Lixisenatide
About
Lixisenatide belongs to the class of 'anti-diabetic medicines' primarily used to improve blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus (non-insulin-dependent diabetes). Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disease that causes high blood sugar levels. It 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) produces little or no insulin at all.
Lixisenatide contains 'Lixisenatide' that belongs to the class of 'incretin mimetics'. Lixisenatide works by increasing insulin release from the pancreas during high blood sugar levels and decreasing the hormones that raise the concentration of blood glucose levels.
Your doctor will decide the dose and duration based on your medical condition. Some common side effects of Lixisenatide include headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, dizziness, upset stomach, constipation, and injection site reactions like pain/swelling/itching. 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 Lixisenatide, let your doctor know if you have a history of heart, kidney or liver diseases. Do not take or stop this medicine if the doctor did not advise you. It is advised to limit your alcohol intake while using Lixisenatide to avoid low blood sugar levels further. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should consult their doctor before starting Lixisenatide. Lixisenatide may cause hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar levels) and dizziness affecting your driving ability; hence drive or operate machinery only when you feel better. Lixisenatide is not recommended for children and adolescents under 18 years of age.
Uses of Lixisenatide
Medicinal Benefits
Lixisenatide comprises 'Lixisenatide.' It is an incretin mimetic 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 meals) and decreases the amount of sugar the liver makes. Lixisenatide is used as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycaemic control.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Lixisenatide
- Headache
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Dizziness
- Upset stomach
- Constipation
- Injection site reactions like pain/swelling/itching
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Brief your medical history to the doctor if you have any heart, kidney or liver diseases, pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), dehydration, digestion problems, gall stones, gastroparesis (delayed gastric emptying), hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar levels), or type 1 diabetes before starting Lixisenatide. 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 Lixisenatide to avoid low blood sugar levels further. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should consult their doctor before starting this medication. Lixisenatide may make you feel dizzy, hence drive and operate machinery only when you feel better. Lixisenatide is not recommended for children and adolescents under 18 years of age.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: Lixisenatide may interact with high blood pressure medicines (propranolol, metoprolol) and glaucoma eye drops (timolol). If you take antibiotics or birth control pills, maintain a gap of at least an hour before using Lixisenatide.
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 using Lixisenatide if you have a medical history of allergic reactions to medicines, heart, kidney or liver diseases, dehydration, digestion problems, pancreatitis, gastroparesis, gall bladder disease, or hypoglycaemia. Lixisenatide is contraindicated in patients with diabetic ketoacidosis (diabetes complication where the body produces excess blood acids (ketones)).
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
cautionIf you are pregnant, consult your doctor before taking Lixisenatide. Your doctor may prescribe this medicine if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Breast Feeding
cautionThere is no sufficient data on how Lixisenatide affects breastfeeding. If you are a nursing mother, please seek medical advice before using Lixisenatide.
Driving
cautionLixisenatide may cause hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar levels) and dizziness affecting your driving ability; hence drive or operate machinery only when you feel better.
Liver
cautionInform your doctor if you have a pre-existing or a history of liver disease before taking Lixisenatide.
Kidney
cautionInform your doctor if you have a pre-existing or a history of kidney disease before taking Lixisenatide.
Children
unsafeLixisenatide is not recommended for children and adolescents under 18 years of age.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Maintain a fibre-rich diet and include healthy carbohydrates from fruits, vegetables and whole grains to maintain blood glucose levels.
- Eat at regular intervals.
- Monitor 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 and avoiding carbonated drinks and foods that cause gas.
Special Advise
- It is advised to monitor your blood sugar levels regularly.
- Lixisenatide is not indicated for patients with type 1 diabetes or diabetic ketoacidosis.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Diabetes mellitus, or adult-onset diabetes, is a metabolic disease that causes high blood sugar levels. It is 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) produces little or no insulin at all. This disease mostly occurs in people 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
Lixisenatide contains Lixisenatide, which increases the insulin release from the pancreas when your body has high blood glucose levels. Thus, Lixisenatide helps lower the blood sugar levels in type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Lixisenatide may cause low blood sugar levels (hypoglycaemia), making you hungry, dizzy, irritable, confused, anxious, or shaky. To immediately treat hypoglycaemia, eating or drinking fast-acting sugar sources like fruit juices, hard candy, raisins, or non-diet soda is advised.
Your doctor may advise Lixisenatide with or without other anti-diabetic medications based on your blood sugar levels.
