Indications and Usage for Victoza® (liraglutide [rDNA origin] injection)
Victoza® (liraglutide [rDNA origin] injection) is an injectable prescription medicine
that may improve blood sugar (glucose) in adults with type 2 diabetes when used
along with diet and exercise.
Victoza® is not recommended as the first medication to treat diabetes. Victoza®
is not a substitute for insulin and has not been studied in combination with prandial
(meal-time) insulin. Victoza® is not for people with type 1 diabetes or people with
diabetic ketoacidosis. It is not known if Victoza® is safe and effective in children.
Victoza® is not recommended for use in children.
Important Safety Information
In animal studies, Victoza® caused thyroid tumors—including thyroid cancer—in
some rats and mice. It is not known whether Victoza® causes thyroid tumors or a
type of thyroid cancer called medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) in people, which may
be fatal if not detected and treated early. Do not use Victoza® if you or any of
your family members have a history of MTC or if you have Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia
syndrome type 2 (MEN 2). While taking Victoza®, tell your doctor if you get a lump
or swelling in your neck, hoarseness, trouble swallowing, or shortness of breath.
These may be symptoms of thyroid cancer.
Do not use Victoza® if you are allergic to liraglutide or any of the ingredients
in Victoza®. Serious allergic reactions can happen with Victoza®. If symptoms of
serious allergic reactions occur, stop taking Victoza® and seek medical attention.
Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis) may be severe and lead to death. Before
taking Victoza®, tell your doctor if you have had pancreatitis, gallstones, a history
of alcoholism, or high blood triglyceride levels since these medical conditions
make you more likely to get pancreatitis.
Stop taking Victoza® and call your doctor right away if you have pain in your stomach
area that is severe and will not go away, occurs with or without vomiting, or is
felt going from your stomach area through to your back. These may be symptoms of
pancreatitis.
Before using Victoza®, tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, especially
sulfonylurea medicines or insulin, as taking them with Victoza® may affect how each
medicine works. If you use Victoza® with insulin, you may give both injections in
the same body area (for example, your stomach area), but not right next to each
other.
Also tell your doctor if you have severe stomach problems such as slowed emptying
of your stomach (gastroparesis) or problems with digesting food; have or have had
kidney or liver problems; have any other medical conditions; or are pregnant or
plan to become pregnant. Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.
It is unknown if Victoza® will harm your unborn baby or if Victoza® passes into
your breast milk.
Your risk for getting hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, is higher if you take Victoza®
with another medicine that can cause low blood sugar, such as a sulfonylurea or
insulin. The dose of your sulfonylurea medicine or insulin may need to be lowered
while taking Victoza®.
Victoza® may cause nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea leading to dehydration, which may
cause kidney failure. This can happen in people who have never had kidney problems
before. Drinking plenty of fluids may reduce your chance of dehydration.
The most common side effects with Victoza® include headache, nausea, and diarrhea.
Nausea is most common when first starting Victoza®, but decreases over time in most
people. Immune system related reactions, including hives, were more common in people
treated with Victoza® compared to people treated with other diabetes drugs in medical
studies.
