Insulin Degludec
About Insulin Degludec
Insulin Degludec is a long-acting injection used to control high blood sugar in adults and children with diabetes mellitus. By maintaining stable insulin levels, it helps prevent serious long-term complications associated with high blood sugar. It is an essential part of daily diabetes management for individuals who require ongoing blood sugar control.
You will typically inject Insulin Degludec once daily, and it is highly recommended to keep your injection times as consistent as possible. This medicine can be injected with or without food. Alongside this treatment, incorporating a balanced diet plan and regular physical activity will significantly improve your overall blood sugar control.
While using Insulin Degludec, you may experience common side effects such as mild low blood sugar or redness and swelling at the injection site. If you experience severe symptoms like extreme confusion, sweating, or signs of a serious allergic reaction, you must consult your doctor immediately.
Talk to your doctor before starting this medicine if you have a history of kidney disease, liver damage, or heart problems. Do not take this if you are currently experiencing an episode of low blood sugar or if you are allergic to any of the ingredients in this injection.
Certain medications, alcohol, and smoking can affect how Insulin Degludec works, potentially causing your blood sugar to drop too low or rise too high. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or an elderly individual, consult your doctor or pharmacist to discuss your specific care plan.
Uses of Insulin Degludec
• Diabetes Management: Insulin Degludec is primarily used to regulate blood glucose levels in individuals with diabetes mellitus, helping to keep them within a healthy range.
• Postprandial Blood Sugar Control: Insulin Degludec effectively manages postprandial (after-meal) blood sugar spikes through its combination of intermediate and short-acting insulin.
• Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes Treatment: Insulin Degludec is prescribed for patients with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes who are unable to achieve adequate glycemic control with oral hypoglycemic agents alone.
Medicinal Benefits
Insulin Degludec is a long-acting insulin that provides steady blood sugar control throughout the day and night. It helps reduce blood sugar fluctuations and supports the long-term management of diabetes.
- Provides Long-Lasting Blood Sugar Control: Delivers a steady supply of insulin to help maintain stable blood glucose levels for up to 24 hours or longer.
- Reduces Blood Sugar Fluctuations: Helps minimise sudden spikes and drops in blood sugar, supporting more consistent glucose control.
- Lowers the Risk of Diabetes Complications: Maintaining good blood sugar control helps reduce the risk of complications affecting the eyes, kidneys, nerves, heart, and blood vessels.
- Supports Daily Well-Being: Stable blood sugar levels may help improve energy levels and overall quality of life.
- Offers Flexible Diabetes Management: Its long duration of action allows convenient once-daily dosing in most patients, as prescribed by the doctor.
Directions for Use
- Follow your doctor's instructions on the dosage and timing of this medication to ensure safety.
- Administer Insulin Degludec subcutaneously as instructed by the doctor. Your doctor will train you on how to use Insulin Degludec at home.
- Check the label for directions and use it as advised by the doctor. Insulin Degludec should be administered subcutaneously (under the skin) in the thighs, abdomen, buttocks, or upper arm.
- Rotate the injection site each time.
- Do not inject into the areas where the skin is tender, red, bruised, hard, scarred, or has stretch marks.
Storage
Side Effects of Insulin Degludec
Common Side Effects (Usually mild)
- Mild low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), which may make you feel hungry, shaky, or sweaty
- Redness, swelling, itching, or pain at the site of injection
- Slight weight gain as your body begins to process sugar properly
- Mild swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet
Serious Side Effects (Consult your doctor right away)
- Severe low blood sugar, causing confusion, severe dizziness, slurred speech, or loss of consciousness
- Serious allergic reactions, with signs like a widespread skin rash, hives, swelling of your face, lips, or throat, and difficulty breathing
- Sudden weight gain or shortness of breath, which could indicate heart issues
- Muscle cramps, weakness, or an irregular heartbeat, which may point to low potassium levels in your blood
Medicines Containing this Salt
View AllDrug Warnings
- Inspect Before Use: Do not use the insulin if it appears cloudy, coloured, thickened, or contains particles. It should be clear and colourless.
- Never Share Injection Devices: Do not share insulin pens, cartridges, needles, or syringes with anyone to prevent the spread of infections.
- Rotate Injection Sites: Alternate injection sites between the abdomen, thigh, and upper arm to reduce the risk of skin thickening or fat tissue changes.
- Use a New Needle Each Time: Always attach a new sterile needle before each injection and remove it immediately after use.
- Avoid Alcohol: Alcohol may cause unpredictable changes in blood sugar levels and increase the risk of hypoglycaemia.
- Plan Ahead for Travel: If travelling across time zones, consult your doctor about adjusting your insulin schedule.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions
Inform your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines, as they may interact with Insulin Degludec:
- Other Diabetes Medicines: Using insulin with other antidiabetic medicines may increase the risk of low blood sugar.
