Insulin Degludec+liraglutide
About Insulin Degludec+liraglutide
Insulin Degludec+liraglutide is a prescription injectable medication used to improve blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus. It is prescribed when oral diabetes medicines or single-agent insulins are not enough to manage blood sugar levels. This medicine helps lower HbA1c levels and reduces the risk of serious diabetes complications.
You will typically inject Insulin Degludec+liraglutide once daily, at the same time each day, with or without food. To get the best results, it is important to use this medication consistently as part of a comprehensive management plan. Combining this treatment with a balanced diet and regular physical activity significantly enhances its effectiveness.
While using Insulin Degludec+liraglutide, you may experience common side effects like nausea, diarrhoea, or mild low blood sugar. However, you must contact your doctor immediately if you experience severe abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, or signs of a serious allergic reaction.
Talk to your doctor before starting Insulin Degludec+liraglutide if you have a history of pancreas problems, kidney disease, or severe stomach issues. Do not take this if you or anyone in your family has ever had a type of thyroid cancer called medullary thyroid carcinoma, or if you have Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2.
This medication can interact with alcohol, which can unpredictably raise or lower your blood sugar levels. If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, breastfeeding, or are an elderly individual, consult your doctor before using Insulin Degludec+liraglutide, as special precautions or dosage adjustments may be necessary.
Uses of Insulin Degludec+liraglutide
Medicinal Benefits
Insulin Degludec+liraglutide helps manage type 2 diabetes by combining two blood sugar-lowering medicines in a single daily injection. With regular use, it provides steady blood sugar control, supports long-term diabetes management, and offers the convenience of a simplified treatment routine.
- Provides Effective Blood Sugar Control: By mimicking natural hormones and improving blood sugar regulation, this medicine helps reduce blood sugar spikes after meals and maintains healthy glucose levels throughout the day.
- Supports Long-Term Diabetes Management: Consistent use helps lower HbA1c levels and reduces the risk of diabetes-related complications, including nerve damage, kidney disease, and vision problems.
- Convenient Once-Daily Treatment: By combining two blood sugar-lowering medicines in a single daily injection, this treatment simplifies diabetes management and may also help support stable body weight or modest weight loss in some patients.
Directions for Use
- Insulin Degludec+liraglutide is recommended once daily, preferably at the same time each day, or as advised by your doctor.
- Check the label for instructions before using Insulin Degludec+liraglutide.
- It should be administered subcutaneously (under the skin) only.
- Wash your hands properly and adjust the dose as advised by the doctor. Clean the injection site and inject the dose subcutaneously in the abdomen/thighs/upper arm. Safely discard the needle.
- Change injection sites within the same area to prevent the formation of hard lumps.
- Do not administer Insulin Degludec+liraglutide intravenously, intramuscularly, or by an infusion pump.
Storage
Side Effects of Insulin Degludec+liraglutide
Common Side Effects (Usually mild):
- Nausea or vomitin
- Diarrhoea or constipation
- Upset stomach or indigestio
- Mild low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia), which may cause sweating, shakiness, or dizziness
Serious Side Effects (Consult a doctor right away):
- Severe, persistent pain in your stomach area that may spread to your back (a sign of an inflamed pancreas)
- Signs of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat, severe rash, or difficulty breathing
- A lump or swelling in your neck, hoarseness, or trouble swallowing
- Signs of kidney problems, such as a change in the amount of urine you pass or swelling in your legs and ankles
- Severe low blood sugar, causing confusion, sleepiness, or loss of consciousness
Medicines Containing this Salt
View AllDrug Warnings
- Inspect the liquid: Always check the window of your Insulin Degludec+liraglutide pen before injecting. The liquid must be clear and colourless; do not inject if you see cloudiness, discolouration, or floating particles.
- Rotate injection sites: Change your injection site with each dose within the area you choose (abdomen, thigh, or upper arm) to reduce the risk of developing hard lumps or skin thickening under the skin.
- Never share pens: Even if the needle is changed, never share your Insulin Degludec+liraglutide pen with anyone else. Sharing can pass serious infections or diseases from one person to another.
- Always use a new needle: Attach a fresh, sterile needle before every single injection. Reusing needles increases the risk of contamination, blockages, infection, and inaccurate dosing.
- Check for pancreatitis: Stop using the medicine and contact your doctor immediately if you develop severe, persistent stomach pain that radiates to your back, as this can be a sign of acute pancreatitis.
Drug Interactions
- Other diabetes medications: Taking this medicine alongside other blood-sugar-lowering drugs, such as sulfonylureas or other insulins, may significantly increase your risk of low blood sugar. Your doctor may need to adjust your doses.
- Blood pressure medicines (Beta-blockers): These medicines can mask the warning signs of low blood sugar, such as a fast heartbeat or palpitations, making it harder for you to recognise hypoglycemia.
- Corticosteroids and thyroid hormones: These medicines can raise your blood sugar levels, potentially reducing the effectiveness of Insulin Degludec+liraglutide.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeYou are recommended to avoid alcohol consumption while using Insulin Degludec+liraglutide as alcohol might affect blood sugar levels.
Pregnancy
cautionConsult your doctor if you are pregnant; your doctor will prescribe only if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Breast Feeding
cautionConsult your doctor if you are breastfeeding; your doctor will prescribe only if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Driving
cautionInsulin Degludec+liraglutide may cause hypoglycaemia. So, drive, and operate machinery only if you are alert.
