Brand name: Adlyxin
Generic: lixisenatide

Medication class: Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist
Similar drugs: Victoza (liraglutide), Byetta (exenatide), Trulicity (dulaglutide), Tanzeum (albiglutide)
Manufacturer: Sanofi- Aventis 
FDA Approval date:  July 2016

What is Adlyxin and how does it work?

Adlyxin (lixisenatide), is a once-daily injection used for improving blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes. Adlyxin belongs to a group of drugs known as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists because they resemble and mimic the action of the human GLP-1 hormone (incretin hormone). They are also known as incretin mimetics. 

Adlyxin works in the same way as the GLP-1 hormone that the body naturally releases. Therefore, Adlyxin reduces blood glucose by increasing insulin production by the pancreas, slows the absorption of glucose from the gut, reduces the activity of glucagon (a hormone that increases the release of glucose from the liver), and reduces appetite. Appetite reduction and weight loss may result from the slower rate of stomach emptying. 

What is Adlyxin used to treat?

Adlyxin is used in combination with diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

How effective is Adlyxin?

In a 12-week double-blind study, 241 patients with type 2 diabetes inadequately controlled on diet and exercise received Adlyxin 20 mcg one daily or placebo. The mean change from baseline in HbA1c was -0.83% versus -0.18% in the placebo group. 

An HbA1c goal of <7.0% was achieved in 44 subjects in the Adlyxin group versus 24 in the placebo group. The mean change from baseline in fasting blood glucose was -15.84 mg/dL in the Adlyxin groups versus 1.46 mg/dL in the placebo group.

Compared with placebo, treatment with Adlyxin 20 mcg once daily for 12 weeks resulted in statistically significant reductions in HbA1c.

The mean change in body weight was -1.94 kg in Adlyxin group versus -2.03 kg in the placebo group.

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