Victoza is a prescription treatment used to handle blood sugar ranges in adults and kids ages 10 and up with sort 2 diabetes.
This text will clarify every thing it’s good to find out about Victoza.
What’s Victoza?
Victoza is an injectable drug authorised by the U.S. Meals and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2010 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 principal ingredient being liraglutide.
Victoza is much like medicines resembling Trulicity (dulaglutide), Ozempic (semaglutide), and Mounjaro (tirzepatide). It’s administered subcutaneously (below the pores and skin) as soon as each day and will be taken alongside insulin or different diabetes medicines.
How does Victoza 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 rising 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 keep a wholesome weight.
What are the advantages of taking Victoza?
In scientific research, folks with diabetes who took Victoza skilled decrease blood sugar ranges, particularly after meals.
Moreover, many individuals not solely keep away from weight acquire whereas taking Victoza, however in addition they shed pounds.
In a double-blind research involving folks with diabetes, hypertension, excessive ldl cholesterol, or weight problems, Victoza mixed with way of life counseling resulted in a median weight lack of 8.9 to 13.3 kilos, which was sustainable for over a yr.
That stated, not everybody in scientific research misplaced weight whereas taking this treatment — some even gained weight. If weight reduction is a part of your diabetes administration plan, speak to your healthcare supplier about the very best remedy choices for you.
Learn extra in: Victoza and Weight Loss: Can Victoza Assist You Lose Weight?
Victoza can also be confirmed protecting towards coronary heart assault, stroke, and untimely loss of life in folks with diabetes and pre-existing coronary heart illness.
Why would you be prescribed Victoza?
Victoza could also be prescribed you probably 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, folks with out sort 2 diabetes, resembling these with sort 1 diabetes or prediabetes, could also be prescribed Victoza to assist handle insulin resistance.
Moreover, folks with current coronary heart illness could also be prescribed Victoza attributable to its cardiovascular advantages. Victoza can also be generally prescribed off-label as a weight-loss treatment for these going through challenges in sustaining or losing a few pounds.
All the time take Victoza provided that prescribed by your physician and below their steerage.
What are the unwanted side effects?
Victoza might trigger unwanted side effects, particularly if you first begin taking it.
Widespread unwanted side effects embrace:
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Decreased urge for food
- Indigestion
- Constipation
- Weight reduction
- Low blood sugar (notably should you’re on insulin remedy)
Uncommon however severe unwanted side effects might embrace:
- Extreme allergic reactions
- Impaired kidney operate
- Gallbladder issues
- Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC)
Don’t take Victoza you probably have a private or household historical past of MTC, a number of endocrine neoplasia, or in case you are allergic to liraglutide.
The FDA has issued a black field warning for an elevated threat of thyroid most cancers with Victoza.
When you have power kidney illness (CKD), seek the advice of your physician earlier than beginning Victoza, as it might worsen your situation.
Be taught extra in: Victoza Facet Results: What You Must Know.
What are the everyday Victoza doses?
There isn’t a single typical dose of Victoza; it varies primarily based in your well being historical past, targets, way of life, and insulin resistance.
Nevertheless, most individuals begin with 0.6 milligrams (mg) as soon as each day. After one week, should you’re not experiencing important unwanted side effects, your physician might enhance the dose to 1.2 mg each 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 enhance the dose to 1.8 mg each day.
See extra in: Victoza Dosing: How A lot Ought to You Take?
What’s the most each day dose of Victoza?
The utmost each day dose of Victoza is 1.8 mg, taken as soon as each day. It’s essential to by no means exceed the prescribed dose.
What occurs should you take an excessive amount of Victoza?
By chance taking an excessive amount of Victoza can lead to extreme unwanted side effects like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, which can result in dehydration.
It could possibly additionally trigger dangerously low blood sugar ranges (hypoglycemia), particularly should you’re taking insulin.
Should you expertise low blood sugar and can’t maintain meals or drink down attributable to nausea, this can be a medical emergency that could possibly be life-threatening if not handled promptly. Should you suspect an overdose, name 911 and search emergency medical help instantly.
Can I miss a dose of Victoza?
