Victoza is a prescription treatment used to handle blood sugar ranges in adults and kids ages 10 and up with sort 2 diabetes.
What’s Victoza?
Victoza is an injectable drug authorised by the U.S. Meals and Drug Administration (FDA) for the administration of blood sugar ranges in sort 2 diabetes.
It belongs to the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist drug class, with its foremost ingredient being liraglutide.
Victoza is just like drugs corresponding to Trulicity (dulaglutide), Ozempic (semaglutide), and Mounjaro (tirzepatide). It’s administered subcutaneously (below the pores and skin) as soon as every day and could be taken alongside insulin or different diabetes drugs.
How does it work?
Victoza helps to decrease blood sugar in a number of methods. It stimulates insulin manufacturing from the pancreas, which helps stop blood sugar spikes after meals, slows digestion, and suppresses urge for food.
Moreover, it inhibits the liver from producing glucagon, thereby growing insulin sensitivity and stopping blood sugar spikes.
When taken persistently, together with a nutritious diet and elevated bodily exercise, Victoza lowers blood sugar and A1c ranges (a measure of glucose management over the earlier 2 to three months), serving to many individuals preserve a wholesome weight.
What are the advantages of taking Victoza?
In medical research, individuals with diabetes who took Victoza skilled decrease blood sugar ranges, particularly after meals.
Moreover, many individuals not solely keep away from weight achieve whereas taking Victoza, however in addition they reduce weight.
In a double-blind research involving individuals with diabetes, hypertension, excessive ldl cholesterol, or weight problems, Victoza mixed with life-style counseling resulted in a median weight lack of 8.9 to 13.3 kilos, which was sustainable for over a 12 months.
That stated, not everybody in medical research misplaced weight whereas taking this treatment — some even gained weight.
If weight reduction is a part of your diabetes administration plan, discuss to your healthcare supplier about the most effective therapy choices for you.
Victoza has additionally confirmed protecting in opposition to coronary heart assault, stroke, and untimely loss of life in individuals with diabetes and pre-existing coronary heart illness.
Why would you be prescribed Victoza?
Victoza could also be prescribed if in case you have sort 2 diabetes, are experiencing insulin resistance, or are in any other case coping with difficulties managing your blood sugar ranges.
For instance, sometimes, individuals with out sort 2 diabetes, corresponding to these with sort 1 diabetes or prediabetes, could also be prescribed Victoza to assist handle insulin resistance.
Moreover, individuals with present coronary heart illness could also be prescribed Victoza as a consequence of its cardiovascular advantages. The treatment can be generally prescribed off-label as a weight-loss treatment for these dealing with challenges in sustaining or reducing weight.
All the time take Victoza provided that prescribed by your physician and below their steerage.
What are the uncomfortable side effects?
Widespread uncomfortable side effects embody:
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Decreased urge for food
- Indigestion
- Constipation
- Weight reduction
- Low blood sugar (significantly when you’re on insulin remedy)
Uncommon however severe uncomfortable side effects might embody:
- Extreme allergic reactions
- Impaired kidney operate
- Gallbladder issues
- Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC)
Don’t take Victoza if in case you have a private or household historical past of MTC, a number of endocrine neoplasia, or if you’re allergic to liraglutide.
The FDA has issued a black field warning for an elevated threat of thyroid most cancers with Victoza.
Be taught extra in: Victoza Aspect Results: What You Have to Know.
What are the standard doses?
There isn’t a single typical dose; it varies based mostly in your well being historical past, targets, life-style, and insulin resistance.
Nevertheless, most individuals begin with 0.6 milligrams (mg) as soon as every day. After one week, when you’re not experiencing vital uncomfortable side effects, your physician might improve the dose to 1.2 mg every day as a upkeep dose.
If insulin resistance and excessive blood sugar ranges stay after a number of weeks at 1.2 mg, your physician might additional improve the dose to 1.8 mg every day.
See extra in: Victoza Dosing: How A lot Ought to You Take?
What’s the most every day dose?
The utmost every day dose of Victoza is 1.8 mg, taken as soon as every day. It’s vital to by no means exceed the prescribed dose.
What occurs when you take an excessive amount of Victoza?
By accident taking an excessive amount of Victoza can lead to extreme uncomfortable side effects like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, which can result in dehydration.
It might additionally trigger dangerously low blood sugar ranges (hypoglycemia), particularly when you’re taking insulin.
When you expertise low blood sugar and can’t maintain meals or drink down as a consequence of nausea, it is a medical emergency that could possibly be life-threatening if not handled promptly. When you suspect an overdose, name 911 and search emergency medical help instantly.
Can I miss a dose?
When you miss a dose, don’t fear — you gained’t expertise elevated insulin resistance, larger blood sugars, or weight achieve from lacking a day or two.
Nevertheless, it’s vital to take your treatment persistently for the most effective outcomes.
