ( Penfill) with you and keep it at room temperature ( not above 30°C) for up to 8 weeks.
Always keep Tresiba Penfill in the outer carton when you are not using it in order to protect it from light.
Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help protect the environment.
📦 6. Contents of the pack and other information
What Tresiba contains
- The active substance is insulin degludec. Each mL of solution contains 100 units of insulin degludec. Each cartridge contains 300 units of insulin degludec of insulin in 3 ml solution .
- The other ingredients are glycerol, metacresol, phenol, zinc acetate, hydrochloric acid and sodium hydroxide (for pH adjustment) and water for injections (see section 2) .
What Tresiba looks like and contents of the pack
Tresiba is presented as a clear and colourless solution for injection in a cartridge (300 units per 3 mL ).
Pack sizes of 5 and 10 cartridges of 3 mL. Not all pack sizes may be marketed.
Marketing Authorisation Holder and Manufacturer
Novo Nordisk A/S Novo All e 1 DK-2880 Bagsvaerd, Denmark
This leaflet was last revised in
Detailed information on this medicine is available on the European Medicines Agency web site: http://www.ema.europa.eu 91 Package leaflet: Information for the patient Tresiba 100 units/mL FlexPen solution for injection in pre-filled pen insulin degludec Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start using this medicine because it contains important information for you.
- Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again.
- If you have any further questions, ask your doctor, pharmacist or nurse.
- This medicine has been prescribed for you only. Do not pass it on to others. It may harm them, even if their signs of illness are the same as yours.
- If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. See section 4.
What is in this leaflet 1. What Tresiba is and what it is used for
2. What you need to know before you use Tresiba 3. How to use Tresiba 4. Possible side effects 5. How to store Tresiba 6. Contents of the pack and other information 1. What Tresiba is and what it is used for Tresiba is a long -acting basal insulin called insulin degludec. It is used to treat diabetes mellitus in adults, adolescents and children aged 1 year and above. Tresiba helps your body reduce your blood sugar level. It is used for once-daily dosing. On occasions when you cannot follow your regular dosing schedule, you can change the time of dosing because Tresiba has a long blood sugar -lowering effect (see section 3 for ‘Flexibility in dosing time’). Tresiba can be used with meal -related rapid -acting insulin products. In type 2 diabetes mellitus, Tresiba may be used in combination with tablets for diabetes or with injectable antidiabetic medicines, other than insulin.
In type 1 diabetes mellitus, Tresiba must always be used in combination with meal -related rapid -acting insulin medicines.
2. What you need to know before you use Tresiba
Do not use Tresiba
- if you are allergic to insulin degludec or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6).
Warnings and precautions Talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse before using Tresiba. Be especially aware of the following:
- Low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia) – if your blood sugar is too low, follow the guidance for low blood sugar in section 4.
- High blood sugar (hyperglycaemia) – if your blood sugar is too high, follow the guidance for high blood sugar in section 4.
- Switching from other insulin medicines – the insulin dose may need to be changed if you switch from another type, brand or manufacturer of insulin. Talk to your doctor.
- Pioglitazone used together with insulin, see ‘Pioglitazone’ below.
- Eye disorder – fast improvements in blood sugar control may lead to a temporary worsening of diabetic eye disorder. If you experience eye problems, talk to your doctor.
- Ensuring you use the right type of insulin – always check the insulin label before each injection to avoid accidental mix -ups between different strengths of Tresiba as well as other insulin products.
If you have poor eyesight, please see section 3.
Skin changes at the injection site The injection site should be rotated to help prevent changes to the fatty tissue under the skin, such as skin thickening, skin shrinking or lumps under the skin. The insulin may not work very well if you inject into a lumpy, shrunken or thickened area (see section 3 ‘How to use Tresiba’). Tell your doctor if you notice any skin changes at the injection site. Tell your doctor if you are currently injecting into these affected areas before you start injecting in a different area. Your doctor may tell you to check your blood sugar more closely, and to adjust your insulin or your other antidiabetic medications dose.
Children and adolescents Tresiba can be used in adolescents and children aged 1 year and above. There is no experience with the use of Tresiba in children below the age of 1 year.
Other medicines and Tresiba
Tell your doctor, pharmacist or nurse if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines. Some medicines affect your blood sugar level, this may mean your insulin dose has to be changed.
