What you need to know about Victoza dosing

Victoza is often prescribed to improve blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. 

Victoza, also found under the generic name liraglutide, also helps control blood sugar and reduces the risk of more serious cardiovascular events like a heart attack (Victoza, n.d.). 

Victoza comes as an injectable pen to be administered in your abdomen, thigh, or upper arm. You'll likely start on 0.6 mg a day and increase the dosage until you reach 1.8 mg. Here are some do's and don'ts on Victoza dosing and how to use the medication.

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Here are the general guidelines for Victoza dosage, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA, 2019):

• Use Victoza once daily, separate from mealtimes. Do not take two doses simultaneously.

• The FDA states that individuals starting Victoza should begin with 0.6 mg injections daily for seven days. 

• After the first week, the dosage can be increased to 1.2 mg. 

• For additional blood sugar control, the dosage can be increased to 1.8 mg.

• If you miss a dose, administer the same amount you would have the day you missed. For example, if you miss your 0.6 mg dose on Tuesday, take 0.6 mg on Wednesday, and then continue your regimen as usual. 

• If three or more days have passed since your last dose, consult with a healthcare provider. They may recommend restarting with a 0.6 mg dose to prevent gastrointestinal issues.

Victoza pens come pre-filled in various amounts, ranging from 3 mg/mL solution to 18 mg/mL solution per pen. The multi-dose pen delivers doses of 0.6 mg, 1.2 mg, and 1.8 mg. Depending how much you’ve been prescribed, you could have as many as 30 doses in a single pen (FDA, 2019).

The most common side effects of Victoza are digestive issues including nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. People have also reported constipation, decreased appetite, and indigestion while taking Victoza.Other common side effects include headache, dizziness, and a reaction at the injection site. Many people who use Victoza also experience weight loss (FDA, 2019). 

Though rare, Victoza can cause serious side effects. These include:

• Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)

• Cholecystitis (inflammation of the gallbladder)

• Suicidal ideation

• Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)

• Angioedema (rapid swelling beneath the skin)

• Kidney issues

• Possible risk of thyroid cancer

Some users are hypersensitivity to the drug, resulting in rashes or swelling of the face, mouth, and throat. If you're experiencing any of the above, stop using Victoza and contact a healthcare provider immediately (FDA, 2019).  

Do not use Victoza if you have a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN2). If you've ever had an allergic reaction to Victoza, don't take this medication (FDA, 2019). 

Insulin and Victoza

The FDA advises against mixing insulin and Victoza in the same injection. Both can be injected in the same area (like the abdomen for example), but shouldn't be administered at the same time or too close together. 

Injection site

Change your injection site daily. Do not use the same injection site for every injection.

Sharing

Never share your Victoza pen with anyone else, even if you've disinfected it and changed the needle. You could be at risk of severe infection sharing a pen with others. 

Tips for taking care of your pen

• After administration, remove the needle and place the pen cap back.

• Make sure your pen is stored in an area free of dust, dirt, and liquids. Do not expose it to sunlight or intense heat. 

• A new, unused pen can be stored in the refrigerator in temperatures ranging from 36-46 degrees Fahrenheit. If you store it outside the fridge, use within 30 days or discard.

• A used Victoza pen should be kept in an environment between 59-86 degrees Fahrenheit or in a refrigerator. If a used pen is exposed to temperatures above 86 degrees Fahrenheit, dispose of it, and purchase a new one. 

• A Victoza pen should only be kept for 30 days. After that it should be tossed out, regardless of if it’s been fully used or not.

If it’s your first time using the medication, start with 0.6 mg for seven days and increase your dosage gradually. Most importantly, be sure to watch out for side effects and make sure to take good care of your pen.  

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How we reviewed this article

Every article on Health Guide goes through rigorous fact-checking by our team of medical reviewers. Our reviewers are trained medical professionals who ensure each article contains the most up-to-date information, and that medical details have been correctly interpreted by the writer.

Current version

June 21, 2021

Written by

Nopell Wong

Fact checked by

Yael Cooperman, MD

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About the medical reviewer

Yael Cooperman, MD, Ro

Yael Cooperman is a physician and works as a Senior Manager, Medical Content & Education at Ro.