Insulin degludec + liraglutide: a complementary combination.

INTRODUCTION: The treatment of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus remains challenging, as it goes beyond adequate glycemic control, in particular addressing weight, blood pressure and other contributors to cardiovascular disease. In addition, the progressive nature of type 2 diabetes mellitus demands the intensification and combination of glucose lowering therapies. In many patients, there is a clinical inertia for the initiation of insulin therapy, leading to failure in reaching glycemic targets in many patients.

AREAS COVERED: Recently a fixed-ratio combination therapy of the basal insulin degludec and the glucagon-like peptide-1 analogue liraglutide has been developed and approved by the EMA. The rationale for this combination, as well as an overview of the published phase III clinical trials (DUAL I,II,V), are covered, highlighting the most important conclusions.

EXPERT OPINION: The combination therapy of insulin degludec and liraglutide is an attractive therapeutic strategy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus as it gives a robust glycemic control with a low risk for hypoglycemia and less weight gain or even weight loss. The fixed-ratio combination of insulin degludec and liraglutide offers a smart therapeutic strategy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus where basal insulin needs to be initiated or intensified.