Victoza liraglutide

Victoza (Liraglutide)

Victoza contains liraglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist used to improve blood-glucose control in adults, adolescents and children aged 10 years and above with type 2 diabetes. It is used alongside diet and exercise and is administered once daily by subcutaneous injection.

What is Victoza?

Victoza contains the active ingredient liraglutide. It works by activating GLP-1 receptors involved in the regulation of blood glucose.

Victoza may be prescribed alone or alongside other medicines used to treat type 2 diabetes, depending on the patient’s individual circumstances.

How Does Victoza Work?

Liraglutide helps stimulate insulin secretion when blood glucose is elevated and reduces glucagon secretion when appropriate. It also slows gastric emptying and can influence appetite.

Victoza Dose Information

For adults, treatment is normally started at 0.6 mg once daily. After at least one week, the dose is generally increased to 1.2 mg once daily. Some patients may require an increase to 1.8 mg once daily according to the prescribing information and clinical response.

The starting dose is intended to improve gastrointestinal tolerability and is not the usual therapeutic maintenance dose.

Do not change your Victoza dose without advice from your healthcare professional.

How is Victoza Administered?

Victoza is administered once daily by subcutaneous injection. It can be injected into the abdomen, thigh or upper arm. Your healthcare professional should explain how to use the prefilled pen correctly.

Who May Use Victoza?

Victoza is indicated for the treatment of type 2 diabetes when additional blood-glucose control is required alongside diet and exercise.

A healthcare professional should determine whether Victoza is appropriate based on the patient’s medical history, current medicines and individual treatment goals.

Important Safety Information

• Victoza is a prescription-only medicine.
• Use Victoza exactly as prescribed.
• Common adverse effects include nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting, constipation and other gastrointestinal symptoms.
• Tell your healthcare professional if you use insulin or sulfonylureas because additional monitoring may be required.
• Seek urgent medical advice if you experience severe and persistent abdominal pain.
• Do not combine Victoza with another GLP-1 receptor agonist unless specifically instructed by your healthcare professional.
• Victoza should not be used during pregnancy.

Product Information

• Active ingredient: Liraglutide
• Drug class: GLP-1 receptor agonist
• Administration: Subcutaneous injection
• Frequency: Once daily
• Indication: Type 2 diabetes
• Dosage form: Solution for injection in a prefilled pen
• Legal category: Prescription-only medicine

Victoza Compared With Other GLP-1 Medicines

Victoza contains liraglutide, while Ozempic and Rybelsus contain semaglutide. Mounjaro contains tirzepatide.

These medicines differ in their active ingredients, administration methods, dosing schedules and authorised uses. A healthcare professional should determine which treatment is appropriate.

Related Products

For other medicines used in type 2 diabetes, visit our Diabetes Medicines category.

For information about prescription treatments used for weight management, visit our Weight Management category.

You can also explore our health and medicine articles for additional educational information.

Official UK Medicine Information

For complete prescribing information, including contraindications, warnings, interactions and adverse effects, consult the official Victoza prescribing information on the UK electronic Medicines Compendium.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Victoza?

Victoza is a prescription medicine containing liraglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist used to improve blood-glucose control in people with type 2 diabetes.

What is the active ingredient in Victoza?

The active ingredient is liraglutide.

How often is Victoza taken?

Victoza is administered once daily by subcutaneous injection.

What is the starting dose of Victoza?

The usual starting dose is 0.6 mg once daily. The dose may then be increased according to the official prescribing information and advice from the healthcare professional.

Is Victoza a weight-loss medicine?

Victoza is authorised for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Liraglutide is also used in a different product, Saxenda, which is authorised for weight management in eligible patients.

Can Victoza be used with Ozempic?

Victoza should not be combined with another GLP-1 receptor agonist unless specifically instructed by an appropriate healthcare professional.

Is Victoza prescription only?

Yes. Victoza is a prescription-only medicine in the UK.

Where can I find official Victoza information?

The UK electronic Medicines Compendium provides official prescribing and patient information for Victoza.