Soliqua is a diabetes remedy that contains a mixture of insulin glargine and lixisenatide and is indicated to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus in adults, provided it is associated with a balanced diet and regular practice of physical exercise.
This medication is usually indicated when it is not possible to control sugar levels with the use of basal insulin or other medicines. Soliqua is sold in the form of a pre-filled syringe that can be used at home and allows the dose to be adjusted according to blood glucose values.
Price and where to buy
Soliqua has been approved by Anvisa but is not yet being sold, however, it can be found in conventional pharmacies after prescription, in the form of boxes with 5 3-mL pens.
How to use
The starting dose of Soliqua should be indicated by the endocrinologist, as it depends on the amount of basal insulin previously used. However, the general guidelines recommend:
- Initial dose of 15 units, 1 hour before the first meal of the day, and can be increased up to a total of 60 units;
Each Soliqua pre-filled pen contains 300 units and therefore can be reused until the end of the medication and it is only recommended to change the needle for each use.
See the step-by-step guide to correctly applying the insulin pen at home.
Possible side effects
The most common side effects of using Soliqua include a marked decrease in blood sugar levels, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, and palpitations.
In addition, cases of severe allergy with redness and swelling of the skin, as well as severe itching and difficulty breathing have also been reported. In these cases, treatment should be stopped immediately.
Who should not use
Soliqua is contraindicated for people with type 1 diabetes mellitus, diabetic ketoacidosis, gastroparesis, or with a history of pancreatitis. In addition, it should also not be used in combination with other medicinal products with lixisenatide or other GLP-1 receptor agonist.
In the event of hypoglycaemic seizures or sensitivity to the components of the formula, Soliqua should also not be used.
