👋No reviews yet — be the first!
Be the first verified prescriber to review Liraglutide.
100% anonymous · NPI-verifiedFDA status last checked Nov 11, 2026
A long-acting, fatty acylated glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) analog administered subcutaneously, with antihyperglycemic activity. Liraglutide's prolonged action and half-life of 11-15 hours are attributed to the attachment of the fatty acid palmitic acid to GLP-1 that reversibly binds to albumin.
Liraglutide
Approved by the FDA and sold in the US with an official FDA label.
Tested in at least one proper controlled study in people, with results.
From the FDA label for Victoza, the first brand linked to this peptide.
VICTOZA contains liraglutide, an analog of human GLP-1 and acts as a GLP-1 receptor agonist. The peptide precursor of liraglutide, produced by a process that includes expression of recombinant DNA in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, has been engineered to be 97% homologous to native human GLP-1 by substituting arginine for lysine at position 34. Liraglutide is made by attaching a C-16 fatty acid (palmitic acid) with a glutamic acid spacer on the remaining lysine residue at position 26 of the peptide precursor. The molecular formula of liraglutide is C 172 H 265 N 43 O 51 and the molecular weight is 3751.2 Daltons. The structural formula (Figure 1) is: Figure 1 Structural Formula of liraglutide VICTOZA injection is a sterile, aqueous, clear, colorless or almost colorless solution for subcutaneous use. Each 1 mL of VICTOZA solution contains 6 mg of liraglutide and the following inactive ingredients: disodium phosphate dihydrate, 1.42 mg; propylene glycol, 14 mg; phenol, 5.5 mg; and water for injection. VICTOZA has a pH of approximately 8.15, hydrochloric acid or sodium hydroxide may be added to adjust pH. Each pre-filled pen contains a 3 mL solution of VICTOZA equivalent to 18 mg liraglutide (free-base, anhydrous). Figure 1: Structural Formula of liraglutide
VICTOZA is indicated: • as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in patients 10 years and older with type 2 diabetes mellitus, • to reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (cardiovascular death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, or non-fatal stroke) in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus and established cardiovascular disease [see Clinical Studies ( 14.3 )] . Limitations of Use : VICTOZA should not be used in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus. VICTOZA contains liraglutide and should not be coadministered with other liraglutide-containing products. VICTOZA is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist indicated: • as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in patients 10 years and older with type 2 diabetes mellitus (1) . • to reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus and established cardiovascular disease ( 1 ). Limitations of Use : • Not for treatment of type 1 diabetes mellitus. • Should not be coadministered with other liraglutide-containing products.
Product: 50090-4503 NDC: 50090-4503-0 3 mL in a SYRINGE, PLASTIC / 3 in a CARTON
• Inspect visually prior to each injection. Only use if solution is clear, colorless, and contains no particles ( 2.1 ). • Inject VICTOZA subcutaneously once-daily at any time of day, independently of meals, in the abdomen, thigh or upper arm ( 2.1 ). • When using VICTOZA with insulin, administer as separate injections. Never mix. ( 2.1 ). • Adult Dosage: Initiate at 0.6 mg daily for one week then increase to 1.2 mg daily. If additional glycemic control is required, increase the dose to 1.8 mg daily after one week of treatment with the 1.2 mg daily dose ( 2.2 ). • Pediatric Dosage: Initiate at 0.6 mg daily for at least one week. If additional glycemic control is required increase the dose to 1.2 mg daily and if additional glycemic control is still required, increase the dose to 1.8 mg daily after at least one week of treatment with the 1.2 mg daily dose ( 2.3 ). 