When you’re inside 12 hours of the missed dose, you may nonetheless take it. If greater than 13 hours have handed, skip the missed dose and take your subsequent dose as scheduled the next day.
By no means take two doses inside the identical 12-hour interval, and intention to take your injection on the identical time every day, corresponding to at breakfast.
How do I inject Victoza?
Victoza is available in a pen kind and is injected subcutaneously (below the pores and skin).
To inject, place the pen perpendicular to a fatty space of your physique, corresponding to your higher arms, thighs, or abdomen.
Clear the world with an alcohol swab earlier than injecting, and all the time use a brand new pen needle for every dose.
Dial your prescribed dose, pinch an inch of pores and skin, insert the needle, and press the highest of the pen to launch the treatment.
Maintain the needle in place for about 10 seconds to make sure all of the treatment is delivered.
Afterward, twist off the needle and get rid of it in a sharps container. Lastly, wipe away any extra treatment or blood with one other alcohol swab.
The medication could be taken at any time of day, with or with out meals. That will help you bear in mind to take the treatment, it’s greatest to get right into a routine and take it on the identical time every day.
To keep away from injecting into the identical spot too typically, rotate your injection web site to a distinct space every time.
Who shouldn’t take Victoza?
Victoza ought to solely be taken if it has been prescribed to you by a health care provider. It’s FDA-approved just for individuals with sort 2 diabetes.
When you wouldn’t have sort 2 diabetes or haven’t been prescribed Victoza, don’t take it.
Moreover, GLP-1 agonists should not really helpful for individuals who are pregnant, planning to turn out to be pregnant, or breastfeeding.
Don’t use Victoza if you’re allergic to its lively ingredient, liraglutide, or when you or any of your loved ones members have a historical past of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or A number of Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome sort 2 (MEN 2).
You probably have persistent kidney illness (CKD) or gastroparesis (a situation wherein abdomen emptying is delayed), seek the advice of your physician earlier than beginning Victoza, as it may possibly worsen these situations.
How do I cease taking Victoza?
There are numerous causes you would possibly need to cease taking Victoza, corresponding to experiencing antagonistic uncomfortable side effects.
Nevertheless, it’s not really helpful to cease taking the drug abruptly, as this could result in elevated insulin resistance, larger blood sugar ranges, and weight achieve, which could be dangerous to your well being.
When you want to cease taking Victoza, seek the advice of your physician first. They could recommend regularly lowering your dose over a number of weeks to stop antagonistic results. Your physician may additionally advocate an alternate treatment that higher fits your wants.
Can Victoza substitute insulin?
No, Victoza and different GLP-1 agonists should not insulin and can’t substitute the necessity for insulin.
It is best to proceed taking your prescribed insulin until your physician advises in any other case. Whereas Victoza might assist scale back the quantity of insulin you want over time, it won’t fully eradicate your want for insulin.
Can I take Victoza with different diabetes drugs?
Sure, however it is determined by the particular drugs.
Victoza could be taken with insulin, metformin, and different drugs used to handle situations like hypertension, excessive ldl cholesterol, and coronary heart illness.
Nevertheless, don’t mix Victoza with different GLP-1 agonists, corresponding to Ozempic (semaglutide), Mounjaro (tirzepatide), or Trulicity (dulaglutide).
Make sure to inform your physician about all of the drugs you’re at present taking earlier than beginning Victoza.
Does Victoza must be refrigerated?
Sure, Victoza ought to be saved within the fridge between 36°F and 46°F (2°C and eight°C). After opening, it may be used for as much as 56 days. By no means freeze it or expose it to excessive warmth.
What does it value?
The quantity you’ll pay every month, generally known as your co-pay, varies relying in your insurance coverage plan. To find out your particular co-pay, use your prescription or medical card and use the Victoza protection and co-pay calculator.
Victoza is broadly coated by main well being plans, together with Medicare and Medicaid. You probably have any questions relating to protection or co-pay prices, you may contact Novo Nordisk assist at 1-877-4VICTOZA (1-877-484-2869).
For individuals who qualify, the Affected person Help Program (PAP) presents free treatment. To be taught extra about this program, name Novo Nordisk’s PAP toll-free at 1-866-310-7549.
How do I get a prescription?
You might qualify for a prescription when you:
- Have sort 2 diabetes and are battling insulin resistance.
- Have prediabetes or sort 1 diabetes and are coping with insulin resistance and associated weight achieve.
- Wish to reduce weight however wouldn’t have diabetes. On this case, you could be eligible for different FDA-approved weight reduction remedies, corresponding to Wegovy or Zepbound, which could have fewer uncomfortable side effects.
When you’re serious about taking Victoza, discuss together with your physician to see if it’s the precise possibility for you.
Did you discover this text useful? Click on Sure or No beneath to tell us!