Listed below are the most common medicines which may affect your insulin treatment.
Your blood sugar level may fall (hypoglycaemia) if you take:
- other medicines for diabetes (oral and injectable)
- sulfonamides, for infections
- anabolic steroids, such as testosterone
- beta-blockers, for high blood pressure. They may make it harder to recognise the warning signs of too low blood sugar (see section 4 ‘Warning signs of too low blood sugar’)
- acetylsalicylic acid (and other salicylates), for pain and mild fever
- monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors, for depression
- angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, for some heart problems or high blood pressure.
Your blood sugar level may rise (hyperglycaemia) if you take:
- danazol, for endometriosis
- oral contraceptives (birth control pills)
- thyroid hormones, for thyroid problems
- growth hormone, for growth hormone deficiency
- glucocorticoids such as ‘cortisone’, for inflammation
- sympathomimetics such as epinephrine (adrenaline), salbutamol or terbutaline, for asthma
- thiazides, for high blood pressure or if your body keeps too much water (water retention).
Octreotide and lanreotide: used to treat a rare condition involving too much growth hormone (acromegaly). They may increase or decrease your blood sugar level.
Pioglitazone : oral antidiabetic medicine used to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus. Some patients with long-standing type 2 diabetes mellitus and heart disease or previous stroke who were treated with pioglitazone and insulin experienced the development of heart failure. Inform your doctor immediately if you experience signs of heart failure such as unusual shortness of breath, rapid increase in weight or localised swelling (oedema) .
I f any of the above applies to you (or you are not sure), talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse.
Tresiba with alcohol If you drink alcohol, your need for insulin may change. Your blood sugar level may either rise or fall. You should therefore monitor your blood sugar level more often than usual.
93 Pregnancy and breast-feeding If you are pregnant or breast -feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine. Your insulin dose may need to be changed during pregnancy and after delivery. Careful control of your diabetes is needed in pregnancy. Avoiding too low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia) is particularly important for the health of your baby.
Driving and using machines
Having too low or too high blood sugar can affect your ability to drive or use any tools or machines. If your blood sugar is too low or too high, your ability to concentrate or react might be affected. This could be dangerous to yourself or others. Ask your doctor whether you can drive if:
- you often get too low blood sugar
- you find it hard to recognise too low blood sugar.
Important information about some of the ingredients of Tresiba This medicine contains less than 1 mmol sodium (23 mg) per dose. This means that the medicine is essentially ‘sodium -free’.
3. How to use Tresiba Always use this medicine exactly as your doctor has told you. Check with your doctor, pharmacist or nurse if you are not sure.
If you are blind or have poor eyesight and cannot read the dose counter on the pen, do not use this pen without help. Get help from a person with good eyesight who is trained to use the FlexPen pre -filled pen.
The pre -filled pen 100 units/mL can provide a dose of 1–60 units in one injection in steps of 1 unit.
Your doctor will decide together with you:
- how much Tresiba you will need each day
- when to check your blood sugar level and if you need a higher or lower dose.
Flexibility in dosing time
- Always follow your doctor’s recommendation for dose.
- Use Tresiba once each day, preferably at the same time every day.
- On occasions when it is not possible to take Tresiba at the same time of the day, it can be taken at a different time of day. Make sure to have a minimum of 8 hours between the doses. There is no experience with flexibility in dosing time of Tresiba in chi ldren and adolescents.
- If you want to change your usual diet, check with your doctor, pharmacist or nurse first as a change in diet may alter your need for insulin.
Based on your blood sugar level, your doctor may change your dose.
When using other medicines, ask your doctor if your treatment needs to be adjusted.
Use in elderly (≥65 years old) Tresiba can be used in elderly, but if you are elderly, y ou may need to check your blood sugar level more often. Talk to your doctor about changes in your dose.
If you have kidney or liver problems If you have kidney or liver problems, you may need to check your blood sugar level more often. Talk to your doctor about changes in your dose.
Injecting your medicine Before you use Tresiba for the first time, your doctor or nurse will show you how to use the pre -filled pen.
94 • Check the name and strength on the label of the pen to make sure it is Tresiba 100 units/mL.
Do not use Tresiba
- in insulin infusion pumps.
- if the pen is damaged or has not been stored correctly (see section 5).
- if the insulin does not appear clear and colourless.
