title: Insulin degludec/liraglutide (IDegLira) for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.
abstract: The progressive nature of type 2 diabetes necessitates that treatment is intensified as the disease advances. Several studies have shown that basal insulin and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) can be used in combination to successfully improve glycemic control and this combination is increasingly being considered as an alternative to intensification with prandial insulin. Insulin degludec/liraglutide (IDegLira) is the first fixed-ratio combination of a basal insulin and a GLP-1RA in a single formulation. Here we consider the benefits and potential limitations of such a combination, focusing on the unique modes of action of insulin degludec and the once-daily GLP-1RA liraglutide. IDegLira offers an efficacious combination therapy (mean end-of-trial HbA1cwas 6.4-6.9% across the five completed Phase 3 trials), which was well-tolerated in clinical trials. The complementary modes of action resulted in a low rate of hypoglycemia and no weight gain in insulin-treated patients. As a once-daily injection with effects on both fasting and post prandial hyperglycemia, IDegLira has the potential to help many patients reach glycemic target (60-81% of patients achieved HbA1c<7% in clinical trials).
authors.affiliation: Oxford Centre for Diabetes Endocrinology and Metabolism, NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, Churchill Hospital , Headington, Oxford , UK.
authors.forename: Stephen Cl
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Gough
authors.affiliation: Endocrinology, Aurora Advanced Healthcare , Milwaukee , WI , USA.
authors.forename: Rajeev
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Jain
authors.affiliation: Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, University of Manitoba , Winnipeg , MB , Canada.
authors.forename: Vincent C
authors.initials: VC
authors.lastname: Woo
keywords: IDegLira; glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist; insulin; type 2 diabetes