Should you miss a dose of Victoza, don’t fear — you gained’t expertise elevated insulin resistance, increased blood sugars, or weight acquire from lacking a day or two.
Nevertheless, it’s essential to take your treatment persistently for the very best outcomes.
Should you’re inside 12 hours of the missed dose, you’ll be able to 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 throughout the similar 12-hour interval, and goal to take your injection on the similar time every day, resembling 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, resembling your higher arms, thighs, or abdomen.
Clear the realm 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 eliminate it in a sharps container. Lastly, wipe away any extra treatment or blood with one other alcohol swab.
The drugs will 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 similar 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.
Be taught extra about this treatment and meals decisions in: Meals to Keep away from Whereas Taking Victoza.
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 folks with sort 2 diabetes.
Should you wouldn’t have sort 2 diabetes or haven’t been prescribed Victoza, don’t take it.
Moreover, GLP-1 agonists like Victoza usually are not advisable for many who are pregnant, planning to develop into pregnant, or breastfeeding.
Don’t use Victoza in case you are allergic to its lively ingredient, liraglutide. Additionally, keep away from Victoza should 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).
When you have power kidney illness (CKD) or gastroparesis (a situation by which abdomen emptying is delayed), seek the advice of your physician earlier than beginning Victoza, as it could worsen these circumstances.
How do I cease taking Victoza?
There are numerous causes you would possibly need to cease taking Victoza, resembling experiencing adversarial unwanted side effects.
Nevertheless, it’s not advisable to cease taking Victoza abruptly, as this may result in elevated insulin resistance, increased blood sugar ranges, and weight acquire, which will be dangerous to your well being.
Should you want to cease taking Victoza, seek the advice of your physician first. They could recommend regularly decreasing your dose over a number of weeks to forestall adversarial results. Your physician may additionally suggest another treatment that higher fits your wants.
Can Victoza substitute insulin?
No, Victoza and different GLP-1 agonists usually are not insulin and can’t substitute the necessity for insulin.
It’s best to proceed taking your prescribed insulin except your physician advises in any other case. Whereas Victoza might assist scale back the quantity of insulin you want over time, it is not going to fully eradicate your want for insulin.
Can I take Victoza with different diabetes medicines?
Sure, however it is determined by the precise medicines.
Victoza will be taken with insulin, metformin, and different medicines used to handle circumstances like hypertension, excessive ldl cholesterol, and coronary heart illness.
Nevertheless, don’t mix Victoza with different GLP-1 agonists, resembling Ozempic (semaglutide), Mounjaro (tirzepatide), or Trulicity (dulaglutide).
Learn extra in: Ozempic vs. Victoza: Which One Ought to You Select?
Remember to inform your physician about all of the medicines you’re at present taking earlier than beginning Victoza.
Does Victoza have to 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 Victoza or expose it to excessive warmth.
What does Victoza value?
The quantity you’ll pay every month, often 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 lined by main well being plans, together with Medicare and Medicaid. When you have any questions concerning protection or co-pay prices, you’ll be able to contact Victoza help at 1-877-4VICTOZA (1-877-484-2869).
For individuals who qualify, the Affected person Help Program (PAP) provides free treatment. To study extra about this program, name Novo Nordisk’s PAP toll-free at 1-866-310-7549.
How do I get a prescription for Victoza?
You could qualify for a Victoza prescription should you:
- Have sort 2 diabetes and are combating insulin resistance.
- Have prediabetes or sort 1 diabetes and are coping with insulin resistance and associated weight acquire.
- Wish to shed pounds however wouldn’t have diabetes. On this case, chances are you’ll be eligible for different FDA-approved weight reduction therapies, resembling Wegovy or Zepbound, which could have fewer unwanted side effects than Victoza.
Should you’re fascinated about taking Victoza, speak together with your physician to see if it’s the proper possibility for you.
Find out about some alternate options to Victoza in All the pieces You Must Know About Ozempic, All the pieces You Must Know About Mounjaro, and All the pieces You Must Know About Rybelsus. Did you discover this text useful? Click on Sure or No beneath to tell us!
