What is the difference between Soliqua and Xultophy?
Both products 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).
Soliqua 100/33 is Sanofi’s once-daily injection used alongside diet and exercise to improve blood sugar control in adults type 2 diabetes. Soliqua 100/33 is a combination of insulin glargine 100 Units/mL (Lantus), a long-acting insulin, and lixisenatide 33 mcg/mL (Adlyxin), a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonist.
Xultophy 100/3.6 is Novo Nordisk’s once-daily injection of insulin degludec 100 Units/mL (Tresiba), and the GLP-1 agonist liraglutide 3.6 mg/mL (Victoza), also used to treat type 2 diabetes in conjunction with diet and exercise. Insulin degludec is a long-acting insulin and liraglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonist.
These two medications, available as injection pens, were the first approved in a novel group of type 2 diabetes treatments that combine a long-acting insulin with a GLP-1 agonist. They are not approved for the treatment of type 1 diabetes. These drugs are often used after other diabetes medications have been tried without success.
Long-acting insulins start working several hours after injection and continue to work steadily for 24 hours. Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists are similar to a hormone that occurs naturally in the body and helps to control blood sugar, insulin levels, and digestion. GLP-1 agonists may help you to lose weight.
GLP-1 agonists approved in the U.S. include:
- albiglutide (Tanzeum)
- dulaglutide (Trulicity)
- exenatide extended-release (Bydureon BCise)
- exenatide (Byetta)
- liraglutide (Victoza)
- lixisenatide (Adlyxin)
- semaglutide (Ozempic)
- semaglutide (Rybelsus)
All agents are given by injection except for Rybelsus from Novo Nordisk, the first oral GLP-1 agonist, approved in September 2019.
This is not all the information you need to know about Xultophy or Soliqua for safe and effective use and does not take the place of talking to your doctor about your treatment. Review the full product information, and discuss this information and any questions you have with your doctor or other health care provider.
Related questions
- How and where should I inject insulin?
- Toujeo vs Tresiba - What's the difference between them?
- Is Tresiba the same as Lantus?
References
- Soliqua 100/33 (insulin glargine and lixisenatide injection), for subcutaneous use. [product information]. Accessed March 18, 2021 at https://products.sanofi.us/Soliqua100-33/Soliqua100-33.pdf
- Xultophy 100/3.6 (insulin degludec and liraglutide injection), for subcutaneous use. [product information]. Accessed March 18, 2021 at https://www.novo-pi.com/xultophy10036.pdf
Read next
How and where do you inject liraglutide?
Liraglutide is injected just under the skin (subcutaneously) and the best sites are your stomach (abdomen), thigh, or upper arm. Do not inject Victoza into a muscle (intramuscularly) or vein (intravenously). To do this, you pinch up an area of skin with your thumb and forefinger, and then push the needle of the pen into this area, so that the medication will be injected just under the skin. Ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist to show you how to use the pen correctly before your first use. Continue reading
Can liraglutide be used for weight loss?
Yes, the Saxenda brand of liraglutide is approved to be used for weight loss. The Victoza brand of liraglutide is only approved to treat type 2 diabetes, but may also help you lose some weight and protect your heart. A generic liraglutide option for Victoza for treatment of type 2 diabetes was FDA-approved on December 23, 2024. Do not use Saxenda, Victoza or other liraglutide products at the same time. Continue reading
Basaglar and Lantus - What is the difference between them?
Basaglar and Lantus both injections that contain insulin glargine, a long-acting form of insulin to help control blood sugar levels in type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Basaglar is considered a "follow-on" to Lantus but is not a biosimilar, according to the FDA. This means your doctor will need to write a prescription for one or the other as they cannot be substituted at the pharmacy. Continue reading
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