How to inject
- Tresiba is given as an injection under the skin (subcutaneous injection). Do not inject it into a vein or muscle.
- The best places to inject are the front of your thighs, upper arms or the front of your waist (abdomen).
- Change the place within the area where you inject each day to reduce the risk of developing lumps and skin pitting (see section 4).
- Always use a new needle for each injection. Re-use of needles may increase the risk of blocked needles leading to inaccurate dosing. Dispose of the needle safely after each use.
- Do not use a syringe to remove the solution from the pen to avoid dosing errors and potential overdose.
Detailed instructions for use are provided on the other side of this leaflet.
If you use more Tresiba than you should If you use too much insulin, your blood sugar may get too low (hypoglycaemia), see advice in section 4 ‘Too low blood sugar’.
If you forget to use Tresiba
If you forget a dose, inject the missed dose when discovering the mistake, ensuring a minimum of 8 hours between doses. If you discover that you missed your previous dose when it is time to take your next regular scheduled dose, do not inject a double dose, but resume your once -daily dosing schedule.
If you stop using Tresiba
Do not stop using your insulin without talking to your doctor. If you stop using your insulin, this could lead to a very high blood sugar level and ketoacidosis (a condition with too much acid in the blood), see advice in section 4 ‘Too high blood sugar’.
4. Possible side effects Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
Hypoglycaemia (too low blood sugar) may occur very commonly with insulin treatment (may affect more than 1 in 10 people). It can be very serious. If your blood sugar level falls too much, you may become unconscious. Serious hypoglycaemia may cause brain damage and may be life -threatening. If you have symptoms of low blood sugar, take actions to increase your blood sugar level immediately. See advice in ‘Too low b lood sugar’ below.
If you have a serious allergic reaction (seen rarely) to the insulin or any of the ingredients in Tresiba, stop using this medicine and see a doctor straight away. The signs of a serious allergic reaction are:
- the local reactions spread to other parts of your body
- you suddenly feel unwell with sweating
- you start being sick (vomiting)
- you experience difficulty in breathing
- you experience rapid heartbeat or feeling dizzy.
Skin changes at the injection site:
If you inject insulin at the same place, the fatty tissue may shrink (lipoatrophy) or thicken (lipohypertrophy) ( may affect up to 1 in 100 people ). Lumps under the skin may also be caused by 95 build -up of a protein called amyloid (cutaneous amyloidosis; how often this occurs is not known). The insulin may not work very well if you inject into a lumpy, shrunken or thickened area. Change the injection site with each injection to help prevent these skin changes.
Other side effects include: Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people)
Local reactions: L ocal reactions at the place you inject yourself may occur. The signs may include: pain, redness, hives, swelling and itching. The reactions usually disappear after a few days. See your doctor if they do not disappear after a few weeks. Stop using Tresiba and see a doctor straight away if the reactions become serious. For more information, see ‘serious allergic reaction’ above.
U ncommon (may affect up to 1 in 100 people) Swelling around your joints: W hen you first start using your medicine, your body may keep more water than it should. This causes swelling around your ankles and other joints. This is usually only short -lasting.
Ra re (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people) This medicine can cause allergic reactions such as hives, swelling of the tongue and lips, diarrhoea, nausea, tiredness and itching.
General effects from diabetes treatment
- Too low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia) Too low blood sugar may happen if you: drink alcohol; use too much insulin; exercise more than usual; eat too little or miss a meal.
Warning signs of too low blood sugar – these may come on suddenly:
Headache; slurred speech; fast heartbeat; cold sweat, cool pale skin; feeling sick, feeling very hungry; tremor or feeling nervous or worried; feeling unusually tired, weak and sleepy; feeling confused, difficulty in concentrating; short -lasting changes in your sight.
What to do if you get too low blood sugar
- Eat glucose tablets or another high sugar snack, like sweets, biscuits or fruit juice (always carry glucose tablets or a high sugar snack, just in case).
- Measure your blood sugar if possible and rest. You may need to measure your blood sugar more than once, as with all basal insulin products improvement from the period of low blood sugar may be delayed.
- Wait until the signs of too low blood sugar have gone or when your blood sugar level has settled. Then carry on with your insulin as usual.
What others need to do if you pass out Tell everyone you spend time with that you have diabetes. Tell them what could happen if your blood sugar gets too low, including the risk of passing out.