- Beta-Blockers: Medicines such as atenolol or metoprolol may mask warning signs of low blood sugar, such as a rapid heartbeat.
- Corticosteroids and Thyroid Medicines: These medicines may increase blood sugar levels and require adjustment of your insulin dose.
Drug-Food Interactions
Certain foods and drinks may affect how Insulin Degludec works or increase the risk of side effects.
- Alcohol: Avoid or limit alcohol consumption, as it can cause unpredictable changes in blood sugar levels and increase the risk of severe hypoglycaemia.
Drug-Disease Interactions
Certain medical conditions may affect how Insulin Degludec works or increase the risk of side effects. Inform your doctor if you have any of the following conditions before starting treatment.
- Kidney disease or liver damage: These conditions can slow down how your body clears insulin, meaning you may need a gradually decreasing dose to prevent low blood sugar.
- Heart failure: Taking this medicine with certain oral diabetes drugs (such as thiazolidinediones) can cause or worsen fluid retention and heart failure.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeYou are recommended not to consume alcohol along with Insulin Degludec to avoid unpleasant side-effects. Alcohol may either decrease or increase the blood sugar level which can be fatal.
Pregnancy
safe if prescribedInsulin Degludec can be used during pregnancy. Your insulin dose may need to be changed during pregnancy and after delivery.
Breast Feeding
safe if prescribedInsulin Degludec can be given safely to nursing mothers but only under the supervision of a physician.
Driving
unsafeDrive with caution, Insulin Degludec usually causes drowsiness and affects driving ability. Your ability to concentrate and react may be reduced if you have hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar).
Liver
cautionInsulin Degludec to be taken with caution, especially if you have a history of liver diseases/conditions. The dose may have to be adjusted by your doctor.
Kidney
cautionInsulin Degludec to be taken with caution, especially if you have a history of kidney diseases/conditions. The dose may have to be adjusted by your doctor.
Children
safe if prescribedInsulin Degludec can be given safely to children more than 1-year-old; dose has to be prescribed by a child specialist.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Monitor your blood sugar regularly: Keep a daily log of your readings as directed by your doctor to track how well your treatment is working.
- Eat balanced, regular meals: Avoid skipping meals or changing your eating schedules dramatically, as this can cause your blood sugar to drop dangerously low.
- Carry fast-acting sugar at all times: Always keep glucose tablets, fruit juice, or hard candies with you to quickly treat sudden episodes of low blood sugar.
- Stay active, but plan ahead: Regular exercise helps manage your condition, but you should check your blood sugar before and after physical activity, as exercise can lower your sugar levels.
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water throughout the day to help your kidneys flush out excess sugar.
Special Advise
- Your doctor may tell you to have a regular potassium level as prolonged administration causes a life-threatening condition of hypokalemia (low potassium).
- Do not mix Insulin Degludec with other insulin form or dilute it.
- Store Insulin Degludec between 2-8 degree celsius temperature only.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Type 1 diabetes mellitus: In type 1 diabetes mellitus, our body does not make insulin (the hormone which helps to decrease sugar levels in the blood) to control blood sugar levels.
Type 2 diabetes mellitus: In type 2 diabetes mellitus, either the body stops producing enough insulin, or there is resistance to the action of insulin. As a result, insulin is produced in sufficient amounts but is unable to act on the tissues of the organs.
FAQs
Insulin Degludec is used for the treatment of type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus in both children (above 1 year of age) and adults.
Insulin Degludec is only a part of a complete diabetes control program that includes regular blood sugar testing, diet, exercise, weight control, and special medical care. So follow all the instructions given by the doctor.
It is advised to tell all the medicines that you are using like pioglitazone or rosiglitazone as taking other diabetes medicines may increase the risk of serious heart problems.
Insulin Degludec typically begins working after 60 minutes and will last for more than 24 hours.
Insulin Degludec can be given to treat both the condition of type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus. However, your doctor will decide whether Insulin Degludec can be given to you or not depending on your present condition. Insulin Degludec should be avoided in patients who are allergic to Insulin Degludec or other forms of insulin, patients with kidney disease, liver disease, low blood sugar/glucose level (hypoglycemia), and low potassium level (hypokalaemia).
Try to avoid intake of alcoholic beverages with Insulin Degludec as it may increase or decrease your blood sugar level.
If you experience low blood sugar, eat glucose tablets, or another high sugar snack (e.g. sweets, biscuits, fruit juice). Measure your blood sugar if possible and rest. Always carry glucose tablets or high sugar snacks with you. You should give a call to any of your family members if you are feeling dizziness or drowsiness.
Cut back on foods high in sodium, alcohol, fried foods, and high-carb food and drinks like sugary drinks, drinks with added sugar, white rice and starchy vegetables.
