Frequently asked questions

Your doctor might prescribe Zegluxen^® if your blood sugar is not properly controlled by diet and exercise alone, and you can’t take metformin (another diabetes medicine), to help manage your blood sugar levels^. It may be that current diabetes medicines (such as metformin, pioglitazone, sulfonylurea, sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) and/or insulin) aren’t enough to control your blood sugar levels, in which case your doctor might add Zegluxen^® to your existing treatment plan.¹

Zegluxen^® is a medicine known as a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP1-RA), for use in people with Type 2 diabetes.² It is very similar to a natural hormone called GLP-1 released into the body after eating.³

Zegluxen^® helps your body reduce your blood sugar level, but only when your blood sugar is too high. It also slows food passage through your stomach and can help weight loss.^1-3

Your doctor will advise you. If your current diabetes medicines (such as metformin, pioglitazone, sulfonylurea, sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i)) and/or insulin) aren’t enough to control your blood sugar levels, your doctor might add Zegluxen^® to your existing treatment plan.¹

No, as with other medicines there are potential side effects from taking Zegluxen^®, but these are usually manageable and improve over time. Not everyone will experience them.¹

When initiating treatment with Zegluxen^®, you may experience loss of fluids/dehydration, e.g. through possible vomiting, nausea or diarrhoea. It is important to avoid dehydration by drinking plenty of fluids. Contact your doctor if you have any questions or concerns.¹

Hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar) can affect some people taking Zegluxen^® (up to 1 in 10 people). Being aware of the warning sides of low blood sugar is recommended so you can act appropriately if this occurs. If you experience sudden onset cold sweat, cool pale skin, headache, fast heartbeat, feeling sick, feeling very hungry, changes in vision, feeling sleepy, feeling weak, nervous, anxious, confused, difficulty concentrating, shaking (tremor), you should contact your doctor.¹ Your doctor will tell you how to treat low blood sugar and what to do if you notice these warning signs. Some guidance is also provided below in ‘How do I manage side effects’. You are more likely to experience low blood sugar if you also take a sulfonylurea or insulin.¹ Your doctor may reduce your dose of these medicines before you start using Zegluxen^®.¹

To manage possible dehydration if you have experienced vomiting nausea or diarrhoea, drink plenty of fluids. To manage nausea, it is a good idea get plenty of fresh air, take regular sips of a cold drink, drink ginger or peppermint tea, eat foods containing ginger, such as ginger biscuits, eat smaller more frequent meals and try to distract yourself by listening to music or watching a film.⁴

If your blood sugar level is below 4mmol/L you should eat or drink something that will raise your blood sugar quickly, such as a sugary fizzy drink or a glass of fruit juice, 5 glucose or dextrose tablets, a small handful of sweets or 2 tubes of glucose gel. Wait 10 to 15 minutes then check your blood sugar again. If your blood glucose level remains below 4mmol/ repeat taking the sugary snack or drink. After a further 10 to 15 minutes, you should again check your blood sugar levels. Once your blood sugar is above 4mmol/L you are advised to eat something more substantial that will keep your blood sugar up for longer such as some biscuits or a sandwich or your next meal if it is due.⁵

As with most medicines, there can be some interactions with other medications. Tell your doctor, pharmacist or nurse about any medicines you are taking (including those bought over the counter) before you start using Zegluxen^®. Read the package leaflet for further information.¹

A few cases of anaphylactic reactions with symptoms such as hypotension, palpitations, breathlessness (dyspnoea) and swelling (oedema) have been reported with marketed use of Zegluxen^®. Anaphylactic reactions may potentially be life threatening. If you or someone you are with is having an anaphylactic reaction, contact 999 immediately and follow the steps below. Discontinue Zegluxen^® and do not restart treatment.^1,6,7

• Use an adrenaline auto-injector (such as an EpiPen) if you have one – instructions should be included on the side of the injector.
• Call 999 for an ambulance and say that you think you’re having an anaphylactic reaction.
• Lie down – you can raise your legs, and if you’re struggling to breathe, raise your shoulders or sit up slowly (if you’re pregnant, lie on your left side).
• If your symptoms have not improved after 5 minutes, use a 2nd adrenaline auto-injector.
• Do not stand or walk at any time, even if you feel better.

If you know you are hypersensitive to liraglutide or any other ingredients of this medicine please tell your doctor before it is prescribed. The other ingredients in Zegluxen^® are: sodium citrate dihydrate, propylene glycol, phenol, hydrochloric acid (for pH adjustment) and sodium hydroxide (for pH adjustment) in water.⁶

Zegluxen^® may make some people feel weak or tired. For others, they might experience some difficulty sleeping. This does not affect all those taking Zegluxen^®. This usually occurs during the first three months of treatment however and should resolve in time. For further information please refer to the Side Effects section of this website, or the Patient Information Leaflet.¹ If you have any concerns about your side effects or feel they are unmanageable, please contact your doctor or healthcare professional.

Prior to first use, Zegluxen^® should be stored in a refrigerator(2–8˚C), but kept away from the freezer compartment. Do not freeze.¹

The shelf-life of Zegluxen^® is 24 months, but after first use, should be stored below 30˚C and used within 30 days.¹ Do not use Zegluxen^® after the expiry date which can be found on the pen label and carton after ‘EXP’. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.¹

Remember to keep Zegluxen^® (and all medicines) out of the sight and reach of children.¹ When you are not using the pen, keep the pen cap on to protect the medication from the light.¹ Do not use if the solution is not clear and colourless or almost colourless.¹

Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help protect yourself and the environment.¹

Ideally yes, but there are sometimes unavoidable occasions, during travel, when Zegluxen^® will be out of a temperature-controlled environment. Although evidence has shown that the Zegluxen^® should still be effective for several days at room temperature, refrigerating it whenever possible ensures it is effective.  When travelling by plane, car or train, store your medication in an insulated bag with cold packs to help keep it stored within the correct temperature range. Position the cold packs carefully so they don’t directly touch the Zegluxen^® pen. Remember to also keep the pen out of direct sunlight.⁸

All diabetes medication, supplies, and medical devices are allowed through airport security screenings. You are allowed to fly with your Zegluxen^® pen, along with the disposable needles and any other medical supplies you may need during your travel. Do not pack any medication in your checked luggage.  Hazardous temperature and atmospheric conditions during the flight could damage your meds and you may need access to them.⁸

Once the patent of a drug has expired, other manufacturers can market the same drug under a different name. Essentially, the generic version will be the same because the drug contains the same active ingredient as the branded medicine and is used at the same dose to treat the same disease. Generic medicines are used by the NHS because they are as effective as the original brand but are generally more affordable.⁶

Although there are no known interactions between Zegluxen^® and alcohol, alcohol consumption can affect blood sugar levels. Consuming alcohol during treatment could possibly worsen some of the drug’s side effects, for example, worsened headache or diarrhoea. If you have questions about drinking alcohol whilst taking Zegluxen^®, please discuss with your doctor. ⁹

Addressing type 2 diabetes and establishing glycaemic control can require long-term treatment, but you can support this treatment by following a healthy diet and exercising regularly (see the Healthy Lifestyle section).