What is lixisenatide, and how does it work?
- Lixisenatide is an injectable drug that reduces the
level of sugar (glucose) in the blood. It is used for the treatment type 2 diabetes
and is similar to- exenatide (Byetta),
- liraglutide (Victoza),
- dulaglutide
(Trulicity), and - abliglutide (Tanzeum).
- Lixisenatide belongs in a class of drugs
called incretin mimetics because these drugs mimic the effects of incretins.
Incretins, such as human-glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), are hormones that are
produced and released into the blood by the intestine in response to food. GLP-1
increases the secretion of insulin from the pancreas, slows absorption of
glucose from the gut, and reduces the action of glucagon. (Glucagon is a hormone
that increases glucose production by the liver.) All three of these actions
reduce levels of glucose in the blood. In addition, GLP-1 reduces appetite.
Lixisenatide is a synthetic (man-made) hormone that resembles and acts like
GLP-1. In studies, lixisenatide treated patients achieved lower blood glucose
levels and experienced weight loss.
What brand names are available for lixisenatide?
Adlyxin is the brand name available for lixisenatide available in the US.
Is lixisenatide available as a generic drug?
No
Do I need a prescription for lixisenatide?
Yes
What are the uses for lixisenatide?
- Adlyxin is used with diet and exercise to improve control of
blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes. - It should not be
used for the treatment of
diabetic ketoacidosis or type 1 diabetes.
What are the side effects of lixisenatide?
Common side effects of include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Headache
- Diarrhea
- Dizziness
- Hypoglycemia
(when combined with insulin or sulfonyrea)
Other possible side effects of include:
- Indigestion
(dyspepsia) - Constipation
- Upper abdominal pain
- Abdominal distension
- Abdominal pain
- Injection site
reactions (pain, redness, itching)
Possible serious side effects of include:
- Severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis,
angioedema [hives]) - Pancreatitis
-
Acute
kidney failure - Antibodies to lixisenatide
What is the dosage for lixisenatide?
- The recommended starting dose of Adlyxin is 10 mcg
injected under the skins (subcutaneously) once daily for 14 days. - The dose
should be increased on day 15 to the maintenance dose of 20 mcg once daily.
Which drugs or supplements interact with lixisenatide?
- Adlyxin slows down transit of food and drugs
through the intestine and, therefore, may reduce the absorption of drugs that
are taken by mouth. Caution should be used when combining Adlyxin with oral
medications that have a narrow therapeutic ratio or that require careful
monitoring. If these medications are to be taken with food they should be taken
with a meal or snack when Adlyxin is not administered. - Oral medications
such as antibiotics, or medications, for example acetaminophen (Tylenol) whose
effects shouldn't be delayed should be taken at least 1 hour before Adlyxin
injection. - Oral contraceptives should be taken at least 1 hour before
Adlyxin administration or at least 11 hours after an injection of
Adlyxin. - Combining Adlyxin with insulin or drugs that stimulate release of
insulin, for example, glyburide (Micronase, Diabeta, Glynase, Prestab) may
increase the occurrence of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). The dose of insulin
or the insulin release stimulating drug should be reduced.
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Is lixisenatide safe to use during pregnancy or while breastfeeding?
- There are no adequate studies of lixisenatide in
pregnant women. Most experts agree that insulin is the drug of
choice in pregnant women with diabetes. - There are no adequate studies of lixisenatide in
nursing mothers, and it is not known whether
this drug is
excreted in human breast milk.
What else should I know about lixisenatide?
What preparations of lixisenatide are available?
- Injection (Prefilled Pen): 50, 100 mcg/mL
How should I keep lixisenatide stored?
- Adlyxin pen should be kept in the package to protect it from
light and it should be stored in a refrigerator at 2 C to 8 C (36 F to 46 F) prior to
use. - It should not be frozen.
- After first use, it should be stored below 30 C (86 F).
- The pen cap should be
replaced after each use to protect it from light. - The pen should discarded 14
days after first use.
When was lixisenatide approved by the FDA?
- The FDA approved lixisenatide in July 2016.