GLP's ⏱ Half-life: 2-4 hours FDA-Approved

Lixisenatide

Lixisenatide (Adlyxin/Lyxumia)

Updated March 30, 2026

Evidence at a Glance

Regulatory statusFDA-Approved
FDA-approved 2016 as Adlyxin for type 2 diabetes; US marketing discontinued 2023 (commercial, not safety); still sold abroad as Lyxumia.
Human evidenceExtensive
Animal evidenceExtensive

Lixisenatide is an FDA-approved short-acting GLP-1 receptor agonist (GetGoal and ELIXA trials) that was withdrawn from the US market for commercial reasons in 2023 but remains approved abroad.

What the research does not support

  • It is no longer commercially marketed in the US, so it is not a currently available prescription option there.
  • As a short-acting once-daily agent it is less potent for weight loss than newer once-weekly GLP-1 drugs.
  • Its recent Parkinson's-disease signal (LIXIPARK Phase 2) is preliminary and not an approved use.
  • It is a prescription diabetes drug requiring medical supervision, not a research peptide.
Half-Life
2-4 hours
Purity
Pharmaceutical grade
Mol. Weight
4,858.49 Da
Form
Pre-filled pen for subcutaneous injection

What is Lixisenatide?

Lixisenatide is a once-daily GLP-1 receptor agonist developed by Sanofi for type 2 diabetes. Unlike longer-acting GLP-1 RAs, lixisenatide’s short duration of action produces particularly strong postprandial glucose lowering through gastric emptying delay, making it a strategic complement to basal insulin therapy.

Dosage Information (Research Use)

10mcg SC once daily for 14 days, then 20mcg once daily. Administered within 1 hour before the first meal. Prescription medication.

Reconstitution & Handling

Pre-filled pen — no reconstitution required.

Half-Life & Pharmacokinetics

2-4 hours

Reported Observations in Literature

Nausea (25%), vomiting (10%), headache (9%), diarrhea (8%). GI effects typically transient. Lower incidence of nausea than longer-acting GLP-1 RAs in some studies.

Key Research References

  • Pfeffer MA et al. “Lixisenatide in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes and Acute Coronary Syndrome (ELIXA).” N Engl J Med. 2015;373:2247-57

How Lixisenatide Works

Lixisenatide is a modified exendin-4 analog with a C-terminal deletion and addition of six lysine residues, enhancing DPP-4 resistance. As a short-acting GLP-1 RA, its primary mechanism involves slowing gastric emptying — providing potent postprandial glucose control rather than fasting glucose reduction.

Research Applications

🔬 Type 2 diabetes glycemic control
🔬 Postprandial hyperglycemia
🔬 Combination therapy with basal insulin

Research Findings

The GetGoal clinical trial program demonstrated significant postprandial glucose reductions. The ELIXA cardiovascular outcomes trial confirmed cardiovascular safety. Available as a fixed-ratio combination with insulin glargine (Soliqua 100/33).

Dosage & Administration

10mcg SC once daily for 14 days, then 20mcg once daily. Administered within 1 hour before the first meal. Prescription medication.

Safety & Side Effects

Nausea (25%), vomiting (10%), headache (9%), diarrhea (8%). GI effects typically transient. Lower incidence of nausea than longer-acting GLP-1 RAs in some studies.

Important: All safety information is derived from published research, primarily animal studies. No controlled human clinical trial data exists unless explicitly noted. This compound is sold for research purposes only.

Quick Facts

Molecular Weight 4,858.49 Da
Half-Life 2-4 hours
Purity Pharmaceutical grade
Form Pre-filled pen for subcutaneous injection
Storage Refrigerate. May store at room temperature up to 14 days.

Key Research References

  • Pfeffer MA et al. "Lixisenatide in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes and Acute Coronary Syndrome (ELIXA)." N Engl J Med. 2015;373:2247-57

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