Risk minimisation material: Tresiba® (insulin degludec) - safety information for healthcare professionals regarding two product strengths

This highlights the pens come as 100units/mL & 200units/mL strengths and potential risk of dosing error. It points out both pens have dose display set in the dial in UNITS so no dose conversion is required if transferring patients between the two strengths.

SPS commentary:

Manufacturers have also produced a patient safety information leaflet covering this information.  Both devices have a dose counter window that shows the exact dose dialled.  It informs patients that that the dose shown in the window is the dose that will be delivered regardless of formulation strength. Patients should always use the dose counter, to select the dose, and not to count clicks.

 

An NPSA alert was published recently following five reports of patients being incorrectly advised to reduce the number of units of insulin to be administered when switching to the 200 units/mL product owing to a shortage of the 100 units/mL pen.

Novo Nordisk

Resource links:

Patient Information Leaflet: Tresiba (insulin degludec) Understanding the formulation strength your healthcare provider has prescribed

08 Dec 2023: National Patient Safety Alert: Potential for inappropriate dosing of insulin when switching insulin degludec (Tresiba) products