What are the active ingredients in Xultophy?
Xultophy 100/3.6 contains the active ingredients insulin degludec and liraglutide. Xultophy is used as an add-on to diet and exercise in patients with type 2 diabetes to help improve their blood sugar level control (glycemic control).
Xultophy is injected subcutaneously - under the skin - using an insulin pen. Each millimeter (ml) of Xultophy contains 100 units of insulin degludec and 3.6 mg of liraglutide.
The inactive ingredients in Xultophy are glycerol, phenol, zinc and water for injection.
How does Xultophy work?
Insulin degludec is a long-acting human insulin analog, while liraglutide is a glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist.
Insulin degludec lowers blood glucose by stimulating skeletal muscle and fat to take up more glucose and by blocking the liver from producing glucose. Insulin helps to prevent fats and other lipids from being broken down (lipolysis) and also helps to prevent the breakdown of proteins (proteolysis). The production of protein is also enhanced by insluin.
Liraglutide, the GLP-1 receptor agonist, belongs to a group of drugs that are also known as incretin mimetics. Liraglutide works by:
- Stimulating the body to release insulin even before blood sugar levels rise
- Blocking the release of glucagon, which is a hormone that causes stored sugar to be released by the liver into the bloodstream
- Slowing how quickly the stomach empties, which slows how quickly glucose is absorbed into the bloodstream and makes a person feel more satisfied after eating
Insulin degludec is also the active ingredient in Tresiba and liraglutide is the active ingredient in Victoza and Saxenda.
References
- Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Xultophy 100/3.6. Available from: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2019/208583s014s015lbl.pdf. [Accessed March 1, 2021].
- Diabetes.co.uk. Incretin Mimetics (GLP-1 Agonists). January 15, 2019. Available from: https://www.diabetes.co.uk/diabetes-medication/incretin-mimetics.html. [Accessed March 1, 2021].
Read next
Which GLP-1 drug is best for weight loss?
The most effective GLP-1 drug for weight loss currently (as of mid-2025) is tirzepatide, marketed under the names Zepbound (for weight loss) and Mounjaro (for diabetes).
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What is the difference between Soliqua and Xultophy?
Both Soliqua and Xultophy combine a long-acting insulin with a GLP-1 agonist: Xultopy brings together Tresiba (insulin degludec) and Victoza (liraglutide), while Soliqua combines Lantus (insulin glargine) with Adlyxin (lixisenatide). When used with diet and exercise for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, these agents can help you control blood sugar, insulin levels, and digestion and may help you lose weight. Continue reading
How and where should I inject insulin?
Injecting insulin is not difficult, but it does take a bit of practice. There are three main sites where insulin can be injected: the stomach area except for a 2-inch circle around your navel, and the soft part of your waist, but not anywhere near your spine; the top and outer part of your thighs, but not your inner thighs or anywhere close to your knee; the outer back of your upper arm where there is a pocket of fatty tissue. Continue reading
See also:
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Drug information
- Xultophy Information for Consumers
- Xultophy prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side Effects of Xultophy (detailed)
- Xultophy user reviews (3)
Related support groups
- Xultophy (4 questions, 5 members)
- Diabetes, Type 2 (511 questions, 1,430 members)