How to use it
Take Victoza as instructed by a qualified health care provider. Novo Nordisk recommends injecting Victoza once a day under the skin in your upper arm, upper thigh, or stomach. Do not use the same site for each injection. Store your Victoza pen, with the cap on, in the refrigerator.
Dosing
For most patients, dosing begins with 0.6 mg once-daily injections for one week and increases to 1.2 mg daily if medically indicated for further blood sugar control and if you tolerate it. After a week, if additional glycemic control is needed, your provider may increase your daily dose to a maximum of 1.8 mg.
Side effects
Rapid or significant weight loss can lead to too much muscle loss. It’s important to start a strength training program and exercise regularly to protect your muscles while taking Victoza.
Tell your health care provider if you have severe stomach problems that won’t go away, including abdominal bloating or pain, acid reflux, a feeling of fullness after eating just a few bites of food, nausea, and vomiting, including vomiting undigested food eaten a few hours earlier. These may be symptoms of gastroparesis (stomach paralysis).
Use effective birth control while taking this medication. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant, do not take Victoza.
The FDA also warns not to take Victoza if you have a personal or family history of multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2, medullary thyroid cancer, insulin-dependent diabetes, or diabetic ketoacidosis. So, if that’s you, Victoza isn’t the right fit.
Black Box Warning
Although rare, liraglutide caused thyroid C-cell tumors in animal studies. Victoza’s “black box” warns of the risk of these tumors. If you have trouble swallowing, develop hoarseness, or feel swelling or a lump in your neck, contact your health care provider immediately.
Precautions
Rapid or significant weight loss can lead to too much muscle loss. It’s important to start a strength training program and exercise regularly to protect your muscles while taking Victoza.
Tell your health care provider if you have severe stomach problems that won’t go away, including abdominal bloating or pain, acid reflux, a feeling of fullness after eating just a few bites of food, nausea, and vomiting, including vomiting undigested food eaten a few hours earlier. These may be symptoms of gastroparesis (stomach paralysis).
Use effective birth control while taking this medication. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant, do not take Victoza.
The FDA also warns not to take Victoza if you have a personal or family history of multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2, medullary thyroid cancer, insulin-dependent diabetes, or diabetic ketoacidosis. So, if that’s you, Victoza isn’t the right fit.
Interactions
Some drugs can also interact with Victoza, including:
- Insulin
- Sulfonylureas (these can cause blood sugar levels to drop dangerously low when combined with Victoza)
- Some birth control pills
- Other GLP-1 or GLP-1/GIP receptor agonist medications such as dulaglutide, semaglutide, or tirzepatide
You should not drink alcohol while taking this drug because drinking can lower blood sugar. Combining alcohol with this medication may cause blood sugars to fall too fast, leading to fainting and dizziness.
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