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Hormones & metabolism

Lixisenatide

EvidenceFDA approved

ClassGLP-1 receptor agonist

Lixisenatide is a once-daily GLP-1 receptor agonist FDA-approved in 2016 for type 2 diabetes. See how it works, its status, and side effects.

Reviewed by: William Maish, MD MBA MPH, Clinical Product Lead
Published: October 5, 2026
Last updated: October 5, 2026

Key takeaway

Lixisenatide is a short-acting, once-daily GLP-1 receptor agonist derived from the lizard peptide exendin-4, taken before a meal to blunt the after-meal blood sugar spike in type 2 diabetes. It was FDA-approved in 2016 and shown to be cardiovascular-safe in the ELIXA trial in people who had recently had acute coronary syndrome. Its standalone product Adlyxin was discontinued in the U.S. in 2023, though lixisenatide remains available combined with insulin glargine in Soliqua.

At a glance

What it is	FDA-approved GLP-1 peptide, formerly sold as Adlyxin for type 2 diabetes
How it's taken	Short-acting, once-daily injection taken before a meal
Availability	Standalone U.S. product discontinued by its manufacturer in 2023, though still available in a combination with insulin
Evidence strength	FDA approved

What is lixisenatide?

Lixisenatide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist¹, a peptide that mimics the natural gut hormone GLP-1. Like exenatide, it is based on the lizard peptide exendin-4 with modifications, and it is short-acting, taken once a day before a meal.

It is made by Sanofi and was sold on its own as Adlyxin, and it is also available combined with insulin glargine in a product called Soliqua. It is given as a subcutaneous injection.

How does it work?

Lixisenatide lowers blood sugar by activating the GLP-1 receptor. Through that receptor, it:

Drives glucose-dependent insulin release¹, which keeps the risk of hypoglycemia low on its own
Lowers glucagon
Markedly slows the rate at which the stomach empties

Because it is short-acting, its strongest effect is blunting the post-meal¹ blood sugar spike rather than providing round-the-clock coverage, which is why it is taken before a meal. In the ELIXA trial², in people who had recently had acute coronary syndrome, lixisenatide was shown to be cardiovascular-safe, one of the first cardiovascular outcome trials for a GLP-1 drug.

Is it FDA-approved?

Yes. Lixisenatide was approved in the U.S. in 2016 for type 2 diabetes. Sanofi discontinued³ the standalone Adlyxin product in the U.S. in 2023 for business reasons, though lixisenatide remains available in the combination product Soliqua.

What is lixisenatide prescribed for?

Lixisenatide is prescribed to improve blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes, alongside diet and exercise, with a particular effect on after-meal blood sugar. It is not a treatment for type 1 diabetes. Unlike the long-acting GLP-1 drugs, this short-acting exendin-based agent does not carry a thyroid C-cell tumor boxed warning.

What are the side effects?

The most common side effects are gastrointestinal:

Nausea
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Headache
Dizziness

Less common but more serious risks include:

Pancreatitis, or inflammation of the pancreas
Severe allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis
Acute kidney injury, usually from dehydration caused by vomiting or diarrhea
Low blood sugar, especially when combined with insulin or a sulfonylurea

More for hormones & metabolism

Sources: FDA prescribing information for Adlyxin (lixisenatide); the ELIXA cardiovascular outcomes trial (Pfeffer et al., The New England Journal of Medicine, 2015, DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa1509225²), indexed on PubMed; and reporting on the 2023 U.S. discontinuation of Adlyxin. This document is educational and does not constitute medical advice.