Victoza (Liraglutide)
Also sold as: Victoza (T2DM), Saxenda (obesity), Liraglide, Lirafine
Pregnancy
Cat C
Lactation
Avoid
Schedule
H
Forms
Pre-filled pen 6 mg/mL (0.6 mg, 1.2 mg, 1.8 mg doses) SC injection
Indications
- Type 2 diabetes mellitus — glycaemic control (add-on)
- T2DM with established cardiovascular disease — CV risk reduction (LEADER trial)
- Obesity / overweight management — Saxenda (3 mg/day)
Adult Dosing
T2DM (Victoza)
Start 0.6 mg SC once daily × 1 week; increase to 1.2 mg OD. Can increase to 1.8 mg OD if more glycaemic control needed.
Inject once daily at any time, same time each day, SC (abdomen, thigh, or upper arm). No meal timing required.
Obesity (Saxenda)
Start 0.6 mg SC OD; increase by 0.6 mg/week every week to target 3 mg OD
Max 3 mg/day for weight management. Stop if <5% weight loss after 12 weeks at 3 mg.
Pediatric Dosing
Weight management in adolescents ≥12 years with obesity (Saxenda — FDA approved 2020). Specialist use only.
Renal Dose Adjustment
| CrCl / eGFR | Dose Adjustment |
|---|---|
| Mild-Moderate CKD | No dose adjustment. GLP-1 RAs may be renoprotective. |
| Severe CKD (CrCl < 15) / ESRD | Use with caution — limited data. GI side effects increase dehydration risk in CKD. |
Hepatic Adjustment
Use cautiously in severe hepatic impairment — limited data
Pregnancy & Lactation
Pregnancy: Category C
AVOID — animal studies show embryotoxicity at high doses. Use insulin in pregnancy.
Lactation: Avoid
Unknown breast milk excretion. Avoid.
Top Drug Interactions
| Interacting Drug | Effect | Severity |
|---|---|---|
| Oral medications | Slows gastric emptying — may reduce and delay absorption of oral drugs (antibiotics, OCPs — take 1 hour before liraglutide dose if timing critical) | Minor |
| Insulin / Sulfonylureas | Increased hypoglycaemia risk — reduce insulin/SFU dose when adding liraglutide | Moderate |
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Side Effects
Common
- Nausea (very common — usually transient, weeks 1-4)
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Headache
- Injection site reactions
- Loss of appetite
Serious / Discontinue If
- Pancreatitis (acute — stop if suspected; abdominal pain radiating to back)
- Thyroid C-cell tumours (medullary thyroid carcinoma — animal data at sustained high exposure; CONTRAINDICATED in personal/family MTC or MEN2)
- Gallbladder disease (cholelithiasis) — rapid weight loss increases risk
- Severe hypoglycaemia (when combined with insulin/SFU)
Contraindications
- Personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC)
- Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN2)
- Type 1 diabetes
- DKA
- Hypersensitivity to liraglutide
Available Indian Brands
| Brand | Manufacturer | Price (approx) |
|---|---|---|
| Victoza 6mg/mL pen | Novo Nordisk | 2 pens ₹3,485 |
| Saxenda 6mg/mL pen | Novo Nordisk | 3 pens ₹8,500 |
| Liraglide 6mg/mL | Sun Pharma | 2 pens ₹2,850 |
Monitoring Required
- HbA1c (3-6 monthly)
- Body weight (weight loss expected and therapeutic)
- Heart rate (slight increase common — 2-3 bpm)
- Lipase/amylase if abdominal pain (pancreatitis)
- Thyroid function if nodules/symptoms
- Gallbladder ultrasound if upper abdominal symptoms
Patient Counseling Points
- Inject SC at same time each day — abdomen, thigh, or upper arm
- Nausea is very common early on — usually improves after 4-8 weeks
- Start low (0.6 mg) and increase slowly to reduce nausea
- Pen can be stored at room temperature after first use (28 days)
- Report: severe persistent abdominal pain (pancreatitis), lump in neck (thyroid), swallowing difficulty
- Weight loss expected — track monthly
- Do NOT mix with insulin in same syringe
Stop Googling drug references mid-consultation
EasyClinic auto-flags Victoza interactions, renal cutoffs, and pregnancy warnings the moment you write the prescription. Built-in safety net for every Indian doctor.
Clinically reviewed by: Dr. Meena Reddy, DM (Endocrinology), Senior Diabetologist
Last reviewed: 2026-04-01
References
- BNF — Liraglutide
- LEADER Trial
- ADA Standards of Care 2025
- FDA Victoza/Saxenda Prescribing Information
- RSSDI India Guidelines 2023