What is Victoza: Uses, Warnings & Interactions

Updated Jan. 13, 2021  •  Published Dec. 30, 2020

Victoza overview

BRAND NAMES:

  • Saxenda, Victoza

Generic Names:

  • Victoza

Uses:

  • Treats type 2 diabetes and helps with weight loss in certain patients. Also reduces the risk of heart attacks and strokes in patients with type 2 diabetes and heart or blood vessel disease.

Therapeutic Classes:

  • Antidiabetic

Forms:

  • Injectable

How it’s taken:

  • By injection

What form(s) does Victoza come in

  • Injectable

What are common Victoza doses?

  • Pen 3ML of 18MG/3ML

Common Victoza prescriptions

  • Victoza
    18mg/3ml (6mg/ml) 3ml pen

How to take Victoza

  • Injection routeThrow away used needles in a hard, closed container that the needles cannot poke through. Keep this container away from children and pets.

  • Injection routeYour doctor will prescribe your exact dose and tell you how often it should be given. This medicine is given as a shot under your skin. It is usually given in your stomach, thighs, or upper arms.

  • If you use insulin in addition to Victoza®, do not mix them into the same syringe. You may give the shots in the same area (including your stomach), but do not give the shots right next to each other.

  • Injection routeYou may be taught how to give your medicine at home. Make sure you understand all instructions before giving yourself an injection. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.

  • Check the liquid in the pen. It should be clear and colorless. Do not use it if it is cloudy, discolored, or has particles in it.

  • Injection routeYou will be shown the body areas where this shot can be given. Use a different body area each time you give yourself a shot. Keep track of where you give each shot to make sure you rotate body areas.

  • Injection routeUse a new needle and syringe each time you inject your medicine.

  • Never share medicine pens with others under any circumstances. Sharing needles or pens can result in transmission of infection.

  • Drink extra fluids so you will urinate more often and help prevent kidney problems.

  • This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Ask your pharmacist for a copy if you do not have one.

  • Missed dose: If you miss a dose of this medicine, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Never take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose. If you miss a dose for 3 days or more, call your doctor to talk about how to restart your treatment.

  • Store your new, unused medicine pen in its original carton in the refrigerator. Protect it from light. Do not freeze this medicine or use it if it has been frozen. You may store the opened medicine pen in the refrigerator or at room temperature for 30 days. Throw away any unused medicine after 30 days, even if it still has medicine in it. Always remove the needle from the pen before you store it.

  • Drink extra fluids so you will urinate more often and help prevent kidney problems.

  • Store your new, unused medicine pen in its original carton in the refrigerator. Protect it from light. Do not freeze this medicine or use it if it has been frozen. You may store the opened medicine pen in the refrigerator or at room temperature for 30 days. Throw away any unused medicine after 30 days, even if it still has medicine in it. Always remove the needle from the pen before you store it.

  • Injection routeYou will be shown the body areas where this shot can be given. Use a different body area each time you give yourself a shot. Keep track of where you give each shot to make sure you rotate body areas.

  • Injection routeYour doctor will prescribe your exact dose and tell you how often it should be given. This medicine is given as a shot under your skin. It is usually given in your stomach, thighs, or upper arms.

  • Check the liquid in the pen. It should be clear and colorless. Do not use it if it is cloudy, discolored, or has particles in it.

  • Never share medicine pens with others under any circumstances. Sharing needles or pens can result in transmission of infection.

  • Missed dose: If you miss a dose of this medicine, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Never take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose. If you miss a dose for 3 days or more, call your doctor to talk about how to restart your treatment.

  • Injection routeYou may be taught how to give your medicine at home. Make sure you understand all instructions before giving yourself an injection. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.

  • Injection routeUse a new needle and syringe each time you inject your medicine.

  • This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Ask your pharmacist for a copy if you do not have one.

  • If you use insulin in addition to Victoza®, do not mix them into the same syringe. You may give the shots in the same area (including your stomach), but do not give the shots right next to each other.

  • Injection routeThrow away used needles in a hard, closed container that the needles cannot poke through. Keep this container away from children and pets.

Victoza contraindications

  • This medicine is not right for everyone. Do not use it if you had an allergic reaction to liraglutide, or if you have multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2) or if you or anyone in your family had medullary thyroid cancer. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or have become pregnant while you are using this medicine.

Victoza warnings

  • Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease, digestion problems (including gastroparesis), gallbladder disease, or a history of pancreas problems, depression, or angioedema (swelling of the arms, face, hands, mouth, or throat).

  • Do not use Saxenda® if you are also using Victoza®. They contain the same medicine.

  • This medicine may cause the following problems: Increased risk for thyroid tumorsPancreatitis (swelling of the pancreas)Low blood sugar (when used together with insulin or other diabetes medicine)Kidney problemsGallbladder problems, including gallstonesThoughts of hurting yourself (Saxenda®)

  • Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.

  • Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

  • Sudden and severe stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, fever, and lightheadedness

  • Trouble breathing or swallowing, a lump in your neck, hoarseness when speaking

  • Yellow skin or eyes

Victoza interactions

  • Do not use Saxenda® together with insulin.

  • Some medicines can affect how Victoza® works. Tell your doctor if you are using insulin or other diabetes medicine (including €Ž€Žglibenclamide, glimepiride, glipizide) or any other oral medicine.

  • This medicine may cause the following problems: An increased risk of thyroid tumorPancreatitisLow blood sugarGallbladder problems, including gallstones (Saxenda®)Thoughts of hurting yourself (Saxenda®)

  • Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.

  • Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

Victoza side effects

Serious Side Effects

  • Yellow skin or eyes

  • Yellow skin or eyes

  • Trouble breathing or swallowing, a lump in your neck, hoarseness when speaking

  • Sudden and severe stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, fever, lightheadedness, yellow skin or eyes

  • Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing

  • Change in how much or how often you urinate, painful or burning urination

  • Feeling sad or depressed, thoughts of suicide, unusual changes in mood or behavior

  • Shaking, trembling, sweating, fast or pounding heartbeat, fainting, hunger, confusion

Less Serious Side Effects

  • Diarrhea, constipation, stomach upset

  • Decreased appetite

  • Headache

  • Dizziness

  • Redness, itching, swelling, or any changes in your skin where the shot was given