Insulin degludec/liraglutide

Insulin degludec/liraglutide is a combination medication used to treat Type 2 diabetes. It contains two active ingredients: insulin degludec, a long-acting insulin, and liraglutide, a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist. This medication is used when diet and exercise alone does not control blood sugar.

Mechanism of Action

Insulin degludec is a long-acting insulin that works by replacing the insulin that is normally produced by the body and by helping move sugar from the blood into other body tissues where it is used for energy. It also stops the liver from producing more sugar.

Liraglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist that works by increasing the release of insulin from the pancreas and decreasing the amount of glucose produced by the liver.

Side Effects

Common side effects of insulin degludec/liraglutide include low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), allergic reactions, injection site reactions, diarrhea, nausea, and abdominal pain. Serious side effects may include pancreatitis, kidney problems, and heart failure.

Precautions

Before starting insulin degludec/liraglutide, tell your doctor if you have any allergies, if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, or if you are breastfeeding. This medication should not be used in patients with type 1 diabetes or diabetic ketoacidosis.

Interactions

Insulin degludec/liraglutide may interact with other medications, including other antidiabetic drugs, ACE inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blockers, disopyramide, fibrates, fluoxetine, MAO inhibitors, pentoxifylline, propoxyphene, salicylates, somatostatin analogs, sulfonamide antibiotics, and others.

Dosage

The dosage of insulin degludec/liraglutide is individualized and determined by the healthcare provider based on the patient's needs.

See Also

• Insulin
• Liraglutide
• Type 2 diabetes
• Hypoglycemia
• Pancreatitis
• Kidney problems
• Heart failure