Xultophy

Generic name:insulin degludec and liraglutide [ IN-su-lin-de-GLOO-dek-and-LIR-a-GLOO-tide ]
Drug class:Antidiabetic combinations

Medically reviewed by Philip Thornton, DipPharm. Last updated on May 2, 2022.

What is Xultophy?

Xultophy is an injection pen containing a combination of insulin degludec and liraglutide. Insulin degludec is a long-acting insulin that starts to work several hours after injection and keeps working evenly for 24 hours.

Liraglutide is similar to a hormone that occurs naturally in the body and helps control blood sugar, insulin levels, and digestion.

Xultophy is used to lower blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus. This medicine should be used together with diet and exercise.

Xultophy is usually given when your blood sugar levels have not been well controlled by using other medications.

Xultophy is not for people with type 1 diabetes.

Warnings

You should not use Xultophy if you have multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (tumors in your glands), a personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer, insulin-dependent diabetes, or if you are having an episode of low blood sugar or diabetic ketoacidosis.

In animal studies, liraglutide caused thyroid tumors or thyroid cancer. It is not known whether these effects would occur in people.

Call your doctor at once if you have signs of a thyroid tumor, such as swelling or a lump in your neck, trouble swallowing, a hoarse voice, or shortness of breath.

Before taking this medicine

You should not use Xultophy if you are allergic to insulin or liraglutide. Do not use this medicine during an episode of low blood sugar, or if you have:

• multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (tumors in your glands);

• a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (a type of thyroid cancer);

• diabetic ketoacidosis (call your doctor for treatment); or

• a condition for which you use liraglutide (Saxenda, Victoza) or a medicine like liraglutide (albiglutide, dulaglutide, exenatide, lixisenatide, Adlyxin, Byetta, Bydureon, Tanzeum, Trulicity).

To make sure Xultophy is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• pancreatitis;

• kidney or liver disease;

• stomach problems causing slow digestion;