Insulin degludec/liraglutide explained

Type:combo
Component1:Insulin degludec
Class1:Insulin analog
Component2:Liraglutide
Class2:Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1)
Tradename:Xultophy
Dailymedid:Insulin degludec and liraglutide
Pregnancy Au:B3
Pregnancy Au Comment:[1]
Routes Of Administration:Subcutaneous
Atc Prefix:A10
Atc Suffix:AE56
Legal Au:S4
Legal Au Comment:[2]
Legal Ca:Rx-only
Legal Ca Comment:/Schedule D[3] [4]
Legal Uk:POM
Legal Uk Comment:[5]
Legal Us:Rx-only
Legal Eu:Rx-only
Kegg:D11567

Insulin degludec/liraglutide, sold under the brand name Xultophy, is a fixed-dose combination medication for the treatment of adults with type 2 diabetes to improve glycemic control in combination with diet and exercise.[6] [7] It contains insulin degludec and liraglutide. It is administered by subcutaneous injection.

The most common side effects include hypoglycaemia (low blood glucose). Side effects on the digestive system include nausea (feeling sick), diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, dyspepsia (indigestion), gastritis (inflammation of the stomach), abdominal pain (stomach ache), flatulence (wind), gastroesophageal reflux disease (passage of stomach acid back up towards the mouth), and distension (swelling) of the belly.

Insulin degludec is a replacement insulin that acts in the same way as naturally produced insulin and helps glucose enter cells from the blood. By controlling the level of blood glucose, the symptoms and complications of diabetes are reduced. Insulin degludec is slightly different from human insulin as it is absorbed more slowly and regularly by the body after an injection and it works for a long time.

Liraglutide belongs to the class of diabetes medicines known as GLP-1 receptor agonists It acts in the same way as incretins (hormones produced in the gut) by increasing the amount of insulin that the pancreas releases in response to food. This helps with the control of blood glucose levels.

History

Insulin degludec/liraglutide was approved for medical use in the European Union in September 2014, and in the United States in November 2016.[8] [9]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Australian Public Assessment Report for insulin degludec/liraglutide . March 2021 . Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) . Australian Government .
  2. Web site: Summary for ARTG Entry: 328580 XULTOPHY insulin degludec 100 units/mL liraglutide 3.6 mg/mL solution for injection pre-filled pen 3 mL. Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) . Australian Government .
  3. Web site: Regulatory Decision Summary - Xultophy . Health Canada . 23 October 2014 . 7 June 2022.
  4. Web site: Drug and medical device highlights 2018: Helping you maintain and improve your health . . 14 October 2020 . 17 April 2024.
  5. Web site: Xultophy 100 units/ml insulin degludec + 3.6 mg/mL liraglutide solution for injection in a pre-filled pen - Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) . (emc) . 8 October 2019 . 15 May 2020.
  6. Web site: Xultophy 100/3.6 (- insulin degludec and liraglutide injection, solution . DailyMed . 15 November 2019 . 15 May 2020.
  7. Web site: Xultophy EPAR . European Medicines Agency (EMA) . 21 November 2014 . 15 May 2020. Text was copied from this source which is copyright European Medicines Agency. Reproduction is authorized provided the source is acknowledged.
  8. Web site: Xultophy 100/3.6 (insulin degludec and liraglutide) Injection . U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) . 27 November 2017 . 15 May 2020.
  9. Web site: Xultophy: FDA-Approved Drugs . U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) . 23 March 2020 . 15 May 2020.