2.1 Important Dosing and Administration Instructions • Inspect visually prior to each injection. Only use if solution is clear, colorless, and contains no particles. • Inject VICTOZA subcutaneously once-daily at any time of day, independently of meals. • Inject VICTOZA subcutaneously in the abdomen, thigh or upper arm. No dose adjustment is needed if changing the injection site and/or timing. • Rotate injection sites within the same region in order to reduce the risk of cutaneous amyloidosis [see Adverse Reactions ( 6.3 )]. • When using VICTOZA with insulin, administer as separate injections. Never mix. It is acceptable to inject VICTOZA and insulin in the same body region but the injections should not be adjacent to each other. • If a dose is missed, resume the once-daily regimen as prescribed with the next scheduled dose. Do not administer an extra dose or increase the dose to make up for the missed dose. • If more than 3 days have elapsed since the last VICTOZA dose, reinitiate VICTOZA at 0.6 mg to mitigate any gastrointestinal symptoms associated with reinitiation of treatment. Upon reinitiation, VICTOZA should be titrated at the discretion of the prescriber. 2.2 Adult Dosage • Initiate VICTOZA with a dose of 0.6 mg daily for one week. The 0.6 mg dose is a starting dose intended to reduce gastrointestinal symptoms during initial titration, and is not effective for glycemic control in adults. After one week at 0.6 mg per day, increase the dose to 1.2 mg daily. • If additional glycemic control is required, increase the dose to 1.8 mg daily after at least one week of treatment with the 1.2 mg daily dose. 2.3 Pediatric Dosage • Initiate VICTOZA with a dose of 0.6 mg daily. • After at least one week at 0.6 mg daily, the dose may be increased to 1.2 mg daily if additional glycemic control is required. • If additional glycemic control is required, increase the dose to 1.8 mg daily after at least one week of treatment with the 1.2 mg daily dose.
• Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma VICTOZA is contraindicated in patients with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or in patients with Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2). • Hypersensitivity VICTOZA is contraindicated in patients with a serious hypersensitivity reaction to liraglutide or to any of the excipients in VICTOZA. Serious hypersensitivity reactions including anaphylactic reactions and angioedema have been reported with VICTOZA [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.6 )]. VICTOZA is contraindicated in patients with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or in patients with Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (4) . VICTOZA is contraindicated in patients with a serious hypersensitivity reaction to liraglutide or any of the excipients in VICTOZA (4) .
Advise the patient to read the FDA-approved patient labeling (Medication Guide). Risk of Thyroid C-cell Tumors Inform patients that liraglutide causes benign and malignant thyroid C-cell tumors in mice and rats and that the human relevance of this finding has not been determined. Counsel patients to report symptoms of thyroid tumors (e.g., a lump in the neck, hoarseness, dysphagia, or dyspnea) to their physician [see Boxed Warning and Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] . Pancreatitis Inform patients of the potential risk for pancreatitis. Explain that persistent severe abdominal pain that may radiate to the back and which may or may not be accompanied by vomiting, is the hallmark symptom of acute pancreatitis. Instruct patients to discontinue VICTOZA promptly and contact their physician if persistent severe abdominal pain occurs [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )]. Never Share a VICTOZA Pen Between Patients Advise patients that they must never share a VICTOZA pen with another person, even if the needle is changed, because doing so carries a risk for transmission of blood-borne pathogens. Hypoglycemia Inform patients that hypoglycemia has been reported when VICTOZA is used with insulin secretagogues or insulin and may occur in pediatric patients regardless of concomitant antidiabetic treatment. Educate patients or caregivers on the signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.4 )] . Dehydration and Renal Failure Advise patients treated with VICTOZA of the potential risk of dehydration due to gastrointestinal adverse reactions and to