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Victoza

MED-000007

Victoza® (liraglutide) is a once-daily GLP-1 receptor agonist prescribed to improve blood sugar control in adults and children aged 10 years and older with type 2 diabetes. It is also approved to reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events in certain adults with established cardiovascular disease.

Medication Overview

Generic Name:

Medication Class:

Manufacturer:

Route:

Dosing Frequency:

Liraglutide

GLP-1

Novo Nordisk

Injection

Daily

Status:

Draft

Medication Summary

Aliases

Victoza

Search Keywords

victoza, liraglutide

Medication Uses

Part of the DietApp.com GLP-1 Medication Database, a comprehensive, regularly reviewed reference covering every GLP-1-class medication.

## FDA-Approved Uses

Victoza® (liraglutide) is a prescription GLP-1 receptor agonist approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for specific uses in people with type 2 diabetes.

Approved uses include:

• Improving blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes when used with diet and exercise.

• Improving blood sugar control in children 10 years of age and older with type 2 diabetes.

• Reducing the risk of major cardiovascular events—including heart attack, stroke, and cardiovascular death—in adults with type 2 diabetes and established cardiovascular disease.

Victoza is not approved for treating type 1 diabetes or diabetic ketoacidosis. Although some people lose weight while taking Victoza, it is not FDA-approved solely for chronic weight management. Patients seeking a medication specifically approved for obesity management may be prescribed Saxenda®, which contains the same active ingredient (liraglutide) but is approved for a different indication.

Dosage

## Typical Dosing

Victoza is injected once daily.

The usual dosing schedule is:

• Week 1: 0.6 mg once daily

• After at least one week: Increase to 1.2 mg once daily

• If additional blood sugar control is needed: Increase to 1.8 mg once daily

The dose should only be adjusted under the supervision of a healthcare provider.

If a dose is missed, patients should follow the instructions in the FDA-approved prescribing information or contact their healthcare provider for guidance.

Administration

## How to Use Victoza

Victoza is administered as a once-daily subcutaneous injection.

Injection sites include:

• Abdomen

• Thigh

• Upper arm

Rotate injection sites regularly to reduce irritation.

Victoza may be taken at any time of day, with or without food. Patients should try to administer the medication at approximately the same time each day.

Never share injection pens, even if the needle has been changed.

Benefits

## Potential Benefits

When prescribed appropriately and combined with healthy lifestyle changes, Victoza may help:

• Lower HbA1c

• Improve daily blood glucose control

• Reduce fasting blood sugar

• Reduce post-meal blood sugar spikes

• Reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events in eligible adults

• Increase feelings of fullness

• Support modest weight loss in some patients with type 2 diabetes

Individual results vary and treatment goals should be discussed with a healthcare provider.

Side Effects

## Common Side Effects

The most commonly reported side effects include:

• Nausea

• Vomiting

• Diarrhea

• Constipation

• Headache

• Decreased appetite

• Abdominal discomfort

• Indigestion

• Injection-site reactions

These symptoms are often most noticeable when beginning treatment or increasing the dose and may improve over time.

Warnings

## Important Safety Information

Victoza includes a boxed warning regarding thyroid C-cell tumors observed in animal studies. It should not be used in patients with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2).

Additional warnings include:

• Acute pancreatitis

• Gallbladder disease

• Acute kidney injury

• Serious allergic reactions

• Increased risk of hypoglycemia when used with insulin or sulfonylureas

Patients should seek immediate medical attention if they develop severe abdominal pain, difficulty breathing, swelling of the face or throat, or symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

Drug Interactions

## Drug Interactions

Tell your healthcare provider about all prescription medications, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and supplements before starting Victoza.

Special consideration should be given when Victoza is used with:

• Insulin

• Sulfonylureas

• Oral medications that may be affected by delayed stomach emptying

Never start or stop medications without consulting your healthcare provider.

Storage

## Storage Instructions

Before first use:

Store Victoza in a refrigerator between 36°F and 46°F (2°C to 8°C).

Do not freeze.

After first use:

Store according to the FDA-approved prescribing information. Protect the pen from excessive heat and direct sunlight, and always replace the pen cap after use.

Keep all medications out of the reach of children.

References

## Medical References

• U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Prescribing Information for Victoza® (liraglutide)

• DailyMed Drug Information: Victoza®

• American Diabetes Association (ADA) Standards of Care in Diabetes

• Novo Nordisk Healthcare Professional Prescribing Information

Last medically reviewed and updated: July 11, 2026.

