What is Victoza?
Victoza or liraglutide is a non-insulin medicine that is used to control A1C and blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. When you use this medication, it is advisable that you check your blood glucose levels regularly. This will reduce the risk of having blood glucose that is too low.
What is Victoza used for?
Victoza is similar to the naturally occurring insulin and is used to treat type 2 diabetes in adults. This medication is usually given through an injection in diabetic patients when other medicine has not been used successfully. The drug is usually part of a treatment that includes exercise, diet, weight control and regular blood glucose testing. You should not use this drug to treat type 1 diabetes. To avoid the risk of spreading infections, you should not share an injection pen, syringe or cartridge with anybody else. This applies even if the needle has been changed.
Who should not take this medication?
You should not use Victoza if you are allergic to liraglutide. If you have diabetic ketoacidosis, you should call your doctor and stop using this drug. Also, those who have a history of medullary thyroid carcinoma are not supposed to take this medicine. In case you experience symptoms of thyroid tumor, such as difficulty swallowing, shortness of breath, lump in the neck, or a hoarse voice, you should contact your doctor immediately. It is not yet determined whether this medication has harmful effects on unborn babies. Inform your doctor if you are pregnant or are planning to become pregnant. There are no reports to show that Victoza passes through the breast milk which could harm a nursing baby. Therefore, you should avoid breastfeeding while using liraglutide. It is not yet established whether this medication is effective and safe in children.
Storage requirements
Victoza can be stored inside a refrigerator. However, make sure you don’t freeze the medication. In case the medicine has been frozen, throw it away. Ask your healthcare provider how you are supposed to properly dispose the medication. You should not use liraglutide injection if it has changed colors or has particles in it. Instead, contact your pharmacist so that they can prescribe a new medicine. You may keep an open injection pen inside a refrigerator or store it under room temperature. Avoid exposing it to sunlight, heat or moisture. You should use the open injection pen within 30 days. Before you store an injection pen, you should remove the needle and keep the cap on the injection when you are not using it. If an unopened injection pen has expired, you should not use it.
Doctor’s Recommendation
Always consult your doctor before changing your Victoza dosage. Take it exactly as prescribed and ask your doctor if you have any questions.
If you miss a dose, skip it and take your regular dose the next day. If you miss more than three doses, contact your doctor, as you may need to restart at 0.6 milligrams once a day.
Use a timer or reminder app to help you remember your dose. Never take more Victoza than prescribed, as it can cause serious problems.
