Proper Use

Drug information provided by: Merative, Micromedex®

When you start using Victoza®, it is very important that you check your blood sugar often, especially before and after meals, and at bedtime. This will help lower the chance of having very low blood sugar.

This medicine should come with a Medication Guide and patient instructions. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.

You may take this medicine with or without food.

If you will be using liraglutide at home, your doctor will teach you how the injections will be given. Be sure you understand exactly how the medicine is to be injected.

This medicine is given as a shot under the skin of your stomach, thighs, or upper arm. 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.

If you use Victoza® with insulin, do not mix them into the same syringe. It is acceptable to inject these in the same body area, but the shots should not be right next to each other. Do not use Saxenda® together with insulin.

Allow the medicine to warm at room temperature before you inject it. If the medicine in the pen has changed color, looks cloudy, or if you see particles in it, do not use it.

Use a new needle each time you inject your medicine.

Never share medicine pens with others under any circumstances. It is not safe for one pen to be used for more than one person. Sharing needles or pens can result in transmission of infection.

Follow carefully the special meal plan your doctor gave you. This is the most important part of controlling your diabetes, and is necessary if Victoza® is to work properly. Also, exercise regularly and test for sugar in your blood or urine as directed.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

  • For injection dosage form:
    • For type 2 diabetes:
      • Adults and children 10 years of age and older—At first, 0.6 milligram (mg) injected under the skin once a day for 1 week. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed and until your blood sugar is controlled.
      • Children younger than 10 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • For reducing the risk of heart attacks and strokes:
      • Adults—At first, 0.6 milligram (mg) injected under the skin once a day for 1 week. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • For treatment of obesity:
      • Adults—At first, 0.6 milligram (mg) injected under the skin once a day for 1 week. Your doctor will increase your dose weekly up to 3 mg every week.
      • Children—Use is not recommended.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

If you miss a dose of this medicine for 3 days or more, call your doctor to talk about how to restart your treatment.

Storage

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

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.

Always remove the needle from the pen before storing the medicine. This prevents leakage of the remaining medicine and prevents air bubbles from forming in the cartridge.

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