← Library
Prescription-only medicine. This page is educational information only. Do not use without a licensed prescriber.
IndexedBuilt automatically from public databases on 2026-09-30. Not yet hand-reviewed by PLOBT.How this works →

Insulin degludec

FDA approved · Rx

Ultra-long-acting basal insulin

Also known as: Tresiba, Xultophy 100/3.6, Degludec, NN1250, Ins tresiba, insuline degludec, Insulina degludec, insulinum degludecum

Evidence score
95/ 100
Strong evidence

Strong, human-grade evidence

  • Regulatory standing. FDA-approved prescription medicine
  • Human trials. Backed by controlled human studies
  • Registered human trials. 250 registered studies on ClinicalTrials.gov, most advanced Phase 4
  • 2 cited sources. Includes primary / regulatory sources

Computed with the same four public criteria as every profile. The human-evidence grade on an indexed profile is set automatically and may change when it is hand-reviewed. It is not a safety score, not a purity rating, and not medical advice, and not a claim that this compound treats, cures, or prevents any condition.

What it is

Insulin degludec is a modified form of human insulin designed to provide a slow, steady background level of insulin. After injection it forms long chains (multi-hexamers) under the skin that release insulin gradually, and it also binds to albumin in the blood, giving it a duration of action beyond 24 hours. Like natural insulin, it lowers blood glucose by acting on insulin receptors in muscle, fat, and liver.

What the evidence shows

Automatic summaryHuman trials

Insulin degludec is FDA-approved, sold as Tresiba, for improving blood sugar control in adults and children with diabetes mellitus, and it is also approved in combination with liraglutide as Xultophy 100/3.6 for adults with type 2 diabetes. It has a large human evidence base, with about 250 registered trials reaching Phase 4 and nearly 900 published papers.

Key facts

Molecular formula
C274H411N65O81S6
Molecular weight
6104 g/mol
FDA approval
Confirmed on openFDA

Registered human trials

Live from ClinicalTrials.gov, refreshed daily.

250registered studies
Phase 4most advanced phase
82completed (sample)
3recruiting (sample)

Safety and Efficacy of Insulin Degludec/Insulin Aspart in Patients With T2DM

CompletedNCT05417841

BESTMED: Observational Evaluation of Second Line Therapy Medications in Diabetes

UnknownNCT05161429

Research on Optimal Strategy of Hypoglycemic Therapy for Cirrhosis With Diabetes

Phase 3UnknownNCT05641337

A Trial Comparing the Efficacy, Patient-reported Outcomes and Safety of Insulin Degludec 200 U/mL vs Insulin Glargine in Subjects With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Requiring High-dose Insulin

Phase 3CompletedNCT01570751

Published literature

Live from Europe PMC. This is how much has been published, not how much is proven in humans.

902papers referencing Insulin degludec

Once-weekly tirzepatide versus once-daily insulin degludec as add-on to metformin with or without SGLT2 inhibitors in patients with type 2 diabetes (SURPASS-3): a randomised, open-label, parallel-group, phase 3 trial.

Lancet2021

Effect of tirzepatide versus insulin degludec on liver fat content and abdominal adipose tissue in people with type 2 diabetes (SURPASS-3 MRI): a substudy of the randomised, open-label, parallel-group, phase 3 SURPASS-3 trial.

Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol2022

Efficacy and Safety of Degludec versus Glargine in Type 2 Diabetes.

N Engl J Med2017

Design of the novel protraction mechanism of insulin degludec, an ultra-long-acting basal insulin.

Pharm Res2012

Sources

Risks, side effects and study doses are only published on hand-reviewed profiles. Want this one reviewed, or spotted something wrong? Tell us.