Insulin Degludec
About Insulin Degludec
Insulin Degludec used for the treatment of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus. In Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus, the body does not produce enough insulin to regulate blood sugar levels. In type 2 diabetes mellitus, either the body stops producing enough insulin (a hormone that helps lower blood sugar levels) or there is resistance to the action of insulin. As a result, insulin is produced in large quantities, but it is unable to function correctly in the body's organs.
Insulin Degludec contains insulin degludec, which helps normalise blood sugar levels by facilitating the movement of sugar from the blood into other tissues of the body. It reduces the risk of severe diabetes complications. It stimulates the recovery of sugar in muscle and fat cells, thereby suppressing the production of sugar in the liver.
Not everyone who is taking Insulin Degludec will get these side effects. You may experience rash, injection site allergic reaction, weight gain, edema (tissue swelling or fluid overload), skin thickening at the injection site, low blood glucose levels, and itching. Most of these side effects of Insulin Degludec do not require medical attention and typically resolve on their own over time. However, if the side effects are persistent, reach out to your doctor.
Insulin Degludec should be taken before food or advised by your doctor. It should be administered subcutaneously (in the upper thigh, abdomen, upper arm, or buttocks) only. Your doctor will explain how to administer the medicine yourself. However, if it is difficult to inject the medicine, ask a healthcare professional to take it. Along with Insulin Degludec, you should maintain a healthy diet, engage in regular exercise, and adhere to your doctor's weight management advice.
Inform your doctor if you are allergic to Insulin Degludec. Do not take Insulin Degludec if you have any low blood glucose levels, kidney, liver, or heart problems, or problems with alcohol or other prescription or recreational drugs. Try not to stop receiving Insulin Degludec of your own. Let your doctor know about this, as it may cause withdrawal symptoms. Insulin Degludec is a cold chain medicine, and so it must be stored in the refrigerator between 2-8 degrees Celsius, or else its efficiency might get lost. Do not store in the freezer or the fridge.
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 an antidiabetic medicine primarily used for the treatment of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus.
- It prevents the risk of having severe complications of diabetes. It stimulates the recovery of sugar in muscle and fat cells, thereby suppressing sugar production in the liver.
- Insulin Degludec helps improve glycaemic control, which in turn decreases the risk of complications of diabetes, such as damage to the retina (retinopathy), damage to the kidneys (nephropathy), impairment of nerve cells (neuropathy), delayed wound healing, diabetic foot ulcers, and others.
- Insulin Degludec can also be safely prescribed to the diabetic mother during pregnancy and lactation.
- It stimulates the recovery of sugar in muscle and fat cells and thus suppresses the production of sugar in the liver.
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
- Low potassium levels
- Low blood sugar level
- Local injection site reactions
- Rash
- Itchy skin
Drug Warnings
- Inform your doctor if you are allergic to Insulin Degludec. Do not take Insulin Degludec if you have any low blood glucose levels, kidney, liver, or heart problems, or problems with alcohol or other prescription or recreational drugs.
- Try not to stop receiving Insulin Degludec of your own. Let your doctor know about this, as it may cause withdrawal symptoms. Insulin Degludec may decrease the level of potassium, leading to a state of hypokalaemia that, if left untreated, may lead to respiratory paralysis, irregular heartbeat rhythm, coma, and even death.
- Insulin Degludec is for subcutaneous (under the skin) use only. If you are switching to a different insulin brand or using a different method of injection, it should be done under strict medical supervision.
- Cases of heart failure have been reported when pioglitazone was used with insulin, especially in patients at high risk of cardiac heart failure.
- The first symptoms of hyperglycemia (high blood sugar levels) may include excessive thirst, dry mouth, increased frequency of urination, nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, flushed dry skin, loss of appetite, and an acetone odour in the breath. You should closely monitor these symptoms.
- It is advisable not to consume alcohol, as it may either increase or decrease your blood glucose level.
- Care should be taken while travelling across more than two time zones. Your doctor may adjust your insulin schedule.
- Insulin Degludec is a cold chain medicine, and therefore it must be stored in the refrigerator at a temperature between 2-8 degrees Celsius, or else its efficiency may be compromised. Do not store in the freezer or the fridge.
- Keep the medicine out of reach of children. Please do not inject more than the recommended dose of medicine, as it can cause undesirable effects.
- It is always important to check the expiry date of the medicine. Discard the medicine if it reaches the expiry date.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: Insulin Degludec may have an interaction with drugs that may increase the risk of antiarrhythmic (disopyramide), hemorheological agents (pentoxifylline), antidiabetic (pramlintide), bleeding disorder drugs (octreotide), antipsychotic (propoxyphene, phenothiazines), female sex hormones (progestogen, oestrogen), thyroid hormones (levothyroxine), anti-asthmatics (albuterol, epinephrine, terbutaline), an antidepressant (fluoxetine, lithium), lipid-lowering pills (reserpine, niacin, clonidine, fenofibrate, guanethidine), pain killers (aspirin), antibiotics (isoniazid), blood sugar enhancing pills (glucagon), male hormone testosterone analogue (danazol), antibiotic (pentamidine).
Drug-Food Interaction: Insulin Degludec may interact with an ayurvedic, homoeopathy, Unani, herbal supplements or OTC items. Tell your doctor if you are using these products. Try to avoid alcoholic beverages with Insulin Degludec as it may increase or decrease your blood sugar level.
Drug-Disease Interaction: Insulin Degludec should not be given to patients with kidney disease, liver disease, low blood sugar/glucose level (hypoglycaemia), and low potassium level (hypokalaemia).
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
- Exercise may lower your body’s need for insulin during and for some time after the physical activity.
- Exercise may also speed up the effect of an insulin dose, especially if the exercise involves the area of the injection site (for example, the leg should not be used for injection just prior to running).
- Discuss with your doctor how you should adjust your insulin regimen to accommodate exercise.
- Avoid eating sugar food and prefer food cooked food low in calories.
- When traveling across more than 2 time zones, you should talk to your doctor concerning adjustments in your insulin schedule.
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.
Cold sweat; cool pale skin; headache; rapid heartbeat; feeling sick; feeling very hungry; temporary vision changes; drowsiness; unusual tiredness and weakness; nervousness or tremor; feeling anxious; feeling confused; difficulty in concentrating are some of the common signs of the low blood sugar level in an individual.
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.
Local allergic reactions (pain, redness, hives, inflammation, bruising, swelling, and itching) at the injection site may occur. These usually disappear after a few weeks of taking your insulin. If they do not disappear, or if they spread throughout your body, talk to your doctor immediately.
You can inject Insulin Degludec in your upper arm, thigh, or stomach area. Do not inject Insulin Degludec into your vein or muscle. Try to change (rotate) the injection site with each dose to avoid skin irritation in the same injection site.
If you have opened the insulin pen once, it must be stored at room temperature (25-degree Celsius) and may be used for up to 56 days after its first use.
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.
The injection site should be changed to prevent skin changes like lumps under the skin. Insulin Degludec may not work well if injected into the lumpy area.
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.
