Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsRising Prevalence of DiabetesUnderstanding Synthetic InsulinWhat Is Tresiba?What Is Lantus?Which Is More Effective?Dosing GuidelinesSafe Use GuidelinesSide Effects and PrecautionsAlternative Treatment OptionsFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Rising Prevalence of Diabetes
Understanding Synthetic Insulin
What Is Tresiba?
What Is Lantus?
Which Is More Effective?
Dosing Guidelines
Safe Use Guidelines
Side Effects and Precautions
Alternative Treatment Options
Frequently Asked Questions
Tresiba(insulindegludec)andLantus(insulinglargine)areFood and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved synthetic insulinsforglycemic control(blood sugar levels) in people withtype 1ortype 2 diabetes.
Aslong-acting insulin products, Tresiba and Lantus are administered similarly (subcutaneous [under the skin] injection), share similar dosing instructions, work similarly (via their mechanism of action), and are used for the same conditions.
However, more than their differing active ingredients, these drugs share notable differences, such as how quickly each works (their onset of action) and how long they work to control blood sugar levels following administration.
For example, Tresiba works up to 42 hours, while Lantus works up to 24 hours.
This article will provide an in-depth analysis of Tresiba versus Lantus, focusing on their respective uses, dosing, potential side effects, and storage requirements, among other need-to-know points of information regarding their administration.
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The following discusses the definition ofdiabetes(officially known as diabetes mellitus) and notable statistics regarding its prevalence within the United States.
What Is Diabetes?
There are two primary types of diabetes: type 1 and type 2:
In type 1, the pancreas does not make insulin because the immune system attacks the cells in the pancreas that create insulin.
In type 2 diabetes, the pancreas produces less insulin over time, and your body becomes insulin-resistant.
Blood sugar levels can rise when a person is deprived of adequate insulin or when cells stop responding to insulin.
As a result, high blood sugar is damaging to the body and causes many of the symptoms and complications of diabetes.
Over time, diabetes can lead to severe health problems, includingkidney failureand heart disease (HD).
Diabetes Statistics
Diabetes is a growing epidemic.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), diabetes will be one of the world’s leading causes of death and disability in the next quarter century.
Currently, there are more than 17 million people with type 2 diabetes in the United States.
Type 1 diabetes is less common than type 2. Nearly 5% to 10% of people with diabetes have type 1.
Insulin is a pancreatic hormone that controls blood sugar.
Synthetic versions of natural insulins (human-made, artificial versions) are used when insulin hormones cannot control blood sugar levels. Human insulin is synthetically made in a lab usingE. colibacteria.
Long-acting synthetic insulin analogs also inhibit liver glucose production.
Insulin inhibitslipolysis(breakdown of fats) and proteolysis (breakdown of proteins into amino acids) and enhances protein synthesis (the process in which cells make proteins).
Tresiba is an FDA-approved, brand-name insulin degludec administered via subcutaneous injection.
Tresiba is approved to control blood sugar levels in adults and children 1 year and older with type 1 or type 2 diabetes.
For people with type 1 diabetes, Tresiba must be used with another type of short-acting insulin. In those with type 2 diabetes, it may be used with another insulin or oral diabetes drug.
This medication, however, is not recommended for the treatment ofdiabetic ketoacidosis(DKA, increased ketones in the blood or urine).
How It Works
Tresiba also stops the liver from producing excess levels of blood sugar.
Tresiba is available in different combinations with other insulins administered via subcutaneous (under the skin) injection.
Other brands that include insulin degludec include Xultophy (insulin degludec/liraglutide).
Lantus is an FDA-approved, brand-name insulin glargine administered via subcutaneous injection. More specifically, Lantus can be classified as a long-acting synthetic insulin.
Lantus controls high blood sugar in adults and children 1 year and older with type 1 or type 2 diabetes.
For people with type 1 diabetes, Lantus must be used with another type of short-acting insulin. In those with type 2 diabetes, it may be used with another insulin or oral diabetes drug.
Like Tresiba, Lantus is not for use in diabetic ketoacidosis.
