Victoza Solution for Injection 6mg/3ml Pen (Prefilled)

Uses of Victoza Solution for Injection

• Treats type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

How does Victoza Solution for Injection work?

Victoza Solution for Injection operates by aiding the pancreas in releasing an appropriate quantity of insulin in response to elevated blood sugar levels. This insulin is subsequently transported from the bloodstream to body tissues, where it is utilized as an energy source. This process contributes to the reduction of blood sugar levels. Additionally, the medication has the effect of slowing down the emptying process of the stomach, leading to a decrease in appetite and subsequently helping to prevent weight gain.

Side Effects of Victoza Solution for Injection

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Decreased appetite
• Stomach upset
• Constipation
• Headache
• Feeling tired
• Rash
• Dizziness

Quick Suggestions:

• Liraglutide should be injected just beneath the skin of your abdomen or thigh, maintaining a consistent time each day. It's important to avoid intravenous or intramuscular injection methods.
• Maintaining a healthy weight and engaging in regular exercise are crucial for promoting heart health.
• Your healthcare provider will offer guidance on recognizing and managing early signs of both high and low blood sugar levels.
• Gastrointestinal effects can often be managed by adjusting your lifestyle. This involves reducing sugar and fatty food intake and steering clear of carbonated beverages and gas-inducing foods.
• Some specific advice includes the fact that Victoza Solution for Injection of 3 ml might raise the risk of developing thyroid gland tumors, including medullary thyroid carcinoma (a type of thyroid cancer).
• It's vital never to reuse insulin needles or share needles or insulin pens.
• If you experience severe and/or persistent upper abdominal pain and vomiting, inform your doctor promptly.

Indication

Diabetes mellitus, also known as adult-onset diabetes, is a metabolic disorder characterized by elevated blood sugar levels. This condition typically falls under type 2 diabetes and arises when either the insulin hormone, produced by the pancreas's beta cells, encounters resistance in its function of breaking down glucose for energy production (insulin resistance), or the pancreas generates insufficient or no insulin at all. While this ailment is more common in individuals over the age of 40, it can also manifest in childhood based on specific risk factors. Treatment approaches encompass oral medications aimed at lowering glucose levels and the administration of insulin injections.

Victoza Solution for Injection 3 ml is classified as an anti-diabetic medication, primarily employed in managing type 2 diabetes mellitus among individuals aged 10 years and older.

Pharmacology

Liraglutide incorporates acylated GLP-1, an inherent incretin hormone, which assumes the role of a GLP-1 receptor agonist. Through a glucose-dependent mechanism, activation of the GLP-1 receptor triggers an increase in insulin production and a reduction in the secretion of glucagon. Additionally, the process of gastric emptying is delayed, resulting in decreased blood glucose levels following meals. This leads to the reduction of both premeal and postprandial glucose levels, and it contributes to a decrease of approximately 1 percent in HbA1c levels.

Dosage & Administration of Victoza Solution for Injection

For adults with Type 2 diabetes mellitus, the subcutaneous administration of Liraglutide is recommended as an adjunct to treatment. The dosing regimen is as follows:

• Initially, start with 0.6 mg per day. After one week, the dose can be increased to 1.2 mg per day. If optimal glycemic control is not achieved, the dose can be further increased to 1.8 mg per day after another week. It's important to note that the initial 0.6 mg dose is meant to reduce gastrointestinal adverse effects and does not provide sufficient glycemic control on its own.
• When starting Liraglutide, it's advisable to consider reducing the dose of concomitantly administered insulin secretagogues (such as sulfonylureas) to mitigate the risk of hypoglycemia.
• No dose adjustment is necessary for individuals with hepatic impairment.

For children (those under 18 years of age), the safety and efficacy of Liraglutide have not been established.

In individuals with renal impairment, no dose adjustment is required.

Liraglutide can be administered once daily at any time of the day, regardless of meals. The injection can be given subcutaneously in the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm. The site and timing of injection can be altered without necessitating a change in the dosage.

If a dose is missed, the regular once-daily schedule should be resumed with the next planned dose. It's important not to administer an additional or higher dose to compensate for the missed one. If more than three days have passed since the missed dose, resuming therapy at the 0.6 mg/day dose is recommended to prevent gastrointestinal symptoms.

