Xultophy 100/3.6: A Guide to the Daily Combo Pen
Xultophy combines insulin degludec and liraglutide in one daily pen. How the fixed ratio works, injection timing, side effects and storage.
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Key takeaways
Xultophy 100/3.6 contains insulin degludec and liraglutide in a fixed ratio. You inject it once a day at the same time, with or without food. Your prescriber sets and adjusts the dose in units, and the label caps the daily dose because each unit also delivers liraglutide.
Xultophy at a glance
| Generic name | insulin degludec + liraglutide |
|---|---|
| Made by | Novo Nordisk |
| Type | Basal insulin + GLP-1 receptor agonist combination |
| Form | Prefilled pen |
| How often | Once daily |
| United States | FDA-approved. |
| Canada | Check the Drug Product Database. |
What is in the pen
Each mL holds 100 units of degludec, an ultra-long-acting basal insulin, and 3.6 mg of liraglutide, the GLP-1 in Victoza. Together they target fasting and after-meal sugar with one injection.
Starting and adjusting
The starting dose depends on what you used before. Adjustments are usually made every few days from fasting readings, following a plan from your care team. Keep a simple log of fasting glucose and doses to bring to appointments.
Side effects
Expect possible nausea in the first weeks from the liraglutide part, and the risk of low blood sugar from the insulin part. Xultophy carries the thyroid C-cell boxed warning.
- Eat smaller meals and stop as soon as you feel full — the medicine makes fullness arrive earlier.
- Go easy on fatty, fried and very sweet foods in the days after a dose increase.
- Sip water through the day; vomiting or diarrhea can dehydrate you and strain the kidneys.
- Tell your prescriber if nausea lasts — staying on a lower dose longer is a common fix.
Storage
Refrigerate unused pens. Once in use, a pen lasts up to 21 days at room temperature or in the fridge.
Frequently asked questions
Can Xultophy replace my separate insulin and GLP-1?
That is often the goal, but switching must be planned by your prescriber, who will set a new starting dose.
Does the time of day matter?
Inject at the same time each day; it can be taken with or without food.
Can I use it with another GLP-1?
No — it already contains liraglutide.
Keep reading
Sources
Checked against these primary sources on .
General information based on the official label. It does not replace advice from your prescriber or pharmacist.