Let them know that if you pass out, they must:
- turn you on your side
- get medical help straight away
- not give you any food or drink because you may choke.
You may recover more quickly from passing out if you receive glucagon. This can only be given by someone who knows how to use it.
- If you are given glucagon, you will need sugar or a sugary snack as soon as you come round.
- If you do not respond to glucagon treatment , you will have to be treated in a hospital.
- If severe low blood sugar is not treated over time, it can cause brain damage. This can be short or long-lasting. It may even cause death.
96 Talk to your doctor if:
- your blood sugar got so low that you passed out
- you have used glucagon
- you have had too low blood sugar a few times recently.
This is because the dosing or timing of your insulin injections, food or exercise may need to be changed.
- Too high blood sugar (hyperglycaemia) Too high blood sugar may happen if you: eat more or exercise less than usual; drink alcohol; get an infection or a fever; have not used enough insulin; keep using less insulin than you need; forget to use your insulin or stop using insulin without talking to your doctor.
Warning signs of too high blood sugar – these normally appear gradually:
Flushed, dry skin; feeling sleepy or tired; dry mouth, fruity (acetone) breath; urinating more often, feeling thirsty; losing your appetite, feeling or being sick (nausea or vomiting).
These may be signs of a very serious condition called ketoacidosis. This is a build -up of acid in the blood because the body is breaking down fat instead of sugar. If not treated, this could lead to diabetic coma and eventually death.
What to do if you get too high blood sugar
- Test your blood sugar level.
- Test your urine or blood for ketones.
- Get medical help straight away.
Reporting of side effects
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the national reporting system listed in Appendix V . By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
5. H ow to store Tresiba Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the pen label and carton, after ‘EXP’.
The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
Before first use Store in a refrigerator (2°C to 8°C). Do not freeze. Keep away from the freezing element. Keep the cap on the pen in order to protect it from light.
After first opening or if carried as a spare You can carry your Tresiba pre-filled pen (Flex Pen) with you and keep it at room temperature (not above 30°C) or in a refrigerator (2°C to 8°C) for up to 8 weeks.
Always keep the cap on the pen when you are not using it in order to protect it from light.
Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help protect the environment.
97 6. Contents of the pack and other information
What Tresiba contains
- The active substance is insulin degludec. Each mL of solution contains 100 units of insulin degludec. Each pre -filled pen contains 300 units of insulin degludec in 3 mL solution.
- The other ingredients are glycerol, metacresol, phenol, zinc acetate, hydrochloric acid and sodium hydroxide (for pH adjustment) and water for injections (see section 2).
What Tresiba looks like and contents of the pack Tresiba is presented as a clear and colourless solution for injection in a pre-filled pen (300 units per 3 mL).
Pack size of 5 pre-filled pens of 3 mL.
Marketing Authorisation Holder
Novo Nordisk A/S Novo All e 1 DK-2880 Bagsvaerd, Denmark
Manufacturer
Novo Nordisk A/S Novo All e 1 DK-2880 Bagsvaerd Denmark Novo Nordisk Production SAS 45 Avenue D Orl eans 28000 Chartres France
This leaflet was last revised in
Detailed information on this medicine is available on the European Medicines Agency web site: http://www.ema.europa.eu 98 Instructions on how to use Tresiba 1 00 units/mL FlexPen solution for injection in pre-filled pen Read the following instructions carefully before using your FlexPen. If you do not follow the instructions carefully, you may get too little or too much insulin, which can lead to too high or too low blood sugar level.
Your FlexPen is a pre-filled dial-a-dose insulin pen. You can select doses from 1 to 60 units in increments of 1 unit. FlexPen is designed to be used with NovoFine or NovoTwist . disposable needles up to a length of 8 mm. As a precautionary measure, always carry a spare insulin delivery device in case your FlexPen is lost or damaged .
Needle (example) Big outer needle cap Cartridge Residual scale Pointer Dose selector Push – button Tresiba FlexPen Pen cap Needle Inner needle cap Paper tab Caring for your pen Your FlexPen must be handled with care. If it is dropped, damaged or crushed, there is a risk of insulin leakage. This may cause inaccurate dosing, which can lead to too high or too low blood sugar level.
You can clean the exterior of your FlexPen by wiping it with a medicinal swab. Do not soak it, wash or lubricate it as it may damage the pen. Do not refill your FlexPen.