take precautions to avoid fluid depletion. Inform patients of the potential risk for worsening renal function, which in some cases may require dialysis [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.5 )] . Hypersensitivity Reactions Inform patients that serious hypersensitivity reactions have been reported during postmarketing use of VICTOZA. Advise patients on the symptoms of hypersensitivity reactions and instruct them to stop taking VICTOZA and seek medical advice promptly if such symptoms occur [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.6 )] . Acute Gallbladder Disease Inform patients of the potential risk for cholelithiasis or cholecystitis. Instruct patients to contact their physician if cholelithiasis or cholecystitis is suspected for appropriate clinical follow-up [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.7 )] . Jaundice and Hepatitis Inform patients that jaundice and hepatitis have been reported during postmarketing use of liraglutide. Instruct patients to contact their physician if they develop jaundice. Instructions Advise patients that the most common side effects of VICTOZA are headache, nausea and diarrhea. Nausea is most common when first starting VICTOZA, but decreases over time in the majority of patients and does not typically require discontinuation of VICTOZA. Inform patients not to take an extra dose of VICTOZA to make up for a missed dose. If a dose is missed, the once-daily regimen should be resumed as prescribed with the next scheduled dose. If more than 3 days have elapsed since the last dose, advise the patient to reinitiate VICTOZA at 0.6 mg to mitigate any gastrointestinal symptoms associated with reinitiation of treatment. VICTOZA should be titrated at the discretion of the prescribing physician [see Dosage and Administration ( 2 )]. Manufactured by: Novo Nordisk A/S DK-2880 Bagsvaerd, Denmark Date of Issue: 06/2022 Version: 15 VICTOZA ® is a registered trademark of Novo Nordisk A/S. PATENT Information: http://novonordisk-us.com/products/product-patents.html © 2022 Novo Nordisk For information about VICTOZA contact: Novo Nordisk Inc. 800 Scudders Mill Road Plainsboro, NJ 08536 1-877-484-2869
Oral Medications: VICTOZA delays gastric emptying and may impact absorption of concomitantly administered oral medications ( 7 ). Concomitant Use with an Insulin Secretagogue (e.g., Sulfonylurea) or with Insulin: when initiating, consider reducing the dose of concomitantly administered insulin secretagogues (such as sulfonylureas) or insulin to reduce the risk of hypoglycemia ( 7 ). 7.1 Oral Medications VICTOZA causes a delay of gastric emptying, and thereby has the potential to impact the absorption of concomitantly administered oral medications. In clinical pharmacology trials, VICTOZA did not affect the absorption of the tested orally administered medications to any clinically relevant degree. Nonetheless, caution should be exercised when oral medications are concomitantly administered with VICTOZA. 7.2 Concomitant Use with an Insulin Secretagogue (e.g., Sulfonylurea) or with Insulin When initiating VICTOZA, consider reducing the dose of concomitantly administered insulin secretagogues (such as sulfonylureas) or insulin to reduce the risk of hypoglycemia [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.4 ) and Adverse Reactions ( 6 )].
A 104-week carcinogenicity study was conducted in male and female CD-1 mice at doses of 0.03, 0.2, 1.0, and 3.0 mg/kg/day liraglutide administered by bolus subcutaneous injection yielding systemic exposures 0.2-, 2-, 10- and 45-times the human exposure, respectively, at the MRHD of 1.8 mg/day based on plasma AUC comparison. A dose-related increase in benign thyroid C-cell adenomas was seen in the 1.0 and the 3.0 mg/kg/day groups with incidences of 13% and 19% in males and 6% and 20% in females, respectively. C-cell adenomas did not occur in control groups or 0.03 and 0.2 mg/kg/day groups. Treatment-related malignant C-cell carcinomas occurred in 3% of females in the 3.0 mg/kg/day group. Thyroid C-cell tumors are rare findings during carcinogenicity testing in mice. A treatment-related increase in fibrosarcomas was seen on the dorsal skin and subcutis, the body surface used for drug injection, in