Victoza
A GLP-1 receptor agonist (liraglutide) given as a once-daily injection under the skin, authorised in the EU for type 2 diabetes.
General information, not medical advice. Docalo does not sell medicines, and prescription-only medicines are prescribed only after an individual medical assessment.
What Victoza is and how it works
Victoza contains liraglutide, a copy of the gut hormone GLP-1. It helps the pancreas release insulin when blood sugar is high and lowers the release of glucagon, which brings blood sugar down.
Its EU authorisation covers type 2 diabetes only, at doses up to 1.8 mg a day. Another product with the same active substance is authorised for weight management at a higher dose, so the two are not interchangeable.
Who it may suit, according to the label
- Adults, adolescents and children aged 10 and over with type 2 diabetes that is not sufficiently controlled, alongside diet and exercise.
- On its own when metformin is not suitable, or added to other diabetes medicines.
- It is not authorised for weight management or for type 1 diabetes.
Only a doctor who knows your history can decide whether a medicine suits you.
How to use Victoza
Once a day. One injection under the skin of the abdomen, thigh or upper arm every day, at any time and independent of meals, ideally at about the same time each day.
Built up in steps. The product information starts at 0.6 mg a day for at least one week, then 1.2 mg. The prescriber may increase the dose to 1.8 mg after at least another week. 1.8 mg a day is the maximum.
If you miss a dose. Take it if it is within 12 hours of the usual time. Otherwise skip it and take the next dose the following day. Never take an extra or larger dose to make up.
Common side effects
Get urgent medical help if (whatever the frequency): Severe, persistent stomach pain, often spreading to the back, Swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, or trouble breathing
Very common (may affect more than 1 in 10 people): nausea, diarrhoea, low blood sugar when used with a sulfonylurea
Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people): vomiting, constipation, stomach pain, indigestion, headache, reduced appetite, low blood sugar with other diabetes medicines, more likely when used with insulin
Safety
Do not use Victoza if
- You have ever had an allergic reaction to liraglutide or any ingredient in the pen
- You have type 1 diabetes or diabetic ketoacidosis, because liraglutide is not a substitute for insulin
- You are pregnant or breastfeeding
Fluid loss from vomiting or diarrhoea can affect kidney function, so drinking enough matters. Always read the patient leaflet supplied with the pen.
Read the safety summaryYour questions answered
Is Victoza the same as Saxenda?
Is Victoza authorised for weight loss?
More questions
Is Victoza available in every EU country?
References
This page summarises the official product information and the published sources below.
- Victoza (liraglutide): European public assessment report European Medicines Agency, 2009
- Victoza: Annex I Summary of Product Characteristics European Medicines Agency, 2026
- Liraglutide and cardiovascular outcomes in type 2 diabetes (LEADER). N Engl J Med 2016;375:311-22 New England Journal of Medicine, 2016
- LEADER (NCT01179048) ClinicalTrials.gov, 2016
Other medicines used in weight management
Talk to a doctor about weight care
The Docalo membership gives you a doctor's assessment, a personalised plan and monthly follow-up. Your doctor decides what care suits you, with or without medicine.
Talk to a doctor about weight careGeneral information, not medical advice. Docalo does not sell medicines, and prescription-only medicines are prescribed only after an individual medical assessment.
Pay nothing if a doctor doesn't approve your treatment. Every consultation is fully refundable. How refunds work