Tresiba for Diabetes, Type 1 User Reviews
Tresiba has an average rating of 3.9 out of 10 from a total of 75 reviews for the treatment of Diabetes, Type 1. 23% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 60% reported a negative experience.
Reviews for Tresiba
- Michael
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- January 15, 2021
"I don't normally write reviews. I am type 1 diabetic, and I was on Lantus, and then I got put on Tresiba. I was so worried because I have anxiety and read these reviews, and you all made me nervous about taking it. I couldn't get through to my diabetic nurse before taking it, and anyway, it's alright. I had a few side effects that lasted 2 days: blurry vision and felt a bit sick, but that's it. Now it's the best thing I have done. I like how it gives you freedom on when you can take it and not having to take it at the same time every day. Honestly, if you're on here scared... DON'T BE. Reading these comments will make you worse :) Smile and breathe, and you'll be fine."
- IslaM...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- October 19, 2019
"I am in my 30s and have been a type 1 diabetic for 14 years. I have been using Lantus for over 10 years, recently, my endo suggested I try Tresiba. The first few days, my glucose levels kept spiking overnight to 19+, it took about a week to figure out dosing (which turned out to be the same as Lantus, not less). I was exhausted for the first few days. This insulin does work well, if you miss a meal, you will, without a doubt, have a sugar low. After about 2 months, my findings are that I often had a nauseous, car-sick feeling, stomach pain and cramps in the upper abdomen were common, almost a water-on-the-brain/plugged-ear feeling. It was time to get more Tresiba, but I decided to just use Lantus that I still had left. I would say immediately the next day after switching back to Lantus, I felt normal again. The stomach pain is gone, I don’t feel dizzy or nauseous, my sugars have been stable and easy to control. Be all end all, Tresiba is worth a trial, but it was not for me."
Frequently asked questions
- What is the difference between Soliqua and Xultophy?
- Toujeo vs Tresiba - What's the difference between them?
- Is Tresiba the same as Lantus?
- How long can Tresiba be out of the fridge?
- Petit...
- Taken for 6 months to 1 year
- June 5, 2019
"This insulin is horrible. I've been a type 1, diagnosed as an adult, for 10 years. I was told, as many it seems, this is the best new insulin... I just tried it. I've been trying it now for months. My sugars are sky high, sky high during the day, lows in the middle of the night. How is this a flat, stable insulin? I too am just unbearably tired, like I'm on sleeping pills or something, and nauseous too since starting this. I don't know if it's because my BG's are so messed up from this insulin or if it's the insulin. I've tried it, titrated the dose. I'm very tiny and use very little insulin, only about 6 units basal per day. But this stuff, dry mouth, more weight loss, but I too got really swollen ankles, feeling very tight. It's the worst insulin I've ever tried. I don't believe the positive comments are from real patients... I believe they're fake from Tresiba reps. This is horrible stuff... worst BG control ever and I have A1C's typically in the 6's. Since I've been on this, gone up to 8's."
- KKano
- Taken for 1 to 2 years
- May 12, 2020
"Worst A1C I’ve ever had with this insulin. Started at 34 units of Toujeo and am now only taking 14 units of Tresiba and still experiencing issues. I’ve been experiencing nighttime drops where I give myself only 1 unit of rapid for 50+ carbs at dinner and my blood sugar falls all night. I’ll go to bed at a very high 20 and wake up 8, so I don’t feel safe going to bed when I’m NOT high. And then during the day, my blood sugar rises like crazy, and it’s like my fast acting doesn’t work at all during lunch. I’ve also never felt sicker. Have had stomach issues, bloating, cramping, and pain that’s made me cry. I got an ultrasound done, but they found nothing wrong, but after reading these reviews, I’m wondering if it’s the Tresiba since all these problems started only when I’ve been on it. I’ve had shortness of breath and chest pain and have felt so weak I couldn’t make it across the room. I’m honestly miserable on this insulin."
Are you taking this medicine?
- Rob
- November 30, 2019
"The Tresiba is horrible stuff. Will stick in your system and bounce your sugar levels to the extremes. Very volatile. Surges with constant low sugars, then shoot up, then bottom out again. The advantage of taking one shot reminisces by having to check your sugar level every hour. Whatever you do, don’t take it at night if you don’t want to wake up in the hospital."