males in the 3 mg/kg/day group. These fibrosarcomas were attributed to the high local concentration of drug near the injection site. The liraglutide concentration in the clinical formulation (6 mg/mL) is 10-times higher than the concentration in the formulation used to administer 3 mg/kg/day liraglutide to mice in the carcinogenicity study (0.6 mg/mL). A 104-week carcinogenicity study was conducted in male and female Sprague Dawley rats at doses of 0.075, 0.25 and 0.75 mg/kg/day liraglutide administered by bolus subcutaneous injection with exposures 0.5-, 2- and 8-times the human exposure, respectively, resulting from the MRHD based on plasma AUC comparison. A treatment-related increase in benign thyroid C-cell adenomas was seen in males in 0.25 and 0.75 mg/kg/day liraglutide groups with incidences of 12%, 16%, 42%, and 46% and in all female liraglutide-treated groups with incidences of 10%, 27%, 33%, and 56% in 0 (control), 0.075, 0.25, and 0.75 mg/kg/day groups, respectively. A treatment-related increase in malignant thyroid C-cell carcinomas was observed in all male liraglutide-treated groups with incidences of 2%, 8%, 6%, and 14% and in females at 0.25 and 0.75 mg/kg/day with incidences of 0%, 0%, 4%, and 6% in 0 (control), 0.075, 0.25, and 0.75 mg/kg/day groups, respectively. Thyroid C-cell carcinomas are rare findings during carcinogenicity testing in rats. Studies in mice demonstrated that liraglutide-induced C-cell proliferation was dependent on the GLP-1 receptor and that liraglutide did not cause activation of the REarranged during Transfection (RET) proto-oncogene in thyroid C-cells. Human relevance of thyroid C-cell tumors in mice and rats is unknown and has not been determined by clinical studies or nonclinical studies [see Boxed Warning and Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] . Liraglutide was negative with and without metabolic activation in the Ames test for mutagenicity and in a human peripheral blood lymphocyte chromosome aberration test for clastogenicity. Liraglutide was negative in repeat-dose in vivo micronucleus tests in rats. In rat fertility studies using subcutaneous doses of 0.1, 0.25 and 1.0 mg/kg/day liraglutide, males were treated for 4 weeks prior to and throughout mating and females were treated 2 weeks prior to and throughout mating until gestation day 17. No direct adverse effects on male fertility was observed at doses up to 1.0 mg/kg/day, a high dose yielding an estimated systemic exposure 11- times the human exposure at the MRHD, based on plasma AUC. In female rats, an increase in early embryonic deaths occurred at 1.0 mg/kg/day. Reduced body weight gain and food consumption were observed in females at the 1.0 mg/kg/day dose.
Risk Summary Based on animal reproduction studies, there may be risks to the fetus from exposure to VICTOZA during pregnancy. VICTOZA should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus. Animal reproduction studies identified increased adverse developmental outcomes from exposure during pregnancy. Liraglutide exposure was associated with early embryonic deaths and an imbalance in some fetal abnormalities in pregnant rats administered liraglutide during organogenesis at doses that approximate clinical exposures at the maximum recommended human dose (MRHD) of 1.8 mg/day. In pregnant rabbits administered liraglutide during organogenesis, decreased fetal weight and an increased incidence of major fetal abnormalities were seen at exposures below the human exposures at the MRHD [see Animal Data] . The estimated background risk of major birth defects for women with uncontrolled pre-gestational diabetes (Hemoglobin A 1C >7) is 6 to 10%. The major birth defect rate has been reported to be as high as 20 to 25% in women with a Hemoglobin A 1C >10. