Victoza: functions, dosage, side effects, how to use it

Use

What is Victoza drug for?

Victoza is a drug that can be used alone or in combination with other medicines for diabetes patients. Its use combined with a proper diet and exercise program can help patients with type 2 diabetes avoid kidney damage, blindness, nerve problems, loss of limbs, and problems with sexual function. Discipline to control diabetes can also reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke in diabetics.

Victoza is a drug that is similar to a natural hormone produced by the body called incretin. Therefore, Victoza belongs to the class of mimetic incretin treatment. The way Victoza works is by stimulating the release of insulin when the sugar in the blood is high, especially after eating. This drug also works by lowering the level of sugar produced by your liver.

This drug is not an oral drug. Victoza is a medicine for diabetics which is administered by injection. Despite being an injection, keep in mind that Victoza is not insulin. Victoza cannot replace insulin doses if you need insulin therapy. Administration of this drug is carried out when other diabetes treatments have been tried but have not shown good results.

How do I use Victoza?

Read the instructions for using the injection pen that comes in the box. You can also ask your pharmacist or doctor.

Victoza is an injection drug that is given through the subcutaneous tissue (subcutaneous tissue) on the thigh, abdomen, or upper arm according to your doctor's instructions. This drug injection is given once a day, either with or without food.

Before doing the injection, check Victoza fluids. Make sure that the medicinal liquid is free of solid particles and does not change color. Do not use this medication if there are solid particles or the liquid has changed color. Don't forget to always clean the injection point with alcohol wipes. Make sure the area is dry when the injection is to be made.

If you are also using insulin to control diabetes, give insulin and Victoza in different injections. Do not mix the two in the same syringe or insulin pump. You can inject it into the same body part, but not in exactly next to one. It's best not to make the injection at the same point every time. Change your injection point to avoid possible problems under the skin.

Victoza is a trademark of the generic liraglutide which may be available under other brands. Do not change the brand of your medication unless instructed by your doctor. Different brands of liraglutide may require different treatments and have different procedures.

Your doctor may start with a lower dose first to avoid side effects on your stomach. After that, your doctor may only increase your dose gradually. The dosage given takes into account your health condition and your body's response to treatment.

If it has been more than three days that you have not used Victoza and want to start treatment again, please reconfirm to your doctor whether you need to start at a lower dose again.

Use Victoza regularly for the desired results. To make it easier for you to remember, give the injection at the same time every day. Using it regularly at the same time can also maximize the action of the drug.

Do not share syringes with other people even if you have changed needles. Sharing syringes increases the chances of spreading a serious illness or infection from one person to another. Tell your doctor if your condition does not improve.

What are the rules for saving Victoza?

Stores the unopened Victoza injection pen

Store the unopened Victoza injection pen in the refrigerator at a temperature of 2 - 8 degrees Celsius. However, don't freeze it. Throw away Victoza that has frozen and do not use it even after it has melted back. Unopened Victoza refrigerated can last up to its expiration date.

Keeps the opened Victoza injection pen

You can store the opened injection pen in the refrigerator at a temperature of 2-8 degrees Celsius or at room temperature below 30 degrees Celsius for up to 30 days. Protect the injection pen from humidity, heat and direct sunlight. Do not store the injection pen with the needle attached. Make sure you keep the injection pen closed with the cap when it is not in use.

Discard this product if it has expired or is no longer used. Do not flush into the toilet or drain unless instructed to do so. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company about how to safely dispose of this product.

Dose

What is the dosage of Victoza for adults?

Initial dose: 0.6 mg; once a day, for one week

Maintenance dose: 1.2 mg

The dosage can be increased to 1.8 mg depending on the tolerance level of the body

Maximum dose: 1.8 mg; once a day

What is the dosage of Victoza for children?

The dosage for children has not been determined. Consult your doctor for more information.

In what dosages and preparations is Victoza available?

Injection, Subcutaneous: 6 mg / mL

Side effects

What side effects may occur due to using Victoza?

Nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, decreased appetite, diarrhea, or constipation may occur as a result of using Victoza. The nausea you experience will usually go away as your body adjusts to the treatment. If these symptoms persist or get worse, contact your doctor immediately.

