This study examined the safety of insulin degludec in patients with type 1 diabetes.                                              

Patients with type1 diabetes (T1D) inject both rapid-acting insulin and long-acting insulin each day. Insulin detemir (Levemir) is a long-acting insulin injected once daily. It slowly reduces blood glucose levels over 24 hours. Insulin degludec (Tresiba) is an ultra-long acting insulin which lasts for up to 40 hours. Long-acting insulin maintains blood glucose levels at a steady level in the absence of food or rapid-acting insulin. It is believed that insulin degludec has a similar safety profile to that of insulin detemir.

This study aimed to compare the long-term safety of insulin degludec to insulin detemir in T1D patients.

This study involved 456 T1D patients divided into groups. 303 patients received insulin degludec once daily. 153 patients received insulin detemir once or twice daily. Patients received treatment for 1 year.

Patients receiving insulin degludec were 33% less likely to experience overnight hypoglycemia (dangerously low blood glucose levels) compared to those who received insulin detemir. Fasting plasma glucose levels (a measure of blood glucose levels in an individual who has not eaten anything for 8 hours) were lower in patients who received insulin degludec (approximately 7.7 mmol/L) compared to those treated with insulin determir (approximately 8.7 mmol/L).

This study concluded that insulin degludec has a similar safety profile to that of insulin detemir, and was associated with a lower risk of nighttime hypoglycemia.

The authors received funding from Nova Nordisk, the company that developed insulin degludec.

Consult your physician regarding the risks and benefits of insulin degludec.