Fixed combination of insulin degludec/liraglutide in the treatment of type 2 diabetes diabetes mellitus
Abstract
Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a progressive disease requiring stepwise treatment intensification including the eventual use of insulin therapy due to a progressive decline of endogenous insulin secretion. Insulin therapy initiation or intensification is often delayed owing among other reasons to its side effects - risk of hypoglycaemia and increase in body weight.
GLP-1 receptor agonists are very effective treatment modality of type 2 diabetes combining excellent efficacy with low risk of hypoglycaemia and decrease in blood pressure and body weight. In this paper, we summarize the efficacy and safety of a new fixed injectable combination of long-acting insulin degludec and GLP-1 receptor agonist liraglutide in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
This combination yields better efficacy than its individual components together with a simple application in one s.c. injection daily. Other advantages of IDegLira include good safety profile with modest decrease of body weight and lower risk of hypoglycaemia as compared to treatment with basal insulin alone.