Savings and coverage tools to help your patients start Tresiba® (insulin degludec)
Novo Nordisk has the best formulary coverage in the basal category
Tresiba® has ~89.1% national formulary coverage (commercial and Medicare Part D combined) and is covered nationwide on the majority of Medicare Part D plans.1,a-c Use the formulary tool to check coverage in your area.
Find out exactly which plans in your area include Tresiba®. Formulary status is believed to be accurate at the time of update but cannot be guaranteed.
aFormulary status subject to change. This information should not be used to make efficacy or safety comparisons between or among mentioned products.
bFormulary data are provided by Managed Markets Insight & Technology, LLC (MMIT) and are current as of August 2023.
cMedicare Part D data are on file with Novo Nordisk and are current as of August 2023.
What can patients expect to pay for Tresiba®?
Commercially insured patients
With the Tresiba® Savings Card, patients pay as little as $35 or no more than $99 per prescriptiond
There are three ways for patients to access the card:
- Text SAVE to 97430 to get the savings card sent to their mobile phone
- Visit TresibaSavings.com to download and print the card
- HCPs can order a package of savings card to distribute to their patients in the office
The average out of pocket cost for commercially insured patients is ~$35 and over 90% of commercially insured patients pay under $50.
Medicare Part D patients
Medicare Part D patients with Tresiba® coverage can expect to pay a maximum of $35 per 30-day supply regardless of deductible or donut hole period
Low-Income Subsidy or Extra Help patients likely pay $11.20 per month or less2
The average out of pocket cost for Medicare Part D patients is ~$20 and over 90% of Medicare Part D patients pay under $50.
Uninsured patients
Uninsured patients pay $35 for a monthly supply of any combination of Novo Nordisk insulin products, up to 3 vials or 2 packs of pens (up to 35 mL).e Learn more at NovoCare.com.
See all the insulin affordability offerings at NovoCare.com, including the Novo Nordisk Patient Assistance Program (PAP), which offers Tresiba® at no cost to those who qualify for up to a yearf
fFull patient eligibility requirements can be found at NovoCare.com.
Indications and Usage for Tresiba® (insulin degludec) injection 100 U/mL, 200 U/mL
Tresiba® (insulin degludec) injection is indicated to improve glycemic control in patients 1 year of age and older with diabetes mellitus.
Limitations of Use
Tresiba® is not recommended for treating diabetic ketoacidosis.
Important Safety Information
Contraindications
- Tresiba® is contraindicated during episodes of hypoglycemia and in patients with hypersensitivity to insulin degludec or any of the excipients in Tresiba®
Warnings and Precautions
- Never Share a Tresiba® FlexTouch® Pen, Needle, or Syringe Between Patients, even if the needle is changed. Patients using Tresiba® vials should never share needles or syringes with another person. Sharing poses a risk for transmission of blood-borne pathogens.
- Hyperglycemia or Hypoglycemia with Changes in Insulin Regimen: Changes in an insulin regimen (e.g., insulin strength, manufacturer, type, or injection site or method of administration) may affect glycemic control and predispose to hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia. Repeated insulin injections into areas of lipodystrophy or localized cutaneous amyloidosis have been reported to result in hyperglycemia; and a sudden change in the injection site (to an unaffected area) has been reported to result in hypoglycemia. Make any changes to a patient’s insulin regimen under close medical supervision with increased frequency of blood glucose monitoring. Advise patients who have repeatedly injected into areas of lipodystrophy or localized cutaneous amyloidosis to change the injection site to unaffected areas and closely monitor for hypoglycemia. Adjustments in concomitant anti-diabetic treatment may be needed.
- Hypoglycemia: Hypoglycemia is the most common adverse reaction of insulin, including Tresiba®. Severe hypoglycemia can cause seizures, may be life-threatening or cause death. Hypoglycemia can impair concentration ability and reaction time; this may place the patient and others at risk in situations where these abilities are important (e.g., driving or operating other machinery). Hypoglycemia can happen suddenly and symptoms may differ in each patient and change over time in the same patient. Symptomatic awareness of hypoglycemia may be less pronounced in patients with longstanding diabetes, in patients with diabetic neuropathy, using drugs that block the sympathetic nervous system (e.g., beta-blockers) or who experience recurrent hypoglycemia. The long-acting effect of Tresiba® may delay recovery from hypoglycemia compared to shorter-acting insulins.