Insulin Degludec should not be discontinued without a doctor's consultation as stopping Insulin Degludec may cause severe hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar) and ketoacidosis (buildup of acid in the blood). Consult the doctor if you feel uncomfortable after taking Insulin Degludec.
Maintain a healthy diet and exercise regularly. Limit sugar intake and avoid smoking & alcohol consumption. Manage stress by doing meditation or yoga.
Hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar) may occur because you inject too much insulin, miss or delay meals, do not eat enough, eat food containing less carbohydrate than normal, drink alcohol, lose carbohydrates due to vomiting or diarrhoea, do more exercise than usual or a different type of physical activity, are recovering from an injury, illness, operation or stress, or are taking/have stopped taking other medicines.
Insulin Degludec is a long-acting human insulin analogue produced by rDNA process in Saccharomyces cerevisiae followed by chemical modification.
No, insulin glargine and Insulin Degludec are not the same. Insulin Degludec contains insulin degludec which has a longer half-life compared to insulin glargine. Insulin degludec and insulin glargine provide similar glycemic control, but insulin degludec also lowers the risk of low blood sugar.
Insulin Degludec contains insulin degludec. Insulin degludec and insulin detemir were found to be equally effective in managing blood sugar levels.
Avoid sharing Insulin Degludec, insulin syringe or needle with other patients. Do not miss meals and regularly monitor blood sugar levels. Avoid driving or operating machinery until you know how this medicine affects you. Do not consume alcohol or use prescription or over-the-counter medicines that contain alcohol.
Yes, Insulin Degludec can be used alone to treat diabetes. However, Insulin Degludec can be used with other diabetic medicines if prescribed by the doctor.
Yes, Insulin Degludec is a long-acting basal human insulin analogue that is used to improve glycaemic control in patients with diabetes mellitus.
Yes, Insulin Degludec can cause weight gain due to the anabolic effects of insulin. Eating healthy food and exercising regularly may help manage weight gain.
Insulin Degludec does not raise blood sugar. However, hyperglycaemia has been reported with repeated insulin injections into areas of localised cutaneous amyloidosis (clumps of abnormal proteins called amyloids build up in the skin). Also, changes in insulin regimen may cause high/low blood sugar levels.
Side effects of Insulin Degludec include hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar level), local injection site reactions, lipodystrophy (fat deposition under the skin), rash, and pruritus (itching skin) which may occur at the injection site. Most of these side effects may not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects are persistent, reach out to your doctor.
You should inject Insulin Degludec once daily, preferably at the same time each day, to maintain steady blood sugar levels. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist to establish the best daily schedule for your routine.
No, you should never mix Insulin Degludec with any other insulin or liquids in the same syringe or pen. Doing so can change how the medicine works and lead to unpredictable blood sugar levels. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you require multiple types of insulin.
If you notice signs of low blood sugar (such as shakiness, sweating, or dizziness), consume 15 to 20 grams of fast-acting sugar, such as fruit juice, regular soda, or glucose tablets. Check your blood sugar again after 15 minutes. If it is still low, repeat the process, and talk to your doctor if this happens frequently.
Once opened, you can keep Insulin Degludec at room temperature (below 30°C) or in the refrigerator for up to 8 weeks. Always keep the pen cap on to protect it from light, and throw away any remaining liquid after 8 weeks. Talk to your pharmacist if you have questions about storage.
Managing blood sugar is incredibly important during pregnancy and breastfeeding, but your insulin requirements may change during these times. Talk to your doctor to see if Insulin Degludec is the right choice for you and how to adjust your dose safely.
Inject Insulin Degludec under the skin of your upper arm, thigh, or abdomen as instructed by your doctor. Never inject it into a vein or muscle. Rotate injection sites with each dose to help prevent fatty lumps, thickened skin, or pits that may affect insulin absorption.
If no insulin comes out when you press the button, change the needle immediately. Always use a new, sterile needle for every injection to prevent blockages, contamination, and pain. Talk to your pharmacist if you continue to have trouble with your injection device.
You can remain active, but physical activity can cause your blood sugar to drop, especially if you exercise the muscle group near your injection site. Monitor your blood sugar levels closely before, during, and after exercise, and talk to your doctor about how to balance your activity with your doses.
Common symptoms of low blood sugar include sweating, pale skin, shakiness, headache, rapid heartbeat, hunger, dizziness, drowsiness, anxiety, confusion, difficulty concentrating, and temporary vision changes. If you experience these symptoms, consume 15–20 g of fast-acting sugar (such as glucose tablets, fruit juice, or regular soda), recheck your blood sugar after 15 minutes, and repeat treatment if needed. Contact your doctor if episodes occur frequently or do not improve.

