New data from Novo Nordisk has shown that people with type I or type II diabetes who were switched to Tresiba (insulin degludec) by their doctor from other basal insulins achieved significantly reduced rates of hypoglycaemia, along with reduction in blood glucose levels.

The findings, presented at the Diabetes UK Professional 2019 Conference in Liverpool, UK, found that during the 12-month follow-up there were significantly lower rates of overall, non-severe and nocturnal hypoglycaemia in patients treated with Novo's drug.

“ReFLeCT was the first prospective trial assessing the clinical effects of switching to insulin degludec from other basal insulins as part of routine care,” said Professor Michael Feher, UK investigator for ReFLeCT and consultant physician at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital.

“The trial confirmed real world evidence of reduced hypoglycaemia following the switch to insulin degludec. This study extends the data from randomised control trials and previous real world studies of insulin degludec.”

These study results reinforce the effectiveness of Tresiba, which has already been established through its extensive clinical trial programme, where it has consistently shown a lower risk of hypoglycaemia at similar efficacy levels against insulin glargine 100 units/mL.

The drug is a once-daily basal insulin that provides a duration of action beyond 42 hours with a flat and stable glucose-lowering effect. Diabetes is a disease in which the body’s ability to produce or respond to the hormone insulin is impaired, resulting in abnormal metabolism of carbohydrates and elevated levels of glucose in the blood.