What is Insulin Degludec (Insulin Degludec) via FlexTouch (prefilled pen)?

From the Guidelines

Insulin degludec FlexTouch is a highly recommended long-acting basal insulin pen for controlling blood sugar in adults and children with diabetes, due to its steady insulin release for over 42 hours and flexible dosing times, as supported by recent studies 1.

Key Characteristics of Insulin Degludec FlexTouch

• Provides steady insulin release for over 42 hours, allowing for flexible dosing times when needed
• Comes pre-filled with either 100 units/mL or 200 units/mL concentrations
• Can deliver up to 80 units per injection
• Patients should inject it subcutaneously once daily, at any time of day, but preferably at the same time each day
• Common injection sites include the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm

Side Effects and Storage

• Side effects may include hypoglycemia, injection site reactions, allergic reactions, weight gain, and swelling in the hands and feet
• Patients should store unopened pens in the refrigerator and can keep opened pens at room temperature for up to 56 days

Mechanism of Action

• Insulin degludec works by helping glucose enter cells, mimicking the body's natural insulin but with a modified structure that allows for prolonged action through slow and steady absorption from the injection site

Clinical Evidence

• Recent studies have shown that insulin degludec may confer a lower hypoglycemia risk compared with U-100 glargine in patients with type 1 diabetes 1
• The American Diabetes Association recommends the use of long-acting basal insulin analogs, such as insulin degludec, as a preferred initial insulin formulation in patients with type 2 diabetes 1

From the FDA Drug Label

INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE Insulin Degludec injection, for subcutaneous use FlexTouch® Pen 200 units/mL This product is Tresiba (insulin degludec). Please read the following instructions carefully before using your Insulin Degludec FlexTouch Pen. • Do not share your Insulin Degludec FlexTouch Pen with other people, even if the needle is changed You may give other people a serious infection, or get a serious infection from them. • Insulin Degludec FlexTouch Pen 200 units/mL (“Pen”) is a prefilled disposable, single-patient-use insulin pen containing 600 units of insulin degludec. You can inject from 2 to 160 units in a single injection. The units can be increased by 2 units at a time.

The Insulin Degludec FlexTouch Pen is a prefilled disposable, single-patient-use insulin pen containing 600 units of insulin degludec.

• It can inject from 2 to 160 units in a single injection.
• The units can be increased by 2 units at a time.
• The pen is not recommended for use by the blind or visually impaired without the assistance of a person trained in the proper use of the product 2.

From the Research

Insulin Degludec Flextouch

• Insulin degludec is a long-acting once-daily basal analogue for type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus 3.
• The FlexTouch prefilled pen is a dedicated injector containing degludec 200 units/mL, recommended for most patients with type 2 diabetes 3.
• FlexTouch has been shown to be preferred by patients with diabetes and healthcare professionals due to its ease of use and low injection force 4.
• A study comparing FlexTouch with SoloSTAR pen injector found that significantly more patients considered FlexTouch "extremely easy" to use and were "very" or "extremely confident" in using the device 5.
• Insulin degludec has been shown to reduce the risk of hypoglycemia compared to insulin glargine U100 in patients with type 2 diabetes 6.

Key Features of Insulin Degludec Flextouch

• Uniform ("peakless") action that extends over more than 24 hours 3.
• Highly consistent from dose to dose 3.
• Low injection force 4.
• Easy to use and preferred by patients with diabetes and healthcare professionals 4, 5.
• Reduces the risk of hypoglycemia compared to insulin glargine U100 6.

Clinical Use of Insulin Degludec Flextouch

• Insulin degludec is used for the treatment of type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus 3.
• The FlexTouch prefilled pen is recommended for most patients with type 2 diabetes 3.
• Insulin degludec can be used in combination with other glucose-lowering drugs, such as DPP-4 inhibitors and SGLT-2 inhibitors 7.
• Fixed ratio combinations with GLP1 receptor agonists are a good choice for intensification of insulin therapy 7.