How Adlyxin Will Affect Your Life Insurance Rates

New medications are constantly being developed, tested, and approved for use, especially regarding diseases that are as complex and widespread as diabetes. One of the newest medications to be approved for diabetes patients is Adlyxin, which is a drug that’s injected directly into the body and designed for patients with type 2 diabetes.

Adlyxin Defined

Adlyxin received approval from the FDA in July 2016, making it one of the latest in a long line of medications aimed at helping to control blood sugar in diabetes patients. It’s also known by the generic name Lixisenatide. Adlyxin is produced by Sanofi-Aventis, a French-based pharmaceutical company that’s one of the global leaders in prescription sales.

The FDA approved Adlyxin after evaluating more than 5,400 patients with type 2 diabetes who participated in clinical trials. The trials determined that Adlyxin had a positive effect on blood sugar levels in diabetes patients both as a stand-alone therapy and in conjunction with various other medications approved for the treatment of diabetes.

Adlyxin was also tested in trials involving more than 6,000 type 2 diabetes patients at risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. The results of these trials showed that Adlyxin did not increase the likelihood of adverse cardiac events.

Adlyxin belongs to a class of drugs called glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist. Put more simply, the drug helps the pancreas to produce insulin, helping to normalize blood sugar levels. Adlyxin is administered in once a day injections. Patients will typically receive 10 micrograms per day for two weeks before increasing their dose to 20 micrograms per day.

Why Is This Prescribed?

Adlyxin is prescribed to patients with type 2 diabetes as a way to help normalize their blood sugar levels. The drug is not an injection or insulin; rather, it assists the pancreas in producing insulin that helps to normalize blood sugar levels, particularly during and after meals.

As a result, Adlyxin is designed to be taken within an hour of eating a meal. It’s typically taken just once per day, so most people will have multiple opportunities to take it prior to a meal. However, it’s advised that Adlyxin is taken around the same time each day. It’s best to inject Adlyxin into the abdomen, upper arm, or thigh, but not into the same spot each time, and it should never be injected into a vein.

Adlyxin is typically only part of a treatment plan for type 2 diabetes. It should be used in conjunction with a diet and exercise regimen that’s been approved by a physician. During trials, Adlyxin was used along with other diabetes medications, although it should only be used with other medications on the advice of a physician.

What Symptoms Does Adlyxin Treat?

Adlyxin is used as a treatment for type 2 diabetes. It’s designed to prevent blood sugar levels from becoming dangerously high. Acute symptoms of high blood sugar include:

• Headache and trouble concentrating
• Increased thirst
• Fatigue
• Frequent urination
• Blurred vision

If type 2 diabetes is not addressed properly through a combination of diet, exercise, and medication, there may be several chronic and severe ramifications, including:

• Intestinal problems, including constipation and diarrhea
• Kidney damage
• Nerve damage and loss of sensation in the extremities
• Loss of limbs

Potential Risks

Adlyxin is strictly for people with type 2 diabetes. It should not be used to treat type 1 diabetes. Also, Adlyxin may not be appropriate for patients with a history of alcoholism, pancreatitis, gallstones, kidney disease, or issues with digestion. It’s unknown what effect Adlyxin may have on patients who are pregnant, may become pregnant, or breastfeeding.

Severe allergic reactions to Adlyxin are possible and require immediate medical attention. Signs of an allergy include:

• Rapid heartbeat
• Severe rash or hives
• Itching
• Difficulty breathing
• Swelling of the throat, tongue, or lips
• Light-headedness

If Adlyxin is taken in conjunction with another type of diabetes medication aimed at reducing blood sugar, it’s possible to experience dangerously low blood sugar, also known as hypoglycemia. This may require an adjustment in medications or the dose of current medications. Symptoms of hypoglycemia include:

• Headache
• Hunger
• Weakness
• Drowsiness
• Dizziness and confusion
• Rapid heartbeat
• Sweating
• Irritability

In addition to hypoglycemia, there are other potential side effects of taking Adlyxin. Among the most commonly reported side effects are:

• Nausea
• Dizziness
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Headache

If any of these side effects are serious or persistent, contact a medical professional right away. With Adlyxin being approved by the FDA a short time ago, it’s not yet clear what side effects are possible or likely when taking the medication. The FDA has ordered further studies of Adlyxin to help collect more information about its side effects, efficacy, and dosing.