Insulin degludec + liraglutide: a complementary combination

ABSTRACT

Introduction: The treatment of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus remains challenging, as it goes beyond adequate glycemic control, in particular addressing weight, blood pressure and other contributors to cardiovascular disease. In addition, the progressive nature of type 2 diabetes mellitus demands the intensification and combination of glucose lowering therapies. In many patients, there is a clinical inertia for the initiation of insulin therapy, leading to failure in reaching glycemic targets in many patients.

Areas covered: Recently a fixed-ratio combination therapy of the basal insulin degludec and the glucagon-like peptide-1 analogue liraglutide has been developed and approved by the EMA. The rationale for this combination, as well as an overview of the published phase III clinical trials (DUAL I,II,V), are covered, highlighting the most important conclusions.

Expert opinion: The combination therapy of insulin degludec and liraglutide is an attractive therapeutic strategy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus as it gives a robust glycemic control with a low risk for hypoglycemia and less weight gain or even weight loss. The fixed-ratio combination of insulin degludec and liraglutide offers a smart therapeutic strategy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus where basal insulin needs to be initiated or intensified.

KEYWORDS:

• Degludec
• Liraglutide
• IDegLira
• type 2 diabetes mellitus

Declaration of interest

C Mathieu serves or has served on the advisory panel for Novo Nordisk, Sanofi Aventis, Merck Sharp and Dohme Ltd., Eli Lilly and Company, Novartis, Bristol-Myers Squibb, AstraZeneca, Pfizer Inc, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Boehringer Ingelheim, Hanmi and Mannkind. Furthermore, C Mathieu serves or has served on the speakers’ bureau for Novo Nordisk, Sanofi Aventis, Merck Sharp and Dohme, Eli Lilly and Company, AstraZeneca and Novartis. KU Leuven has received research support from Novo Nordisk, Sanofi Aventis, Merck Sharp and Dohme Ltd., Eli Lilly and Company, Roche, Abbott and Novartis. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

Additional information

Funding

This manuscript has not been funded.