Contact your doctor immediately if you notice the following symptoms in your body, namely:

• Heart beat
• Changes in mood or behavior, even suicidal thoughts
• Nausea, vomiting, and severe diarrhea which can lead to dehydration
• Signs of thyroid cancer, namely swelling or lumps in the neck, problems in swallowing, hoarseness, shortness of breath
• Bile problems, characterized by fever, heartburn, pale stool color, and jaundice (visible on the eyes or skin)
• Symptoms of pancreatitis, such as severe pain in the stomach that radiates to the back, nausea which can be accompanied by vomiting, fast heartbeat
• Kidney problems, urinating less, pain when urinating, swelling in your feet or wrists, feeling tired or shortness of breath

The liraglutide in Victoza is not known to be a major cause of hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia that occurs is generally caused by taking Victoza together with other diabetes medications. Hypoglycemia can also occur when you get less calorie intake or do too much strenuous physical activity.

You may also get an allergic reaction as a side effect of taking this drug, although in rare cases. Tell your doctor right away if you find signs of a serious allergic reaction, such as itching, reddish rash, swelling of the face / eyes / lips / tongue / throat area, dizziness, and difficulty breathing.

Remember that your doctor prescribes certain medications because they judge their benefits to outweigh the risk of possible side effects. Almost all drugs have side effects, but in most cases, they rarely require serious attention.

The list above is not a complete list of the side effects that occur. There may be other side effects not mentioned above. Talk to your doctor about any side effects you fear will occur.

Warnings and Precautions

What should I pay attention to before using Victoza?

• Tell your doctor if you have any allergies to liraglutide (the main active ingredient of Victoza) or any other medicines. Victoza may contain other ingredients that have the potential to cause an allergic reaction
• Please provide your complete medical history, whether you have or are currently suffering from diseases, especially glandular tumors, kidney disease, heart disease, digestive disorders that cause slow digestion, diabetes ketoacidosis, pancreatitis, diseases of the liver, gallstones, or high levels of fat in the blood, history of psychiatric illness
• Based on trials conducted on mice, this drug can cause certain thyroid tumors. It is not yet known whether it has the same effect on humans. Talk to your doctor about the benefits and risks that this medication may cause. Also inform me if you have had a history of cancer or a family member has had cancer
• You may experience visual disturbances, weakness, and drowsiness due to drastic changes in blood sugar levels. Do not engage in activities that require high alertness, such as driving or operating large machinery, after taking this medicine before knowing how your body responds to using Victoza.
• If you are going to have a surgical procedure, such as dental surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about any medicines you are taking, including this medicine.
• Tell your doctor if you are planning or are pregnant. The use of diabetes drugs during pregnancy is only permitted if the benefits outweigh the risks that may befall the fetus. Consult your doctor regarding the use of this drug while pregnant and breastfeeding. Your doctor may provide other diabetes treatment alternatives during pregnancy

Is Victoza safe for pregnant and lactating women?

Studies conducted on animals have shown side effects in the fetus. However, there are no controlled studies in women or breastfeeding mothers. Consult with your doctor regarding the administration of this drug. Medicines should only be given if the benefits outweigh the risks to the fetus. Victoza is known to fall into a category C risk of pregnancy (possibly risky) according to the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Interaction

Interaction

What medicines interact with Victoza?

Tell your doctor about all the products you use, including prescription / non-prescription drugs, vitamins, or herbal products. Certain drugs can interact if they are taken at the same time. Drug interactions can cause the drug to not work optimally or increase the risk of side effects. However, your doctor may prescribe the two drugs at the same time if needed.

The following are some of the drugs that may interact with Victoza:

• Amlodipine
• Aspirin
• Atorvastatin
• Insulin
• Invokana (canagliflozin)
• Janumet (metformin / sitagliptin)
• Januvia (sitagliptin)
• Insulin glargine
• Levemir (insulin detemir)
• Levothyroxine
• Lisinopril
• Losartan
• Metformin
• Omeprazole
• Simvastatin
• Tresiba (insulin degludec)
• Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol)

The list above is not a complete list of the products that may interact. Tell your doctor if you use the above products and all the products you consume, including prescription or nonprescription, vitamins, and herbal medicines.

What health conditions interact with Victoza?

• Pancreatitis
• Thyroid cancer
• Depression
• Kidney failure
• Cardiovascular disease

Overdose

What should I do if I overdose on Victoza?

If someone has overdosed and finds serious symptoms such as fainting or difficulty breathing, call for emergency medical assistance or go to the nearest hospital emergency room immediately. Symptoms of an overdose can also include severe nausea and vomiting.

What if I miss the Victoza injection schedule?

Administer the Victoza injection as soon as you remember. If the distance is too close to the next schedule, skip the missed schedule and return to the original schedule that you set. Do not double your dose even if you forgot to take the injection for an earlier schedule.

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