Lixisenatide

Lixisenatide Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Mechanism of Action, How Long Does it Take to Work? Lixisenatide is a brand name. Its generic name is Lixisenatide.

Lixisenatide Introduction

Lixisenatide (sold under the brand name Adlyxin) is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonist. It is used to help control blood sugar levels for adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Uses for Lixisenatide

Lixisenatide is indicated as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus when treatment with the anti-diabetic medication metformin plus a sulfonylurea, a thiazolidinedione, or a basal insulin did not provide adequate glycemic control.

Mechanism of Action

Lixisenatide works by stimulating the production of insulin and slowing gastric emptying, thus helping to lower blood sugar levels. It binds to GLP-1 receptors on pancreatic cells, stimulating insulin production when blood sugar levels are high and inhibiting glucagon production when blood sugar levels are low.

How Long Does it Take to Work?

Lixisenatide typically begins working within 3 to 4 hours of administration and works best when taken in combination with other diabetes medications.

Absorption

Lixisenatide is rapidly and completely absorbed from the gut into the bloodstream. The time to peak effect is about 3.5 hours.

Route of Elimination

Lixisenatide is primarily eliminated in the urine via tubular secretion.

Dosage

The recommended initial dose of lixisenatide is 10 mcg once daily by subcutaneous injection within an hour prior to the first meal of the day. If the 10-mcg dose is not sufficient to reach the target glycemic control, it may be increased to 20 mcg once daily. The maximum recommended dose is 20 mcg once daily.

Administration

The injection should be given in the abdominal area, the back of the arm, the buttocks, or the thigh. The injection site should be changed with each dose.

Side Effects

Common side effects of lixisenatide include nausea, vomiting, headache, diarrhea, and hypoglycemia. Serious side effects include pancreatitis, chronic renal failure, and renal impairment.

Toxicity

Lixisenatide is considered safe when taken as directed. Overdose may result in hypoglycemia or other serious side effects, so it is important to seek medical attention if you believe you have taken too much.

Precautions

Before taking lixisenatide, it is important to inform your healthcare provider about all medications, supplements, herbal products and vitamins you are taking. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any allergies or if you have any history of liver or kidney disease. Also inform your provider if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or plan to become pregnant or breastfeeding.

Interactions

Lixisenatide can interact with other medications, supplements, and vitamins. Therefore, it is important to tell your healthcare provider of all medications and supplements you are taking before starting this medication.

Disease Interactions

Lixisenatide may worsen renal impairment in those with pre-existing kidney disease. It may also worsen chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Therefore, it is important to inform your provider of any relevant history.

Drug Interactions

Lixisenatide can interact with certain drugs including metformin, biguanides, dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors, sulfonylureas, meglitinides, thiazolidinediones, glucocorticoids, antifungals, antibiotics, beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors, and calcium channel blockers. Therefore, it is important to inform your healthcare provider of all medications and supplements you are taking in order to avoid potential drug interactions.

Food Interactions

Lixisenatide should not be taken with or within 2 hours after taking food containing high-fat content. It should be taken at least an hour before or up to four hours after a meal.

Pregnancy Use

Lixisenatide has not been studied in pregnant women. Therefore, it should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit outweighs the potential risk.

Lactation Use

It is not known whether lixisenatide is excreted in human milk. Therefore, the use of lixisenatide during lactation is not recommended.

Acute Overdose

Lixisenatide may cause hypoglycemia if taken in combination with other antidiabetic medications. Acute overdosage can result in severe hypoglycemia. It is important to seek immediate medical attention in case of an overdose.

Contraindication

Lixisenatide should not be used in patients who are hypersensitive or allergic to it. Patients should also inform their healthcare provider of any history of allergic reaction, kidney or liver disease, or pancreatitis before starting lixisenatide.

Use Directions

Lixisenatide should be injected under the skin of the abdomen, thigh, or arm, by using a prefilled syringe. It should be injected every day within an hour prior to the first meal of the day.

Storage Conditions

Lixisenatide should be stored at room temperature (below 86°F) in its original package and should not be exposed to light. Keep it out of reach of children and away from heat and moisture.

Volume of Distribution

The volume of distribution of lixisenatide is approximately 17 L.

Half Life

The half-life of lixisenatide is 2.5 hours.

Clearance

The oral clearance of lixisenatide is approximately 0.2 L/h.

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