Lixisenatide
Description
Lixisenatide is a medicine used to help manage type 2 diabetes by supporting yo
ur body in controlling blood sugar levels throughout the day. It works by mimicking a natural hormone that helps your pancreas release insulin when your blood sugar rises, slowing the movement of food from your stomach to your intestines and reducing the amount of sugar your liver makes. These actions together help prevent sudden spikes in blood sugar after meals and improve overall glucose control. It is important to use this medicine exactly as your doctor advised and to share your complete medical history, especially if you have stomach or digestive problems. If your blood sugar does not improve as expected or you develop unusual symptoms, please contact your doctor promptly.
Uses
- Lixisenatide is used to lower blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes by acting like the natural incretin hormones in the body.
Contraindications
When should one not use Lixisenatide
If you are allergic to lixisenatide.
If you have diabetic ketoacidosis, you should not use lixisenatide.
If you have type 1 diabetes mellitus, avoid using lixisenatide as it is not effective for this condition.
If you have severe gastrointestinal disease (such as severe gastroparesis), you should not use lixisenatide.
If you have a history of pancreatitis, use lixisenatide with caution and inform your doctor before starting it.
If you develop symptoms of acute pancreatitis (persistent, severe abdominal pain), stop using lixisenatide immediately and seek medical care.
If you are suspected or confirmed to have pancreatitis, lixisenatide should not be restarted.
If you experience severe vomiting, nausea, or diarrhoea, take precautions to avoid dehydration and inform your doctor....
Side effects
Common side effects of this drug are:
- Hypoglycaemia (in combination with a sulphonylurea and/or a
- basal insulin)
- Headache
- Nausea and Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
Precautions and Warnings
Pregnancy
Q:
Can I take Lixisenatide during pregnancy?
A:
No, if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, you should not take lixisenatide. There is not enough safety information in pregnant women, and animal studies have shown possible harm to the baby. Insulin is the preferred and safer option during pregnancy. If you become pregnant while using lixisenatide, you should stop the medicine and contact your doctor immediately.
Breast Feeding
Q:
Can I take Lixisenatide while breastfeeding?
A:
No, it is unknown if lixisenatide is excreted in human milk. Lixisenatide
should not be used during breastfeeding.
Driving
Q:
Can I drive if I have consumed Lixisenatide?
A:
Lixisenatide itself doesn’t usually affect your ability to drive or use machines. However, if you’re taking it along with a sulphonylurea or basal insulin, your blood sugar may drop, which can make you feel dizzy or shaky. In that case, be cautious while driving and make sure you can recognise and manage low-sugar symptoms before getting behind the wheel.
Alcohol
Q:
Can I consume alcohol with Lixisenatide?
A:
It’s better to be cautious with alcohol while taking Lixisenatide because alcohol can affect your blood sugar levels. Both alcohol and this medicine may increase the chances of low blood sugar, especially if you drink on an empty stomach or drink too much. If you choose to drink, keep it moderate, avoid drinking on an empty stomach, and watch for symptoms like dizziness, sweating, shakiness, or confusion. If you are unsure whether it’s safe for you, ask your doctor for personalised advice.
Other General Warnings
Talk to your doctor if
- You experience persistent, severe abdominal pain, as this may be a sign of pancreatitis.
- You have a history of pancreatitis before starting Lixisenatide.
- You notice signs of dehydration, such as dizziness, dry mouth, or reduced urination, especially if you have gastrointestinal side effects.
- You have type 1 diabetes or diabetic ketoacidosis, as Lixisenatide should not be used in these conditions.
- You are planning to become pregnant, or if you become pregnant while taking Lixisenatide.
- You have kidney or liver problems before starting this medicine.
- You experience severe nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea that may affect your hydration or electrolyte balance.
- You are taking other anti-diabetic medications to monitor for potential low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).
Mode of Action
How Does It Work?
Lixisenatide works by mimicking a natural hormone in your body called GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1). After meals, this hormone helps lower blood sugar by increasing the release of insulin, reducing the amount of sugar released by the liver, and slowing down the movement of food from your stomach to your intestines. By acting like GLP-1, lixisenatide helps control post-meal sugar spikes, improves overall blood sugar levels, and supports better diabetes management in people with type 2 diabetes....
