Liraglutide (Victoza)

It is an injectable medication that helps control your blood glucose. It is a pre-filled, single-patient use pen that delivers multiple doses. Shown to be helpful with glucose control when used in addition to dietary modifications and increased, regular physical activity.

It can slow absorption of carbohydrate from the intestine into the blood stream to help prevent hyperglycemia (high blood glucose).

• Inject into skin once at any time of the day
• Inject in the abdomen, thigh or upper arm

Your schedule for dosing medication: 

Most common side effects are headache, nausea and diarrhea which goes down over time and does not usually require you to stop taking the medication. If the gastrointestinal symptoms are severe, please let us know. We can recommend smaller dosing.

Liraglutide can also cause hypoglycemia (low blood glucose), especially when it’s used with insulin. If your blood glucose is less than 70, take 3 ounces of juice or 10 grams of fast-acting carbohydrates.

Less common side effects include pancreatitis, gall bladder problems, kidney problems and allergic reactions.

If you have any side effects that do not go away after 2 weeks on the same dose, or any general questions related to your diabetes care, please contact the Endocrine nurse via MyChart or call 206-987-2640.

• Liraglutide (Victoza) is good at room temperature for 30 days
• Store unused Liraglutide (Victoza) in the refrigerator 

If you are already taking insulin when prescribed Liraglutide (Victoza), please know that you may be asked to contact the Endocrine nurse on a regular basis to report your glucose numbers. The goal is to reduce the amount of insulin you take and possibly eliminate it. You will continue to take Metformin while using Liraglutide (Victoza) unless told otherwise by your diabetes provider.

Do not take Liraglutide (Victoza) if you or any of your family have ever had medullary thyroid cancer or if you have an endocrine system condition called Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2). 

Do not take Liraglutide (Victoza) if you are allergic to it or any of the ingredients in it. 

You can find more information on: victoza.com