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2-4% and 15-20%, respectively. Clinical Considerations Disease-associated maternal and/or embryo/fetal risk Poorly controlled diabetes in pregnancy increases the maternal risk for diabetic ketoacidosis, pre-eclampsia, spontaneous abortions, preterm delivery, and delivery complications. Poorly controlled diabetes increases the fetal risk for major birth defects, still birth, and macrosomia related morbidity. Animal Data Female rats given subcutaneous doses of 0.1, 0.25 and 1.0 mg/kg/day liraglutide beginning 2 weeks before mating through gestation day 17 had estimated systemic exposures 0.8-, 3-, and 11-times the human exposure at the MRHD based on plasma AUC comparison. The number of early embryonic deaths in the 1 mg/kg/day group increased slightly. Fetal abnormalities and variations in kidneys and blood vessels, irregular ossification of the skull, and a more complete state of ossification occurred at all doses. Mottled liver and minimally kinked ribs occurred at the highest dose. The incidence of fetal malformations in liraglutide-treated groups exceeding concurrent and historical controls were misshapen oropharynx and/or narrowed opening into larynx at 0.1 mg/kg/day and umbilical hernia at 0.1 and 0.25 mg/kg/day. Pregnant rabbits given subcutaneous doses of 0.01, 0.025 and 0.05 mg/kg/day liraglutide from gestation day 6 through day 18 inclusive, had estimated systemic exposures less than the human exposure at the MRHD of 1.8 mg/day at all doses, based on plasma AUC. Liraglutide decreased fetal weight and dose-dependently increased the incidence of total major fetal abnormalities at all doses. The incidence of malformations exceeded concurrent and historical controls at 0.01 mg/kg/day (kidneys, scapula), ≥ 0.01 mg/kg/day (eyes, forelimb), 0.025 mg/kg/day (brain, tail and sacral vertebrae, major blood vessels and heart, umbilicus), ≥ 0.025 mg/kg/day (sternum) and at 0.05 mg/kg/day (parietal bones, major blood vessels). Irregular ossification and/or skeletal abnormalities occurred in the skull and jaw, vertebrae and ribs, sternum, pelvis, tail, and scapula; and dose-dependent minor skeletal variations were observed. Visceral abnormalities occurred in blood vessels, lung, liver, and esophagus. Bilobed or bifurcated gallbladder was seen in all treatment groups, but not in the control group. In pregnant female rats given subcutaneous doses of 0.1, 0.25 and 1.0 mg/kg/day liraglutide from gestation day 6 through weaning or termination of nursing on lactation day 24, estimated systemic exposures were 0.8-, 3-, and 11-times human exposure at the MRHD of 1.8 mg/day, based on plasma AUC. A slight delay in parturition was observed in the majority of treated rats. Group mean body weight of neonatal rats from liraglutide-treated dams was lower than neonatal rats from control group dams. Bloody scabs and agitated behavior occurred in male rats descended from dams treated with 1 mg/kg/day liraglutide. Group mean body weight from birth to postpartum day 14 trended lower in F 2 generation rats descended from liraglutide-treated rats compared to F 2 generation rats descended from controls, but differences did not reach statistical significance for any group.
The safety and effectiveness of VICTOZA as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in type 2 diabetes mellitus have been established in pediatric patients 10 years of age and older. Use of VICTOZA for this indication is supported by a 26-week placebo-controlled clinical trial and a 26-week open-label extension in 134 pediatric patients 10 to 17 years of age with type 2 diabetes, a pediatric pharmacokinetic study, and studies in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 ) and Clinical Studies ( 14.1 , 14.2 )] . The risk of hypoglycemia was higher with VICTOZA in pediatric patients regardless of insulin and/or metformin use. The safety and effectiveness of VICTOZA have not been established in pediatric patients less than 10 years of age.
In the VICTOZA treatment arms of the glycemic control trials, a total of 832 (19.3%) of the patients were 65 to 74 years of age and 145 (3.4%) were 75 years of age and over. No overall differences in safety or efficacy were observed between these patients and younger patients, but greater sensitivity of some older individuals cannot be ruled out. In the VICTOZA treatment arm of the LEADER trial [see Clinical Studies ( 14.3 )] , a total of 1738 (37.2%) patients were 65 to 74 years of age, 401 (8.6%) were 75 to 84 years of age, and 17 (0.4%) were 85 years of age or older at baseline. No overall differences in safety or efficacy were observed between these patients and younger patients.
