A GLP-1 injection for type 2 diabetes
Lixisenatide
An injectable medicine that helps lower blood sugar in type 2 diabetes, working with the body's own blood-sugar controls.
What is Lixisenatide?
Lixisenatide is a medicine used to help control blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes. It belongs to a group called GLP-1 receptor agonists, which copy a natural gut hormone that prompts the body to release insulin after meals, slows the stomach and reduces appetite. It is given as an injection under the skin and is usually added when other diabetes medicines are not enough. The most common side effects are feeling sick and other tummy upsets, which often settle over time. On its own it does not usually cause low blood sugar, but the risk rises if it is combined with certain other diabetes medicines.
Education and reference only. This is a plain-language guide to Lixisenatide — it deliberately contains no doses. Doses depend on the person, the brand and the reason for treatment, and belong with your prescriber. Always check the BNF, the product labelling (SmPC) and follow medical advice.
What it is
Lixisenatide is an injectable medicine for type 2 diabetes, a condition where the body cannot control blood sugar properly. It belongs to a group of medicines known as GLP-1 receptor agonists, which act like a natural hormone the gut releases after eating. It is given as an injection under the skin and is generally used alongside other diabetes treatments, such as tablets or insulin, when blood sugar is not well enough controlled. It is prescribed as part of a wider plan that also includes diet and physical activity.
How it works
Lixisenatide copies a natural gut hormone called GLP-1, which the body releases after meals. It prompts the pancreas to release more insulin when blood sugar is high, which is why it is less likely to cause low blood sugar on its own. It also slows down how quickly the stomach empties and reduces appetite, which helps blunt the rise in blood sugar after eating and can support some weight loss. Because it works mainly around mealtimes, it is taken with this in mind, and it is often combined with other medicines that work in different ways.
Company & origin
Originated / developed by: Specialist manufacturer.
A medicine used in the UK to help control blood sugar in type 2 diabetes, given as an injection under the skin.
What it treats
Conditions Lixisenatide is used for
Practical use
How to take Lixisenatide
General, dose-free guidance — always follow your prescriber's and the leaflet's specific instructions.
- Inject it under the skin as your team has shown you, usually around a main meal as advised.
- Use a fresh needle each time and rotate the injection sites to look after your skin.
- Be aware that, with insulin or certain tablets, the risk of low blood sugar rises, so know its signs and how to treat it.
- Tell your team if feeling sick is troublesome, especially early on, as it usually eases with time.
- Keep up your diet and physical activity plan, as the medicine works best alongside these.
Weighing it up
Advantages & disadvantages of Lixisenatide
Advantages
- Helps control blood sugar in type 2 diabetes and can support some weight loss.
- On its own it is unlikely to cause low blood sugar, as it mainly works when blood sugar is high.
- Works with the body's natural mealtime blood-sugar controls and can be added to other treatments.
Disadvantages
- Must be given as an injection under the skin rather than taken as a tablet.
- Commonly causes feeling sick and other tummy upsets, especially when treatment first starts.
- The risk of low blood sugar rises when it is combined with insulin or sulfonylurea tablets.
Practical use
Good to know
A helpful thing to know is that, used on its own, lixisenatide does not usually cause low blood sugar, because it mainly boosts insulin when blood sugar is high; however, the risk does rise if it is used with insulin or with certain tablets such as sulfonylureas, and the doses of those may need adjusting. Feeling sick is the most common side effect, especially when treatment first starts, and this usually eases over time; eating smaller meals can help. It is given as an injection under the skin, so you or a carer will be shown how to do this. Because it slows the stomach, it can affect how some other medicines are absorbed, so timing around it is sometimes advised. As with other medicines in this group, you should be aware of the rare warning signs of pancreatitis, such as severe, persistent tummy pain.
Who should not take it / use with caution
- People who have had a serious allergic reaction to lixisenatide should not use it.
- It is generally avoided in people with severe kidney problems or severe digestive conditions, under medical guidance.
- It is not used in type 1 diabetes; pregnancy and breastfeeding are decided with your team, who would usually use other treatments.
Monitoring
- Checking blood sugar control over time to see how well it is working.
- Reviewing weight and any tummy side effects at follow-up.
- Watching kidney function, particularly if you become unwell or dehydrated.
Side effects
- Feeling sick, being sick, diarrhoea or other tummy upset, especially early in treatment.
- Low blood sugar, mainly when used with insulin or sulfonylurea tablets.
- Rarely, inflammation of the pancreas, which causes severe, persistent tummy pain and needs urgent medical attention.
Key interactions
- With insulin or sulfonylurea tablets, the risk of low blood sugar rises, so doses may need adjusting.
- Because it slows the stomach, it can affect how quickly some other medicines are absorbed, so timing is sometimes advised.
- Tell your team about all your medicines, as a full list helps keep treatment safe.
Available as: A solution for injection under the skin, given using a pen device.
Answers
Lixisenatide: frequently asked questions
What is lixisenatide used for?
It is used to help control blood sugar in type 2 diabetes, copying a natural gut hormone that boosts insulin after meals, slows the stomach and reduces appetite.
Will it cause low blood sugar?
On its own it usually does not, because it mainly works when blood sugar is high, but the risk rises if it is combined with insulin or certain diabetes tablets.
Why do I feel sick on it?
Feeling sick is the most common side effect, especially when treatment first starts; it usually settles over time, and smaller meals can help.
How is it taken?
It is given as an injection under the skin using a pen device, usually around a main meal, and your team will show you how to do it.
Can it help with weight?
Because it reduces appetite and slows the stomach, it can support some weight loss alongside diet and physical activity, though it is mainly a blood-sugar medicine.
Authoritative sources
- BNF
- NICE CKS
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