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What are the active ingredients in Xultophy?

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Last updated on Feb 19, 2025.

Official Answer by Drugs.com

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:

Insulin degludec is also the active ingredient in Tresiba and liraglutide is the active ingredient in Victoza and Saxenda.

References

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Among the GLP-1 drugs currently available, tirzepatide and semaglutide stand out as the most effective for weight management. When choosing the best GLP-1 drug for weight loss, some things to consider include effectiveness, dosage formulation, frequency of administration, cost, and side effects. Continue reading

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

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