Preparing your Tresiba FlexPen Check the name and coloured label of your pen to make sure that it contains the correct type of insulin. This is especially important if you take more than one type of insulin. If you take the wrong type of insulin, your blood sugar level may get too high or too low.
A Pull off the pen cap.
A B Remove the paper tab from a new disposable needle.
Screw the needle straight and tightly onto your FlexPen.
B C Pull off the big outer needle cap and keep it for later.
C D Pull off the inner needle cap and dispose of it.
Never try to put the inner needle cap back on the needle. You may stick yourself with the needle.
D Always use a new needle for each injection. This reduces the risk of contamination, infection, leakage of insulin, blocked needles and inaccurate dosing.
Be careful not to bend or damage the needle before use. Never use a bent or damaged needle Checking the insulin flow Prior to each injection, small amounts of air may collect in the cartridge during normal use. To avoid injection of air and ensure you get your full dose:
E Turn the dose selector to select 2 units.
E 2 units selected F Hold your FlexPen with the needle pointing upwards and tap the cartridge gently with your finger a few times to make any air bubbles collect at the top of the cartridge.
F G Keeping the needle upwards, press the push -button all the way in until the dose selector returns to 0.
A drop of insulin should appear at the needle tip. If not, change the needle and repeat the procedure no more than 6 times.
If a drop of insulin still does not appear, the pen is defective, and you must use a new one.
G Always make sure that a drop appears at the needle tip before you inject. This makes sure that the insulin flows. If no drop appears, you will not inject any insulin, even though the dose selector may move. This may indicate a blocked or damaged needle.
Always check the flow before you inject. If you do not check the flow, you may get too little insulin or no insulin at all. This may lead to too high blood sugar level.
Selecting your dose Check that the dose selector is set at 0 before you start .
H Turn the dose selector to select the number of units you need to inject.
The dose can be corrected either up or down by turning the dose selector in either direction until the correct dose lines up with the pointer. When turning the dose selector, be careful not to push the push-button as insulin will come out.
You cannot select a dose larger than the number of units left in the cartridge.
If you need more insulin than the units left in the cartridge, take the full dose from a new pen.
H 5 units selected 24 units selected Always use the dose selector and the pointer to see how many units you have selected before injecting the insulin.
Do not count the pen clicks. If you select and inject the wrong dose, your blood sugar level may get too high or too low. Do not use the residual scale, it only shows approximately how much insulin is left in your pen.
Making the injection Insert the needle into your skin. Use the injection technique shown by your doctor or nurse.
I Inject the dose by pressing the push-button all the way in until 0 lines up with the pointer. Be careful only to push the push-button when injecting.
Turning the dose selector will not inject insulin.
I J Keep the push -button fully depressed and let the needle remain under the skin for at least 6 seconds.
This will make sure you get the full dose. Withdraw the needle from the skin, then release the pressure on the push -button.
Always make sure that the dose selector returns to 0 after the injection. If the dose selector stops before it returns to 0, the full dose has not been delivered, which may result in too high blood sugar level.
J K Lead the needle into the big outer needle cap without touching it. When the needle is covered, carefully push the big outer needle cap completely on and then unscrew the needle.
Dispose of it carefully and put the pen cap back on.
K Always remove the needle immediately after each injection and store your FlexPen without the needle attached. This reduces the risk of contamination, infection, leakage of insulin, blocked needles and inaccurate dosing.
Further important information Caregivers must be very careful when handling used needles – to reduce the risk of needle sticks and cross-infection.
Dispose of your used FlexPen carefully without the needle attached.
Never share your pen or your needles with other people. It might lead to cross -infection.
Never share your pen with other people. Your medicine might be harmful to their health.
Always keep your pen and needles out of sight and reach of others, especially children.
📄 Package Leaflet – official source
This article reproduces the information in the official package leaflet, as authorised in the European Union. You can consult the original document here: Product information Tresiba (PDF, ec.europa.eu).
You can check this medicine at any time in the Union Register of medicinal products (EU number EU/1/12/807).
⚠️ Important: This article is for information purposes only and does not replace medical advice or the package leaflet inside the medicine box. Read the leaflet carefully before use. For any questions about your treatment, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. If you experience side effects, tell your doctor or pharmacist and report them through your national reporting system.