BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The time-course when changes in glycemic control and body weight were first manifest in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) treated with a combination of insulin degludec and liraglutide (IDegLira) was assessed, comparing IDegLira to its individual components.

METHODS: Data from weeks 0-12 from two studies were analyzed, one comparing IDegLira to each component (DUAL I), and one comparing IDegLira to insulin degludec titrated to a maximum 50 units (DUAL II). Efficacy endpoints included glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and fasting plasma glucose (FPG) reduction, proportion of patients achieving HbA1c [<7.0 % (<53.0 mmol/mol)] and FPG (≤7.2 mmol/L) targets, and proportion achieving HbA1c target without hypoglycemia and without hypoglycemia and weight gain.

RESULTS: Mean HbA1c was lower, and the proportion of patients reaching target HbA1c greater, with IDegLira versus comparators (both studies) at weeks 8 and 12. Proportions of patients reaching target HbA1c without hypoglycemia and without hypoglycemia and weight gain were higher for IDegLira versus insulin degludec, though not versus liraglutide. Mean FPG was lower with IDegLira, and the proportion achieving target FPG higher, versus components (both studies) from weeks 4-12. IDegLira was associated with mean weight reduction from weeks 4-12, although less than with liraglutide alone. Hypoglycemia occurred infrequently in weeks 0-12, with no difference in incidence between IDegLira and insulin degludec in either study.

CONCLUSIONS: IDegLira reduces plasma glucose to a greater extent than its components, measurable within the first 12 weeks of therapy, and without weight gain or an increased hypoglycemia risk versus insulin degludec.