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, as long as it is associated with a balanced diet and regular 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 you to adjust the dose administered, according to the blood glucose values.
Price and where to buy
Soliqua was approved by Anvisa but is not yet being sold, however, it can be found in conventional pharmacies, after presenting a prescription, in the form of boxes with 5 pens of 3 mL.
How to use
The initial dose of Soliqua should be indicated by the endocrinologist, as it depends on the amount of basal insulin used previously. However, the general guidelines recommend:
- Initial dose of 15 units, 1 hour before the first meal of the day, which can be increased to a total of 60 units;
Each Soliqua pre-filled pen contains 300 units and, therefore, can be reused until the end of the medicine, it is only recommended to change the needle each time.
See step-by-step instructions for 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 have also been reported, as well as severe itching and difficulty breathing. 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 drugs with lixisenatide or another GLP-1 receptor agonist.
In the case of hypoglycemic attacks or sensitivity to the components of the formula, Soliqua should also not be used.
