Victoza (liraglutide)
VICTOZA (liraglutide) – a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist commonly used to treat type 2 adult diabetes mellitus.
FDA approved uses: Victoza is indicated as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Available dosage forms: Solution for subcutaneous injection, prefilled multi-dose pen delivering doses of 0.6, 1.2, or 1.8 mg.
Usual dosage: Administer subcutaneously once daily at any time of the day, independent of meals. Initiate at 0.6 mg per day for one week. This dose is intended to reduce gastrointestinal symptoms during initial titration, and is not effective for glycemic control. After one week, increase the dose to 1.2 mg. If the 1.2 mg dose does not result in acceptable glycemic control, the dose can be increased to 1.8 mg.
Contraindications: Do not use VICTOZA if patient has history of serious hypersensitivity to Victoza or any product components. Do not use in patients with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or in patients with Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome Type 2.
Special Warnings: Liraglutide causes thyroid C-cell tumors at clinically relevant exposures in rodents. It is unknown whether Victoza causes thyroid C-cell tumors, including medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), in humans, as human relevance could not be determined by clinical or nonclinical studies. Victoza is contraindicated in patients with a personal or family history of MTC or in patients with Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2). Serious hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) can occur when used in combination with an insulin secretagogue (like sulfonylureas) or with insulin.
Adverse reactions (side effects) of these medications: The most common side effects of Victoza seen in clinical trials include: headache, nausea, diarrhea, anti-liraglutide antibody formation, and immunogenicity-related events, including urticaria. Other adverse reactions seen in clinical trials or post-marketing include: Vomiting, dyspepsia, constipation, papillary thyroid carcinomas, hypoglycemia, dehydration, increased serum creatinine and acute renal failure or worsening chronic renal failure, and angioedema/anaphylaxis.
Common drug interactions: Victoza causes a delay of gastric emptying, and thereby has the potential to impact the absorption of concomitantly administered oral medications. No other significant drug interactions are reported.
Special instructions for patients: Use this medication exactly as directed by physician. Consult patient medication guide before starting treatment, and with each refill. Notify healthcare provider if you get a lump or swelling in your neck, hoarseness, trouble swallowing, or shortness of breath as these may be signs of thyroid cancer. Before taking Victoza, notify physician if you have had pancreatitis, gallstones, a history of alcoholism, or high blood triglyceride levels. Stop taking Victoza and notify doctor if you have pain in the abdomen that is severe and will not go away.
Full prescribing information may be found at the manufacturer‘s official website Victoza.com or at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s website at Victoza Info at Drugs@FDA
Tags: liraglutide, liraglutide adverse effects, side effects of liraglutide, side effects of Victoza, Victoza