Lantus is available in different combinations with other insulins administered via subcutaneous injection.
Other brand-name products that contain insulin glargine include Basaglar and Toujeo.
Combinational brand-name products containing insulin glargine and other insulin include:
Tresiba and Lantus are safe and effective options for managing diabetes.
However, one study analyzing people new to diabetes medications demonstrated significantly improved blood sugar levels, more considerable rate reductions, and lower risk of treatment discontinuation when using insulin degludec versus insulin glargine (300 units per milliliter [U/mL]).
Furthermore, a different analysis showed that insulin degludec is associated with more significant reductions in blood glucose per a review of individual fasting plasma glucose levels (FPG, a test that measures your blood sugar after an overnight fast) and lower total insulin doses versus insulin glargine.
Tresiba is available as a clear and colorless injection solution in the following strengths:
Lantus is available as a clear and colorless injection solution in the following strengths:
General Dosing Guidelines
The following provides general guidelines for the safe and effective administration of Tresiba versus Lantus:
Ask your child’s healthcare provider to determine the most suitable dose of Tresiba or Lantus.
How Quickly Do They Work?
Tresiba begins working within 30 to 90 minutes of administration.
Meanwhile, Lantus begins working within 30 to 60 minutes of administration.
The following guides on how to administer Tresiba or Lantus:
Potential for Interaction
Examples of drugs that may negatively interact with Tresiba or Lantus if taken simultaneously include:
This is not a complete list of drugs that interact with Tresiba and Lantus.
Before you use either product, alert your healthcare provider to all current medications you take before beginning treatment.
When to Avoid Tresiba or Lantus
Do not use Tresiba or Lantus if you currently or have previously experienced:
Tresiba and Lantus are commonly used and are safe and effective. However, like all other drugs, they may cause side effects.
Side effects associated with these drugs are listed below.
Common Side Effects
Examples of common side effects associated with the use of Tresiba and Lantus include:
Severe Side Effects
Tresiba and Lantus may sometimes cause severe side effects that should be immediately addressed upon identification.
Alert your healthcare provider if you experience any of the following side effects:
People with diabetes increasingly seek alternative therapies.
Herbal medications are commonly used as an alternative therapy for blood sugar control. However, their safety and effectiveness need to be further evaluated.
Some non-medical potential alternative treatments for diabetes include acupuncture, hydrotherapy, massage therapy, yoga, and chromotherapy, to name a few.
Type 2 diabetes mellitus is becoming a significant health problem.
People with type 2 diabetes mellitus are usually placed on a restricted diet and exercise routine to control weight.
Summary
Tresiba (insulin degludec) and Lantus (insulin glargine) are long-acting synthetic versions of human insulins. They are FDA-approved to manage blood sugar levels in people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes.
Both these drugs belong to the same class and have similar mechanisms of action. However, they differ in their active ingredients and the duration of action.
Depending on your metabolic requirements, your healthcare provider will determine the most suitable insulin for you.
They are safe and effective; however, they may cause hypoglycemia as a side effect.
Always use as prescribed at the same time daily in the recommended dose. Ask your healthcare provider before altering the dose.
Frequently Asked QuestionsTresiba can be unrefrigerated from heat and light for up to 56 days.Conversely, Lantus can be unrefrigerated for up to 28 days.Yes, weight gain is a common side effect of both Tresiba and Lantus.
Tresiba can be unrefrigerated from heat and light for up to 56 days.Conversely, Lantus can be unrefrigerated for up to 28 days.
Tresiba can be unrefrigerated from heat and light for up to 56 days.
Conversely, Lantus can be unrefrigerated for up to 28 days.
Yes, weight gain is a common side effect of both Tresiba and Lantus.
