Skip to main content

How many units are in a Soliqua pen?

Medically reviewed by Leigh Ann Anderson, PharmD. Last updated on Sep 6, 2023.

Official answer

by Drugs.com

The Soliqua 100/33 pen injector contains 100 units of insulin glargine per one milliliter (mL) and 33 mcg of lixisenatide per mL. Each Soliqua pen holds 3 mL, so there is a total of 300 units of insulin glargine per pen. Soliqua is a medicine used to treat type 2 diabetes.

The Soliqua 100/33 pen delivers 15 units to 60 units per injection. Soliqua 100/33 is not used for a dose of less than 15 units.

Each unit dialed contains 1 unit insulin glargine and 0.33 mcg lixisenatide. The maximum dose of Soliqua 100/33 is 60 units daily (60 units insulin glargine/20 mcg lixisenatide).

You inject your dose once a day within one hour before your first meal of the day. Try to use your dose at the same time each day.

What is in a Soliqua pen?

It contains two medicines: long-acting insulin glargine and lixisenatide, a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonist. These medications are used with diet and exercise to help control blood sugar (glucose) in adults with type 2 diabetes.

Soliqua 100/33 is a combination of insulin glargine 100 Units/mL (brand example: Lantus) and lixisenatide 33 mcg/mL (brand example: Adlyxin). This medicine is used for patients inadequately controlled on basal insulin (less than 60 units daily), lixisenatide, or oral type 2 diabetes medicines such as metformin.

Soliqua pen injection is given by the subcutaneous route (injected under the skin). It is given into the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm. Rotate injections sites in the same area with each dose. The Soliqua 100/33 prefilled pen is for single-patient-use only.

Do not mix Soliqua 100/33 in any other type of insulin or liquid medicine prior to injection.

How many Soliqua pens come in a box?

One box of Soliqua contains 5 Solostar prefilled pens of 3 mL each. The needles are not included in your box. Only use needles that are compatible for use with your Soliqua 100/33 prefilled pen. If you are not sure which needles to use, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

How should I store Soliqua 100/33?

Store your unused Soliqua 100/33 pen in the refrigerator at 36°F to 46°F (2°C to 8°C). Protect the pen from light. Do not use past the expiration date. Do not freeze Soliqua 100/33 pens and do not use Soliqua 100/33 if it has been frozen.

After your first use, you can store your Soliqua 100/33 pen at room temperature no higher than 77°F (25°C) for up to 28 days. After 28 days, throw it away, even if there is some medicine left in the pen.

Replace the pen cap after each use to protect from light. Do not store the Soliqua 100/33 pen with the needle attached.

Keep your Soliqua 100/33 pen, pen needles, and all medicines out of the reach of children.

Can I just throw away the Soliqua pen in the trash?

No, you should throw away (dispose of) the Soliqua pen in an FDA-approved sharps container. Do not throw away the Soliqua 100/33 pen in your household trash.

If you do not have a FDA-cleared sharps disposal container, you may use a household container that is:

  • made of a heavy-duty plastic,
  • can be closed with a tight-fitting, puncture-resistant lid, without sharps being able to come out
  • upright and stable during use
  • leak-resistant
  • properly labeled to warn of hazardous waste inside the container.

Bottom Line

  • The Soliqua pen injector contains 100 units of insulin glargine per one milliliter (mL). It also contains 33 mcg of lixisenatide per mL.
  • Each Soliqua pen holds a total of 3 mL, so there is a total of 300 units of insulin glargine per pen.
  • The maximum dose of Soliqua 100/33 is 60 units daily (60 units insulin glargine/20 mcg lixisenatide).
  • Soliqua 100/33 is an injectable medicine used for type 2 diabetes and combines a long-acting insulin with a GLP-1 agonist.

This is not all the information you need to know about Soliqua 100/33 for safe and effective use. Review the full Soliqua 100/33 information here, and discuss this information with your doctor or other health care provider.

References
  • Soliqua 100/33 [product information]. Nov. 2019. Sanofi-Aventis U.S. LLC
    Bridgewater, NJ. Accessed September 15, 2020 at http://products.sanofi.us/soliqua100-33/Soliqua100-33.pdf
  • Soliqua (online). August 2019. Sanofi-Aventis U.S. LLC Accessed September 15, 2020 at https://www.soliqua100-33.com/how-to-use

Read next

Related medical questions

Drug information

Related support groups