insulin degludec + liraglutide at a glance
Medicine class
Basal insulin plus GLP-1 receptor agonist in one fixed-ratio injection.
Licensed use
Insufficiently controlled type 2 diabetes in adults; not licensed for weight management.
Presentation
Clear, colourless solution in a disposable multidose pre-filled pen.
Administration
Injected under the skin of the abdomen, thigh or upper arm; food is not required.
Important risk
Low blood glucose, especially with other glucose-lowering treatments such as sulfonylureas.
What is insulin degludec + liraglutide used for?
Its licensed role is:
Improving glucose control in adults with insufficiently controlled type 2 diabetes, alongside diet, exercise and oral diabetes treatments.
It is not licensed for type 1 diabetes, diabetic ketoacidosis or weight management.
How does insulin degludec + liraglutide work?
Insulin degludec releases basal insulin slowly, helping muscle and fat cells take up glucose while reducing glucose release by the liver. Liraglutide activates GLP-1 receptors, increasing insulin release when glucose is raised, reducing inappropriate glucagon release, modestly slowing stomach emptying and reducing appetite.
insulin degludec + liraglutide preparations and strengths
Injection
Route: Parenteral
Strengths: 100 units/mL + 3.6 mg/mL
How to take insulin degludec + liraglutide
Use the pre-filled pen exactly as demonstrated by a trained healthcare professional.
Inject only under the skin; never into a vein or muscle.
Rotate injection points within the abdomen, thigh or upper arm. Avoid thickened, lumpy or pitted skin.
Confirm that the solution is clear and colourless.
Use a new needle for every injection and remove it afterwards.
Read the dose counter directly; do not calculate conversions or count clicks.
Never withdraw the solution with a syringe, mix it with another medicine or share the pen.
insulin degludec + liraglutide side effects
Common or expected effects
- Low blood glucose, with sweating, shaking, hunger, palpitations, dizziness or confusion
- Nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting or constipation
- Indigestion, abdominal discomfort, reflux or bloating
- Reduced appetite or dizziness
- Mild injection-site pain, redness, swelling, bruising or itching
Get urgent medical advice
- Severe low blood glucose causing seizures, unconsciousness or inability to self-treat
- Severe, persistent abdominal pain suggesting acute pancreatitis
- Breathing difficulty, marked swelling or collapse suggesting anaphylaxis
- Persistent vomiting or diarrhoea with dehydration or reduced urine output
- Upper-abdominal pain, fever or jaundice suggesting gallbladder inflammation
- Severe abdominal swelling, vomiting or inability to pass stool or wind suggesting intestinal obstruction
insulin degludec + liraglutide in pregnancy
The combination should not be used during pregnancy because clinical experience is lacking and animal studies found reproductive toxicity with liraglutide. Contact the diabetes or maternity team promptly if pregnancy is planned or occurs so treatment can be safely replaced without loss of glucose control.
insulin degludec + liraglutide while breastfeeding
The combination should not be used while breastfeeding because there is no clinical experience and it is unknown whether its components enter human milk. Although insulin itself can be used during breastfeeding, the liraglutide component means an alternative should be discussed with the diabetes and maternity teams.
insulin degludec + liraglutide interactions
Medicines and substances that can alter glucose control or create additional risks include:
Sulfonylureas and other glucose-lowering treatments
Can increase hypoglycaemia risk; monitor glucose closely when treatments are combined or changed.
Beta-blockers
May mask warning symptoms of low blood glucose and alter insulin requirements.
Glucocorticoids, thiazide diuretics, thyroid hormones and sympathomimetics
May raise blood glucose and change treatment requirements.
Common questions about insulin degludec + liraglutide
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Is insulin degludec + liraglutide the same as Xultophy?
Yes. Xultophy is the brand name of this fixed-ratio combination.
Is it licensed for weight loss?
No. It is licensed for improving glucose control in adults with type 2 diabetes, not weight management.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.