Victoza Injectable Pens
(See detailed Medicine Prescription Information here)
Liraglutide (Victoza Injectable Pen) improves blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes. (Victoza) improves blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes. There are two ways insulin can interact with the human body: the bolus and the basal. Just before meals, we take bolus insulin, which is a quick-acting insulin. It helps to provide glucose control to the body due to glucose spikes immediately after meals. Basal insulin is longer-acting and helps to release insulin at a steady level throughout the day. Liraglutide is a long-acting Glucagon-like Peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist. It will release more insulin in the blood as the blood glucose increases, and insulin release decreases as the demand for insulin in the body reduces. Bolus insulin needs to act quickly and is known as “rapid-acting” insulin. It works in about 15 minutes, peaks in about 1 hour, and continues to work for 2 to 4 hours. Liraglutide turns on the GLP-1 receptor, a cell surface receptor that is attached to a membrane and makes more glucagon when blood sugar levels are high and less glucagon when blood sugar levels are low. Lowering blood glucose also involves a delay in gastric emptying. Thus, Victoza insulin dosage needs to reflect the amount of food a person eats during a meal, and the patient should be aware of the carbohydrates they eat.
Precautions using Victoza Injectable Pen
- Visit your doctor regularly.
- Review the remaining amount in pen and the amount needed.
- Check the pen expiration date and date when it was last used.
- You may take Victoza at any time during the day, but try to take it at the same time every day.
- Ensure that Victoza is clear and colorless.
- It would be best to inject Victoza under the skin (subcutaneously) of your upper legs (thighs), upper arms, or abdomen.
- Rotate the injection site.
- Do not inject where the skin is thickened, lumpy, tender, bruised, scaly, or hard.
- Do not mix Victoza with any other type of insulin or liquid medicine.
- Regularly monitor your blood sugar levels.
- Keep the Victoza injectable pen and associated medicines out of the reach of children.
- Keep the Victoza injectable pen away from heat and sunlight.
- Keep its cap on when not in use or with a needle attached.
- Use the Victoza Injectable Pen for 30 days after the first opening, and discard it after 30 days, even if some medication is left in the pen.
- Use the Victoza Injectable Pen with Novo Nordisk disposable needles only.
- Do not refill your Victoza injectable pen.
What is dosage of Victoza Injectable Pen?
Starting Victoza dosing for an adult is 0.6 mg daily for one week to reduce the gastrointestinal symptom. After that, your doctor will adjust the dose to 1.2 mg daily. After that, your doctor’s maximum dosage is 1.8 mg daily.
The initial Victoza dose for a child is 0.6 mg daily. If your doctor recommends, the dosage may be increased to 1.2 mg after one week of 0.6 mg daily. If additional glycemic control is required, the dosage may be increased to 1.8 mg daily after one week at the 1.2 mg daily dosage. The Victoza pen contains 18 mg/3 mL of clear, colorless solution in a pre-filled, single-patient-use pen that delivers doses of 0.6 mg, 1.2 mg, or 1.8 mg.
Victoza for Weight Loss: Victoza may aid individuals in losing weight, despite not being a weight-loss supplement. Many people with type 2 diabetes lost some weight in clinical tests that lasted 26 to 52 weeks. In a sizable trial, adults lost up to 6.2 pounds on average when Victoza was combined with metformin.
Warnings using Victoza Injectable Pen
Risk of Thyroid C-cell Tumors: There is a risk that Liraglutide causes dose-dependent treatment-duration-dependent thyroid C-cell tumors.
Pancreatitis: According to certain reports, patients receiving Victoza have experienced acute pancreatitis. Patients should closely monitor the signs and symptoms of pancreatitis, including persistent, severe abdominal pain that may accompany vomiting, once they initiate Victoza. If pancreatitis is confirmed, discontinue Victoza and do not restart it.
Hypoglycemia: When an adult patient takes Victoza with an insulin secretagogue (e.g., sulfonylurea), the risk of hypoglycemia increases. In pediatric patients ten years of age and older, the risk is higher with VICTOZA, regardless of insulin and/or metformin use. Reduce this risk by reducing the dose of other insulin secretagogues.
Symptoms of hypoglycemia are:
- dizziness or light-headedness
- blurred vision
- anxiety, irritability, or mood changes
- sweating
- slurred speech
- hunger
- confusion or drowsiness
- shakiness
- weakness
- headache
- fast heartbeat
- feeling jittery
Hypersensitivity Reactions: severe, life-threatening, generalized allergies, including anaphylaxis, can occur with insulins, including Victoza. You should inform your doctor and stop using Victoza.
Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction using the Victoza injectable pen include:
- You may experience swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- fainting or feeling dizzy.
- problems breathing or swallowing.
- very rapid heartbeat.
- severe rash or itching.
GLP-1 receptor agonist trials have reported the occurrence of acute gallbladder diseases such as cholelithiasis or cholecystitis. Your doctor should conduct further investigation if you suspect cholelithiasis.
Symptoms of gallbladder problems may include:
- pain in your upper stomach (abdomen)
- yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice)
- fever
- clay-colored stools
Victoza Injectable Pen Side Effects:
The most common side effects may include nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, decreased appetite, indigestion, and constipation.
Talk to your doctor before starting Victoza for the following conditions:
- Have you ever experienced problems with your pancreas, kidneys, or liver?
- You have severe problems with your stomach, such as slowed emptying of your stomach (gastroparesis) or problems digesting food.
- Are you pregnant or planning to become pregnant?
- are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.
Storage of Victoza Injectable Pen
Before use:
- Store the new Victoza injectable pen in the refrigerator at 36°F to 46°F (2°C to 8°C).
- If stored outside of refrigeration before use, use the Victoza injectable pen within 30 days.
- Do not freeze the Victoza injectable pen.
- Do not use
- Victoza Injectable Pen, if it were ever frozen.
Pen in use:
- Use a Victoza injectable pen for only 30 days after first use.
- Discard the pen after 30 days, even if some medicine is left in the pen.
- Store the Victoza Injectable Pen at 59°F to 86°F (15°C to 30°C) or in a refrigerator at 36°F to 46°F (2°C to 8°C).
- Discard the pen if it is exposed to temperatures above 86 °F (30°C).
- Protect the Victoza injectable pen from heat and sunlight.
- Keep the pen cap on when not in use.
- Remove the needle after each injection and discard the needle.