- frank
- April 3, 2016
"I started this new Tresiba, was the first person in the state to start it. Right afterwards, when I did the switch from Levemir to Tresiba, I caught the worst cold known in the history of man, and I mean BAD too. I was so tired, and at night I coughed so bad, I'd lose my breath. The doctor told me I don't have a cold, as my lungs were crystal clear. No matter what I did, I could not get rid of this cold, and it got worse by the day. I began to become suspicious when no one, and I mean not a one around me caught this miserable cold. I put 2 and 2 together, and I said it must be Tresiba. I went back on Levemir, and the cold was gone in 48 hours. No pharmacy knew about this or adverse effects, it was that new. Never again."
More FAQ
- Can you take Tresiba twice a day?
- Does Tresiba cause weight gain?
- How do I use the Tresiba FlexTouch pen?
- How long does Tresiba last?
- Buster
- Taken for 6 months to 1 year
- June 16, 2019
"Have been on Tresiba for 8 months and experienced weight gain, leg cramps, and a kind of hopeless lethargy. Have also developed lichen sclerosus and parathyroid problems since starting. My diabetes team has been extremely resistant to me returning to Lantus, which I was using before, and insisted that Tresiba does not cause any problems. I have now taken the initiative to return to Lantus on my own, and I actually feel 'clear' again. I’m very disappointed in my health professionals in this case. I have been type 1 for 45 years."
- Ariman
- Taken for 2 to 5 years
- January 17, 2020
"In the beginning, this Tresiba insulin was a miracle. It came with stable glucose levels, but after a couple of years, I became aware of its side effects. Notice that I had a constant flu-like symptom, the bolus insulin didn't kick in as it did before, it was like Russian roulette. Tried Lantus in November, and there is no doubt that Tresiba has some nasty side effects besides the flu: lethargy, depression, water retention, itchy skin, and a feeling of a lump in the throat. Tried it again this last week, and all these side effects came back within two days. The flu-like symptoms kick in about 3 hours after injection. Regret I tried it, because after some years off the Lantus, it seems the body has developed antibodies, and the Lantus now has some side effects as well. Will get off this medicine tomorrow and try Lantus again, and hopefully the depression and flu-like symptoms will subside again."
- Krames
- February 8, 2020
"Started this drug Tresiba a couple of weeks ago, and it’s been a horrible experience. I noticed my vision became blurry, I felt like I had the flu. I experienced chills, hot flashes, I felt really light-headed. My sugars were stable throughout the day, so that was great. But then all through the night, starting at about 2 a.m., my sugars would just plummet. Needless to say, I haven’t had much sleep and probably gained a few pounds trying to keep that sugar up. My doctor swears it doesn’t peak, but I’m not so sure about that. I kept lowering my dose, but they would still fall around the same time at night, and my daytime sugars became more elevated. I felt plain awful on this drug, and it needs to go back to the drawing board. Very bad formulary. I switched back to my Levemir and feel much better. I’m disappointed because it was supposed to be a dream insulin, but it was nothing short of a nightmare. My doctor suggested I switch to Tojeo, but I feel apprehensive."
- Odffh
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- December 31, 2016
"I am a Type 1 diabetic for 43 years. I have used virtually every insulin available, as well as various insulin pumps over the many years I have been dealing with diabetes. None of the long-acting insulins I have ever taken has behaved so well as far as keeping blood sugar stable while fasting. I now have to question whether I ever had dawn phenomenon since I no longer seem to have any rise in blood sugar in the morning. My guess is that we all have different responses to the different insulins. For me, this is a game changer. Best I have felt in many years. Keep in mind that for me, it took about a week to see good results, and I adjusted the dose in the second week as well. Hope more people have the same experience."
- Cando
- October 11, 2018
"I have been a type 1 diabetic for 29 years...since 1989. I have been on nearly every insulin (think pig or bovine). My endo recommended the switch to Tresiba because it was “the poor man’s pump” nearly two years ago. I was made to believe I was ill in other ways (PCP and many tests that were negative). My stomach hasn’t been right in two years. I watch my caloric intake like a hawk! I have gained weight, lost energy, and felt sicker than I have ever felt. I went from running half marathons to walking a few miles per week...this is THE connection. I appreciate those that validate your response to this medication. It may be different than others, but it has had a drastic negative effect on me."
- Emano
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- August 30, 2018
"My new doctor put me on Tresiba about a month ago (I was previously on Lantus) because she said it is the most stable long-acting insulin. I have had T1D (type 1 diabetes) for over 4 years now, and NEVER have I had so much trouble with my blood sugars. I have very good control (A1Cs range from 5.4-6.1, average blood sugar around 115-120 mg/dL), and while on this insulin, my average was 148 mg/dL. I woke up low every morning, I'd lower the dose, then wake up high every morning. I started dreading meals because I knew I would have either an extreme low or extreme high afterward. I lost so many hours of sleep staying up trying to stabilize my blood sugar. I switched back to Lantus yesterday, and already my blood sugars today have been 125 and 103 mg/dL today. So much more stable. Please steer clear of Tresiba. It's absolutely awful."
