Soliqua for diabetes control? Let's learn about this drug in simple terms (Soliqua for Type 2 Diabetes)

Do you also have diabetes, that is, 'sugar disease'? Then you probably know how challenging it is sometimes to manage it. Many people in our country have Type 2 Diabetes. So there are many types of medications used for this. Today we are going to talk about one such drug, 'Soliqua', which helps in controlling diabetes.

First of all, what is Type 2 Diabetes?

Simply put, this is when our blood sugar, or glucose, levels are higher than normal. There are two main reasons why this can happen. One is that our pancreas, which produces the hormone insulin, does not produce enough insulin. The other is that the body is unable to properly use the insulin it produces.

This is a chronic condition. Some people can manage it with a good diet and exercise alone, but others may need a combination of medications.

There are several common symptoms of type 2 diabetes. You may have experienced some of these yourself.

Your doctor will monitor your diabetes by checking your blood sugar levels, especially with a test called HbA1c (hemoglobin A1c) . This HbA1c test can show what your average blood sugar levels have been like over the past 2-3 months . Soliqua is a medication that helps lower your blood sugar levels and HbA1c.

How does the drug Soliqua work?

Although Soliqua looks like one drug, it contains a combination of two medications .

1. Insulin glargine: This is a long-acting type of insulin. It works by giving your body extra insulin. Insulin helps move sugar from the blood into the body's cells to be used for energy, and stops the liver from making new sugar.

2. Lixisenatide: This is a drug in a class called GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) agonist. It does three main things. One is to help the pancreas make more insulin. The second is to prevent sugar stored in the liver from entering the blood. The third is to slow down the rate at which food moves through the intestines, which helps control the sudden spike in blood sugar levels after eating.

How do you use this medicine?

Soliqua comes as an injectable pen that can be used as an injection.

• This should be taken once a day , one hour before the first main meal of the day.
• There are three places to give the injection: the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm.
• It is very important to change the area you apply the cream to, rather than always touching the same area. This will help prevent potential skin problems (e.g., thickening of the skin, formation of lumps).
• Do not inject into areas with wounds, bruises, or damaged skin.
• Never use more than the dosage prescribed by your doctor.
• Do not mix Soliqua with any other type of insulin.
• Very important: Never share your needles with anyone else or reuse a used needle.

Your doctor will determine the right dose for you based on your blood sugar levels, exercise level, diet, stress levels, and other medical conditions. Ask your doctor how often you should check your blood sugar levels while taking this medication.

What are the side effects and how can they be managed?

Like any medicine, Soliqua can cause side effects. However, not everyone gets them. The most common side effects are:

• Low blood sugar levels (Hypoglycemia)
• Nausea
• Sore throat, cold-like symptoms
• Diarrhea
• Headache

Low blood sugar levels (Hypoglycemia) - Be especially careful about this!

This is the most important and urgent side effect of Soliqua. Hypoglycemia is when your blood sugar level drops to 70 mg/dL or lower. If you experience these symptoms, you need to act quickly.

What about other side effects?

• For nausea: Avoid spicy and oily foods. Eat small amounts of food rather than eating a lot at once. Drink plenty of water.
• To ease the stomachache: Eat light foods like rice and bananas. Drink plenty of water and fluids. Reduce coffee and tea.
• Sore throat, cold, headache: If you experience any of these symptoms, talk to your doctor and get appropriate treatment.

If any of these side effects become severe or persist, be sure to inform your doctor.

Can Soliqua interact with other medications? (Drug Interactions)

Yes. This is very important. Soliqua can interact with other medications you are taking. So it is essential to tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking (including vitamins, supplements, and herbal remedies) .

• Medications that increase the risk of low blood sugar: Taking Soliqua with other medications for diabetes, some blood pressure medications (ACE inhibitors, ARBs), aspirin, and some psychiatric medications (fluoxetine) can cause blood sugar levels to drop too low.
• Medications that reduce the effectiveness of Soliqua: Steroids (prednisone), some psychiatric medications, birth control pills, and thyroid hormone medications can reduce the effectiveness of Soliqua.
• Birth control pills, antibiotics, acetaminophen: Because Soliqua slows down the rate at which food moves through the intestines, these medications can interfere with the body's absorption of the drug. Therefore, doctors usually advise taking these medications an hour before a Soliqua injection.

You will know if the medicine is working when your blood sugar levels and HbA1c levels gradually decrease. This can take some time. So be patient, follow your doctor's instructions, and continue taking the treatment.