Soliqua® Solostar Pens for Type 2 Diabetes

Soliqua® Solostar Pens combine insulin glargine and lixisenatide in one daily injection. This page explains how it works, who it may suit, and how to use and store your pen. You can compare price and typical savings without insurance, and order with US delivery from Canada.

What Soliqua® Is and How It Works

Soliqua® 100/33 pairs a long-acting basal insulin (insulin glargine 100 units/mL) with a GLP-1 receptor agonist (lixisenatide 33 mcg/mL). The insulin glargine lowers fasting glucose by providing steady, all-day basal coverage. Lixisenatide helps reduce post-meal spikes by slowing gastric emptying and enhancing glucose-dependent insulin release. Together, the combination targets both fasting and after-meal blood sugars in adults with type 2 diabetes.

CanadianInsulin connects patients with licensed Canadian pharmacies. Prescriptions are verified with your clinic before dispensing.

Soliqua is taken once daily, within one hour before your first meal of the day. The pen delivers a fixed-ratio dose, so each unit you dial provides both insulin glargine and lixisenatide in the labeled proportion. It is not for type 1 diabetes or diabetic ketoacidosis, and it is not used with other GLP-1 medicines or mealtime insulin.

For a deeper look at the device and dual-action concept, see our guide on Soliqua® Solostar Pen.

Who Soliqua® Is For

Soliqua is approved for adults with type 2 diabetes to improve glycemic control when diet and exercise alone are not enough. It may be considered if you are:

• On basal insulin and still above your A1C goal
• Using oral diabetes medicines but need an injectable option
• Looking to simplify therapy with one daily pen instead of separate basal insulin and a GLP-1

Soliqua should not be used in type 1 diabetes or for diabetic ketoacidosis. It is not recommended if you have severe gastrointestinal disease such as gastroparesis. People with a history of serious hypersensitivity to lixisenatide or insulin glargine should avoid it. Use caution if you have a history of pancreatitis, kidney issues, or are at increased risk of hypoglycemia.

Dosage and Usage

Use Soliqua once daily within one hour before your first meal. The pen is designed for stepwise dose adjustments based on your fasting glucose and overall control. Typical label-based initiation includes:

• Starting dose often 15 units if you are new to basal insulin or using less than 30 units daily
• Starting dose often 30 units if you are switching from 30 to 60 units of basal insulin daily
• Titrate in small steps (commonly 2 to 4 units) at intervals guided by your prescriber
• Maximum recommended daily dose is 60 units

Your prescriber will individualize the dose and titration schedule. Follow your care plan and the official label. Do not split doses or use more than once daily.

Strengths and Forms

Soliqua is supplied as Soliqua 100/33 in prefilled Solostar pens:

• Insulin glargine 100 units/mL + lixisenatide 33 mcg/mL
• Prefilled Solostar pen, 3 mL per pen
• Common pack size: cartons of multiple pens (availability may vary)

Product availability can differ by market and may change. Check current stock and Canadian pricing on this page before you start your order.

Missed Dose and Timing

If you miss a dose, take your next dose within one hour before your next first meal. Do not take two doses on the same day. Keep dosing at about the same time each day to support steady basal insulin coverage and predictable GLP-1 effects.

Storage and Travel Basics

Unopened pens should be stored in the refrigerator. Do not freeze, and discard any pen that has been frozen. Once in use, keep the pen at room temperature and away from direct heat or light; replace the cap after each use. In-use pens are typically discarded after 28 days, even if some medicine remains.

When you travel, carry pens in your hand luggage with a back-up pen and needles. Use an insulated pouch if temperatures may be extreme. Keep pens out of checked baggage. Cold-chain handling is used during shipment when required.

Pen Handling and Sharps Disposal

• Wash your hands and check the label before each injection
• Attach a new sterile needle for every injection
• Prime the pen as directed in the leaflet until a drop appears
• Dial the prescribed dose, inject into the recommended site, and hold as instructed
• Rotate injection sites to reduce skin issues
• Remove and safely discard the needle after each use
• Dispose of used needles and pens in an FDA-cleared sharps container

Follow the Instructions for Use provided with your pen for exact steps.

