Liraglutide
About
Liraglutide belongs to the class of anti-diabetic drugs, primarily used to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus in the children above 10 years and adult. Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disease that causes high blood sugar levels. Type 2 diabetes occurs when a hormone released by the pancreas to lower blood glucose called 'insulin' is secreted but unable to get utilized by our body's cell to produce energy.
Liraglutide contains Liraglutide a recombinant Deoxyribonucleic acid (rDNA) which works by increasing insulin release from the pancreas during high blood sugar levels (after meal) and decreases the amount of sugar the liver makes. Liraglutide also slows stomach emptying time, thereby decreasing appetite and promotes weight loss in an individual.
Some common side effects of Liraglutide include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, decreased appetite, stomach upset, constipation, headache, feeling tired, rash, and dizziness. These side effects are not familiar to everyone and vary individually. If you notice any side effects that are not manageable, please consult your doctor.
Before starting Liraglutide, let your doctor know if you have any medical history of heart, kidney or liver diseases, pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), and stomach disorders like gastroparesis (delayed gastric emptying). Do not take or stop this medicine, if the doctor did not advise you to do so. Do not concurrently use Liraglutide with prandial insulin (mealtime insulin). It is advised to limit your alcohol intake while using Liraglutide to avoid low blood sugar levels further. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should consult their doctor before starting Liraglutide.
Uses of Liraglutide
Medicinal Benefits
Liraglutide treats type 2 diabetes mellitus and contains ‘Liraglutide’. It is a recombinant DNA (rDNA) that mimics the action of a natural hormone called Incretin (metabolic hormone, which stimulates a decrease in blood glucose levels). It works by increasing insulin release from the pancreas during high blood sugar levels (after meal) and decreases the amount of sugar the liver makes. Liraglutide may be advised with or without other medications along with diet and exercise to control blood sugar levels.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Liraglutide
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Decreased appetite
- Stomach upset
- Constipation
- Headache
- Feeling tired
- Rash
- Dizziness
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Brief your medical history if you have any heart, kidney or liver diseases, pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), stomach disorders like gastroparesis (delayed gastric emptying), high cholesterol levels, gallbladder problems, and depression before starting Liraglutide. Liraglutide is contraindicated in patients with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (tumours in thyroid and parathyroid glands) and personal or family history of thyroid cancer. Do not concurrently use Liraglutide with prandial insulin (mealtime insulin). If you are also using insulin, take Liraglutide and insulin injections separately. Please do not mix them. You can inject both injections in the same body region, but the injection sites should not be next to each other. Do not share an injection pen, cartridge, or syringe with another person, even if the needle is changed. It is advised to limit your alcohol intake while using Liraglutide to avoid low blood sugar levels further. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should consult their doctor before starting this medication. Liraglutide is advised to be only used in children above ten years of age and adults.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: Liraglutide may interact with other anti-diabetic medicines (insulin glargine, insulin degludec), hormones (levothyroxine), corticosteroids (prednisone), psychiatric medicines (olanzapine), antibiotics (ciprofloxacin), high blood pressure medicines (propranolol, metoprolol), and glaucoma eye drops (timolol).
Drug-Food Interaction: Limit alcohol intake since it affects blood sugar levels. Avoid fatty foods and include healthy carbohydrates in your diet.
Drug-Disease Interaction: Tell your doctor before taking Liraglutide if you have a medical history of allergic reactions to medicines, heart, kidney or liver diseases, pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), stomach disorders like gastroparesis (delayed gastric emptying), high cholesterol levels, gallbladder problems, and depression. Liraglutide is contraindicated in patients with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (tumours in thyroid and parathyroid glands) and personal or family history of thyroid cancer.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionIt is advised to limit alcohol intake since it may worsen the side effects and increase the risk of developing low blood sugar levels.
Pregnancy
cautionAnimal studies of Liraglutide showed harmful effects on the foetus. It is advised to use Liraglutide in pregnancy only if the benefit outweighs the risk. Please consult your doctor before starting Liraglutide if you are pregnant or planning to conceive.
Breast Feeding
cautionThere is no sufficient data on how Liraglutide affects breastfeeding. It is safe to seek medical advice before you start Liraglutide if you are lactating.
Driving
cautionYour driving may be affected if your blood sugar levels are too high or too low. Do not drive or operate machinery if you also experience blurred vision, dizziness or drowsiness due to extremely low or high blood sugar.
Liver
cautionLet your doctor know if you have any history of liver diseases or hepatic impairment when prescribed Liraglutide.
Kidney
cautionLet your doctor know if you have any history of kidney diseases when you are prescribed Liraglutide.
Children
cautionLiraglutide is advised to be only used in children above 10 years of age. Your doctor may provide further information on the dosage for your child.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Maintain a fibre-rich diet and include healthy carbohydrates from fruits, vegetables and whole grains to maintain your blood glucose levels.
- Eat at regular intervals.
- Keep a check on your weight and exercise regularly to keep your heart healthy.
- Your doctor also guides you on noticing and managing the early symptoms of high/low blood sugar levels.
- Gastrointestinal side effects can be managed with simple modifications in your lifestyle. These include cutting down on sugars and fatty foods, avoiding carbonated drinks and foods that cause gas.
Special Advise
- Liraglutide may increase the risk of developing thyroid gland tumour, including medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC - a type of thyroid cancer).
- Never reuse insulin needles and never share needles or insulin pens.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Diabetes mellitus: Also known as adult-onset diabetes, is a metabolic disease that causes high blood sugar levels. It is a type 2 diabetes and occurs when the insulin (a hormone produced by the beta cells of the pancreas) is resistant in breaking the glucose to produce energy (insulin resistance) or the pancreas (an organ behind the stomach) produce little or no insulin at all. This disease mostly occurs in people aged above 40 years, but can also occur in childhood based on the risk factors. The treatment includes oral glucose-lowering medicines and insulin shots.
FAQs
Liraglutide contains Liraglutide that increases the insulin release from the pancreas after meals when your body has high blood glucose levels. Thus, Liraglutide helps in lowering the blood sugar levels in type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Liraglutide may cause low blood sugar levels (hypoglycaemia) and can make you hungry, dizzy, irritable, confused, anxious, or shaky. Hence, it is advised to take Liraglutide with a meal. To immediately treat hypoglycaemia, it is advised to eat or drink fast-acting sugar sources like fruit juices, hard candy, raisins, or non-diet soda.
Your doctor may advise Liraglutide with or without other medications to control your blood sugar levels. However, it is advised to avoid simultaneous use of Liraglutide with prandial insulin (mealtime insulin). If you are also using insulin, take Liraglutide and insulin injections separately. Please do not mix them. You can inject both injections in the same body region, but the injection sites should not be next to each other.
Liraglutide should be used with caution in heart, kidney or liver diseases, pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), stomach disorders like gastroparesis (delayed gastric emptying), high cholesterol levels, gallbladder problems, and depression. Liraglutide is contraindicated in patients with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (tumours in thyroid and parathyroid glands) and personal or family history of thyroid cancer.
Take the missed dose as soon as possible. However, if it is time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double the dose.
Store the unused Liraglutide pen in a refrigerator at 2°C to 8°C. After its initial use, store Liraglutide at room temperature of 15°C to 30°C or in refrigerator and use within 30 days. Do not freeze Liraglutide. Do not use Liraglutide if it is frozen.
