Victoza (Liraglutide) belongs to a group of medications known as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists. It is used along with other medications by adults and children older than 10 years of age, to improve blood glucose (sugar) levels for people with Type 2 Diabetes. It works by helping your body make more insulin and control blood glucose levels.

Victoza (Liraglutide) is also used for people with type 2 diabetes who also have cardiovascular disease. It is used in addition to diet, exercise, and other medications to reduce the risk of dying from cardiac disease.

Victoza (Liraglutide) may be available under multiple brand names and/or in several different forms. Any specific brand name of Victoza (Liraglutide) may not be available in all of the forms or approved for all of the conditions discussed here. As well, some forms of Victoza (Liraglutide) may not be used for all of the conditions discussed here.

Your doctor may have suggested Victoza (Liraglutide) for conditions other than those listed in these drug information articles. If you have not discussed this with your doctor or are not sure why you are being given Victoza (Liraglutide), speak to your doctor. Do not stop using Victoza (Liraglutide) without consulting your doctor.

Do not give Victoza (Liraglutide) to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you do. It can be harmful for people to use Victoza (Liraglutide) if their doctor has not prescribed it.

The recommended starting dose of Victoza (Liraglutide) is 0.6 mg daily injected subcutaneously (under the skin) on your stomach area (abdomen), upper thigh, or upper arm, exactly as instructed by your doctor or diabetes educator. It can be injected at any time of the day, without regard to meals. After one week, your doctor may increase the dose to 1.2 mg once daily. If needed, your doctor may increase the dose again in one week to 1.8 mg once daily. Do not change your dose unless your doctor has told you to do so.

If you are also using insulin, each medication should be injected separately.

Many things can affect the dose of a medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are using the medication without consulting your doctor.

It is important to take Victoza (Liraglutide) exactly as prescribed by your doctor. If you miss a dose, inject your dose on the next day as usual. Do not inject a double dose or increase your dose to make up for a missed one. If you are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Victoza (Liraglutide) should be clear and colourless. Do not use Victoza (Liraglutide) if you notice particles or anything unusual in the appearance of the solution.

Store Victoza (Liraglutide) in the refrigerator, do not allow it to freeze, and keep it out of the reach of children. After the first use of the pen, Victoza (Liraglutide) can be stored at room temperature or in the refrigerator for up to 30 days. To protect Victoza (Liraglutide) from light, always keep the pen cap on when you are not using it. Always store Victoza (Liraglutide) without a needle attached to prevent contamination, infection, and leakage.

Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.

Many medications can cause side effects. A side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. Side effects can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent.

The side effects listed below are not experienced by everyone who takes Victoza (Liraglutide). If you are concerned about side effects, discuss the risks and benefits of Victoza (Liraglutide) with your doctor.

The following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people taking Victoza (Liraglutide). Many of these side effects can be managed, and some may go away on their own over time.

Contact your doctor if you experience these side effects and they are severe or bothersome. Your pharmacist may be able to advise you on managing side effects.

• burping
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• dizziness
• gas
• headache
• heartburn
• loss of appetite
• mild abdominal pain or swelling
• nausea
• redness, itching, or swelling at the site of injection
• skin rash
• vomiting

Although most of these side effects listed below don't happen very often, they could lead to serious problems if you do not seek medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

• increased heart rate
• increased occurrence of sinus infections, colds, or nasal congestion
• itchiness
• lump in the neck, difficulty swallowing, hoarseness
• signs of low blood glucose (e.g., anxiety, blurred vision, confusion, difficulty concentrating, difficulty speaking, dizziness, drowsiness, fast heartbeat, feeling jittery, headache, hunger, irritability, nausea, nervousness, numbness or tingling of the lips or tongue, sweating, tiredness, trembling, weakness)
• symptoms of an inflamed gallbladder (e.g., upper abdominal pain after eating, nausea, bloating, and indigestion, especially after a fatty meal)

Stop taking the medication and seek immediate medical attention if any of the following occur:

• chest pain
• heart rhythm changes (e.g., dizziness, palpitations, fainting)
• seizures
• severe Hypoglycemia (e.g., disorientation, loss of consciousness, seizures)
• signs of pancreatitis (e.g., abdominal pain on the upper left side, back pain, nausea, Fever, chills, rapid heartbeat, swollen abdomen)
• symptoms of a serious allergic reaction (e.g., swelling of the face or throat, difficulty breathing, wheezing, or itchy skin rash)
• unconsciousness

Some people may experience side effects other than those listed. Check with your doctor if you notice any symptom that worries you while you are taking Victoza (Liraglutide).

Each mL of clear, colourless solution contains 6 mg of Victoza (Liraglutide). Nonmedicinal ingredients: disodium phosphate dihydrate, propylene glycol, phenol, and water for injection.

Do not use Victoza (Liraglutide) if you:

• are allergic to Victoza (Liraglutide) or any ingredients of the medication
• are pregnant
• are breast-feeding
• have a personal or family history of Thyroid cancer
• have multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (a disease where people have tumours in more than one gland in their body)
• have Type 1 Diabetes

There may be an interaction between Victoza (Liraglutide) and any of the following:

• acetylsalicylic acid (Asa)
• alpha-lipoic acid
• androgens (e.g., testosterone)
• atypical antipsychotics (e.g., Clozapine, Olanzapine, Quetiapine, Risperidone)
• Basiliximab
• beta-blockers (e.g., Atenolol, Propranolol, Metoprolol)
• Buserelin
• chloroquine
• corticosteroids (e.g., budesonide, Hydrocortisone, Prednisone)
• diabetes medications (e.g., chlorpropamide, glyburide, insulin, Metformin, Rosiglitazone)
• Digoxin
• Disopyramide
• diuretics ("water pills"; e.g., Furosemide, Hydrochlorothiazide, Indapamide)
• Epinephrine
• estrogens (e.g., conjugated estrogen, Estradiol, ethinyl estradiol)
• Everolimus
• Glucagon
• Goserelin
• Hepatitis C antivirals (e.g., elbasvir, glecaprevir and pibrentasvir, grazoprevir, ledipasvir, sofosbuvir, velpatasvir)
• HIV protease inhibitors (e.g., atazanavir, indinavir, ritonavir, saquinavir)
• hydroxychloroquine
• inhaled corticosteroids (e.g., budesonide, beclomethasone, fluticasone)
• Lanreotide
• Leuprolide
• mifepristone
• monoamine oxidase inhibitors (M.O.S. e.g., Moclobemide, Phenelzine, Rasagiline, Selegiline, Tranylcypromine)
• Niacin
• Nilotinib
• Octreotide
• Pasireotide
• pentamidine
• progestins (e.g., Dienogest, Levonorgestrel, medroxyprogesterone, Norethindrone)
• Pseudoephedrine
• quinine
• quinolone antibiotics (e.g., ciprofloxacin, Norfloxacin, Ofloxacin)
• selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs; e.g., Citalopram, Fluoxetine, Paroxetine, Sertraline)
• Sirolimus
• Somatropin
• sulfonamide antibiotics ("sulfas"; e.g., sulfisoxazole, sulfamethoxazole)
• Sunitinib
• Tacrolimus
• Tramadol
• Venetoclax
• Vorinostat

If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

• stop taking one of the medications,
• change one of the medications to another,
• change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
• leave everything as is.

An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

Medications other than those listed above may interact with Victoza (Liraglutide). Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the Nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.