Insulin Degludec

Insulin degludec is an ultra-long-acting basal insulin analog used for background glucose control.

It provides a very flat, prolonged insulin profile lasting over 24 hours.

→ Insulin Therapy

Mechanism of Action

Degludec binds to the insulin receptor (tyrosine kinase receptor).

This activates:

Physiologic effects:

Liver:

Muscle:

Adipose:

As a basal insulin, its primary role is suppression of hepatic glucose production.

Structural Modification & Protraction

Degludec differs from human insulin by:

After subcutaneous injection:

This produces:

Pharmacokinetics

Onset:

Peak:

Duration:

Half-life:

Compared to:

Degludec has:

Clinical Use

Often combined with:

Flexible dosing time (within reason) due to long half-life.

Advantages

Adverse Effects

Lower hypoglycemia risk compared to some older basal insulins.

Degludec vs Other Basal Insulins

Glargine:

Detemir:

Degludec:

Clinical Pearls