What is Tresiba?

Tresiba is a diabetes medication. It is one of the drugs the doctor would prescribe for you if you have diabetes. It is a medication that helps in the management of blood sugar levels in people with diabetes. It appears in liquid form and can be administered as an injection. Tresiba is suitable for every age-grade, including children of ages 1 and above who have type 1 and 2 diabetes. Tresiba injection can be administered in two ways, namely;

Through a vial with the use of a syringe

Through prefilled disposable injection pens, otherwise known as flex touch pens.

Each of these methods of Tresiba injection administration comes with its own unique dosage and measurement.

According to medical practitioners, the 10 ml vial syringe Tresiba contains 100 units of insulin, while the disposable prefilled pen comes in two ways; one comprises 100 units of insulin per solution, while the other contains 200 ml of insulin per solution.

Each of these dosages can be administered depending on the degree of severity and stage of diabetes. However, diabetes ketoacidosis is a complicated version of diabetes that cannot be treated with any Tresiba dosage. Tresiba is not an approved medication for diabetes ketoacidosis.

Tresiba is not a drug that should be used for self-medication. It should be prescribed and approved by a Doctor. This is important because the doctor would determine its suitability for your body. In addition, the doctor gets to explain to you as well as discuss the benefits and side effects of Tresiba with you. For instance, people who have chronic vital organ issues and are also suffering from type 1 and 2 diabetes would not be allowed to use Tresiba. Pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and people with kidney or liver issues should consult the doctor before using Tresiba and also discuss their health history with the doctor.

Tresiba Interactions

Tresiba has been found to interact with numerous drugs, supplements, vaccines, and foods. This interaction could interrupt the function of Tresiba itself, or on the other hand, the interruption could affect the function of the other drugs, foods, vaccines, and supplements that are taken alongside it. This is why it is important to converse with your doctor about all the medications, diets, and supplement plans you are on before using Tresiba in order to know how to manage the drugs for each of them to function properly.

Interaction With Drugs

Examples of drugs that Tresiba can interact with are;

Certain Diabetes Drugs

When Tresiba is combined with certain diabetes drugs, organ damages like heart failure set in. The outcome of the interaction between Tresiba and these diabetes medications is usually harmful. It exposes you to the risks of heart failure. The following are the symptoms of heart failure;

• Shortness of breath
• Swollen legs and ankles
• Fatigue

Some other effects of the combination of Tresiba with certain diabetes medications include higher risks of hypoglycemia, which would require you to always monitor your blood sugar level.

Antidepressants

When Tresiba is combined with certain antidepressants, your risks of developing hypoglycemia; low blood sugar increase. Low blood sugar is a medical condition whereby the level of blood sugar or glucose in the body drops dangerously below normal. This condition is a silent killer and can be deadlier than diabetes.

Corticosteroids

Combining corticosteroids with Tresiba can cause a spike in your blood sugar levels. This is why Doctors advise that if you must combine both, you have to regularly monitor your blood sugar levels.

HIV Medications

Some HIV medications can raise the level of your blood sugar when they are combined with Tresiba.

Research is still ongoing to unravel other drugs that interact with Tresiba. However, it is important to discuss the interactions with your doctor in other to have an idea of other possible drugs that can interact with Tresiba.

Note;

Tresiba can be dangerous for you if you have or experience the following health conditions;

• Allergic reactions; avoid Tresiba if you are allergic to it or any of its ingredients.
• Liver or kidney failure; since Tresiba lowers blood sugar, if your kidneys or liver are not functioning properly to regulate the blood sugar, risks of hypoglycemia; low blood sugar would be higher. This is why it is important to discuss your health history with your doctor.
• Pregnancy and breastfeeding; no known side effect is associated with the use of Tresiba during pregnancy and breastfeeding

In addition, using Tresiba while drinking alcohol can lead to poor blood sugar regulation and control by the body’s organs. It is essential to avoid alcohol while on Tresiba medication for the following reasons;

Alcohol combined with Tresiba can lead to chronic hypoglycemia.

The combination of both can also lead to poor liver functions in the regulation and control of blood sugar levels.

Overdose

You have a tendency to overuse any drug, one of which is Tresiba. This occurs when you are not certain about the appropriate dosage required for you. Severe side effects have been attached to the over usage of Tresiba. The following are symptoms of Tresiba overdose;

Hypoglycemia; overdose of Tresiba can lead to hypoglycemia. How do you identify hypoglycemia? The following are the symptoms of hypoglycemia;

• Headache
• Loss of consciousness; which is a common symptom of hypoglycemia
• Confusion
• Fatigue and dizziness
• Sweating
• Seizures
• Coma

When you see yourself in such a position, take carbohydrate to increase your blood sugar. Or take sugar itself and watch out for improvement. If there is none, rush to the hospital for professional medical attention.

Hypokalemia, also known as low potassium in the blood, is an essential compound needed by the body for proper functioning. Too little or too much of it in the blood can bring harm to the body. Hypokalemia can also be a symptom of Tresiba overdose. In order to identify hypokalemia, you will experience some or all of the following;

• Muscle cramping
• Constipation
• Weakness
• Irregular heartbeats

Dosage

In order to avoid Tresiba overdose, dosage plans have been mapped out. However, the dosage depends on various factors, and these factors include;

• Bodyweight
• How well managed your blood sugar level is
• The severity of your diabetes
• Your health or medical history
• Insulin dosages
• Underlying health issues

When all these things are put into consideration, the proper and appropriate dosage for each condition or factor would be administered.

Usually, the outset of Tresiba medication is usually little and can be adjusted over time to suit your body.

Tresiba Side Effects

The side effects of Tresiba can range from mild to serious. Some of the side effects of Tresiba you might encounter while using it have been compiled in this article.  Although, not all the side effects are contained in this list as research is still unraveling many of them. However, this collated list can keep you updated about what to expect as side effects while using Tresiba.

In addition, to better understand and get more information about the side effects of Tresiba, it is best to chat with your doctor as the doctor would even go further by giving you tips on how to manage those side effects.

Mild Effects of Tresiba

The common mild effects of Tresiba include;

• Headache
• Mild hypoglycemia
• Weight gain
• Respiratory infections
• Flu symptoms
• Diarrhea
• Other mild symptoms that are not common include;
• Pain, redness, and swelling of injection sites
• Thickened skin around the injection site
• Swollen ankles and feet

Some of these symptoms disappear after a couple of days. However, it is important to report immediately to the hospital if any of these side effects persist for a longer period of time.

Serious Side Effects of Tresiba

Though not common, they happen. These symptoms could be life-threatening. They cannot be managed at home. Hurry to the hospital if you notice any of these symptoms;

• Chronic hypokalemia
• Chronic hypoglycemia
• Chronic allergic reactions; some of these allergic reactions may include;
• Skin rashes
• Flushing
• Itchiness
• Obvious swelling under the skin of the eyelids, feet, hands, and lips
• Difficulty breathing or speaking
• Swelling of the mouth, throat, and tongue

In conclusion, Tresiba is an effective diabetes medication. It majorly comes in the form of injections and can be used for the treatment and management of type 1 and 2 diabetes in adults and children older than the age of 1. Tresiba comes with side effects that can be managed. Also, its interaction with other drugs is a topic that should be discussed with a Doctor in order to prevent complications like vital organ damages.