iGlarLixi: A Fixed-Ratio Combination of Insulin Glargine 100 U/mL and Lixisenatide for the Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes

Abstract

Objective: To review the safety and efficacy of iGlarLixi, a titratable fixed-ratio combination of insulin glargine 100 U/mL (iGlar) and lixisenatide, a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist. Data Sources: A literature search of MEDLINE for all English-language primary articles through June 2016, using the terms LixiLan, iGlarLixi and insulin glargine and lixisenatide, and a search of abstracts presented at the 2016 Scientific Sessions of the American Diabetes Association were performed. Study Selection and Data Extraction: All studies assessing the efficacy and/or safety of iGlarLixi were evaluated. Data Synthesis: iGlarLixi has been approved in the United States for glycemic control in people with type 2 diabetes (T2D) inadequately controlled with basal insulin (<60 U/d) or lixisenatide. In clinical trials, iGlarLixi was associated with significantly greater reductions from baseline in glycated hemoglobin A_1C (A1C) than iGlar or lixisenatide alone. Reductions in postprandial glucose were also greater with iGlarLixi than with iGlar or lixisenatide. iGlarLixi was weight neutral compared with the weight gain with iGlar and loss with lixisenatide alone, and there was no increase in hypoglycemia with iGlarLixi compared with iGlar despite the greater A1C reduction. Gastrointestinal events, frequently associated with lixisenatide, were less common with iGlarLixi. Potential drawbacks of iGlarLixi include reduced flexibility in dosing and the absence of long-term efficacy and safety data. Conclusions: iGlarLixi is a titratable fixed-ratio combination that shows improved efficacy and comparable or improved safety outcomes relative to its separate constituents, offering an alternative approach to intensification of therapy in T2D.