Struggling to find Insulin Degludec (Tresiba) at your pharmacy? Learn why this insulin is hard to find in 2026 and what you can do about it.
If you've gone to your pharmacy recently and been told that Insulin Degludec — sold under the brand name Tresiba — is out of stock or on backorder, you're not alone. Thousands of patients across the United States have been struggling to fill their Insulin Degludec prescriptions in 2025 and into 2026. This is alarming because basal insulin isn't optional — it's essential for managing blood sugar in both type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
In this article, we'll break down exactly why Insulin Degludec is so hard to find, what's driving the shortage, and what steps you can take right now to get your medication.
Insulin Degludec is an ultra-long-acting basal insulin analog manufactured by Novo Nordisk and sold under the brand name Tresiba. It's FDA-approved for adults and children (age 1 and older) with type 1 diabetes and adults with type 2 diabetes. What makes Insulin Degludec unique is its duration of action — over 42 hours — which gives it an exceptionally flat and stable glucose-lowering profile with less day-to-day variability than other basal insulins.
It's available as Tresiba FlexTouch in two concentrations: U-100 (100 units/mL) and U-200 (200 units/mL). For more details on the medication itself, see our guide on What Is Insulin Degludec: Uses, Dosage, and What You Need to Know.
The Inflation Reduction Act capped insulin costs at $35 per month for Medicare Part D enrollees, and many commercial insurers followed suit. While this is great news for affordability, it's dramatically increased demand. More patients can now afford Insulin Degludec, and many are switching from older, less stable basal insulins. Manufacturers are racing to keep up, but production capacity hasn't expanded fast enough.
Insulin is a biologic product — it's not a simple chemical compound that can be mass-produced overnight. Insulin Degludec is manufactured through a sophisticated recombinant DNA process, and scaling up production takes time, regulatory approval, and significant capital investment. Novo Nordisk, the sole manufacturer, has been expanding capacity, but lead times for new manufacturing lines can stretch 2-3 years.
Global supply chain challenges continue to affect pharmaceutical distribution. From raw material sourcing to cold-chain logistics (insulin must be refrigerated), there are multiple points where delays can occur. Even when Novo Nordisk produces enough Insulin Degludec, distribution bottlenecks can create local shortages at individual pharmacies.
As insurance plans shift their preferred insulin formularies — sometimes adding Tresiba as a preferred brand — pharmacies see sudden spikes in demand that their inventory wasn't prepared for. A formulary change at a large insurer can instantly create shortages at retail pharmacies in affected regions.
Unlike Insulin Glargine, which has multiple biosimilars (Semglee, Basaglar), there is currently no generic or biosimilar version of Insulin Degludec available in the United States. This means Tresiba is the only option, and there's no alternative manufacturer to pick up the slack when supply runs low.
Stock levels vary dramatically from pharmacy to pharmacy, even within the same city. Call around to different locations — including independent pharmacies, which sometimes have better stock of specialty medications. You can also use MedFinder to quickly check which pharmacies near you have Insulin Degludec in stock.
If the U-100 is out of stock, the U-200 may still be available (or vice versa). Talk to your pharmacist and doctor about switching concentrations — the U-200 pen delivers the same doses but in a smaller volume, and some pharmacies stock one but not the other.
If your insurance allows it, filling a 90-day supply through a mail-order pharmacy can help you avoid repeated trips to the pharmacy and reduce the risk of running out. Mail-order pharmacies often have better supply chains for specialty medications.
If Insulin Degludec is unavailable for an extended period, your doctor may recommend a temporary switch to another long-acting basal insulin such as Insulin Glargine (Lantus, Basaglar, Toujeo) or Insulin Detemir (Levemir). Read more in our post on Alternatives to Insulin Degludec If You Can't Fill Your Prescription.
Novo Nordisk operates NovoCare, a patient support program that can help locate pharmacies with stock and connect you to savings programs. Call 1-888-668-6444 or visit NovoCare.com.
MedFinder is a free tool that helps you locate medications that are in short supply. Simply search for Insulin Degludec, enter your zip code, and MedFinder will show you which pharmacies near you currently have it in stock. It's updated regularly and can save you hours of calling around.
Novo Nordisk has publicly committed to expanding insulin manufacturing capacity. While there's no exact date when supply will fully normalize, analysts expect gradual improvement throughout 2026. In the meantime, staying proactive — checking stock early, maintaining communication with your healthcare team, and knowing your alternatives — is the best strategy.
For the latest updates, check our Insulin Degludec Shortage Update for 2026.
You focus on staying healthy. We'll handle the rest.
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