Victoza (Liraglutide) is a drug that is injected for treatment of type 2 diabetes. Join other Victoza users in the Medication Forum
Victoza (liraglutide) is a GLP-1 analogue for the treatment of type 2 diabetes
Approved in 2010, the diabetes drug operates with a 24-hour duration of action and is therefore taken by injection once per day.
The drug displays a number of benefits such as in improving blood glucose control whilst helping with weight loss.
About Victoza
- Trade name: Victoza
- Generic name: Liraglutide
- Drug class: GLP-1 receptor agonists (incretin mimetics)
- Manufacturer: Novo Nordisk
How does Victoza (Liraglutide) work?
Liraglutide functions over a 24-hour period to lower both fasting and post-prandial blood glucose levels, and help people with diabetes to manage their blood sugar.
Liraglutide works by stimulating the secretion of insulin as well as suppressing the secretion of glucagon in a glucose-dependent manner.
The drug also delays gastric (stomach) emptying, slowing down the absorption of glucose by the gut and reducing appetite.
How does Victoza (Liraglutide) work?
Liraglutide functions over a 24-hour period to lower both fasting and post-prandial blood glucose levels, and help people with diabetes to manage their blood sugar.
Liraglutide works by stimulating the secretion of insulin as well as suppressing the secretion of glucagon in a glucose-dependent manner.
The drug also delays gastric (stomach) emptying, slowing down the absorption of glucose by the gut and reducing appetite.
Who can take Victoza?
Victoza is prescribed for people with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes as an adjunct to diet and exercise.
The dose of Victoza prescribed on the NHS is 1.2 mg, although some might be prescribed up to 1.8mg.
How should I take Victoza?
Victoza is injected, under the skin (subcutaneously), in areas such as the stomach (abdomen), thigh or upper arm.
Victoza is injected once per day. Liraglutide should be taken at the same time each day so it is advisable to pick a time of day that will be easy to remember and convenient.
Victoza can be taken in addition to other diabetes drugs such as metformin and sluphonylureas.
What are the side effects of Victoza?
The most common side effects associated with Victoza are:
- Nausea
- Headaches
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
Less common side effects include loss of appetite, indigestion, acid-reflux and constipation. In liraglutide in combination with metformin, no episodes of major hypoglycaemia have been observed. Hypoglycaemia is more common when liraglutide is used in conjunction with a sulphonylurea.
Is Victoza clinically proven?
Some head-to-head studies have showed that Victoza can be more effective than Byetta Following a 26-week study, patients who took liraglutide experienced a greater reduction in average blood sugar levels than those who took Byetta.
Furthermore, many patients preferred a once-a-day dose.
Researchers have clearly stated that Victoza is an appropriate GLP-1 analogue for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.
Is Liraglutide a naturally occurring drug?
Liraglutide is in the drug class called human-glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). GLP-1 is a hormone that is found in the gut, however, the drug itself is a chemical analogue which means that some changes to the original chemical structure have been made.
Does Victoza help people with diabetes to lose weight?
Victoza has been shown to help patients to achieve weight loss by increasing satiety (feeling of fullness) and delaying gastric emptying, therefore reducing intake of calories.
Weight-gain is a common side-effect of type 2 diabetes treatments, and weight loss is an important goal.
