Soliqua vs Lantus: What’s the difference between them?

Soliqua is a combination of insulin glargine plus lixisenatide, and Lantus only contains insulin glargine. Both are once-daily injections that are given under the skin (subcutaneously), but Soliqua can only be used in adults with type 2 diabetes whereas Lantus may be used to treat both type 1 and type 2 diabetes in adults and children over the age of six years. Both are made by Sanofi-Aventis.

Soliqua contains lixisenatide, in addition to insulin glargine. Lixisenatide belongs to the class of medicines known as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists and is like a hormone that occurs naturally in the body that helps to control blood sugar, insulin levels, and digestion. GLP-1 agonists may also assist with weight loss in people with type 2 diabetes.

Both Soliqua and Lantus are long-acting insulins and their effects last for at least 24 hours, so they are given once a day. Both are available as injection pens that are easy for people to self-administer. While a pen is in use, both Soliqua and Lantus can be left out of the refrigerator for up to 28 days. When not in use, Soliqua and Lantus pens must be stored in a refrigerator at between 36°F and 46°F [2°Cand 8°C]).

• Both Lantus and Soliqua contain insulin glargine at 100 units/mL
• One unit of Lantus contains 1 unit of insulin glargine
• One unit of Soliqua contains 1 unit of insulin glargine and 0.33mcg of lixisenatide.

Lantus to Soliqua conversion

Some people with type 2 diabetes who are already prescribed Lantus may benefit from a treatment like Soliqua 100/33 that combines Lantus with a lixisenatide, a non-insulin diabetes medicine. When converting from Lantus to Soliqua, the manufacturer recommends the following:

• A starting dose of 15 units per day of Soliqua 100/33 if you have already been injecting Lantus at less than 30 units/day
• A starting dose of 30 units per day of Soliqua 100/33 if you have already been injecting Lantus at more than or equal to 30 units/day.

The following are the general recommended conversions by the manufacturer from other injectable diabetes preparations to Soliqua:

• A starting dose of 15 units per day of Soliqua 100/33 if you have already been injecting a GLP-1 RA (such as Adlyxin, Saxenda, Trulicity, Victoza)
• A starting dose of 15 units per day of Soliqua 100/33 if you have already been injecting a basal insulin, such as insulin glargine (eg, Basaglar, Lantus, Toujeo) or insulin detemir (Levemir) at less than 30 units/day
• A starting dose of 30 units per day of Soliqua 100/33 if you have already been injecting a basal insulin, such as insulin glargine (eg, Basaglar, Lantus, Toujeo) or insulin detemir (Levemir) at more than or equal to 30 units/day.

Soliqua should be dosed once daily within the hour prior to the first meal of the day. Your doctor will increase or decrease or keep the dosage of Soliqua the same should depending on your blood glucose readings.

If more than 60 units of Soliqua are needed, or less than 15 units of Soliqua are needed, then a different treatment should be used.

Can you take Lantus and Soliqua together?

No, you should not take Lantus and Soliqua together. Both contain insulin glargine and you could easily inject yourself with too much insulin.

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