Proper Use

Drug information provided by: Merative, Micromedex®

When you start using this medicine, it is very important that you check your blood sugar often, especially before and after meals and at bedtime. This will help lower the chance of having very low blood sugar.

This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.

This medicine is usually given within 1 hour before the first meal of the day.

Carefully follow the special meal plan your doctor gave you. This is the most important part of controlling your diabetes, and is necessary if the medicine is to work properly. Also, exercise regularly and test for sugar in your blood or urine as directed.

You will be using lixisenatide at home. Your doctor will teach you how the injections are to be given. Be sure you understand exactly how the medicine is to be injected.

This medicine is given as a shot under the skin of your stomach, thighs, or upper arm. Use a different body area each time you give yourself a shot. Keep track of where you give each shot to make sure you rotate body areas.

Allow the medicine to warm at room temperature before you inject it. Check the liquid in the pen. it should be clear and colorless to slightly yellow. Do not use it if it is discolored or has particles in it.

This medicine also works best when there is a constant amount in the blood. To help keep the amount constant, do not miss any doses. Also, it is best to use the doses at the same time each day.

Use a new needle each time you inject your medicine.

Never share medicine pens with others under any circumstances. It is not safe for one pen to be used for more than one person. Sharing needles or pens can result in transmission of infection.

Take acetaminophen or antibiotics at least 1 hour before you inject this medicine.

Take birth control pills at least 1 hour before or 11 hours after you inject lixisenatide.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

  • For injection dosage form:
    • For type 2 diabetes:
      • Adults—At first, 10 micrograms (mcg) injected under the skin once a day for 14 days. Your doctor may increase your dose to 20 mcg once a day starting on Day 15 and until your blood sugar is controlled.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

If you miss a dose of this medicine, use it within 1 hour before your next meal.

Storage

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

Store your new, unused prefilled pen in the refrigerator, in the original carton, and protect it from light. Do not freeze this medicine, and do not use the medicine if it has been frozen. You may store the opened prefilled pen in the refrigerator, or at room temperature for up to 14 days.

Throw away used needles in a hard, closed container that the needles cannot poke through. Keep this container away from children and pets.

Portions of this document last updated: May 01, 2024

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