Benefits

• One daily injection that combines basal insulin with a GLP-1
• Targets fasting and post-meal glucose together
• Fixed-ratio titration can simplify adjustments
• No mixing or reconstitution needed
• Pen device designed for straightforward daily use

Many patients appreciate the simplicity of one pen rather than separate basal and GLP-1 injections. For additional background on delivery devices, see our overview of Diabetes Tech Pens.

Side Effects and Safety

• Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
• Decreased appetite or indigestion
• Headache or dizziness
• Injection site redness or itching
• Hypoglycemia, especially with dose changes or missed meals

Serious risks are uncommon but can include severe allergic reactions, pancreatitis, kidney problems related to dehydration, and severe hypoglycemia. Stop the medicine and seek urgent care for symptoms of anaphylaxis, severe abdominal pain, or confusion and loss of consciousness. Because Soliqua contains insulin, the risk of low blood sugar is present. Know the early signs of hypoglycemia and carry a fast-acting carbohydrate.

Drug Interactions and Cautions

• Other GLP-1 medicines are not used with Soliqua
• Do not combine with mealtime insulin unless your clinician directs a change in therapy
• Sulfonylureas and alcohol can increase hypoglycemia risk
• Beta-blockers may mask low blood sugar symptoms
• Lixisenatide can slow stomach emptying and may affect absorption of some oral drugs; timing separation may be advised
• Tell your clinician about kidney or gastrointestinal disease, and any history of pancreatitis

Discuss all prescription, over-the-counter, and herbal products with your clinician or pharmacist before starting Soliqua.

What to Expect Over Time

Your prescriber will titrate the dose to improve fasting glucose, then refine as needed. Many people notice less post-meal rise as the GLP-1 component takes effect. Gastrointestinal effects, if they occur, are often mild and tend to lessen with time. A1C changes are assessed over several weeks to months.

Compare With Alternatives

Some adults may compare a fixed-ratio combo pen with separate basal insulin and a standalone GLP-1. Another option is a different fixed-ratio combination. Two common alternatives include the basal insulin degludec in Tresiba® Flextouch Pens and a fixed-ratio pen that pairs degludec with liraglutide, the Product Xultophy Prefilled Pen. Your clinician can help decide which approach suits your goals, meal patterns, and tolerability.

For dosing details on a comparable basal option, see our guide to Toujeo® Dosage.

Pricing and Access

Canadian pricing with US shipping can lower your out-of-pocket cost. Review our price and availability on this page, then start your order. You can check typical cash-pay savings and compare options before you buy Soliqua Solostar pens online.

Your order ships from Canada to the US after prescription verification. If you have questions about coverage, we can send a receipt for reimbursement. Many patients compare the cost of Soliqua with a basal insulin plus a GLP-1 to find the best overall value.

Availability and Substitutions

Availability can vary by warehouse and season. If Soliqua is not in stock, your prescriber may recommend an equivalent option or a stepwise approach using a basal insulin with a GLP-1. We will not substitute without your clinician’s guidance and a valid prescription.

Patient Suitability and Cost Saving Tips

• Not for type 1 diabetes or diabetic ketoacidosis
• Avoid if you have severe gastroparesis or a history of serious allergy to components
• Discuss hypoglycemia risk if you use sulfonylureas or drink alcohol
• Ask about titration steps that balance control and tolerability

To save, consider a multi-month supply if appropriate. Larger cartons may reduce per-pen cost. Set refill reminders so you never run out. Compare Canadian pricing with US delivery from Canada, and review alternatives to manage cost without insurance.

Questions to Ask Your Clinician

• Is Soliqua a good fit for my current A1C and fasting glucose?
• What starting dose and titration steps should I follow?
• How should I time my oral medicines around this pen?
• What signs of low blood sugar should I watch for?
• What injection sites should I use and how often should I rotate?
• When should we reassess labs and adjust my plan?
• If Soliqua is not available, what is the next best option?

Authoritative Sources

• Sanofi Soliqua 100/33
• DailyMed: Soliqua
• Health Canada Drug Product Database

Explore More

Learn about pen categories in our Insulin Pens section, or review the broader Type 2 Diabetes category for related treatments.

Start your order for US delivery from Canada. This information is not a substitute for your clinician’s advice. Always follow your prescribed plan and the official label.