The following serious adverse reactions are described below or elsewhere in the prescribing information: • Risk of Thyroid C-cell Tumors [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] • Pancreatitis [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )] • Hypoglycemia [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.4 )] • Renal Impairment [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.5 )] • Hypersensitivity Reactions [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.6 )] • Acute Gallbladder Disease [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.7 )] • The most common adverse reactions, reported in ≥5% of patients treated with VICTOZA are: nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, decreased appetite, dyspepsia, constipation (6.1) . • Immunogenicity-related events, including urticaria, were more common among VICTOZA-treated patients (0.8%) than among comparator-treated patients (0.4%) in clinical trials (6.2) . To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Novo Nordisk Inc. at 1-877-484-2869 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. Common Adverse Reactions The safety of VICTOZA in subjects with type 2 diabetes was evaluated in 5 glycemic control, placebo-controlled trials in adults and one trial of 52 weeks duration in pediatric patients 10 years of age and older [see Clinical Studies ( 14.1 )] . The data in Table 1 reflect exposure of 1673 adult patients to VICTOZA and a mean duration of exposure to VICTOZA of 37.3 weeks. The mean age of adult patients was 58 years, 4% were 75 years or older and 54% were male. The population was 79% White, 6% Black or African American, 13% Asian; 4% were of Hispanic or Latino ethnicity. At baseline the population had diabetes for an average of 9.1 years and a mean HbA 1c of 8.4%. Baseline estimated renal function was normal or mildly impaired in 88.1% and moderately impaired in 11.9% of the pooled population. Table 1 shows common adverse reactions in adults, excluding hypoglycemia, associated with the use of VICTOZA. These adverse reactions occurred more commonly on VICTOZA than on placebo and occurred in at least 5% of patients treated with VICTOZA. Overall, the type, and severity of adverse reactions in adolescents and children aged 10 years and above were comparable to that observed in the adult population. Table 1 Adverse reactions reported in ≥ 5% of VICTOZA-treated patients Placebo N=661 Liraglutide 1.2 mg N= 645 Liraglutide 1.8 mg N= 1024 Adverse Reaction (%) (%) (%) Nausea 5 18 20 Diarrhea 4 10 12 Headache 7 11 10 Nasopharyngitis 8 9 10 Vomiting 2 6 9 Decreased appetite 1 10 9 Dyspepsia 1 4 7 Upper Respiratory Tract Infection 6 7 6 Constipation 1 5 5 Back Pain 3 4 5 Cumulative proportions were calculated combining studies using Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel weights. In an analysis of placebo- and active-controlled trials, the types and frequency of common adverse reactions, excluding hypoglycemia, were similar to those listed in Table 1. Other Adverse Reactions Gastrointestinal Adverse Reactions In the pool of 5 glycemic control, placebo-controlled clinical trials, withdrawals due to gastrointestinal adverse reactions, occurred in 4.3% of VICTOZA-treated patients and 0.5% of placebo-treated patients. Withdrawal due to gastrointestinal adverse events mainly occurred during the first 2-3 months of the trials. Injection site reactions Injection site reactions (e.g., injection site rash, erythema) were reported in approximately 2% of VICTOZA-treated patients in the five double-blind, glycemic control trials of at least 26 weeks duration. Less than 0.2% of VICTOZA-treated patients discontinued due to injection site reactions. Hypoglycemia In 5 adult glycemic control, placebo-controlled clinical trials of at least 26 weeks duration, hypoglycemia requiring the assistance of another person for treatment occurred in 8 VICTOZA-treated patients (7.5 events per 1000 patient-years). Of these 8 VICTOZA-treated patients, 7 patients were concomitantly using a sulfonylurea. Table 2 Adult Incidence (%) and Rate (episodes/patient year) of Hypoglycemia in 26-Week Combination Therapy Placebo-controlled Trials Placebo Comparator VICTOZA Treatment Add-on to Metformin Placebo + Metformin (N = 121) VICTOZA + Metformin (N = 724) Patient not able to self-treat 0 0.1 (0.001) Patient able to self-treat 2.5 (0.06) 3.6 (0.05) Add-on to Glimepiride Placebo + Glimepiride (N = 114) VICTOZA + Glimepiride (N = 695) Patient not able to self-treat 0 0.1 (0.003) Patient able to self-treat 2.6 (0.17) 7.5 (0.38) Not classified 0 0.9 (0.05) Add-on to Metformin + Rosiglitazone Placebo + Metformin + Rosiglitazone (N = 175) VICTOZA + Metformin + Rosiglitazone (N = 355) Patient not