Victoza Pens

Victoza Weight Loss (liraglutide) is a prescription injectable type 2 diabetes medication that helps patients lower their blood sugar by preventing their liver from making too much and supporting the pancreas in creating more insulin if levels are too high. This GLP-1 medication also slows the rate at which patients’ food leaves their stomachs. There are thousands of patients across the U.S. who trust Insulin Outlet for its easy online ordering and a large selection of name-brand diabetes medications at more affordable prices – as long as they have a valid prescription. We only partner with licensed Canadian pharmacies and we make sure that all patients receive authentic and carefully handled medication at a more accessible price point.

Victoza is a prescription injectable type 2 diabetes medication that helps patients lower their blood sugar in a few different ways. It works by reducing inappropriate hepatic glucose production indirectly through improved glucagon regulation and glycemic control and supporting the pancreas in creating more insulin if levels are too high. This GLP-1 medication also slows the rate at which patients’ food leaves their stomachs and may lead to weight loss in some patients. It is taken in the form of a daily injection and may provide additional benefits for the patient – such as reducing their risk of experiencing cardiovascular events like stroke or heart attack.

• Studies show that this medication effectively lowers adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus and established cardiovascular disease’s risk of stroke, heart attack, and cardiovascular deaths
• This medication helps lower patients’ A1C and blood sugar levels in three different ways
• Some patients report weight loss while using this medication (although this effect is not the medication’s approved use and is not guaranteed)
• This medication may also be used in type 2 diabetes treatment for some children aged 10 years or older (the use for cardiovascular benefits only apply to adult patients)

The typical starting titration dose of Victoza for improving patients’ tolerability is 0.6 mg once per day. This is the starting dose usually given to both adult and pediatric patients. They usually are kept on this dose for at least a week before the dose is increased to 1.2 mg per day. This is the maximum dose given to pediatric patients. However, adult patients are often kept on this dose for at least another week before this dose is increased to 1.8 mg per day (if further glycemic control is needed). Pens contain 18 mg total of the medication.

Patients using a Victoza pen will have to follow a specific set of instructions to safely take their daily medication.

1. Thoroughly wash hands and remove the pen from the refrigerator
2. Check the label to make sure it is the correct medication and make sure the liquid inside is colorless and does not contain any particles
3. Remove the pen cap carefully and clean off the rubber stopper using an alcohol swab
4. Take off the protective tab located on the needle cap and push the needle cap onto the pen (the needle will then need to be screwed on until it is secure)
5. Remove the outer needle cap without throwing it away and then discard and remove the inner needle cap
6. Dial the dose of the medication that has been prescribed by matching the correct dose lines with the pointer
7. Locate the injection site (this should be rotated for each use) and clean it with an alcohol swab (let this area dry before making the injection)
8. Place the needle into the subcutaneous tissue at the injection site (not into a vein or muscle) and follow your prescriber’s directions for proper injection technique
9. Hold down the center of the dose button and wait until the pointer aligns with “0 mg”
10. Keep the button pressed and leave the needle in place for at least six seconds to make sure the full dose is delivered (do not lift your thumb from the button until the needle has been fully withdrawn)
11. Carefully remove the needle and reapply the outer needle cap to unscrew the needle (needles need to be safely removed and discarded after each use of the pen)
12. Dispose of the needle in the proper FDA-approved container or approved household container if this is not available
13. Put the pen cap back on the Victoza pen and put the pen into proper storage if there are still more uses left on the device

Patients using a Victoza pen should follow these steps to safely and effectively take their daily medication. It is important to make sure that the pen is primed before first use and a new needle is used for each injection. Pens should also never be stored with the needle attached. Following these steps are important to dosing accuracy and sterility of using the medication.

This medication has a boxed warning for being possibly linked to thyroid c-cell tumors – which may include cancer. This was a result of the medication that was found during rodent testing for medications that were similar to Victoza and how these effects translate to use in humans is still uncertain. This is why patients are told not to take this medication if they themselves or any member of their family has had a history of medullary thyroid carcinoma. The same goes for those with personal or family histories of Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2. This medication is considered to be contraindicated in both of these populations. Those who are taking this medication and believe they are experiencing any signs of thyroid tumors – such as a lump or swelling in the area of their neck – should seek immediate medical attention. This also includes if the patient starts experiencing side effects such as hoarseness in their voice or trouble swallowing.

Any patients with a hypersensitivity to Victoza or any of the contents of the medication should also refrain from taking it. Post-marketing reports of the medication have also shown some cases of pancreatitis occurring in patients. Victoza should be stopped immediately if pancreatitis is suspected and treatment should not be resumed if the diagnosis is confirmed.

Patients who are taking any secretagogue or insulin medications at the same time as Victoza may be at increased risk of developing hypoglycemia. This issue could become severe in some cases and the risk of developing it is even higher in pediatric patients. Patients should let their doctor know if they are using any of these medications before starting Victoza – as dosing adjustments will likely be needed. Acute gallbladder disease has also been reported in some rare cases. Patients with suspected cholelithiasis or cholecystitis should get further testing done.

Pens for this medication should never be shared between patients – even if the needle has been changed. Patients should let their doctors know of any conditions/issues they have experienced in their medical history and of any other medications or supplements they are taking before starting Victoza.

Common Side Effects

The side effects caused by this medication that patients are most likely to experience include those such as:

• Nausea/vomiting
• Diarrhea or constipation
• Stomach upset
• Decline in appetite
• Indigestion

These effects are most likely to occur when patients first start this medication or during dose increases. These symptoms often go away on their own as the body gets used to the medications. Notify your doctor or healthcare provider if these side effects persist or worsen instead of improving on their own.

Severe Side Effects

Some patients may also experience more serious side effects from the medication. Although these effects are far less likely to occur. These may include issues such as:

• Pancreatitis
• Gallbladder issues
• Hypoglycemia (more common in pediatric patients or those combining the medication with a sulfonylurea or insulin medication)
• Kidney problems (usually caused by dehydration or a loss of fluids while taking this medication)
• Severe stomach issues (that go beyond gastrointestinal intolerance during initiation or dose escalation)
• Hypersensitivity reactions
• Renal complications secondary to dehydration
• Allergic reactions

Patients should also let their doctor know about surgeries they will undergo using deep sedation while using this medication. Using this medication during those procedures may lead to food or liquid entering the lungs. Patients experiencing any of the severe side effects above or signs of any of these issues should seek emergency medical attention.

Missed doses of Victoza should be skipped and taken at their normally scheduled time on the following day without any extra doses being taken. These doses should not be doubled or increased to make up for any missed ones. Patients should let their doctor know if they frequently miss their doses – since this could lead to their blood sugar increasing.

Patients who take too much of this medication should get immediate medical attention or contact poison control right away. These patients may require medical treatment and become sick or experience hypoglycemia.

Store unused Victoza pens in a refrigerator at 36°F to 46°F or 2°C to 8°C before first use. If a pen is left out before it is used for the first time it must be used or discarded within 30 days. Do not freeze the medication and do not place it near the cooling element inside the refrigerator. The pen may be kept at room temperature from 59°F to 86°F or 15°C to 30°C or stored in the refrigerator once it is in use. Victoza pens can be used for up to 30 days after it has been started. However, the pen must be thrown away after that time – even if some medicine remains. Keep the pen at room temperature while traveling. The pen must be discarded if it is exposed to temperatures above 86°F or 30°C.