Interaction

Drug-Drug Interactions: Victoza Solution for Injection 3ml has the potential to interact with other anti-diabetic medications like insulin glargine and insulin degludec, as well as hormones such as levothyroxine, corticosteroids like prednisone, psychiatric drugs like olanzapine, antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin, hypertension medications like propranolol and metoprolol, and glaucoma eye drops containing timolol.

Drug-Food Interaction: Limiting alcohol intake is advisable, as it can affect blood sugar levels. Furthermore, it's recommended to avoid fatty foods and incorporate healthy carbohydrates into your diet.

Drug-Disease Interaction: Before using Victoza Solution for Injection 3 ml, it's important to inform your doctor if you have a medical history of allergic reactions to medications, heart, kidney, or liver diseases, pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), stomach disorders like gastroparesis (delayed gastric emptying), high cholesterol levels, gallbladder problems, or depression. Notably, this medication is contraindicated in patients with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (tumors affecting the thyroid and parathyroid glands), as well as individuals with a personal or family history of thyroid cancer. It's crucial to communicate such information to your healthcare provider to ensure safe and effective use of the medication.

Contraindications

The medication should not be used in individuals who have previously experienced a significant hypersensitivity reaction to any of the components of the product.

Furthermore, it is contraindicated in individuals with type 1 diabetes mellitus, diabetic ketoacidosis, severe renal impairment, end-stage renal disease, and during pregnancy and lactation.

It's crucial to note that Victoza Solution for Injection 3 ml is contraindicated in patients with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or in those diagnosed with multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2). These contraindications are in place to ensure the safety and well-being of individuals considering the use of this medication. Always consult your healthcare provider for guidance on the appropriateness of this medication for your specific health circumstances.

Pregnancy & Lactation

The obstetrics category C classification indicates that Victoza Solution for Injection 3ml falls into a category where animal studies have demonstrated potentially harmful effects on the fetus, including teratogenic (causing birth defects) or embryocidal (causing harm to the developing embryo) effects. However, there haven't been controlled studies conducted on pregnant women, and there's also a lack of studies involving both women and animals.

The use of drugs during pregnancy, including Victoza, should be carefully considered. The decision to administer such medications to pregnant women should be based on a thorough assessment of potential benefits versus risks. The healthcare provider will weigh the potential advantages of using the medication against the potential risks it might pose to both the mother and the developing fetus.

Ultimately, the well-being of both the pregnant woman and the fetus is of utmost importance, and medical guidance should always be sought to make informed decisions about medication use during pregnancy.

Precautions & Warnings

The usage of Victoza Solution for Injection 3ml should be approached with caution in the presence of certain medical conditions:

• Congestive Heart Failure (CHF): Caution is advised when using Victoza in individuals with CHF.
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease: The medication should be used cautiously in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.
• Diabetic Gastroparesis: Individuals with diabetic gastroparesis should exercise caution when using Victoza.
• Preexisting Thyroid Disease: If there's preexisting thyroid disease, medical guidance is essential before starting the medication.
• Increased Hypoglycemia Risk: There's an increased risk of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) when using Victoza concurrently with sulfonylurea medications.
• Hepatic Impairment: Individuals with hepatic impairment should use Victoza with caution.
• Administration Method: It's important not to administer Victoza via intravenous (IV) or intramuscular (IM) routes.
• Impaired Alertness: The medication may impact the ability to drive or operate machinery.
• Age Considerations: Victoza is not recommended for children under 18 years of age.
• Acute Pancreatitis: Liraglutide, the active ingredient in Victoza, has been associated with cases of acute pancreatitis, including both fatal and non-fatal cases.
• Type 1 Diabetes and Diabetic Ketoacidosis: Victoza is not suitable for the treatment of type 1 diabetes mellitus or diabetic ketoacidosis.
• Heart Rate Increase: There have been reports of increased resting heart rate, with possible increases of up to 2 to 3 bpm, and in some cases, up to 10-20 bpm.
• Not a Substitute for Insulin: Victoza is not intended to replace insulin.
• Lactation: It is unknown whether Victoza is excreted in human milk. Nursing mothers should either discontinue the drug or discontinue nursing.

Individuals with these conditions should approach the use of Victoza Solution for Injection 3ml under the guidance of a healthcare provider to ensure safe and appropriate usage.

Storage Conditions

Store the pen in the refrigerator. When refrigeration is not possible, you can also keep your pen at room temperature (less than 30°C) for up to 2 weeks. Do not freeze it.