Healthcare Professionals
Biolide
Biolide injection is a weight management medication containing liraglutide. It acts on brain receptors to regulate appetite, helping patients feel fuller and consume fewer calories. Biolide is indicated for adults with obesity or weight-related health conditions to support sustainable weight loss.
Indications and Usage
- For Weight Management: Biolide is recommended for weight loss in adults aged 18 and older with a BMI ≥ 30 or a BMI ≥ 27 with associated health issues (e.g., diabetes, high blood pressure).
For Adolescents: Approved for use in adolescents aged 12 and above with obesity (as diagnosed by a doctor) and a body weight over 60 kg. - Continuing Treatment: Biolide should be continued only if patients achieve a reduction of at least 5% of their initial body weight within 12 weeks on the 3.0 mg/day dose.
Dosage and Administration
Subcutaneous Injection: Administered in the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm, also regardless of meal timing.
- Starting Dose: 0.6 mg daily for at least one week.
- Maximum Dose: 3.0 mg daily, titrated based on physician’s guidance.
Injection needles are not included with Pen and should be acquired separately, with compatible options such as BD Ultra-Fine® disposable needles or NovoFine® disposable needles, which come in sizes as thin as 32 G and lengths up to 8 mm.
Adverse Events
- Common: Gastrointestinal discomfort, hypoglycaemia (especially when used with insulin or sulfonylureas), injection site reactions, headache, and an increased pulse.
- Severe: Potential for cholelithiasis (gallstones), cholecystitis, dehydration, and increased heart rate, necessitating monitoring and, if severe, possible dose adjustment.
Liraglutide Biocon
Liraglutide Biocon is a non-insulin medication used to manage type 2 diabetes mellitus. It contains the active substance liraglutide, which helps regulate blood sugar levels when they become too high, slows food passage through the stomach, and may reduce the risk of heart disease.
Indications and Usage
- Monotherapy: Indicated for type 2 diabetes management in patients who cannot control their blood sugar with diet and exercise alone or who cannot use metformin.
- Combination Therapy: Can be combined with oral antidiabetic medications such as metformin, pioglitazone, sulfonylureas, sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i), or insulin to help enhance blood sugar control.
Dosage and Administration
Subcutaneous Injection: For use in the thigh, abdomen, or upper arm, independent of meals.
- Starting Dose: 0.6 mg once daily for atleast one week.
- Maximum recommended Dose: 1.2 mg to 1.8 mg daily, adjusted as recommended by the physician.
Injection needles are not included with Pen and should be acquired separately, with compatible options such as BD Ultra-Fine® disposable needles or NovoFine® disposable needles, which come in sizes as thin as 32 G and lengths up to 8 mm.
Adverse Events
- Common: Gastrointestinal issues, infections, and a lower risk of hypoglycaemia compared to other therapies, such as glimepiride.
- Severe: Although rare, users may experience pancreatitis, anaphylactic reactions, and bowel obstruction.
Instructions for Use
Device Preparation
Confirm the device’s label and inspect the solution, which should appear clear and colorless. Do not use it if it is frozen or discolored.
Flow Check
Before first use, perform a flow check by setting the dose selector to the flow check symbol and holding the device upright.
Selecting the Dose
Set the dose as prescribed (ranging from 0.6 mg to the maximum dose). Always use the dose counter and pointer to confirm the selected amount.
Administer the Injection
Administer the dose as instructed by pressing the dose button and holding the needle under the skin for 6 seconds to ensure full dose delivery.
Post-Injection
After use, dispose of the needle safely and re-cap the device. Follow local disposal guidelines for used device and needles.
Contraindications
Allergy
Avoid use in patients with known hypersensitivity to liraglutide or excipients like sodium citrate dihydrate, propylene glycol, or phenol.
Specific Conditions
Not suitable for individuals with type 1 diabetes, diabetic ketoacidosis, severe renal or liver disease, or heart failure (NYHA class IV).
Additional Cautions
Patients with gastrointestinal issues, such as gastroparesis, should avoid these medications due to increased gastrointestinal risks.
Warnings and Precautions
- Pancreatitis: GLP-1 receptor agonists, including liraglutide, have been associated with acute pancreatitis. Discontinue if symptoms arise.
- Heart Rate Monitoring: Liraglutide may cause an elevated heart rate in some patients; ongoing monitoring and possible discontinuation are advised if the condition persists.
- Hydration: Gastrointestinal side effects like nausea and vomiting may lead to dehydration; patients should ensure adequate hydration.
- Medication Interactions: Minimal interaction with medications such as warfarin, paracetamol, atorvastatin, oral contraceptives, and insulin; however, dose adjustments may be necessary when combined with sulfonylureas or insulin to reduce the risk of hypoglycaemia.
Drug Interactions
Interactions with other drugs: It outlines the pharmacokinetic interactions of liraglutide with various medications like Paracetamol, Atorvastatin, Griseofulvin, Digoxin, Lisinopril, oral contraceptives, and insulin, highlighting its effects on absorption, peak concentrations (Cmax), and time to peak concentration (tmax). Overall, liraglutide appears to have minimal clinically relevant interactions with various medications, although some effects on absorption and peak concentrations have been observed. Frequent INR monitoring is particularly advised for patients on warfarin or other coumarin derivatives due to the potential for significant interactions. For most other medications studied, no dose adjustments are necessary.
Pediatric Considerations: It is important to note that these interactions have primarily been studied in adults, with no data available for paediatric populations.