Tresiba and Weight Gain: What Users Say

• moa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 13, 2020

For Type 2 Diabetes "I started taking Tresiba 2 months ago. Since then, I have gained almost 15 lbs. I'm always tired, and I have respiratory problems. I seem to be sweating (armpits) a lot. I don't think this drug is good at all. I'm hoping that my doctor can prescribe something else. I cannot wait to see him in a couple of weeks. Anyone else is unhappy?"

• Jew...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 9, 2020

For Diabetes, Type 1 "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."

• Lor...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 22, 2018

For Type 2 Diabetes "I started on Tresiba and started off immediately with a headache, then a dry, scratchy throat, then a runny nose, which ended up with a respiratory infection. I have cystic fibrosis, so I cannot take anything that can lower my immunity, so I stopped it and switched to something else. I only started taking Tresiba because insurance no longer covered my old medication. Along with that, I gained 7 pounds in six days. After being off Tresiba for 2 days, the weight is gone and I’m feeling better. Don’t use if you have respiratory issues."

• Mas...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 16, 2021

For Type 2 Diabetes "Started Tresiba last year. Managed my blood sugars okay, brought my A1C down to the normal range. But the side effects were awful. Vision problems, like TV static over everything. I've since learned this is called 'visual snow', and in my case, it's nearly debilitating. I need help getting around now. Saw my eye doctor, they can do nothing to help. I was also hallucinating, and on top of it all, gained thirty pounds in a couple of months. I've never had a medication do this much damage. My doctor had no explanation for any of this. He had guaranteed this would make me feel better, but it has made me so much worse. Even after I stopped taking it, I have not recovered. Going back to metformin and hoping for the best. Horrible medication. Would not recommend it to anyone. How was this thing ever approved?"

• Sha...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 28, 2017

For Type 2 Diabetes "I took this medication for 4 weeks. I was on Lantus prior. I got a headache, which I thought would go away, however, it didn't. I became bloated and started getting flu-like symptoms. Only wanted to sleep and felt I couldn't even walk to the mailbox. I thought I was dying. I finally realized it must be the new insulin. I stopped and told my doctor I wanted to return to the Lantus. She agreed. I am slowly beginning to feel better, but it has been two weeks, and I'm still not back to my old self. This is a terrible drug. I also gained 6 pounds on top of everything else. How could this drug ever get approval?"

• Bus...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 16, 2019

For Diabetes, Type 1 "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."

• Can...
• October 11, 2018

For Diabetes, Type 1 "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."

• kro...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 12, 2019

For Type 2 Diabetes "I feel like it has fewer side effects and a better job at lowering my blood sugar than Levemir did, and only having to inject once daily. With Levemir, I was on 65 units twice daily, and with Tresiba, only 70 units once daily. The number one problem is I've gained 25 pounds quickly on Tresiba, which was similar to the Levemir."

• Nom...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 8, 2018

For Diabetes, Type 1 "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."

• sun...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 23, 2016

For Diabetes, Type 1 "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."

• Tpa...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 28, 2020

For Diabetes, Type 1 "It's an ok insulin for sugar control, and to each their own. I had a problem with higher morning numbers than when on Levemir, but it did work more through the daytime hours than Levemir. My main problem was not being able to sleep throughout 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 Levemir, I only used the bathroom once through 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."

• Sky...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 10, 2019

For Diabetes, Type 1 "I was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes two years ago at 36 years old. Recently I switched from Levemir to Tresiba, as recommended by my endo, to see if my lows would minimize during physical activity and keep me level. Unfortunately, my sugars stayed somewhat high, 200-250 mg/dL, for the two months I was on Tresiba, and I developed a rash in my lower back that was gradually getting worse. My endo said she never encountered anyone with a rash not at the injection site, but if I felt more comfortable, then to switch back to Levemir. I also developed these dry, white patches on my skin. Again, my endo wouldn't say it was related to Tresiba but advised me to go to a dermatologist. I was then told it was lichen sclerosis. I also gained weight on Tresiba. Doctors should be more aware of perhaps lesser-known side effects. It seems as though they are completely clueless. Good luck, everyone, on managing your disease."

• Cat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 14, 2020

For Diabetes, Type 1 "Awful, awful, awful. I have had diabetes for 35 years and have NEVER felt so unwell on any insulin before. Today is the last day I will take it. Roller coaster sugars, eating to keep up, weight gain, chills and sinus problems, soooo moody, going in the bin tonight, where it belongs."

• Ver...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 26, 2023

For Diabetes, Type 1 "I have Type 1 diabetes and found Tresiba did not work as effectively as Levemir. My glucose levels stayed in the 300 range even after a dosage change. I experienced sore muscles, weight gain, a general sick feeling, and extreme fatigue. I do not recommend this medication for Type 1 diabetes."

• Typ...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 30, 2016

For Diabetes, Type 1 "Went from twice-daily Levemir to Tresiba. Controlled blood sugars equally well. Did like the convenience of once-daily injections. However, I gained 12 pounds over 4 months. Cannot attribute the weight gain to anything else (exact same diet, exercise, and lab work fine)."

• Sug...
• November 15, 2017

For Diabetes, Type 1 "So delighted that Tresiba immediately helped my dawn phenomenon. So many years of morning highs on Levemir. Wow. Then disaster struck. Bad bloating, nausea, and dizziness plus weight gain. The insulin nurse said, 'she doubts it’s the insulin' and not to go back to the other one if it’s working. After googling side effects, I think it may be the cause, so I will rebel and see what happens."

• Sal...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 21, 2019

For Diabetes, Type 1 "I am 37 years old. I started to inject this insulin last year. My A1C was going up (7.9), and my blood sugar was not controlled during the night (19) and day (13). I already gained weight, nearly 12 kg in one year. It was the horrible insulin that I used for diabetes for 22 years."

• 092...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 9, 2016

For Type 2 Diabetes "It controlled my blood sugar, but I gained weight at an alarming rate. 40 lbs in 8 months. Plus, my nose was always running, coughing, and sinus problems. All this plus exhaustion. Not worth it!!!"