Track Your Progress

Taking Victoza® (liraglutide) is about more than remembering your next injection. Successful treatment often involves monitoring your progress over time so you and your healthcare provider can better understand how your treatment is working.

Keeping a record of your treatment may help you:

Stay consistent with your once-daily injection schedule
Track body weight and long-term progress
Monitor changes in appetite and eating habits
Record side effects and symptoms
Track hydration and daily protein intake
Rotate injection sites to reduce irritation
Prepare for follow-up appointments with your healthcare provider

Use the DietApp GLP-1 Tracker

The DietApp GLP-1 Tracker is designed specifically for people taking GLP-1 medications, including Victoza®, Saxenda®, Ozempic®, Wegovy®, Mounjaro®, Zepbound®, Rybelsus®, and other therapies.

With DietApp, you can:

Track every injection or medication dose
Monitor weight changes and progress over time
Log side effects and symptoms
Record water intake and hydration goals
Track daily protein intake
Keep an injection site rotation log
Build a complete treatment history that you can review before healthcare visits

Many people find that consistently tracking their treatment makes it easier to stay organized and recognize changes over time. DietApp brings all of this information together in one place to support your GLP-1 treatment journey.

Important: DietApp is an educational and tracking tool. It does not provide medical advice, diagnose conditions, or replace care from your physician or other qualified healthcare professional. Always follow your prescribed treatment plan and consult your healthcare provider with any questions about your medication.

Download DietApp.com

Related Resources

Understanding your medication is an important part of successful treatment. The following resources can help you learn more about GLP-1 medications, diabetes management, weight management, and healthy lifestyle habits.

Related Medications

Liraglutide (Generic)
Saxenda®
Ozempic®
Wegovy®
Rybelsus®
Mounjaro®
Zepbound®

Related Guides

What Are GLP-1 Medications?
How GLP-1 Medications Work
GLP-1 Side Effects: What to Expect
Injection Site Rotation Guide
Staying Hydrated While Taking a GLP-1 Medication
Protein Intake While Using GLP-1 Medications
Tips for Managing Nausea During GLP-1 Therapy

Helpful Tools

DietApp GLP-1 Tracker
Weight Progress Tracker
Injection Log
Water Intake Tracker
Protein Intake Tracker
Side Effect Journal

Trusted Medical References

For the most current prescribing information and safety updates, consult trusted medical resources such as:

U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
DailyMed
American Diabetes Association (ADA)
Novo Nordisk Prescribing Information

Medical information changes over time. Always discuss treatment decisions with your healthcare provider and refer to the latest official prescribing information for your medication.

## Continue Learning on DietApp.com

Understanding your medication is only one part of successful treatment. DietApp.com offers additional educational resources to help you learn about GLP-1 medications, nutrition, weight management, and long-term treatment success.

### Popular Guides

• What Are GLP-1 Medications?

• How GLP-1 Medications Work

• Understanding Liraglutide

• Managing Common GLP-1 Side Effects

• Protein Intake While Taking GLP-1 Medications

• Hydration Tips During GLP-1 Therapy

• Injection Site Rotation Guide

• Questions to Ask Your Healthcare Provider About GLP-1 Therapy

As DietApp.com continues to grow, new medication guides, comparison articles, treatment resources, and patient education content will be added to help you stay informed throughout your GLP-1 journey.

More From DietApp.com

Explore the full GLP-1 Tracker knowledge base on DietApp.com

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About DietApp.com

## About DietApp.com

DietApp.com is an educational platform created to help people better understand GLP-1 medications and build healthy habits throughout their treatment journey.

Whether you're taking Victoza®, Saxenda®, Ozempic®, Wegovy®, Mounjaro®, Zepbound®, Rybelsus®, or another GLP-1 medication, DietApp.com provides reliable educational resources, medication guides, and practical tracking tools designed to support your progress.

On DietApp.com you can:

• Learn about GLP-1 medications

• Compare treatment options

• Read medication guides and educational articles

• Track your treatment progress

• Monitor weight, hydration, and nutrition

• Record side effects and symptoms

• Stay organized throughout your treatment journey

Our goal is to make GLP-1 treatment easier to understand by combining trusted educational content with practical tools that help you stay informed and organized.

DietApp.com is intended for educational and self-tracking purposes only. It does not replace medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a licensed healthcare professional. Always consult your healthcare provider regarding your medications and treatment plan.