Tresiba (insulin degludec) is a prescription drug that’s used to manage high blood sugar in people with diabetes. Tresiba’s cost may depend on your dosage, your health insurance, and the pharmacy you use.

Tresiba is used in adults and some children with type 1 or type 2 diabetes to manage high blood sugar levels. It’s available as a liquid solution in a vial or prefilled injection pen. You’ll receive Tresiba as an injection under the skin.

Tresiba contains the active ingredient insulin degludec. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.)

For more details on Tresiba, see this in-depth article.

The price you pay for Tresiba can vary. Your cost may depend on your treatment plan, your insurance coverage (if you have it), and the pharmacy you use.

If you use Tresiba in vials, you’ll also need to buy insulin syringes. And if you use the prefilled injection pen, you’ll need to purchase pen needles.

To find out how much you’ll pay for Tresiba, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.

Note: If you have insurance, you may need to get prior authorization before your insurance provider will cover Tresiba. This means your insurer and your doctor will discuss Tresiba in regard to your treatment. Then the insurance company will determine whether the drug is covered. If Tresiba requires prior authorization and you don’t receive it before you start treatment, you could pay the full cost of the drug.

Be sure to ask your insurance company whether Tresiba requires prior authorization.

Below are answers to some frequently asked questions about Tresiba and cost.

Does Tresiba have a savings card?

Yes, the drug manufacturer of Tresiba offers a savings card if you have private insurance.

And if you’re not eligible for the savings card, other options are available as part of the NovoCare program.

Is Tresiba covered by Medicare?

Yes, Tresiba is covered by most Medicare plans. If you have a Medicare Part D plan and Tresiba is covered, the cost is capped at $35 for a month’s supply. If you have questions about how much Tresiba will cost, contact your Medicare provider to learn more.

Tresiba is a biologic drug, which means it’s made from parts of living organisms. It doesn’t come in a biosimilar form. Biosimilars are like generic drugs. Unlike generics, which are made for nonbiologic drugs, biosimilars are made for biologic drugs.

Why is there such a cost difference between biologic drugs and biosimilar drugs?

Biologic drugs can be expensive because of the research and testing needed to ensure their safety and effectiveness. The drug manufacturer of a biologic drug can sell it for up to 12 years. When the biologic drug’s patent expires, other drug manufacturers can create biosimilar versions. This competition in the market may lead to lower costs for biosimilars. And because biosimilars are very similar to biologic drugs, they don’t need to be studied again. This can also lead to lower costs for biosimilars.

If you use Tresiba long term, you may be able to lower your costs in the following ways:

Look into getting a 90-day supply of your medication. You may be able to get a 90-day supply of Tresiba if approved by your insurance company. This could reduce your number of trips to the pharmacy and help lower the cost of Tresiba. If you’re interested in getting a 90-day supply of this drug, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.

Use a mail-order pharmacy to get your medication. Using a mail-order pharmacy might help lower your cost for Tresiba. Plus, you could get your medication without leaving home. Some Medicare plans may help cover the cost of mail-order drugs. You may also be able to get a 90-day supply of the drug through mail order. If you don’t have health insurance, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest online pharmacy options that could work for you.

If you need help covering the cost of Tresiba or understanding your insurance, check out these resources:

On these sites, you can find insurance information, details on drug assistance programs, and links to savings cards and other services.

If you have questions about how to pay for your prescription, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

If you still have questions about the cost of Tresiba, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to give you a better idea of what you’ll pay for this drug. But if you have health insurance, you’ll need to talk with your insurance provider to learn the actual cost you’d pay for Tresiba.

Examples of questions you may want to ask your doctor or insurance provider include:

  • Will my dosage of Tresiba affect the cost?
  • Does the cost of Tresiba differ if I use the pen or the vial form?
  • How does the cost of Tresiba compare with other insulins?

To learn more about Tresiba, see these articles:

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Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.