If you have type 2 diabetes, your doctor may suggest Xultophy 100/3.6 as a treatment option for you.

Xultophy 100/3.6 is a prescription medication that’s used to help improve blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes. It’s used along with a healthy diet and frequent exercise.

Xultophy 100/3.6 contains two active drugs: insulin degludec and liraglutide. Insulin degludec is a long-acting form of insulin. Liraglutide is type of drug called a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist. These drugs work in different ways to help lower your blood sugar.

This medication comes inside a prefilled injection pen. It’s taken by daily injections under your skin.

This article describes the dosages of Xultophy 100/3.6, including its form, strength, and how to use the drug. To learn more about Xultophy 100/3.6, see this in-depth article.

Note: This article covers the typical dosages for Xultophy 100/3.6, which are provided by the drug’s manufacturer. But when using Xultophy 100/3.6, always take the dosage that your doctor prescribes.

Xultophy 100/3.6 is taken by injection under your skin. Your doctor will teach you how to give yourself this injection.

What form does Xultophy 100/3.6 come in?

Xultophy 100/3.6 comes as a liquid solution inside a prefilled injection pen. The pen doesn’t come with a needle attached. Each time you take your injection, you’ll need to attach a new NovoFine or NovoTwist needle to the pen.

Only one person should use each Xultophy 100/3.6 pen. Do not share this medication with others, even if they use a new needle. Sharing the pen carries a risk of transmitting blood infections.

What strength does Xultophy 100/3.6 come in?

Xultophy 100/3.6 comes in one strength only. Each pen holds 3 milliliters (mL) of solution containing the following drugs:

  • insulin degludec: 100 units per mL
  • liraglutide: 3.6 milligrams (mg) per mL

So, in total, each 3 mL pen holds 300 units of insulin degludec and 10.8 mg of liraglutide.

What are the typical dosages of Xultophy 100/3.6?

Typically, your doctor will start you on a low dosage of Xultophy 100/3.6. Then, they’ll adjust your dosage over time to reach the right amount for you. In the end, your doctor will prescribe the smallest dosage that effectively treats your condition.

The information below describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. But be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.

Starting dosage

Your doctor will prescribe your dosage of Xultophy 100/3.6 in units. The number of units describes the dose of insulin degludec. When you select your dosage on the Xultophy 100/3.6 pen, it will deliver that dose of insulin degludec, along with a corresponding dose of liraglutide.

The typical starting dosage of Xultophy 100/3.6 depends on whether or not you’re currently taking:

If you’re switching to Xultophy 100/3.6 from one of these other drugs, you’ll stop taking the other drug before starting Xultophy 100/3.6.

The recommended starting dosage of Xultophy 100/3.6 is as follows:

Starting dosageAmount of active drug the Xultophy 100/3.6 pen delivers with this dosage
if you’re not currently taking insulin degludec (Tresiba), liraglutide (Victoza), or a similar drug10 units once per day10 units of insulin degludec and 0.36 mg of liraglutide
if you’re switching to Xultophy 100/3.6 from insulin degludec (Tresiba), liraglutide (Victoza), or a similar drug16 units once per day16 units of insulin degludec and 0.58 mg of liraglutide

Dosage changes based on blood sugar levels

After starting Xultophy 100/3.6, your doctor will likely ask you to check your blood sugar level daily. And they may ask you to adjust your dosage of Xultophy 100/3.6 depending on those results. Your doctor may ask you to increase or decrease your dose by 2 units every 3 to 4 days. You’ll do this until your blood sugar is at the right level for you.

Be sure to ask your doctor when you should check your blood sugar level. You should also confirm what your target blood sugar level should be. Only adjust your dose according to your doctor’s instructions.

Your doctor may give you a dosing chart. This will help you track your blood sugar level and dose adjustments. The chart will show your target blood sugar range. It’ll also show the dose adjustment you should make if your blood sugar level is outside that range.

The maximum dosage of Xultophy 100/3.6 is 50 units taken once per day.

Is Xultophy 100/3.6 used long term?

Yes, Xultophy 100/3.6 is typically used as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that Xultophy 100/3.6 is safe and effective for you, you’ll likely use it long term.