- Pawel
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- December 14, 2019
"After 5 months of Tresiba use with good results, the situation changed dramatically. The glucose levels started to have a slowly growing trend, particularly in the periods of nights and before noon where usually Tresiba should be highly active. Additionally, my blood pressure was unusually terrible, up to 170/100. I had never had such pressures before. My normal pressures were around 120/70. Moreover, long-time terrible stomach ache. I decided to return to old Lantus. Just the first day after this change, the glucose levels, blood pressure, and my stomach returned to the norm. I am aware that these are individual reactions. However, in the case of such or similar problems, remember - this is a horrible side effect of Tresiba."
- Keenan
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- November 11, 2019
"Started taking this a few months ago, took a couple of weeks for it to start working. I take Novolog for meals. Taking my Novolog with this has been wildly inconsistent. I used to take Levemir/Lantus, and it never affected my rapid-acting insulin like this does. It almost feels like it’s time released because sometimes it doesn’t do anything, and sometimes it does too much. Had an episode when I had to eat and drink orange juice for 2 hours, waiting for my sugar to go back up after a low."
- Cee
- December 30, 2018
"My endo gave me samples of Tresiba to try, and I used it for a little over a month. Adverse symptoms included dense brain fog, feeling like I had the flu for weeks on end, and one brief/mild episode of hives on day 12 that Benadryl knocked out, and they didn't return. My biggest complaint was the incredibly volatile sugar levels. I use a Dexcom, and it was sending out fast rise/drop alarms 2-3 times an hour - up, up, down, up, down, down. It was exhausting. Endo adjusted the dose several times (3 days between each switch), but nothing helped. One thing I didn't try was splitting the dose over 12 hours, but I have read where others have had some success with that. I just couldn't get level, even after 2 days of going completely carb-free. I went back to Levemir and within 12 hours felt most symptoms alleviate, and in 24 hours was back to 100%. I'm really glad I had the chance to try it, but I may be allergic to it, so I won't be going back."
- zoe
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- July 31, 2016
"Type 1 diabetes for 33 years. I try to take meticulous control of my diabetes, but it is always difficult to control my blood sugars. Having tried both Lantus and Levemir, and not wanting to go on a pump again, I tried Tresiba. Tresiba is just like being on a pump, except for my required injections of Novolog before food intake. Sugars consistently run in the low 100s to 125. Now I feel like my blood sugar needs to be corrected if it gets to 170. On both Lantus and Levemir, I would've been content with a reading of 170. Tresiba is like being on a pump without the pump. It will take at least 8 days to get your Tresiba dosage correct, do not give up. My sugars were in the 300s while converting from Levemir to Tresiba."
- Nomie
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- August 8, 2018
"I am 34 and have been on many insulins over the past 21 years. A big problem on this insulin was I gained about 15 pounds on it. The most frustrating part for me was that my legs felt really, really swollen all the time. They were very tight and uncomfortable. It was as if the weight I had put on had gone to mostly my legs. I spoke with my doctor, and she said that was a very common side effect of Tresiba due to it being a super long-acting insulin. She also said I wasn’t the only patient who had complained of that. Anyways, I went off of it and went back on Levemir insulin. Levemir never made me gain weight and never made my legs feel tight. I just felt like I needed to give Tresiba a chance because it was new. If you’re reading this, I hope it works for you, I couldn’t handle the side effects."
- sunsh...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- December 23, 2016
"Type 1 diabetic for 28 years. Went from split-dose Levemir to split-dose Tresiba. I was dizzy and still having high DP and early evening. Switched to dosing Tresiba X1/d. Blood sugars were perfect, no hypos or highs. But the headaches were so debilitating I could not participate in life. I am going back to Levemir. My total dose that worked on Tresiba was only 4 units (Levemir it was 9). Also, I totally lost my appetite and threw up a couple of times but still somewhat bizarrely gained 3 pounds! I went from 115-117.9. I have a hunch I was starting to develop peripheral edema. I am a medical professional, so I just use my own judgment whether to continue. I think everyone should give Tresiba a try. But be cautious and listen to your body."
