Uses
What is Xultophy used for?
Xultophy (insulin degludec/liraglutide) is commonly used to help lower blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes.
Xultophy may also be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.
How does Xultophy work (mechanism of action)?
Xultophy works in several ways to help keep your blood sugar levels from getting too high. It causes your pancreas to release more insulin after you eat, absorbs sugar from the blood, reduces the amount of sugar your liver makes and releases, and slows down the movement of food through your body.
How is Xultophy supplied (dosage forms)?
Xultophy is available in the following dosage forms that are injected under the skin.
- 100 units/mL and 3.6 mg/mL solution for injection, prefilled pens
How should I store Xultophy?
Store Xultophy in the original carton to protect it from light. Do not freeze Xultophy. Avoid storing it right next to the refrigerator’s cooling element.
Store unopened Xultophy in a refrigerator, between 36 F to 46 F (2 C to 8 C), until the expiration date on the label.
Store opened Xultophy (after removing the needle) in a refrigerator, between 36 F to 46 F (2 C to 8 C) or at room temperature, between 59 F to 86F (15 C to 30 C), for up to 21 days.
Side Effects
What are the most common side effects of Xultophy?
The most common side effects of Xultophy are listed below. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.
- Infection of the nose or throat, sore throat, common cold symptoms
- Headache
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Increased lipase blood levels (an enzyme that helps break down fats for digestion)
There may be other side effects of Xultophy that are not listed here. Contact your healthcare provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088. In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.
What are the serious side effects of Xultophy?
While less common, the most serious side effects of Xultophy are described below, along with what to do if they happen.
Severe Allergic Reactions. Xultophy may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop using Xultophy and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.
- Breathing problems or wheezing
- Racing heart
- Fever or general ill feeling
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
- Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
- Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
- Nausea or vomiting
- Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
- Stomach cramps
- Joint pain
Low Blood Sugar (Hypoglycemia). Xultophy can cause low blood sugar, which can be serious and may lead to death. You may need to check your blood sugar more often if you have changes to your diet, exercise regimen, or medicines for diabetes. Do not use Xultophy and call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of hypoglycemia.
- Headache
- Crankiness or anxiety
- Hunger
- Dizziness or confusion
- Blurry vision
- Slurred speech
- Sweating
- Feeling jittery or shakiness
- Fast heartbeat
- Seizures
Inflammation of the Pancreas (Pancreatitis). Xultophy may cause inflammation of the pancreas, which is called pancreatitis. Stop using Xultophy and call your healthcare provider right away if you have symptoms of pancreatitis, including vomiting or severe pain in the upper part of your belly that travels to your back.
Kidney Damage. Kidney damage can happen when using Xultophy. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of kidney damage.
- Reduced need to pee
- Swelling in your feet, ankles, or legs
- Weakness or unusual tiredness
- Difficulty catching your breath or chest pain/pressure
- Confusion
- Nausea
- Seizures
Gallbladder Problems. Using Xultophy can cause gallbladder problems, including cholecystitis and cholelithiasis (also known as gallstones). Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms.
- Your skin or the whites of your eyes turning yellowish in color (also called jaundice)
- Fever
- Pain in your upper stomach area
- Stool (poop) that is clay-colored
Low Potassium Level (Hypokalemia). Xultophy can cause a low potassium level, which can be serious and may lead to death. Your healthcare provider will check your potassium levels, especially if you take certain other medicines. Call your healthcare provider if you have any of the following symptoms of a low potassium level.
- Weakness
- Unusual tiredness
- Muscle cramps or twitching
- Constipation
Thyroid Tumors. Xultophy may cause you to develop thyroid tumors. Some of these tumors could be cancerous. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you notice any of the following symptoms of a thyroid tumor.
- Swelling or lump in your neck
- Hoarseness
- Trouble swallowing
- Trouble breathing
Warnings & Precautions
Who should not use Xultophy?
Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not use Xultophy.
- Insulin degludec
- Tresiba
- Liraglutide
- Victoza
- Saxenda
- Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed
Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in Xultophy.
Xultophy is not used for type 1 diabetes or ketoacidosis.
Low Blood Glucose (Hypoglycemia). Xultophy should not be used when you have low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Be familiar with the symptoms of low blood sugar, including dizziness, sweating, confusion, and shakiness. Ask your healthcare provider about your blood sugar levels and when to check them.