Risk Factors for Hypoglycemia: The risk of hypoglycemia generally increases with intensity of glycemic control. The risk of hypoglycemia after an injection is related to the duration of action of the insulin and, in general, is highest when the glucose lowering effect of the insulin is maximal. As with all insulins, the glucose lowering effect time course of Tresiba® may vary among different patients or at different times in the same patients and depends on many conditions, including the area of injection as well as the injection site blood supply and temperature. Other factors which may increase the risk of hypoglycemia include changes in meal pattern, changes in level of physical activity, or changes to concomitant drugs. Patients with renal or hepatic impairment may be at higher risk of hypoglycemia. Patients and caregivers must be educated to recognize and manage hypoglycemia. In patients at higher risk for hypoglycemia and patients who have reduced symptomatic awareness of hypoglycemia, increased frequency of blood glucose monitoring is recommended. - Hypoglycemia Due to Medication Errors: Accidental mix-ups between insulin products have been reported. To avoid medication errors between Tresiba® and other insulins, always instruct patients to always check the insulin label before each injection. To avoid dosing errors and potential overdose, never use a syringe to remove Tresiba® from the Tresiba® FlexTouch® disposable insulin prefilled pen.
- Hypersensitivity Reactions: Severe, life-threatening, generalized allergy, including anaphylaxis, can occur with insulins, including Tresiba®. If hypersensitivity reactions occur, discontinue Tresiba®; treat per standard of care and monitor until symptoms and signs resolve.
- Hypokalemia: All insulins, including Tresiba®, cause a shift in potassium from the extracellular to intracellular space, possibly leading to hypokalemia. Untreated hypokalemia may cause respiratory paralysis, ventricular arrhythmia, and death. Monitor potassium levels in patients at risk for hypokalemia and treat if indicated.
- Fluid Retention and Heart Failure with Concomitant Use of PPAR-gamma Agonists: Fluid retention and heart failure can occur with concomitant use of thiazolidinediones (TZDs), which are PPAR-gamma agonists, and insulin, including Tresiba®. Patients should be observed for signs and symptoms of heart failure. If heart failure occurs, dosage reduction or discontinuation of the TZD must be considered.
Adverse Reactions
- Adverse reactions commonly associated with Tresiba® are hypoglycemia, allergic reactions, injection site reactions, lipodystrophy, pruritus, rash, edema, and weight gain.
Drug Interactions
- There are certain drugs that may cause clinically significant drug interactions with Tresiba®.
- Drugs that may increase the risk of hypoglycemia: antidiabetic agents, ACE inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blocking agents, disopyramide, fibrates, fluoxetine, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, pentoxifylline, pramlintide, salicylates, somatostatin analog (e.g., octreotide), sulfonamide antibiotics, GLP-1 receptor agonists, DPP-4 inhibitors, and SGLT-2 inhibitors
- Drugs that may decrease the blood glucose lowering effect: atypical antipsychotics (e.g., olanzapine and clozapine), corticosteroids, danazol, diuretics, estrogens, glucagon, isoniazid, niacin, oral contraceptives, phenothiazines, progestogens (e.g., in oral contraceptives), protease inhibitors, somatropin, sympathomimetic agents (e.g., albuterol, epinephrine, terbutaline), and thyroid hormones
- Drugs that may increase or decrease the blood glucose lowering effect: alcohol, beta-blockers, clonidine, lithium salts, and pentamidine
- Drugs that may blunt the signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia: beta-blockers, clonidine, guanethidine, and reserpine
Please click here for Tresiba® Prescribing Information.
References:
- Formulary data are provided by Managed Markets Insight & Technology, LLC (MMIT) and are current as of August 2023. Transaction and claims data are provided by Managed Markets Insight & Technology, LLC (MMIT) for the period August 2023. Medicare Part D cost shares are provided by Managed Markets Insight & Technology, LLC (MMIT), October 2022, and represent the initial coverage period.
- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Advance Notice of Methodological Changes for Calendar Year (CY) 2023 for Medicare Advantage (MA) Capitation Rates and Part C and Part D Payment Policies – Part II. Accessed September 14, 2023. https://www.cms.gov/files/document/lis-memo.pdf. Published October 25, 2022.