Liver
cautionDose adjustment may be needed. Please consult your doctor if you have a liver impairment or any concerns regarding this.
Kidney
cautionDose adjustment may be needed. Please consult your doctor if you have kidney impairment or any concerns regarding this.
Children
unsafeInsulin Degludec+liraglutide is not recommended for children below 18 years as the effectiveness has not been established.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Monitor carbohydrates: Work with a dietitian to learn how to count carbs and distribute them evenly throughout the day to avoid sudden blood sugar fluctuations.
- Stay active: Engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise, such as brisk walking, per week. Exercise helps your body use insulin more efficiently.
- Keep fast-acting sugar nearby: Always carry glucose tablets, hard candies, or fruit juice with you to quickly treat sudden episodes of low blood sugar.
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water throughout the day, especially if you experience mild diarrhoea or nausea, to prevent dehydration.
- Track your blood sugar: Keep a daily log of your blood sugar readings and share them with your healthcare team to help fine-tune your treatment plan.
Special Advise
Regularly monitor blood glucose levels while taking Insulin Degludec+liraglutide.
Try not to skip any doses and take Insulin Degludec+liraglutide for as long as your doctor has prescribed it for you.
To avoid contamination, always use a new needle for each injection.
Rotate the injection site to prevent changes to the fatty tissue under the skin like skin thickening, skin lumps or shrinking under the skin.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Type-2 diabetes mellitus: It is also known as non-insulin-dependent diabetes. It is a chronic or lifelong disease that keeps the body from utilizing insulin properly. Diabetes is a medical condition in which blood glucose levels are above normal. People with type 2 diabetes either do not produce enough insulin, or the insulin produced cannot perform its function in the body (insulin resistance). Middle-aged or older individuals are most likely to suffer from type 2 diabetes; hence, it is also known as adult-onset diabetes. Type 2 diabetes symptoms include lack of energy, tiredness, frequent urination, excess thirst, dry mouth, blurry vision, constant hunger, weight loss, and itchy skin.
FAQs
Insulin Degludec+liraglutide is used to treat type-2 diabetes mellitus adjunct to diet and exercise.
Insulin Degludec+liraglutide contains Liraglutide and Insulin degludec. Liraglutide lowers the amount of sugar made by the body and helps the body make more insulin during meals. Insulin degludec works similarly to the insulin produced by the body. It lowers blood glucose levels and facilitates the reuptake of glucose in the fat and muscle cells. Together, Insulin Degludec+liraglutide helps in controlling blood glucose levels.
Insulin Degludec+liraglutide may sometimes lower the blood glucose levels more than normal, leading to hypoglycaemia. Regularly monitor your blood sugar levels while taking Insulin Degludec+liraglutide. Always carry any sugary food and consume it if you experience hypoglycaemia symptoms such as headache, drowsiness, cold sweat, feeling sick, unusual tiredness or weakness, and visual disturbances.
Hypoglycaemia may occur following prolonged or severe exercise, during illness, alcohol consumption, low food intake, or when Insulin Degludec+liraglutide is taken along with other antidiabetic medicines.
Maintain a healthy diet by regular intake of carbohydrates such as bread and products containing starch and sugar. Eat your meals regularly, and do not exercise heavily for longer durations with an empty stomach.
Do not stop using Insulin Degludec+liraglutide without consulting your doctor as it may cause an increase in blood glucose levels. Continue taking Insulin Degludec+liraglutide for as long as your doctor has prescribed it to you. Do not be reluctant to speak with your doctor if you experience any difficulty while using Insulin Degludec+liraglutide.
Before opening, store Insulin Degludec+liraglutide in a refrigerator at 2°C to 8°C. Do not freeze. Once in use, you can keep the pre-filled pen at room temperature (below 30°C) or in the refrigerator for up to 21 days. Discard the pen 21 days after first use, even if some medicine remains. Always keep the pen cap on when not in use to protect it from light. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions about storage.
Insulin Degludec+liraglutide is approved only for managing type 2 diabetes. While some patients may lose weight as a secondary effect of the treatment, it is not approved as a primary weight loss product. Talk to your doctor for advice on weight management.
You should inject Insulin Degludec+liraglutide once daily at the same time every day. Choose a time that easily fits into your daily routine to help you remember. Talk to your doctor to find the best schedule for you.
You can inject Insulin Degludec+liraglutide at any time of day, with or without food. It does not need to be timed around your meals, but keeping your daily injection time consistent is important. Talk to your doctor if you experience nausea when taking it.
No, you must never share your Insulin Degludec+liraglutide pen with anyone else, even if you change the needle. Sharing pens carries a high risk of spreading blood-borne infections. Talk to your pharmacist about proper pen safety.
If you feel symptoms of low blood sugar (like shaking, sweating, or dizziness), consume 15 to 20 grams of fast-acting sugar, such as fruit juice, raisins, or glucose tablets. Recheck your blood sugar after 15 minutes. Talk to your doctor if this happens frequently.
Insulin Degludec+liraglutide is generally not recommended during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. Your doctor will likely recommend alternative methods to control your blood sugar during this time. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.
The recommended injection areas are your front thighs, your abdomen (stomach area), or your upper arms. Remember to rotate your injection site within these areas with each dose to avoid skin changes. Talk to your doctor or nurse if you need help practising your injection technique.
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