Victoza Prefilled Pen Product Overview and Safety

Victoza Prefilled Pen is a multi-dose injection pen that contains liraglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist used in type 2 diabetes. It is prescribed to help improve blood sugar control and, in some adults, to reduce cardiovascular risk. This page summarizes how the medicine works, basic dosing concepts, storage, and key safety points to review with a clinician.

What Victoza Prefilled Pen Is and How It Works

Liraglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist, meaning it mimics a natural gut hormone involved in glucose regulation. It can increase insulin release when blood sugar is elevated, reduce glucagon (a hormone that raises glucose), and slow gastric emptying (slower stomach emptying). These actions may improve fasting and after-meal glucose values, and the slower emptying can also affect appetite in some people. Some patients explore US shipping from Canada when discussing options with their clinician and pharmacy team.

Victoza is used as a prescription treatment; it is not insulin and it is not used to treat diabetic ketoacidosis. On the operational side, CanadianInsulin functions as a prescription referral service and may confirm prescription details with the prescriber before processing.

Who It’s For

This medicine is indicated to improve glycemic control in adults and in pediatric patients aged 10 years and older with type 2 diabetes, along with diet and physical activity. In adults with type 2 diabetes and established cardiovascular disease, liraglutide also has an indication to reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (such as heart attack, stroke, or cardiovascular death) based on the approved labeling. If you are browsing broader diabetes therapy categories on the site, the Diabetes Condition Hub can help organize related options by condition.

Victoza Prefilled Pen is not for type 1 diabetes and should not be used for diabetic ketoacidosis. It is contraindicated in people with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or in patients with Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2). Do not use it if there has been a serious hypersensitivity reaction to liraglutide or to any component of the product.

Dosage and Usage

Victoza is given as a subcutaneous injection (under the skin), typically once daily, and it can be taken with or without meals. Standard label dosing starts at a lower dose and may be increased in steps to support tolerability. The pen is designed to deliver set doses; your prescriber selects the dose based on clinical goals, other medicines, and how well the treatment is tolerated.

A common labeled sequence is: start 0.6 mg once daily for one week, then increase to 1.2 mg once daily; if additional glycemic control is needed, some patients may be increased to 1.8 mg once daily. Do not change the dose schedule on your own. Injection sites commonly include the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm, and rotating sites can help reduce local irritation.

Quick tip: Keep a consistent routine and rotate injection sites to protect skin over time.

Strengths and Forms

This product is supplied as a prefilled, multi-dose pen that contains liraglutide solution at 6 mg/mL. A commonly referenced presentation is the Victoza 18 mg/3 mL pen (total 3 mL in the device). The pen is intended to deliver discrete dose settings used in the labeled regimen. Availability of specific packaging can vary by jurisdiction and pharmacy supply.

The Victoza Prefilled Pen is a device-based format, which may be helpful for people who prefer a dial-and-inject approach rather than drawing up medication from a vial. Clinicians and patients should follow the manufacturer’s Instructions for Use for priming, needle handling, and dose selection.

Storage and Travel Basics

Store unused pens in a refrigerator (generally 2°C to 8°C / 36°F to 46°F) and protect them from light. Do not freeze liraglutide, and do not use a pen that has been frozen. After first use, the label allows storage either refrigerated or at room temperature (typically not above 30°C / 86°F), but the pen should be discarded after the labeled in-use period. Always keep the pen cap on when not in use.

For travel, plan ahead to avoid temperature extremes, especially prolonged heat exposure. Carry supplies so you can inject on schedule, and keep the prescription information available in case it is needed for travel documentation. For more general diabetes-related education topics, the site’s Diabetes Articles hub is a browsable collection of guides and updates.

Side Effects and Safety

Common side effects with GLP-1 medicines can include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, stomach discomfort, reduced appetite, and headache. Many people notice gastrointestinal effects early and find they lessen over time, which is one reason labeling uses gradual dose escalation. Injection-site redness or itching can occur, and rotating sites may help.

More serious risks require prompt clinical attention. Stop using the medication and seek urgent care if there are signs of a severe allergic reaction (such as swelling of the face or throat, difficulty breathing, or widespread rash). Contact a clinician right away for severe abdominal pain that does not go away, with or without vomiting, as this may be consistent with pancreatitis. The label also warns about gallbladder disease, kidney problems that may follow dehydration from vomiting or diarrhea, and a boxed warning related to thyroid C-cell tumors observed in rodents; patients are advised to report a neck mass, hoarseness, trouble swallowing, or shortness of breath.

Why it matters: Persistent vomiting or severe abdominal pain should be assessed quickly to reduce complications.

Drug Interactions and Cautions

Liraglutide slows gastric emptying, which can change how quickly some oral medicines are absorbed. This does not always create a clinically meaningful problem, but it matters for medications where timing and rapid onset are important. Share a complete medication list with the prescriber, including over-the-counter products and supplements.

Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) is more likely when liraglutide is used with other glucose-lowering treatments that can cause hypoglycemia, such as insulin or sulfonylureas. Clinicians may adjust companion therapy and monitoring plans accordingly. Extra caution is often used in people with a history of pancreatitis, significant gastrointestinal disease, or those who are at higher risk of dehydration.

Compare With Alternatives

GLP-1 receptor agonists are one class among several for type 2 diabetes. Other GLP-1 options include semaglutide, dulaglutide, and exenatide products, each with different dosing frequencies and device formats. Non-GLP-1 alternatives include SGLT2 inhibitors, DPP-4 inhibitors, metformin, and insulin; the best fit depends on comorbidities, kidney function, hypoglycemia risk, and treatment goals.

When comparing categories, it can help to browse lists of therapies rather than focusing on a single brand. The Diabetes Medications hub groups prescription options, while Diabetes Products includes a wider set of diabetes-related items. If you are caring for a pet with diabetes, note that treatment decisions and products differ by species; these pet-focused resources may be useful for context: Managing Pet Diabetes, Canine Diabetes Guide, and Pet Insulin Dosage.

Pricing and Access

Victoza Prefilled Pen is a prescription medication, so access generally depends on having a valid prescription and meeting jurisdictional requirements. Dispensing is completed by licensed third-party pharmacies where permitted, and documentation requirements can vary based on the destination region and the pharmacy’s policies. Coverage also varies widely across insurers and plans, and some plans require prior authorization for GLP-1 therapies.

Out-of-pocket expenses can differ based on dose, refill quantity, and whether a plan applies a preferred formulary tier. If you are evaluating Victoza pen price factors, it may help to separate the device format from the medication itself, since the pen contains multiple doses and the monthly amount used depends on the prescribed daily dose. People exploring Victoza pen cost without insurance may also want to ask a clinician about appropriate therapeutic alternatives, and to confirm which options are clinically appropriate given their medical history.

Some patients also consider cash-pay approaches and cross-border fulfilment depending on eligibility and jurisdictional rules. If general program details are relevant to your planning, the Promotions Page may outline available informational updates, but any final eligibility is determined by the applicable plan rules and pharmacy requirements.

Authoritative Sources

For the most complete and current prescribing details, review official references:

• FDA labeling and application details are listed at Drugs@FDA for Victoza.
• Patient-facing safety information is summarized at MedlinePlus for liraglutide injection.

If temperature control is required, distribution may use prompt, express, cold-chain shipping according to pharmacy procedures.

This content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.