Soliqua® SoloStar Pens for Type 2 Diabetes: Dosing, Use, and Safety

What Soliqua® Is and How It Works

Soliqua SoloStar Pens combine two medicines for adults with type 2 diabetes: insulin glargine (a long-acting basal insulin) and lixisenatide (a GLP-1 receptor agonist). The formulation is 100 units/mL of insulin glargine with 33 mcg/mL of lixisenatide. Each display “unit” delivers 1 unit of insulin glargine plus 0.33 mcg of lixisenatide in a single daily injection given within the hour before the first meal of the day. Many customers buy Soliqua Solostar Pens for simplified basal and incretin therapy, and some order Soliqua Solostar Pens online for convenience. CanadianInsulin is a prescription referral service. Prescriptions are verified with your clinic, and orders are filled by licensed Canadian pharmacies.

People who want value may compare options such as Soliqua Solostar Pens without insurance. This fixed-ratio combination helps lower fasting and post-meal glucose. Insulin glargine provides steady 24-hour basal coverage, while lixisenatide slows gastric emptying, supports glucose-dependent insulin secretion, and reduces glucagon after meals. The combined effect improves A1C and can reduce the need for higher basal insulin doses.

The SoloStar device dials from 10 to 60 units once daily in 1-unit steps. This Soliqua SoloStar dosage pen design supports gentle titration toward fasting glucose targets. Learn more about device features in our article Soliqua Solostar Pen One Pen Dual Action Support. For background on Type 2 Diabetes, review our condition guide.

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Dosage and Usage

• Starting dose: patients previously on less than 30 units/day of basal insulin or GLP-1 receptor agonist naive often start at 15 units once daily. Those on 30 to 60 units/day of basal insulin often start at 30 units once daily.
• Titration: adjust in small steps (for example, 2 to 4 units) based on fasting plasma glucose. Maximum dose is 60 units daily.
• Timing: inject once daily within the hour before the first meal. Do not split the dose.
• Missed dose: skip the missed dose and resume the next day at the usual time. Do not take two doses on the same day.
• Administration: subcutaneous injection in the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm. Rotate sites to reduce lipodystrophy.
• Do not mix or dilute with other insulins or inject intravenously or intramuscularly.
• Device steps: wash hands; inspect the label and solution; attach a new sterile needle; prime per device instructions; select the dose; inject into a lifted skin fold; count slowly before removing the needle; dispose of the needle safely.
• Compatibility: do not use with another GLP-1 receptor agonist.

• Storage (unopened): refrigerate at 2–8°C (36–46°F). Do not freeze. Keep away from the freezer compartment.
• Storage (in use): keep the pen at room temperature (below 25°C/77°F) and discard after 28 days, even if not empty. Do not refrigerate a pen in use.
• Light and heat: protect from direct light and excessive heat. Do not store in a car glove box or trunk.
• Travel: carry pens in hand luggage with a cool pack; avoid freezing. Pack spare needles, a sharps container, and copies of prescriptions.
• Handling: keep your pen capped when not in use, and remove the needle after each injection.

Benefits and Savings

This combination delivers strong glucose lowering by pairing steady basal insulin with post-meal control from lixisenatide. Benefits seen in trials include meaningful A1C reductions, fewer injections versus using separate agents, and potential weight neutrality or modest loss compared with basal insulin alone. The single daily dose and SoloStar design support simple, gradual titration.

Many customers save 60–80% vs typical U.S. prices. Some shoppers choose Soliqua Solostar Pens without insurance for predictable out-of-pocket costs. See our promotions page for current offers, including any coupon for Soliqua Solostar Pens if available.

Convenience features include the prefilled pen, clear dose window, and 1-unit increments. Reduced gastrointestinal effects are often seen over time as the dose is titrated gradually. The once-daily schedule helps with routine and adherence.

Side Effects and Safety

• Common effects: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, decreased appetite, dyspepsia, and abdominal discomfort.
• Injection-site reactions: redness, swelling, or itching.
• Hypoglycemia: shakiness, sweating, fast heartbeat, headache, or confusion, especially when combined with insulin secretagogues (e.g., sulfonylureas) or if meals are missed.
• Other reported: headache, dizziness, fatigue, and nasopharyngitis.

Serious risks can include acute pancreatitis, severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis, angioedema), dehydration-related kidney injury from persistent gastrointestinal symptoms, and severe hypoglycemia. Not for people with type 1 diabetes or diabetic ketoacidosis. If used with a sulfonylurea or prandial insulin, dose reduction of the background agent may be considered to lower hypoglycemia risk. Discuss personal risks with your clinician.

Onset Time

Basal insulin action begins soon after the first dose, with fasting glucose often improving within the first few days as titration progresses. Post-meal glucose effects from lixisenatide appear with the initial doses and continue as tolerance develops to gastrointestinal symptoms.

A1C changes are typically assessed after 8 to 12 weeks of stable dosing. Weight effects vary; some patients experience small weight loss or neutrality compared with basal insulin alone due to decreased appetite and slower gastric emptying.

Compare With Alternatives

Weekly GLP-1 receptor agonists such as Trulicity® (dulaglutide) provide incretin therapy without basal insulin and suit those not yet needing insulin. Oral GLP-1 therapy like Rybelsus® (semaglutide tablets) may appeal to people preferring a pill. Dual GIP/GLP-1 therapy such as Mounjaro® (tirzepatide) is a weekly injection with robust A1C and weight effects.

Soliqua addresses a different need: a once-daily fixed-ratio of basal insulin with a GLP-1 agent for patients who require both fasting and postprandial control. Those already on basal insulin who want to add a GLP-1 without multiple injections may value the single-pen approach.

Combination Therapy

• Common background agents: metformin, SGLT2 inhibitors (e.g., empagliflozin), and DPP-4 inhibitors are generally not combined with GLP-1 agents.
• When used with a sulfonylurea or prandial insulin, clinicians may lower those doses to reduce hypoglycemia risk.
• Blood pressure and lipid therapies continue as indicated for cardiovascular risk management.
• Do not co-administer with another GLP-1 receptor agonist.

Patient Suitability and Cost-Saving Tips

Adults with type 2 diabetes who need both basal and post-meal control may be candidates. It is not indicated for type 1 diabetes or for diabetic ketoacidosis. Caution is advised in those with a history of pancreatitis, severe gastrointestinal disease (such as gastroparesis), or significant renal impairment. Review pregnancy and breastfeeding considerations with a healthcare professional.

Cost-saving ideas include selecting a multi-pen package when appropriate, planning refills on a consistent schedule, and consolidating shipments when ordering other refrigerated medicines. CanadianInsulin offers prompt, express, cold-chain shipping. If timing refills, allow enough lead time for prescription verification and delivery.

Soliqua Solostar safety is supported by clinical trials showing A1C reduction with a low rate of severe hypoglycemia when titrated carefully. Real-world convenience comes from fewer injections than using separate basal insulin and a GLP-1 agent. For detailed Soliqua Solostar Pen usage, including device technique, follow the instructions for use packed with your pens.

Authoritative Sources

Manufacturer product website for Soliqua 100/33

FDA Prescribing Information and Medication Guide

Health Canada Drug Product Database (DPD) search

Order Soliqua® from CanadianInsulin: add to cart, upload your prescription, and we ship with prompt, express, cold-chain handling.

This page is educational and does not replace advice from your healthcare professional. Always follow your prescriber’s directions and the official instructions for use.