Uses
What is Victoza used for?
Victoza (liraglutide) is commonly used to help lower blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes.
Victoza is used to lower the risk of cardiovascular events (heart attack, stroke, or death) in people who have type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
How does Victoza work (mechanism of action)?
Victoza works to improve blood sugar in 3 different ways. It works to stimulate your pancreas to release more insulin after you eat, prevents your liver from releasing stored sugars, and slows down the movement of food through your body.
How is Victoza supplied (dosage forms)?
Victoza is available in the following dosage forms that are injected under the skin.
- 18 mg/3 mL (6 mg/mL) solution for injection, pre-filled pens that deliver doses of 0.6 mg, 1.2 mg, or 1.8 mg
How should I store Victoza?
Before using Victoza injection liquid, store in the refrigerator between 36 F to 46 F (2 C to 8 C). Unused Victoza can be stored until the expiration date.
Once you start using Victoza, store it with the cap on, at room temperature between 59 F to 86 F (15 C to 30 C) or in the refrigerator 36 F to 46 F (2 C to 8 C) for up to 30 days. Do not store Victoza with the needle on it.
If you are storing Victoza in the refrigerator, do not store the medicine next to the cooling element in the refrigerator.
Store in a place that is not exposed to direct sunlight and heat. Do not freeze.
Side Effects
What are the most common side effects of Victoza?
The most common side effects of Victoza are listed below. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.
- Nausea/vomiting
- Diarrhea/constipation
- Decreased appetite
- Stomach pain
There may be other side effects of Victoza that are not listed here. Contact your healthcare provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088. In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.
What are the serious side effects of Victoza?
While less common, the most serious side effects of Victoza are described below, along with what to do if they happen.
Severe Allergic Reactions. Victoza may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop using Victoza and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.
- Breathing problems or wheezing
- Racing heart
- Fever or general ill feeling
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
- Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
- Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
- Nausea or vomiting
- Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
- Stomach cramps
- Joint pain
Thyroid Tumors. Victoza may cause you to develop thyroid tumors. Some of these tumors could be cancerous. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you notice any of the following symptoms of a thyroid tumor.
- Swelling or a lump in your neck
- Hoarseness
- Trouble swallowing
- Trouble breathing
Pancreatitis. Victoza may cause inflammation of the pancreas, which is called pancreatitis. Stop using Victoza and call your healthcare provider right away if you have symptoms of pancreatitis, including vomiting or severe pain in the upper part of your belly that travels to your back.
Low Blood Sugar (Hypoglycemia). Victoza can cause low blood sugar, especially when used with insulin or other medicines that increase your insulin levels. Hypoglycemia can be serious and may lead to death. Your dose of insulin or other diabetes medicine may need to be lowered to decrease your risk of low blood sugar. Do not use Victoza and call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of hypoglycemia.
- Headache
- Crankiness or anxiety
- Hunger
- Dizziness or confusion
- Blurry vision
- Slurred speech
- Sweating
- Feeling jittery or shakiness
- Fast heartbeat
- Seizures
Kidney Damage. Kidney damage can happen when using Victoza. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of kidney damage.
- Reduced need to pee
- Swelling in your feet, ankles, or legs
- Weakness or unusual tiredness
- Difficulty catching your breath or chest pain/pressure
- Confusion
- Nausea
- Seizures
Gallbladder Problems. Using Victoza can cause gallbladder problems, including cholecystitis and cholelithiasis (also known as gallstones). Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms.
- Your skin or the whites of your eyes turning yellowish in color (also called jaundice)
- Fever
- Pain in your upper stomach area
- Stool (poop) that is clay-colored
Warnings & Precautions
Who should not use Victoza?
Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not use Victoza.
- Liraglutide
- Victoza
- Saxenda
- Any other medicine that contains liraglutide
Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed
Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in Victoza.
Victoza is not used for type 1 diabetes.
Thyroid Cancer or Endocrine Condition. Victoza should not be used if you or someone in your family has had medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or if you have a condition called Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2). Talk to your healthcare provider about your current and past health conditions and your family medical history.
What should I know about Victoza before using it?
Review the Instructions for Use that come with your medicine when using Victoza for the first time or when you have not used it in a while.
Do not use Victoza unless it has been prescribed to you by a healthcare provider. Use it as prescribed.
Do not share Victoza with other people, even if they have the same condition as you, and even if the needle has been changed. It may harm them.
Keep Victoza out of the reach of children. Since this medicine can be kept in a refrigerator, take special precautions to keep it away from children who also use the refrigerator.
If you have nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea, drink plenty of water, so that you do not get dehydrated.
Use a new needle for each injection.
Avoid using the same injection site each time you use Victoza by rotating where you inject it.
What should I tell my healthcare provider before using Victoza?
Tell your healthcare provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them determine if Victoza is right for you.
In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.
Stomach problems. Tell your healthcare provider if you have stomach problems, such as slowed stomach emptying (gastroparesis) or problems digesting food. Your healthcare provider may choose another medicine to treat your type 2 diabetes.
Pancreatitis. Tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had pancreatitis. Your healthcare provider may choose another medicine to treat your type 2 diabetes.
Kidney Problems. Tell your healthcare provider if you have kidney problems, including long-term kidney failure or end-stage kidney disease, as this may worsen while using Victoza.
Liver problems. Tell your healthcare provider if you have liver problems. Your healthcare provider may choose another medicine to treat your type 2 diabetes.
Other Medicines and Supplements. Victoza may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before taking Victoza, tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.
Pregnancy. It is not known if or how Victoza could affect pregnancy or harm an unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you are or plan to become pregnant.
Breastfeeding. It is not known if Victoza passes into breast milk. Tell your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.
How can I get more information about Victoza?
For more information about Victoza, you can visit the manufacturer’s website at https://www.victoza.com/ or call them at 844-Novo4Me (844-668-6463).
Interactions
Does Victoza interact with foods or drinks?
There are no known interactions between Victoza and foods or drinks.
It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect Victoza, but alcohol may affect blood sugar levels in people with diabetes. This may interfere with the effect of Victoza. It is best to limit the amount of alcohol you drink.
Does Victoza interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?
Always tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.
Make sure that you discuss if you are using insulin or taking another type of medicine for diabetes called a sulfonylurea (glimepiride, glyburide, glipizide). These medicines may increase your risk of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).
Victoza works by slowing down the movement of food through your body. Because of this, Victoza may affect the absorption of some other medicines that you take by mouth. Tell your healthcare provider about all medicines that you take or have recently taken.
This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with Victoza. Always check with your healthcare provider.
Overdose/Missed Dose
What should I do if I accidentally use too much Victoza?
If you or someone else has used too much Victoza, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.
What should I do if I miss a dose of Victoza?
If you miss a dose, skip the missed dose and only take the next dose. Do not take double or extra doses.
If it has been more than 3 days since your last Victoza dose, use the lowest available dose at first to reduce the risk of stomach-related side effects. Then follow your healthcare provider’s recommendations on increasing back to your previous dose.
Are you currently using Victoza (liraglutide)?
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