Victoza
(liraglutide)
Lowers your blood sugar.
Our bottom line
Victoza (liraglutide) is a medicine you inject once a day to control diabetes, but it can be expensive.
- Drug class: Endocrine
- Rx status: Prescription only
- Generic status: No lower cost generic available
Upsides
- Lowers A1c (average blood sugar over time) up to 1.5%.
- Helps with weight loss and controls appetite.
- Only medicine in this class with proven heart health benefits.
- No limitation for people with kidney problems, but close monitoring is recommended.
- Medicine is ready to use, without need to mix.
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What to expect from Victoza, on one page
Download Fact Sheet
22Downsides
- Only available as an injection.
- Brand name medicine and can be expensive.
- Compared to other similar medicines, you have to inject this every day.
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What to expect from Victoza, on one page
Download Fact SheetVictoza (liraglutide) is a medication for diabetes. It stimulates your body to make and release more insulin, stops the body from releasing more sugar, and slows down digestion.
- Drug class: Endocrine
- Rx status: Prescription only
- Generic status: No lower cost generic available
Used for
Dosage forms
- Injection
Prices and coupons
Skip prices section. Skip to what to expect section.- Medicine ShoppeGet free coupon$946.55
- Kroger PharmacyGet free coupon$948.72
What to expect when you take Victoza (liraglutide) for Diabetes
Skip what to expect section. Skip to side effects section.- First few hoursHoursFirst few daysDaysFirst few weeksWeeksFirst few monthsMonths
- Effectiveness
- Starts to kick inFull effects
- First few hoursHoursFirst few daysDaysFirst few weeksWeeksFirst few monthsMonths
- Possible side effects
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Headache
- Low appetite
Side effect rates for Victoza (liraglutide)
- Low blood sugar - self-treatable27%27%17%17%
- Injection site reactions2%2%
The placebo bar shows how common a side effect was for people taking a sugar pill instead of Victoza.
People taking Victoza felt side effect more
People taking Victoza felt side effect less
Risks and Warnings for Victoza (liraglutide)
Skip risks section. Skip to common concerns section.- Higher risk if:
- › History of MTC
- › History of MEN 2
Using Victoza (liraglutide) or other medicines similar to it might put you at higher risk for certain thyroid cancers. Let your doctor know if you or a family member have ever had thyroid cancer called medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN) syndrome type 2. Call your doctor right away if you have a neck mass, trouble breathing, trouble swallowing, or hoarseness that will not go away.
This is a black box warning. The FDA requires this warning when there is a significant risk of serious or life-threatening effects that anyone taking the drug should consider.
Pharmacist Q&A
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is this drug for?
This medication treats type 2 diabetes in adults.Common concerns from people taking Victoza (liraglutide)
Final section. Do you want to return to drug navigation?- Worth itLow hassleReviewed Victozaon 12/6/2016The cost and those on medicare cannot get aid in helping for the cost from outside sources like manufacturer of the drug.64ManType 2 diabetes
- Not sureLow hassleReviewed Victozaon 1/25/2017have bland food on hand to eat, nausea now for 14 days. No vomiting. A little regurgitation not so fun. Since I am not eating much do to the nausea, bowel is very slow. Not constipated , just not regular.64WomanType 2 diabetes
- Victoza (liraglutide) can cause or worsen kidney damage. This is more likely to happen if you've had nausea or vomiting, diarrhea or dehydration. Make sure to drink plenty of fluids and stay hydrated when you're sick. If you have kidney damage already, your doctor might do regular lab tests while you're taking Victoza (liraglutide) to make sure your kidneys stay healthy.
- No limitation for people with kidney problems, but close monitoring is recommended.
- Helps with weight loss and controls appetite.
- Worth itLow hassleReviewed Victozaon 5/16/2019Victoza has been the very best drug to help me lose weight and control my blood sugar. I love the stuff. I had no side effects. I stopped using it because it helped me lose enough weight to get off all diabetic medications. Unfortunately, I gained the weight back and was at square one, but my new insurance wouldn't pay for it. However, my new insurance does pay for it and I would like to use it again.59ManA year or soType 2 diabetes