Pen Needles for Insulin Degludec FlexTouch: Which Fit, Best Size, and How Many to Buy

If your pharmacy or insurance plan switched you from Tresiba to the unbranded Insulin Degludec FlexTouch pen, one of the first questions is practical: which pen needles for Insulin Degludec FlexTouch should you buy? Like most prefilled insulin pens in the US, the pen is sold without needles, so you need to pick up a box separately. The good news is that the pen works with the same standard pen needles most people already use.

Which Pen Needles Fit Insulin Degludec FlexTouch?

Insulin Degludec FlexTouch is made by Novo Nordisk, the same company behind Tresiba, and it uses the same FlexTouch pen design. That means the needle question is essentially identical to the branded version. FlexTouch pens accept standard screw-on pen needles, including:

• NovoFine and NovoFine Plus – Novo Nordisk's own needles, designed for its pens.
• BD pen needles such as BD Nano 2nd Gen and BD Ultra-Fine, which BD markets as compatible with major insulin pen brands.
• Other standard screw-thread pen needles listed as compatible with Novo Nordisk pens.

If a needle feels hard to thread or won't seat, our guide on pen needles for Tresiba FlexTouch covers the same pen body and common fit issues.

Best Pen Needle Size for Insulin Degludec FlexTouch

Insulin degludec is a long-acting (basal) insulin injected into the fatty layer under the skin. For that, most adults do well with a short needle. Current injection guidance from diabetes educators generally favors 4mm needles for most adults, regardless of body size, because they reliably reach the subcutaneous layer with a lower chance of going into muscle.

• 32G 4mm – the most common starting choice. Thin and short, which many people find more comfortable. NovoFine Plus 32G 4mm (100 count) is designed by the same maker as the pen.
• 31G 5mm – a slightly longer option some people prefer if they were trained on 5mm needles.
• 6mm or 8mm – generally only if your healthcare provider has a specific reason to recommend a longer needle.

Prefer BD? BD Nano 2nd Gen 32G 4mm is another short, thin option that fits FlexTouch pens.

How Many Pen Needles Do You Need Each Month?

Pen needles are single-use: use a new one for every injection, including the safety test (priming) you do right before that dose with the same needle. Insulin degludec is usually taken once a day, so a simple estimate looks like this:

• Once daily: about 30–31 needles per month, so one 100-count box lasts roughly three months.
• Also on mealtime insulin or a GLP-1 pen? Add those injections too. One compatible box can often cover multiple Novo Nordisk pens.
• Buffer: keep at least a week or two of extra needles in case of a bent needle or a failed attachment.

If you inject more than once a day, a 200- or 300-count value pack usually lowers your cost per needle.

Using Your Needle With a FlexTouch Pen

• Wipe the rubber seal, then screw the needle on straight until snug. Don't overtighten.
• Remove both the outer and inner caps before the safety test.
• After pressing the dose button, keep the needle in the skin for the hold time in your pen's Instructions for Use (Novo Nordisk's FlexTouch instructions say to count slowly to 6).
• Remove and discard the needle in a sharps container after each injection. Don't store the pen with a needle attached.

Quick Buying Checklist

• Standard screw-on pen needle listed as compatible with Novo Nordisk pens
• Length: 4mm for most adults unless your provider says otherwise
• Gauge: 32G or 31G for comfort
• Box size that covers at least one month plus a buffer
• Factory-sealed, within the expiration date

FAQ

Are Tresiba and Insulin Degludec FlexTouch needles different?
No. Both use the FlexTouch pen, so the same pen needles fit both.

Does Insulin Degludec FlexTouch come with needles?
No. In the US, pen needles are typically sold separately from the pen.

Can I reuse a needle for a few days since it's once-daily?
No. Needles dull and can clog after one use. Use a fresh needle every time.

Your dose, injection schedule, and needle length should follow your healthcare provider's advice. When you're ready to stock up, browse our full pen needles collection. New customers can use code WELCOME10 at checkout for 10% off.