What is Victoza?
Find out what Victoza is and how it works
Victoza is a medication developed for patients with type 2 diabetes. Victoza is based on the drug Liraglutide. Victoza is not used for the separate treatment of overweight.
Who needs Victoza?
If you have type 2 diabetes, it means that your body does not use insulin effectively, and/or it does not produce enough insulin. Insulin is a hormone that helps regulate your blood sugar levels by allowing sugar (glucose) from food to enter your cells, where it can be used as fuel. When your body has difficulty using insulin properly, your blood sugar levels rise, which can lead to health problems. In many cases, you can control elevated blood sugar with diet, weight loss, and exercise, but if these measures are not sufficient to keep blood sugar within the normal range, it may be necessary to supplement with medication. Victoza is a medication that increases the release of insulin from the pancreas while inhibiting the release of glucose from the liver. This helps achieve more stable and lower blood sugar levels. Additionally, the medication affects the rate at which the stomach empties food after a meal, thereby reducing appetite and increasing the feeling of fullness from the food you consume.
How does Victoza work?
Victoza is based on the drug Liraglutide. Liraglutide works by mimicking the natural hormone GLP-1, which lowers blood sugar and suppresses appetite, as mentioned above. GLP-1 is secreted from the gut but only works for a relatively short time after a meal. Semaglutide has the same effect as GLP-1 but is much more stable and works for a much longer time than the natural hormone. Liraglutide is less stable and has a shorter duration of action compared to the drug Semaglutide, which is found in Ozempic and Wegovy.
How do I take Victoza?
Victoza should be taken as daily injections, with the dosage gradually increased in consultation with a doctor to achieve the desired effect while considering any potential side effects.
The difference between type 1 and type 2 diabetes
In type 2 diabetes, the situation is slightly different. Here, symptoms gradually appear over time because the body either gradually loses the ability to absorb insulin and/or produce enough insulin. Type 2 diabetes is hereditary and is often triggered by lifestyle factors such as overweight, physical inactivity, or the use of certain types of medication. Type 2 diabetes can therefore be partially prevented.
Get answers to typical questions about Victoza
Victoza is a medication intended for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. It contains the active ingredient Liraglutide, which helps control blood sugar levels by mimicking the effects of the natural hormone GLP-1. It promotes the release of insulin, inhibits the release of glucose from the liver, and slows gastric emptying, contributing to increased feelings of fullness.
The medication is approved for individuals with type 2 diabetes who do not have sufficient effect from Metformin, which is the first choice for treating type 2 diabetes. In some cases, it can also be used as monotherapy if Metformin is not tolerated. Prescribing should always be accompanied by changes in diet and exercise habits.
Victoza works by mimicking the natural hormone GLP-1, which helps lower blood sugar and suppress appetite. It increases the release of insulin when blood sugar is high, decreases the amount of glucose released by the liver, and slows the emptying of the stomach, leading to a feeling of fullness.
Victoza is administered as a daily injection. The dosage typically starts low and is gradually increased under medical supervision to minimize side effects and find the dose that best controls the patient’s blood sugar.
Type 1 diabetes occurs when the body’s immune system destroys the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas, completely stopping insulin production. It typically affects children and young adults and cannot be prevented or cured. Type 1 diabetics require insulin injections and cannot be treated with GLP-1 agonists like Victoza. Type 2 diabetes develops over time, often due to lifestyle factors such as overweight and physical inactivity. In type 2 diabetes, the body produces insulin, but the cells no longer respond effectively to it, or not enough insulin is produced. Type 2 diabetes can be partially prevented.
Although Victoza is not approved for the treatment of overweight alone, reduced appetite and increased feelings of fullness as a side effect of the medication can lead to weight loss in some patients with type 2 diabetes.
Yes, like all medications, Victoza can have side effects. The most common side effects include nausea, diarrhea, and a feeling of bloating. These side effects are often temporary and diminish as the body adjusts to the treatment. It is important to discuss all potential side effects with your doctor.
Not everyone with type 2 diabetes will be suitable candidates for treatment with Victoza. The decision to use Victoza depends on individual health conditions, including previous treatment history and any other health problems. It is crucial to have a thorough discussion with a doctor to determine if Victoza is the right choice. Ultimately, it will be the doctor’s decision whether to prescribe Victoza.