able to self-treat 0 0 Patient able to self-treat 4.6 (0.15) 7.9 (0.49) Not classified 1.1 (0.03) 0.6 (0.01) Add-on to Metformin + Glimepiride Placebo + Metformin + Glimepiride (N = 114) VICTOZA + Metformin + Glimepiride (N = 230) Patient not able to self-treat 0 2.2 (0.06) Patient able to self-treat 16.7 (0.95) 27.4 (1.16) Not classified 0 0 “Patient not able to self-treat” is defined as an event requiring the assistance of another person for treatment. In a 26-week pediatric placebo-controlled clinical trial with a 26-week open-label extension, 21.2% of VICTOZA treated patients (mean age 14.6 years) with type 2 diabetes, had hypoglycemia with a blood glucose <54 mg/dL with or without symptoms (335 events per 1000 patient years). No severe hypoglycemic episodes occurred in the VICTOZA treatment group (severe hypoglycemia was defined as an episode requiring assistance of another person to actively administer carbohydrate, glucagon, or other resuscitative actions). Papillary thyroid carcinoma In glycemic control trials of VICTOZA, there were 7 reported cases of papillary thyroid carcinoma in patients treated with VICTOZA and 1 case in a comparator-treated patient (1.5 vs. 0.5 cases per 1000 patient-years). Most of these papillary thyroid carcinomas were <1 cm in greatest diameter and were diagnosed in surgical pathology specimens after thyroidectomy prompted by findings on protocol-specified screening with serum calcitonin or thyroid ultrasound. Cholelithiasis and cholecystitis In glycemic control trials of VICTOZA, the incidence of cholelithiasis was 0.3% in both VICTOZA-treated and placebo-treated patients. The incidence of cholecystitis was 0.2% in both VICTOZA-treated and placebo-treated patients. In the LEADER trial [see Clinical Studies ( 14.3 )] , the incidence of cholelithiasis was 1.5% (3.9 cases per 1000 patient years of observation) in VICTOZA-treated and 1.1% (2.8 cases per 1000 patient years of observation) in placebo-treated patients, both on a background of standard of care. The incidence of acute cholecystitis was 1.1% (2.9 cases per 1000 patient years of observation) in VICTOZA-treated and 0.7% (1.9 cases per 1000 patient years of observation) in placebo-treated patients. The majority of events required hospitalization or cholecystectomy. Laboratory Tests Bilirubin In the five glycemic control trials of at least 26 weeks duration, mildly elevated serum bilirubin concentrations (elevations to no more than twice the upper limit of the reference range) occurred in 4.0% of VICTOZA-treated patients, 2.1% of placebo-treated patients and 3.5% of active-comparator-treated patients. This finding was not accompanied by abnormalities in other liver tests. The significance of this isolated finding is unknown. Calcitonin Calcitonin, a biological marker of MTC, was measured throughout the clinical development program. At the end of the glycemic control trials, adjusted mean serum calcitonin concentrations were higher in VICTOZA-treated patients compared to placebo-treated patients but not compared to patients receiving active comparator. Between group differences in adjusted mean serum calcitonin values were approximately 0.1 ng/L or less. Among patients with pretreatment calcitonin <20 ng/L, calcitonin elevations to >20 ng/L occurred in 0.7% of VICTOZA-treated patients, 0.3% of placebo-treated patients, and 0.5% of active-comparator-treated patients. The clinical significance of these findings is unknown. Lipase and Amylase In one glycemic control trial in renal impairment patients, a mean increase of 33% for lipase and 15% for amylase from baseline was observed for VICTOZA-treated patients while placebo-treated patients had a mean decrease in lipase of 3% and a mean increase in amylase of 1%. In the LEADER trial, serum lipase and amylase were routinely measured. Among VICTOZA-treated patients, 7.9% had a lipase value at any time during treatment of greater than or equal to 3 times the upper limit of normal compared with 4.5% of placebo-treated patients, and 1% of VICTOZA-treated patients had an amylase value at any time during treatment of greater than or equal to 3 times the upper limit of normal versus 0.7% of placebo-treated patients. The clinical significance of elevations in lipase or amylase with VICTOZA is unknown in the absence of other signs and symptoms of pancreatitis [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )]. Vital signs VICTOZA did not have adverse effects on blood pressure. Mean increases from baseline in heart rate of 2 to 3 beats per minute have been observed with VICTOZA compared to placebo. 