What are Insulin, degludec, and liraglutide?
Insulin works by lowering the levels of sugar in the blood. Insulin degludec works for up to 24 hours. It starts working several hours after the injection.Liraglutide works like a hormone found in the body to control blood sugar levels, insulin, and digestion.
Combination medicine: insulin degludec with liraglutide lowers blood sugar levels in adults who have type 2 diabetes mellitus. Insulin degludec should be taken with diet and physical activity.
When other medications have failed to control your blood sugar, insulin degludec or liraglutide may be prescribed.Type 1 diabetes is not suitable for insulin degludec or liraglutide.This medication guide does not list all possible uses for insulin degludec or liraglutide.
Side effects of Insulin, degludec, and liraglutide
If you experience any of the following signs and symptoms of an allergic reaction: hives, difficulty breathing or swelling of face, lips or throat. Seek medical assistance immediately.
Liraglutide and insulin degludec can cause serious side effects. If you experience:
- Vomiting and severe nausea
- Shortness of breath even with mild exertion
- Rapid weight gain, swelling of the ankles or feet;
- A rapid heart rate is one of the signs that you may have pancreatitis.
- Kidney problems: little or no urination or painful or difficult urination
- Low sodium level: leg cramps, constipation, irregular heartbeats, increased thirst, urination or numbness, muscle weakness, or limp feeling.
Side effects of insulin degludec or liraglutide include:
- Nausea, diarrhea;
- Headache
- Cold symptoms, including stuffy or runny nasal passages, sneezing, and a sore throat.
There may be other side effects. For medical advice on side effects, call your doctor. The FDA can be contacted at 1-800-FDA-1088 to report side effects.
Warnings
Insulin degludec or liraglutide should not be used if you suffer from multiple endocrine carcinoma type 2, have a family history of thyroid cancer or insulin-dependent diabetes, or are experiencing low blood sugar levels or diabetic ketoacidosis.
In animal experiments, liraglutide caused tumors of the thyroid or cancerous thyroid. These effects may not occur in humans.If you notice any symptoms of thyroid cancer, such as swelling, a lump on your neck, difficulty swallowing, hoarseness, or shortness of breath, call your doctor immediately.
Before you take this drug
This medicine should not be used if you have an allergy to insulin or liraglutide. This medicine should not be used during an episode of low blood sugar or if:
- Multiple endocrine carcinoma type 2 (tumors on your glands);
- A personal or familial history of medullary thyroid carcinoma, a type of thyroid tumor;
- Diabetic ketoacidosis: Call your doctor to get treated.
- A condition for which you take liraglutide or a similar medicine (Adlyxin (Saxenda), dulaglutide (Victoza), exenatide (Lixisenatide), Adlyxin (Byetta, Bydureon), Tanzeum (Trulicity), Trulicity (Tanzeum), Adlyxin (Byetta), Bydureon (Byetta), Trulicity (Tangoum)
Tell your doctor about any of the following:
- Pancreatitis;
- Kidney or liver diseases
- Stomach problems causing slow digestion;
- Alcoholism;
- Gallstones
- If you use mealtime insulin,
Animal studies have shown that liraglutide can cause thyroid tumours and thyroid cancer. These effects may occur even in patients taking regular doses. Consult your doctor to determine your risk.
Inform your doctor if you are pregnant or nursing.If you're pregnant or plan to become pregnant, follow your doctor's advice about insulin.Anyone younger than 18 is not allowed to use insulin degludec or liraglutide.
How to take Insulin degludec or liraglutide?
Read and adhere to all instructions or guides that accompany your medication. Follow the directions on the label.Insulin degludec or liraglutide are injected into the skin at the same time every day. You will be taught how to use the medication properly by a healthcare provider. Only use the pen that comes with insulin degludec or liraglutide. Do not mix or dilute other medications with insulin degludec or liraglutide.
Use this medication with or without food.Your healthcare provider will tell you where to inject the medicine. Each time you inject, use a new place. Don't inject in the same spot twice.This medicine should not be injected into damaged, tender, or bruised skin. It can also cause a hard lump or scar.If you experience diarrhea or vomiting that continues, call your doctor. This medicine can cause dehydration, which may lead to renal failure.
You may also need blood tests in your doctor's clinic.If you have low blood glucose (hypoglycemia), then you may feel very hungry or dizzy. You might also be confused, anxious, irritable, or shaken. If you want to treat hyperglycemia quickly, consume or drink sugary foods or drinks (fruit juices, hard candies, crackers, or raisins).In the event of severe hypoglycemia, your doctor may prescribe a glucagon injectable kit. Make sure that your family and friends are familiar with how to administer this injection in case of an emergency.
Watch for signs of hyperglycemia (hyperglycemia), such as increased thirst and urination.Stress, illness, surgery, or alcohol consumption can affect blood sugar levels. Consult your doctor before changing the dose or schedule of your medication.Even if you have changed the needle, never share a syringe, syringe cartridge, or injection pen with anyone else. These devices can spread infections and diseases from person to person.
This medicine should be kept in the original container, away from heat and sunlight. Store insulin away from the cooling element of a fridge, or do not freeze it. Do not use any frozen insulin.
Insulin degludec (not used) and liraglutide should be stored unopened.
- Use within the expiry date.
- Use within 21 days (3 weeks) after storing at room temperature.
Insulin degludec (in use) and liraglutide stored opened:
- Use within 21 days after storing at room temperature, away from heat or light.
- Store it in the refrigerator and use it within 21 days.
Store the pen without the needle.If the medicine is cloudy or its color has changed, do not use it. For new medication, call your pharmacist.
Details on dosage
Adult dosage for diabetes type 2:
The dose is expressed in units of degludec insulin.
Base Insulin or GLP-1 receptor antagonist Naive
Initial dose: 10 subcutaneous units once per day.
If you are currently receiving a GLP-1 receptor antagonist or basal insulin, discontinue the therapy before initiating:
Initial dosage: 16 units once daily subcutaneously
TITRATION: Increase or decrease the dose in increments of two units every three to four days, based on metabolic needs and blood glucose monitoring.
Maximum daily dose: 50 units (insulin Degludec 50 units; Liraglutide 1.8mg)
Comments:
The manufacturer's product labeling will provide a table that shows the milligrammes corresponding to liraglutide.
To minimize the risk of hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia due to changes in physical activity or food intake, during an acute illness, or when using concomitant medication, it may be necessary to titrate your insulin dosage.
This combination drug is not recommended for first-line treatment due to the insecurity of finding rodent C cell tumors in humans.
The combination drug hasn't been studied with prandial insulin.
Use: To improve the glycemic level in adults with type II diabetes.
What happens if I miss the dose?
Do not take the missed dose. Use your next dose as usual. Do not take two doses in one go.Call your doctor if you miss more than three days of your medication in a row.
What happens if I overdose?
Call the Poison Help Line at 1-800-222-1222 or seek emergency medical care. Do not exceed 50 units per day of insulin degludec or liraglutide.
What should be avoided?
Don't drink alcohol. Make sure you check the labels of your other medicines to make sure they don't contain alcohol.Do not drive or engage in hazardous activities until you have determined how the medicine will affect you. You may be unable to react properly.
Interaction with other drug
Other medicines can also affect blood sugar levels and can either increase or decrease insulin degludec or liraglutide's effects. You may also experience fewer hypoglycemic symptoms when you take certain drugs, making it more difficult to detect low blood sugar. Inform your healthcare providers of all the medicines you are taking and those you plan to take. You can include prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.