19 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Insulin glargine (rDNA origin) injection.MedlinePlus.Insulin degludec (rDNA origin) injection.DailyMed.Label: Tresiba- insulin degludec injection, solution.DailyMed.Label: Lantus- insulin glargine injection, solution Lantus Solostar- insulin glargine injection, solution.MedlinePlus.Diabetes.Pandey A, Tripathi P, Pandey R, Srivatava R, Goswami S.Alternative therapies useful in the management of diabetes: a systematic review.J Pharm Bioallied Sci. 2011;3(4):504-512. doi:10.4103/0975-7406.90103Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Type 1 diabetes.MedlinePlus.Insulin in blood.University of California, San Francisco.Human insulin - diabetes education online.MedlinePlus.Human insulin injection.DailyMed.Label: Xultophy 100/3.6 (insulin degludec and liraglutide injection, solution).DailyMed.Label: Basaglar KwikPen- insulin glargine injection, solution Basaglar Tempo Pen- insulin glargine injection, solution.DailyMed.Label: Toujeo- insulin glargine injection, solution.DailyMed.Label: Soliqua 100/33- insulin glargine and lixisenatide injection, solution.DailyMed.Label: Rezvoglar KwikPen- insulin glargine-aglr injection, solution.DailyMed.Label: Semglee- insulin glargine-yfgn injection, solution.Tibaldi J, Hadley‐Brown M, Liebl A, et al.A comparative effectiveness study of degludec and insulin glargine 300 U/mL in insulin‐naïve patients with type 2 diabetes.Diabetes Obes Metab.2019;21(4):1001-1009. doi:10.1111/dom.13616Vora J, Christensen T, Rana A, Bain SC.Insulin degludec versus insulin glargine in type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus: a meta-analysis of endpoints in phase 3a trials.Diabetes Ther.2014;5(2):435-446. doi:10.1007/s13300-014-0076-9Nasrallah SN, Reynolds LR.Insulin degludec, the new generation basal insulin or just another basal insulin?Clin Med Insights Endocrinol Diabetes. 2012;5:31-37. doi:10.4137/CMED.S9494
19 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Insulin glargine (rDNA origin) injection.MedlinePlus.Insulin degludec (rDNA origin) injection.DailyMed.Label: Tresiba- insulin degludec injection, solution.DailyMed.Label: Lantus- insulin glargine injection, solution Lantus Solostar- insulin glargine injection, solution.MedlinePlus.Diabetes.Pandey A, Tripathi P, Pandey R, Srivatava R, Goswami S.Alternative therapies useful in the management of diabetes: a systematic review.J Pharm Bioallied Sci. 2011;3(4):504-512. doi:10.4103/0975-7406.90103Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Type 1 diabetes.MedlinePlus.Insulin in blood.University of California, San Francisco.Human insulin - diabetes education online.MedlinePlus.Human insulin injection.DailyMed.Label: Xultophy 100/3.6 (insulin degludec and liraglutide injection, solution).DailyMed.Label: Basaglar KwikPen- insulin glargine injection, solution Basaglar Tempo Pen- insulin glargine injection, solution.DailyMed.Label: Toujeo- insulin glargine injection, solution.DailyMed.Label: Soliqua 100/33- insulin glargine and lixisenatide injection, solution.DailyMed.Label: Rezvoglar KwikPen- insulin glargine-aglr injection, solution.DailyMed.Label: Semglee- insulin glargine-yfgn injection, solution.Tibaldi J, Hadley‐Brown M, Liebl A, et al.A comparative effectiveness study of degludec and insulin glargine 300 U/mL in insulin‐naïve patients with type 2 diabetes.Diabetes Obes Metab.2019;21(4):1001-1009. doi:10.1111/dom.13616Vora J, Christensen T, Rana A, Bain SC.Insulin degludec versus insulin glargine in type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus: a meta-analysis of endpoints in phase 3a trials.Diabetes Ther.2014;5(2):435-446. doi:10.1007/s13300-014-0076-9Nasrallah SN, Reynolds LR.Insulin degludec, the new generation basal insulin or just another basal insulin?Clin Med Insights Endocrinol Diabetes. 2012;5:31-37. doi:10.4137/CMED.S9494