6.2 Immunogenicity Consistent with the potentially immunogenic properties of protein and peptide pharmaceuticals, patients treated with VICTOZA may develop anti-liraglutide antibodies. The detection of antibody formation is highly dependent on the sensitivity and specificity of the assay. Additionally, the observed incidence of antibody (including neutralizing antibody) positivity in an assay may be influenced by several factors including assay methodology, sample handling, timing of sample collection, concomitant medications, and underlying disease. For these reasons, the incidence of antibodies to liraglutide cannot be directly compared with the incidence of antibodies of other products. Approximately 50-70% of VICTOZA-treated patients in five double-blind clinical trials of 26 weeks duration or longer were tested for the presence of anti-liraglutide antibodies at the end of treatment. Low titers (concentrations not requiring dilution of serum) of anti-liraglutide antibodies were detected in 8.6% of these VICTOZA-treated patients. Cross-reacting anti-liraglutide antibodies to native glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) occurred in 6.9% of the VICTOZA-treated patients in the double-blind 52-week monotherapy trial and in 4.8% of the VICTOZA-treated patients in the double-blind 26-week add-on combination therapy trials. These cross-reacting antibodies were not tested for neutralizing effect against native GLP-1, and thus the potential for clinically significant neutralization of native GLP-1 was not assessed. Antibodies that had a neutralizing effect on liraglutide in an in vitro assay occurred in 2.3% of the VICTOZA-treated patients in the double-blind 52-week monotherapy trial and in 1.0% of the VICTOZA-treated patients in the double-blind 26-week add-on combination therapy trials. Antibody formation was not associated with reduced efficacy of VICTOZA when comparing mean HbA1c of all antibody-positive and all antibody-negative patients. However, the 3 patients with the highest titers of anti-liraglutide antibodies had no reduction in HbA1c with VICTOZA treatment. In five double-blind glycemic control trials of VICTOZA, events from a composite of adverse events potentially related to immunogenicity (e.g., urticaria, angioedema) occurred among 0.8% of VICTOZA-treated patients and among 0.4% of comparator-treated patients. Urticaria accounted for approximately one-half of the events in this composite for VICTOZA-treated patients. Patients who developed anti-liraglutide antibodies were not more likely to develop events from the immunogenicity events composite than were patients who did not develop anti-liraglutide antibodies. In the LEADER trial [see Clinical Studies ( 14.3 )] , anti-liraglutide antibodies were detected in 11 out of the 1247 (0.9%) VICTOZA-treated patients with antibody measurements. Of the 11 VICTOZA-treated patients who developed anti-liraglutide antibodies, none were observed to develop neutralizing antibodies to liraglutide, and 5 patients (0.4%) developed cross-reacting antibodies against native GLP-1. In a clinical trial with pediatric patients 10 to 17 years [see Clinical Studies ( 14.2 )], anti-liraglutide antibodies were detected in 1 (1.5%) VICTOZA treated patient at week 26 and 5 (8.5%) VICTOZA treated patients at week 53. None of the 5 had antibodies cross reactive to native GLP-1 or had neutralizing antibodies. 6.3 Post-Marketing Experience The following additional adverse reactions have been reported during post-approval use of VICTOZA. Because these events are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is generally not possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure. • Medullary thyroid carcinoma • Dehydration resulting from nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. • Increased serum creatinine, acute renal failure or worsening of chronic renal failure, sometimes requiring hemodialysis. • Angioedema and anaphylactic reactions. • Allergic reactions: rash and pruritus • Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorder: cutaneous amyloidosis • Acute pancreatitis, hemorrhagic and necrotizing pancreatitis sometimes resulting in death • Hepatobiliary disorders: hyperbilirubinemia, elevations of liver enzymes, cholestasis, hepatitis, cholecystitis, cholelithiasis requiring cholecystectomy
Overdoses have been reported in clinical trials and post-marketing use of VICTOZA. Observed effects have included severe nausea, severe vomiting, and severe hypoglycemia. In the event of overdosage, appropriate supportive treatment should be initiated according to the patient’s clinical signs and symptoms.
How it works. Proven facts and ideas still being studied are kept apart.
Not yet reviewed.
Tested in at least one proper controlled study in people, with results.
FDA-approved. Applications: BLA208583, NDA022341, NDA206321.
Last verified: Nov 11, 2026