- Irish...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- December 10, 2015
"I switched over to Tresiba when it became available for sale the week before Thanksgiving (2015), and I consider it my 'Dream Insulin.' I was taking split doses of Levemir for a total of 50 units, and with Tresiba, I only need 32 units once daily for excellent control. Far better than Levemir or previously Lantus. I've had no lows, and for me, it is very smooth and even. With a 42-hour duration, it takes about 8 days to see full results, so make changes slowly. In my case, Tresiba is actually less expensive than my Humalog pens! BTW - they have a new pen design. Extremely easy to use. The doctor told me I'm most likely the first person in the states to give it a try - IMHO, two thumbs up for Tresiba!!"
- TimBo
- Taken for 2 to 5 years
- September 20, 2017
"I have been diabetic for about 50 years. Forty of those years, I used Regular and NPH insulin. I never had any problems at all. My A1c readings were in the mid-6's most of the time. A new doctor comes along and wants all her diabetics to conform to textbook examples. She decided my insulins were old-fashioned and outdated. She changes me over to Tresiba. After a couple of weeks, my sugar would drop around 100 to 200 points from midnight to about 8 in the morning. I have to make sure my sugar is above 225 at midnight to not wake with a 40 or 50. I was 320 once, and 8 hours later it was 84. This stuff is scary."
- Dadwi...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- April 13, 2019
"I am having huge problems with this new insulin. My doctor told me it was a new “miracle” long acting insulin. I was very excited to try it! I’ve been using it for about 4 weeks with terrible results. I feel like I have no long acting insulin in my body. My glucose readings are all over the place and if I go to bed with levels of6-8, I was wake up they are 18 - 20. This means I start my day in a terrible mood and feeling horrible. I started at 20 units and now at 28 units daily with no difference. I have an appointment soon and going to ask if I can just go back to Lantus or Toujeo. My glucose got so high one day that it was off the chart and couldn’t give a number, just said “high”. Very disappointed and do not recommend this product!!"
- LongT...
- October 24, 2018
"It's been a month now using Tresiba and I'm amazed at my results. Especially my overnight blood sugars. I utilize a Freestyle Libre flash blood glucose monitor and when I test in the middle of the night when I go to the washroom and then again when I wake up I can see that the graph is consistently flat throughout the night. I was on twice a day Lantus prior to this and my FGM would show me spiking at around 3am night after night. Not so with Tresiba. After 45 years of being a type 1 diab I am very happy that I decided to try this...so far. BTW the flash glucose monitoring I highly recommend too. My HgA1c went from 7.8 - 6.8 in just over 6 months b/c I can test as much as I want and know exactly what's happening all the time. Amazing advancements in my personal care thanks to these 2 products."
- Ihate...
- December 30, 2017
"This insulin is trash! Does not control sugars at all. I was at A1C of 8.2 on Humulin N and regular R taken when required. I know that's not a great number, which is why I switched to Tresiba at my doctor's advising. First batch was okay. But the last 2 batches I've used, I've experienced completely out of whack, uncontrolled, unpredictable blood glucose. Actually came here to see if maybe there had been a recall on the drug because it doesn't seem to be working at all. Is the revenue from the diabetic population not feeding healthcare enough? Need to pump up the economy by creating a bunch of side effects of the disease (which is actually a result of failed drugs big pharma creates)."
- Tpang
- Taken for 6 months to 1 year
- February 28, 2020
"It an ok insulin for sugar control and to each their own. I had a problem with higher morning numbers than when on Levimeir but it did work more through the daytime hours than Levimeir. My main problem was not being able to sleep through out the night due to CONSTANTLY URINATING ( more than 4-5 times a night!! ) even though my numbers were well within range. My doctor said it couldn't be Tresiba causing this but literally the first night I switched back to Levimeir I only used the bathroom once thru the night and that was even with waking up to a bg of 192! I also had the usual stuff like major weight gain and brain fog. I would honestly never use it again."
Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or to remove inappropriate language and content. Reviews that appear to be created by parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any particular medication. While these reviews may be helpful, they are not a substitute for the expertise, knowledge, and judgement of healthcare professionals.
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Symptoms and treatments
Medicine.com guides (external)
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- Drug class: insulin
"This insulin Tresiba made me feel like I was constantly sick. I gained weight quickly, had heart palpitations, no energy, muscle weakness to the point I couldn't walk more than a few feet. Always tired - I would fall asleep at 8 pm and wake up tired at 7:30 am. Felt like I was injecting poison into my body. I became depressed because my body hurt so bad. My stomach hurt and it was bloated. If it wasn't for others posting their symptoms, I probably wouldn't have related all my symptoms to my insulin. I've been diabetic for over 50 years. As soon as I stopped, it took me 2 days to feel like my old self again. I will never take this medication EVER again."