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
MedlinePlus.Insulin glargine (rDNA origin) injection.MedlinePlus.Insulin degludec (rDNA origin) injection.DailyMed.Label: Tresiba- insulin degludec injection, solution.DailyMed.Label: Lantus- insulin glargine injection, solution Lantus Solostar- insulin glargine injection, solution.MedlinePlus.Diabetes.Pandey A, Tripathi P, Pandey R, Srivatava R, Goswami S.Alternative therapies useful in the management of diabetes: a systematic review.J Pharm Bioallied Sci. 2011;3(4):504-512. doi:10.4103/0975-7406.90103Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Type 1 diabetes.MedlinePlus.Insulin in blood.University of California, San Francisco.Human insulin - diabetes education online.MedlinePlus.Human insulin injection.DailyMed.Label: Xultophy 100/3.6 (insulin degludec and liraglutide injection, solution).DailyMed.Label: Basaglar KwikPen- insulin glargine injection, solution Basaglar Tempo Pen- insulin glargine injection, solution.DailyMed.Label: Toujeo- insulin glargine injection, solution.DailyMed.Label: Soliqua 100/33- insulin glargine and lixisenatide injection, solution.DailyMed.Label: Rezvoglar KwikPen- insulin glargine-aglr injection, solution.DailyMed.Label: Semglee- insulin glargine-yfgn injection, solution.Tibaldi J, Hadley‐Brown M, Liebl A, et al.A comparative effectiveness study of degludec and insulin glargine 300 U/mL in insulin‐naïve patients with type 2 diabetes.Diabetes Obes Metab.2019;21(4):1001-1009. doi:10.1111/dom.13616Vora J, Christensen T, Rana A, Bain SC.Insulin degludec versus insulin glargine in type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus: a meta-analysis of endpoints in phase 3a trials.Diabetes Ther.2014;5(2):435-446. doi:10.1007/s13300-014-0076-9Nasrallah SN, Reynolds LR.Insulin degludec, the new generation basal insulin or just another basal insulin?Clin Med Insights Endocrinol Diabetes. 2012;5:31-37. doi:10.4137/CMED.S9494
MedlinePlus.Insulin glargine (rDNA origin) injection.
MedlinePlus.Insulin degludec (rDNA origin) injection.
DailyMed.Label: Tresiba- insulin degludec injection, solution.
DailyMed.Label: Lantus- insulin glargine injection, solution Lantus Solostar- insulin glargine injection, solution.
MedlinePlus.Diabetes.
Pandey A, Tripathi P, Pandey R, Srivatava R, Goswami S.Alternative therapies useful in the management of diabetes: a systematic review.J Pharm Bioallied Sci. 2011;3(4):504-512. doi:10.4103/0975-7406.90103
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Type 1 diabetes.
MedlinePlus.Insulin in blood.
University of California, San Francisco.Human insulin - diabetes education online.
MedlinePlus.Human insulin injection.
DailyMed.Label: Xultophy 100/3.6 (insulin degludec and liraglutide injection, solution).
DailyMed.Label: Basaglar KwikPen- insulin glargine injection, solution Basaglar Tempo Pen- insulin glargine injection, solution.
DailyMed.Label: Toujeo- insulin glargine injection, solution.
DailyMed.Label: Soliqua 100/33- insulin glargine and lixisenatide injection, solution.
DailyMed.Label: Rezvoglar KwikPen- insulin glargine-aglr injection, solution.
DailyMed.Label: Semglee- insulin glargine-yfgn injection, solution.
Tibaldi J, Hadley‐Brown M, Liebl A, et al.A comparative effectiveness study of degludec and insulin glargine 300 U/mL in insulin‐naïve patients with type 2 diabetes.Diabetes Obes Metab.2019;21(4):1001-1009. doi:10.1111/dom.13616
Vora J, Christensen T, Rana A, Bain SC.Insulin degludec versus insulin glargine in type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus: a meta-analysis of endpoints in phase 3a trials.Diabetes Ther.2014;5(2):435-446. doi:10.1007/s13300-014-0076-9
Nasrallah SN, Reynolds LR.Insulin degludec, the new generation basal insulin or just another basal insulin?Clin Med Insights Endocrinol Diabetes. 2012;5:31-37. doi:10.4137/CMED.S9494
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