Thyroid Cancer or Endocrine Condition. Xultophy should not be used if you or someone in your family has had medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or if you have a condition called Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2). Talk to your healthcare provider about your current and past health conditions and your family medical history.
What should I know about Xultophy before using it?
Review the Instructions for Use that come with your medicine when using Xultophy for the first time or when you have not used it in a while.
Do not use Xultophy unless it has been prescribed to you by a healthcare provider. Use it as prescribed.
Do not share Xultophy with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them. Do not reuse or share needles with other people because you may get a serious infection.
If you have nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea, drink plenty of water, so that you do not get dehydrated.
Avoid using the same injection site each time you use Xultophy by rotating where you inject it. Avoid injecting Xultophy into areas where your skin is thick, lumpy, or has pits. Avoid injecting Xultophy in areas where your skin is sensitive, bruised, scarred, hard, scaly, or damaged.
Keep Xultophy out of the reach of children. Since this medicine may be kept in a refrigerator, take special precautions to keep it away from children who also use the refrigerator.
Use Xultophy around the same time each day, regardless of timing around food or meals.
What should I tell my healthcare provider before using Xultophy?
Tell your healthcare provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them determine if Xultophy is right for you.
In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.
Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of the following.
- No awareness of low blood sugar level
- Kidney problems
- Liver problems
- Pancreas problems
- Stomach problems, such as slowed stomach emptying (gastroparesis) or problems digesting food
Heart Failure. Xultophy may increase your risk of heart failure when used with other medicines for diabetes called pioglitazone (Actos) or rosiglitazone (Avandia). Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of heart failure.
- Shortness of breath
- Swelling in your feet, ankles, or legs
- Unusually fast weight gain
- Tiredness
Other Medicines and Supplements. Xultophy may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before using Xultophy, tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.
Pregnancy. It is not known if or how Xultophy could affect pregnancy or harm an unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you are or plan to become pregnant.
Breastfeeding. It is not known if Xultophy passes into breast milk. Tell your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.
How can I get more information about Xultophy?
For more information about Xultophy, you can visit the manufacturer’s website at https://www.mynovoinsulin.com/insulin-products/xultophy10036/home.html or call them at 800-727-6500.
Interactions
Does Xultophy interact with foods or drinks?
There are no known interactions between Xultophy and foods or drinks.
It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect Xultophy, but alcohol may affect blood sugar levels in people with diabetes. This may interfere with the effect of Xultophy. It is best to limit the amount of alcohol you drink.
Does Xultophy interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?
Always tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.
Make sure that you discuss if you are taking another type of medicine for diabetes called a sulfonylurea (glimepiride, glyburide, glipizide). These medicines may increase your risk of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).
Xultophy works by slowing down the movement of food through your body. Because of this, Xultophy may affect the absorption of some other medicines that you take by mouth. Tell your healthcare provider about all medicines that you take or have recently taken.
Many other medicines can increase your blood sugar and can interfere with the effect of Xultophy. Talk to your pharmacist or healthcare provider before starting or stopping other medicines while using Xultophy. You may need to monitor your blood sugar levels more closely during these times.
Some medicines can decrease your blood sugar, adding to the effect of Xultophy. Talk to your pharmacist or healthcare provider before starting or stopping other medicines while using Xultophy. You may need to monitor your blood sugar levels more closely or lower your dose of Xultophy during these times.
Some medicines may make it difficult to notice signs of low blood sugar. You may need to monitor your blood sugar levels more closely if you take any of these medicines. Tell your healthcare provider about all medicines that you take or have recently taken.
This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with Xultophy. Always check with your healthcare provider.
Overdose/Missed Dose
What should I do if I accidentally use too much Xultophy?
If you or someone else has used too much Xultophy, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.
What should I do if I miss a dose of Xultophy?
If you miss a dose, skip the missed dose, and only take the next dose. Do not take double or extra doses.
If it has been more than 3 days since your last Xultophy dose, use the lowest available dose at first to reduce the risk of stomach-related side effects. Then follow your healthcare provider’s recommendations on increasing back to your previous dose.
Are you currently using Xultophy (insulin degludec/liraglutide)?
This survey is being conducted by the WebMD marketing sciences department.