Albiglutide

Generic name: Albiglutide [ al-bi-GLOO-tide ]
Brand name: Tanzeum
Drug class: Incretin mimetics

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Oct 22, 2023.

Uses of Albiglutide:

• It is used to lower blood sugar in patients with high blood sugar (diabetes).

What do I need to tell my doctor BEFORE I take Albiglutide?

• If you have an allergy to albiglutide or any other part of albiglutide.
• If you are allergic to albiglutide; any part of albiglutide; or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had.
• If you have any of these health problems: Acidic blood problem, type 1 diabetes, pancreatitis, or stomach or bowel problems.
• If you are pregnant or plan to get pregnant.
• If you are breast-feeding or plan to breast-feed.

This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with albiglutide.

Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take albiglutide with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.

What are some things I need to know or do while I take Albiglutide?

• Tell all of your health care providers that you take albiglutide. This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
• Follow the diet and workout plan that your doctor told you about.
• Wear disease medical alert ID (identification).
• Check your blood sugar as you have been told by your doctor.
• Have blood work checked as you have been told by the doctor. Talk with the doctor.
• It may be harder to control blood sugar during times of stress such as fever, infection, injury, or surgery. A change in physical activity, exercise, or diet may also affect blood sugar.
• Talk with your doctor before you drink alcohol.
• Do not share pen or cartridge devices with another person even if the needle has been changed. Sharing these devices may pass infections from one person to another. This includes infections you may not know you have.
• Kidney problems have happened with drugs like this one. Sometimes, kidney problems have needed to be treated in the hospital. Dialysis has also been needed. Talk with your doctor.
• If you cannot drink liquids by mouth or if you have upset stomach, throwing up, or diarrhea that does not go away; you need to avoid getting dehydrated. Contact your doctor to find out what to do. Dehydration may lead to new or worse kidney problems.

How is this medicine (Albiglutide) best taken?

Use albiglutide as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.

• It is given as a shot into the fatty part of the skin on the top of the thigh, belly area, or upper arm.
• If you will be giving yourself the shot, your doctor or nurse will teach you how to give the shot.
• Take with or without food.
• Take the same day each week.
• This medicine needs to be mixed before use. Follow how to mix as you were told by the doctor.
• Do not shake.
• Use the dose within 8 hours after mixing.
• Use your dose right away after you put the needle on the pen.
• Do not use if the solution is cloudy, leaking, or has particles.
• This medicine is yellow after mixing. Do not use if the solution changes color.
• Wash your hands before and after use.
• Move site where you give the shot each time.
• Do not mix albiglutide in the same syringe with insulin.
• If you are also using insulin, you may inject albiglutide and the insulin in the same area of the body but not right next to each other.
• Keep taking albiglutide as you have been told by your doctor or other health care provider, even if you feel well.
• Throw away needles in a needle/sharp disposal box. Do not reuse needles or other items. When the box is full, follow all local rules for getting rid of it. Talk with a doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
• Attach new needle before each dose.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

• Take a missed dose as soon as you think about it.
• If you miss your dose by more than 3 days, skip the missed dose. Take your next dose on your normal day.
• Do not take 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.

What are some side effects that I need to call my doctor about right away?

WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:

• Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Signs of a pancreas problem (pancreatitis) like very bad stomach pain, very bad back pain, or very bad upset stomach or throwing up.
• Signs of kidney problems like unable to pass urine, change in how much urine is passed, blood in the urine, or a big weight gain.
• Dizziness or passing out.
• Low blood sugar can happen. The chance may be raised when albiglutide is used with other drugs for diabetes. Signs may be dizziness, headache, feeling sleepy or weak, shaking, fast heartbeat, confusion, hunger, or sweating. Call your doctor right away if you have any of these signs. Follow what you have been told to do for low blood sugar. This may include taking glucose tablets, liquid glucose, or some fruit juices.

What are some other side effects of Albiglutide?

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:

• Diarrhea.
• Upset stomach.
• Irritation where the shot is given.
• Back pain.
• Joint pain.
• Cough.
• Signs of a common cold.
• Flu-like signs.

These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088. You may also report side effects at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

How do I store and/or throw out Albiglutide?

• Store in a refrigerator. Do not freeze.
• Store in original container.
• This medicine may be stored at room temperature for up to 4 weeks before use.
• Do not use if it has been frozen.
• Protect from light.
• Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
• Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer

• If your symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your doctor.
• Do not share your drugs with others and do not take anyone else's drugs.
• This medicine comes with an extra patient fact sheet called a Medication Guide. Read it with care. Read it again each time albiglutide is refilled. If you have any questions about albiglutide, please talk with the doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer