Lixisenatide (Adlyxin)
A short-acting, once-daily GLP-1 shot for type 2 diabetes. Mostly used today in a combo pen with insulin glargine (Soliqua).
- Evidence
- Extensive clinical research
- Half-life
- ~3 hours
- Sources
- 2 cited
Is lixisenatide FDA-approved?
FDA-approved in 2016 as Adlyxin. The stand-alone US product has since been discontinued; it's still sold combined with insulin glargine as Soliqua.
Overview
Lixisenatide mainly blunts the blood sugar spike after a meal by slowing the stomach. In the ELIXA trial in people with type 2 diabetes and a recent heart attack or unstable angina, it was safe for the heart but didn't lower heart events.
How it works
A short-acting GLP-1 agonist. Its strongest effect is slowing stomach emptying, which flattens the sugar rise after the meal it's taken before.
How long does lixisenatide stay in the body?
About 3 hours. Levels peak 1–3.5 hours after a shot.
What it's studied for
- After-meal blood sugar in type 2 diabetes
- Heart safety
Reported side effects
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache
- Low blood sugar with insulin or sulfonylureas
Related: Exenatide, Retatrutide, Dulaglutide, Cagrilintide.
Sources
The studies and prescribing labels this page is written from.
- Lixisenatide in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes and Acute Coronary Syndrome (ELIXA). N Engl J Med, 2015 PubMed
- Cardiovascular, mortality, and kidney outcomes with GLP-1 receptor agonists: meta-analysis. Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol, 2019 PubMed