Interactions
Interactions with other medicines
- Lixisenatide may slow down the movement of food in the stomach, which can affect how other oral medicines are absorbed. Always inform your doctor if you take tablets that must be absorbed quickly.
- It can increase the effect of other diabetes medicines, especially insulin or sulfonylureas, which may lead to low blood sugar. Your doctor may adjust doses to prevent hypoglycaemia.
- Medicines that cause stomach irritation or delayed gastric emptying (like certain painkillers or anticholinergic drugs) may increase nausea when taken with Lixisenatide.
- If you take oral contraceptive pills, use them at least one hour before or 11 hours after Lixisenatide to ensure proper absorption.
- Avoid combining with other GLP-1 receptor agonists unless advised, as this may increase side effects without additional benefit.
- Always inform your doctor if you are taking medicines for high BP, heart problems, stomach problems, antibiotics, or thyroid issues, so they can check if any adjustments are needed.
Dosage
Overdose
- Overdose with lixisenatide is uncommon, but if it happens, it can cause symptoms like severe nausea, vomiting, dizziness, or very low blood sugar, especially if taken along with other diabetes medicines. If you have taken more than the prescribed amount, monitor your symptoms closely, take quick sugar if you feel shaky or weak, and seek medical help immediately. Always follow the dose recommended by your doctor to avoid such effects....
Missed a Dose
If you forget to take your Lixisenatide dose at the usual time, take it as soon as you remember on the same day, provided it is at least 1 hour before your next meal. If you remember very late or are close to your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule. Do not take an extra dose to make up for the one you missed. If you frequently forget doses, speak with your doctor for guidance....
Content Details
WRITTEN BY
Ravindra Ghongade
B. Pharm
REVIEWED BY
Dr. Nikita Toshi
BDS (Bachelor of Dental Surgery), WHO FIDES member
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What is Lixisenatide used for?
A: Lixisenatide is a medicine used to help manage type 2 diabetes by lowering blood sugar levels, especially when diet and exercise alone are not enough. It helps the body release insulin when blood sugar is high and reduces the amount of sugar produced by the liver.
Q: How does Lixisenatide work?
- Lixisenatide works by mimicking a natural hormone called GLP-1. It increases insulin release when needed, slows stomach emptying to prevent blood sugar spikes after meals, and reduces sugar production in the liver....
Q: What precautions should I take while using Lixisenatide?
- Consult your doctor if you experience severe abdominal pain, signs of dehydration, kidney or liver problems, severe nausea or vomiting, or if you are taking other anti-diabetic medicines.
References
- Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care Board. Lixisenatide (Lyxumia®) — Prescribing Information Sheet, Updated November 2020 [Internet]. UK: BLMK ICB; 2020 [cited 2025 Dec 8].
- Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO). Drugs: Approved Drugs / Vaccines / r-DNA / Blood Products [Internet]. Government of India; [cited 2025 Dec 8].
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Disclaimer
The information provided herein is supplied to the best of our abilities to make it accurate and reliable as it is published after a review by a team of professionals. This information is solely intended to provide a general overview on the product and must be used for informational purposes only. You should not use the information provided herein to diagnose, prevent, or cure a health problem. Nothing contained on this page is intended to create a doctor-patient relationship, replace or be a substitute for a registered medical practitioner's medical treatment/advice or consultation. The absence of any information or warning to any medicine shall not be considered and assumed as an implied assurance. We highly recommend that you consult your registered medical practitioner for all queries or doubts related to your medical condition. You hereby agree that you shall not make any health or medical-related decision based in whole or in part on anything contained in the Site. Please click here for detailed T&C.
Medicines containing Lixisenatide
LYXUMIA 20MCG PRE FILLED PEN OF 3ML SOLUTION FOR INJECTION
By SANOFI
3ml Solution For Injection in Pre Filled Syringe
MRP ₹4114.00*
Out of Stock
LYXUMIA 10MCG PRE FILLED PEN OF 3ML SOLUTION FOR INJECTION
By SANOFI
3ml Solution For Injection in Pre Filled Pen
MRP ₹4114.00*
Out of Stock
