liraglutide

Generic Name: liraglutide (LIR a GLOO tde)

Brand Names: Victoza

What is liraglutide?

Liraglutide is a diabetes medicine that helps control blood sugar levels.

Liraglutide is used to treat type 2 diabetes.

This medication is not for treating type 1 diabetes.

Liraglutide may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about liraglutide?

You should not use liraglutide if you are allergic to it, or if you have multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (tumors in your glands), a personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer, insulin-dependent diabetes, or if you are in a state of diabetic ketoacidosis (call your doctor for treatment with insulin)

Before using liraglutide, tell your doctor if you have stomach problems causing slow digestion, kidney or liver disease, high blood pressure, high triglycerides, or if you have ever had pancreatitis, gallstones, or alcoholism.

You should not breast-feed while using liraglutide. Never share an injection pen with another person. Sharing injection pens can allow disease such as hepatitis or HIV to pass from one person to another. Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as swelling or a lump in your throat area, hoarse voice, trouble swallowing, feeling short of breath, severe pain in your upper stomach spreading to your back, nausea and vomiting, or signs of infection such as fever, chills, sore throat, flu symptoms, mouth sores, or easy bruising or bleeding.

Liraglutide is only part of a complete program of treatment that may also include diet, exercise, weight control, foot care, eye care, dental care, and testing your blood sugar.

What should I discuss with my health care provider before using liraglutide?

You should not use liraglutide if you are allergic to it, or if you have:

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  multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (tumors in your glands);

  
  


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  a personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer;

  
  


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  type 1 diabetes; or

  
  


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  if you are in a state of diabetic ketoacidosis (call your doctor for treatment with insulin).

  
  

To make sure you can safely use liraglutide, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:

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  stomach problems causing slow digestion;

  
  


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  kidney or liver disease;

  
  


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  a thyroid disorder;

  
  


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  high blood pressure;

  
  


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  high triglyceride levels in your blood;

  
  


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  a history of pancreatitis;

  
  


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  a history of gallstones; or

  
  


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  a history of alcoholism.

  
  

FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether liraglutide will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medication.. In animal studies, liraglutide caused the development of thyroid tumors. However, very high doses are used in animal studies. It is not known whether these effects would occur in people using doses recommended for human use. Ask your doctor about your personal risk. It is not known whether liraglutide passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while using liraglutide.

How should I use liraglutide?

Liraglutide comes in a prefilled injection pen. Ask your pharmacist which type of needles are best to use with your pen.

Liraglutide is injected under the skin. Your care provider will show you the best places on your body to inject liraglutide. Do not self-inject this medicine if you do not fully understand how to give the injection and properly dispose of used needles and injection pens.

Liraglutide is usually given once per day. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results. Your dose needs may change if you become ill, have a fever or infection, or if you have surgery or a medical emergency.

You may use liraglutide at any time of the day, with or without a meal.

Do not use liraglutide if it has changed colors or has particles in it. Call your doctor for a new prescription.

Your blood sugar will need to be checked often, and you may need other blood tests at your doctor's office. Visit your doctor regularly.

Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) can occur if you skip a meal, exercise too long, drink alcohol, or are under stress. Symptoms include headache, hunger, confusion, irritability, drowsiness, weakness, dizziness, tremors, sweating, and fast heartbeat. Carry hard candy or glucose tablets with you in case you have low blood sugar. Other sugar sources include orange juice and milk. Be sure your family and close friends know how to help you in an emergency.

Liraglutide is only part of a complete program of treatment that may also include diet, exercise, weight control, foot care, eye care, dental care, and testing your blood sugar. Follow your diet, medication, and exercise routines very closely. Changing any of these factors can affect your blood sugar levels.

Storing unopened injection pens: Store in the refrigerator. Do not store near the refrigerator's cooling element.

Storing after your first use: You may keep "in-use" injection pens in the refrigerator or at room temperature. Protect the pens from moisture, heat, and sunlight. Use within 30 days. Remove the needle before storing an injection pen, and keep the cap on the pen when not in use.

Throw away used needles in a puncture-proof container (ask your pharmacist where you can get one and how to dispose of it). Keep this container out of the reach of children and pets.

Do not freeze liraglutide, and throw away the medication if it has become frozen.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Use the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Overdose may cause severe nausea and vomiting.

What should I avoid while using liraglutide?

Never share an injection pen with another person. Sharing injection pens can allow disease such as hepatitis or HIV to pass from one person to another.

Liraglutide side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

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  swelling or a lump in your throat area;

  
  


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  hoarse voice, trouble swallowing, feeling short of breath;

  
  


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  pancreatitis - severe pain in your upper stomach spreading to your back, nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite, fast heart rate; or

  
  


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  signs of infection such as fever, chills, sore throat, flu symptoms, easy bruising or bleeding (nosebleeds, bleeding gums), mouth sores, unusual weakness.

  
  

Less serious side effects may include:

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  headache, dizziness;

  
  


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  upset stomach, loss of appetite;

  
  


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  nausea, vomiting;

  
  


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  diarrhea, constipation;

  
  


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  cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, sinus pain, sore throat;

  
  


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  back pain;

  
  


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  tired feeling;

  
  


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  mild skin rash; or

  
  


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  redness or rash where the medicine was injected.

  
  

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Liraglutide Dosing Information

Usual Adult Dose for Diabetes Mellitus Type II:

Initial dose: 0.65 mg subcutaneously once a day for at least 1 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

What other drugs will affect liraglutide?

Liraglutide can make it harder for your body to absorb other medications you take by mouth. Tell your doctor about all medications you take by mouth, especially oral diabetes medications (Glucotrol, Metaglip, Amaryl, Avandaryl, Duetact, DiaBeta, Micronase, Glucovance, and others).

There may be other drugs that can interact with liraglutide. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

More liraglutide resources

• Liraglutide Side Effects (in more detail)
• Liraglutide Dosage
• Liraglutide Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Liraglutide Drug Interactions
• Liraglutide Support Group
• 142 Reviews for Liraglutide - Add your own review/rating

• liraglutide Subcutaneous Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information


• Liraglutide Professional Patient Advice (Wolters Kluwer)


• Liraglutide MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)


• Victoza Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Victoza Consumer Overview

Compare liraglutide with other medications

• Diabetes, Type 1
• Diabetes, Type 2
• Obesity

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist can provide more information about liraglutide.

See also: liraglutide side effects (in more detail)