Dosage adjustments

Your doctor may adjust your dosage in certain situations, such as if you:

  • experience high or low blood sugar levels once starting Xultophy
  • have kidney or liver problems
  • have a sudden illness, injury, or surgery
  • take certain other medications
  • make changes to your usual diet or exercise schedule
  • gain or lose weight

Talk with your doctor about situations where you may need a dosage adjustment.

Xultophy 100/3.6 is taken by injection under your skin. It comes in a prefilled injection pen that you’ll use to give yourself the injection. Your doctor will teach you how to do this. You can also find instructions for using the Xultophy 100/3.6 injection pen in the product’s medication guide. This guide includes the steps you should take each time you take your dose of Xultophy 100/3.6.

Some key points include:

  • You should take your injection of Xultophy 100/3.6 once each day and at the same time each day. Ask your doctor to suggest the best time for your injection.
  • You can take your injection with or without food.
  • Sites you can inject Xultophy 100/3.6 are:
    • your belly
    • the fronts of your thighs
    • your upper arms
  • Each time you take a dose, use a different injection site. This helps prevent the following at your injection site:
    • thickening of your skin
    • pits in your skin
    • lumps under your skin
  • Don’t inject into skin that:
    • is thickened
    • has pits
    • has lumps
    • has scars
  • Don’t inject into places where the skin is:
    • tender
    • bruised
    • hard
    • scaly
    • damaged
  • Don’t rub the injection site after taking the injection.

If you have any questions about using the Xultophy 100/3.6 injection pen, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

For information on Xultophy 100/3.6 expiration, storage, and disposal, see this article.

The dosage of Xultophy 100/3.6 you’re prescribed may depend on several factors. These include:

  • your blood sugar level while receiving Xultophy
  • your target blood sugar level
  • your diet
  • your exercise habits
  • other medications you take
  • other conditions you may have (see “Dosage adjustments” under “What is the dosage for Xultophy 100/3.6?”)

To prevent side effects from Xultophy 100/3.6, your doctor will prescribe the lowest dose that’s effective for managing your condition. If you have questions about what your dosage should be, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

If you miss a dose of Xultophy 100/3.6, skip that dose and take your next dose as scheduled. Do not take two doses together or increase your dose to make up for a missed dose. This could cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) or other side effects.

If you miss more than three doses in a row, call your doctor to find out what to do. They may recommend restarting Xultophy 100/3.6 at a lower dose.

If you need help remembering to take your dose of Xultophy 100/3.6 on time, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or downloading a reminder app on your phone.

Don’t use more Xultophy 100/3.6 than your doctor prescribes. Using more than this can lead to serious side effects.

Symptoms of overdose

Symptoms caused by an overdose can include:

What to do in case you use too much Xultophy 100/3.6

Call your doctor right away if you think you’ve used too much Xultophy 100/3.6. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach the American Association of Poison Control Centers, or you can use its online resource. But if you have severe symptoms, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately or go to the nearest emergency room.

The sections above describe the typical dosages provided by the drug manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Xultophy 100/3.6, they’ll prescribe the dosage that’s right for you.

Remember, you shouldn’t change your dosage of Xultophy 100/3.6 without your doctor’s recommendation. Only use Xultophy 100/3.6 exactly as prescribed. Talk with your doctor if you have questions or concerns about your current dosage.

Here are some examples of questions you may want to ask your doctor:

  • Will my Xultophy 100/3.6 dosage change over time?
  • Will my dosage of Xultophy 100/3.6 need to change if I take other medications?
  • Should my dosage change if I’m having a medical, surgical, or dental procedure?
  • If I need to take a high dose of Xultophy 100/3.6, am I more likely to have side effects?

For useful tips on managing your condition, consider signing up for Healthline’s type 2 diabetes newsletter.

Q:

There’s not quite enough Xultophy 100/3.6 left in my pen for my full dose. Can I take what’s left in the pen and make up the rest of my dose from a new pen?

Anonymous

A:

You should not use two pens for your dose. If there isn’t enough left in your Xultophy 100/3.6 pen for a full dose, throw that pen away. Use a new pen for your entire dose.

If you have other questions about taking Xultophy 100/3.6, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Dena Westphalen, PharmDAnswers represent the opinions of our medical experts. All content is strictly informational and should not be considered medical advice.

Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.