Liraglutide
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Liraglutide (Victoza, Saxenda)

What exactly does liraglutide mean?

Liraglutide is used to improve blood sugar management in adults and children 10 years and older with type 2 diabetes (in conjunction with dietary modifications); to lower cardiovascular risk in individuals with type 2 diabetes, and to reduce weight in adults and children 12 and older.

Liraglutide is available in three FDA-approved forms: Saxenda, Victoza, and generic liraglutide injectable.

  • Victoza and generic liraglutide are used to treat type 2 diabetes by lowering blood sugar (glucose).
  • Only Saxenda is expressly authorized for weight reduction, while Victoza/liraglutide injection may promote weight loss as a side effect.

Liraglutide mimics a natural hormone called GLP-1, which your body produces after eating. GLP-1 aids blood sugar management in type 2 diabetes by boosting insulin when necessary, lowering glucose synthesis in the liver, delaying digestion, and decreasing hunger. When taken in overweight persons, liraglutide suppresses appetite by slowing digestion. This signals to the brain that you are full, causing you to eat less. Over time, eating less causes weight reduction.

Unlike your body’s natural GLP-1, which lasts only a few minutes, liraglutide lasts 24 hours, requiring only one injection each day.

Liraglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist, as are Ozempic, Wegovy, Ryebelsus, Trulicity, and Byetta.

Liraglutide was initially approved by the FDA on January 25, 2010, under the names Victoza for type 2 diabetes and Saxenda for weight reduction. The FDA authorized a Victoza generic, known as liraglutide injectable, on December 23, 2024. This generic is solely FDA-approved for improving blood sugar management in persons with Type 2 diabetes.

Liraglutide uses:

Liraglutide is available in three FDA-approved forms:

Saxenda is approved solely for weight reduction therapy.
Victoza is exclusively approved for diabetes therapy (to enhance blood sugar management and lower cardiovascular risk).
Liraglutide injection is exclusively approved for diabetes therapy (to enhance blood sugar management).

FDA-approved uses for Saxenda

Saxenda is intended to help people who are obese or overweight and have weight-related medical issues, as well as children with obesity aged 12 to 17 years who weigh more than 132 pounds (60 kg), lose weight and keep it off.

Saxenda should be used alongside a low-calorie diet and increased physical exercise.
Saxenda and Victoza have the same active component, liraglutide, and should not be combined or taken with other GLP-1 receptor agonist medications.

It is unclear whether Saxenda is safe and effective when used with other prescription, over-the-counter, or natural weight loss medications.
It is unclear if Saxenda is both safe and effective in children under the age of 12.

FDA-approved uses for Victoza/generic liraglutide injection

Victoza/liraglutide injection is used to treat type 2 diabetes in adults and children aged 10 and above, in addition to diet and exercise.
Victoza has also been licensed to lower the risk of serious cardiovascular events such as heart attacks, strokes, and death in persons with type 2 diabetes mellitus who have a known heart condition.

Victoza/liraglutide injection is not appropriate for patients with type 1 diabetes.
They should not be used with other medications that include liraglutide.
It is not known if Victoza/liraglutide injection is safe and effective in decreasing blood sugar (glucose) in children under 10 years of age.

How does Liraglutide function (Mechanism)?

Liraglutide improves blood sugar in three separate ways. It stimulates your pancreas to produce more insulin after you eat, stops your liver from releasing stored glucose, and delays the passage of food through your system.

Liraglutide Side Effects:

The most prevalent adverse effects of using liraglutide (Victoza/liraglutide injectable) in patients with type 2 diabetes are:

  • nausea
  • diarrhea
  • vomiting
  • decreased appetite
  • indigestion and constipation.

The most common adverse effects of using liraglutide (Saxenda) to lose weight are:

  • nausea
  • injection site reaction
  • tiredness (fatigue)
  • diarrhea
  • low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
  • dizziness
  • constipation
  • headache
  • stomach pain
  • vomiting
  • upset stomach (dyspepsia)
  • variations in your blood’s levels of the enzyme lipase.

Fever and gastroenteritis are two more prominent adverse effects of liraglutide used to treat childhood obesity (Saxenda).

What are the most dangerous adverse effects of liraglutide?

While less prevalent, the most significant adverse effects of liraglutide are listed here, along with what to do if they occur.

Severe allergic reactions. Liraglutide may induce severe allergic responses. If you experience any of the following signs of a significant allergic reaction while taking liraglutide, discontinue use and seek immediate assistance.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching,
  • skin rash
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Thyroid tumors Liraglutide may induce thyroid tumors. Some of these tumors could be malignant. If you detect any of the thyroid symptoms listed below, contact your doctor straight once.

  • Swelling or a lump in your neck
  • Hoarseness
  • Trouble swallowing
  • Trouble breathing

Pancreatitis. Liraglutide may induce pancreatic inflammation, often known as pancreatitis. If you get pancreatitis symptoms, such as vomiting or severe pain in the upper portion of your abdomen that spreads to your back, stop taking liraglutide and contact your doctor every once.

Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Liraglutide can produce low blood sugar levels, particularly when used with insulin or other insulin-boosting medications. Hypoglycemia is dangerous and can cause death. To reduce your risk of low blood sugar, you may need to reduce your dose of insulin or other diabetic medications. If you have any of the following hypoglycemic symptoms, discontinue usage of liraglutide and contact your healthcare professional immediately.

  • Headache
  • Crankiness or anxiety
  • Hunger
  • Dizziness or confusion
  • Blurry vision
  • Slurred speech
  • Sweating
  • Feeling jittery or shakiness
  • Fast heartbeat
  • Seizures

Kidney damage. Liraglutide can cause kidney damage. If you experience any of the following kidney damage symptoms, contact your healthcare physician straight once.

  • Reduced need to pee
  • Swelling in your feet, ankles, or legs
  • Weakness or unusual tiredness
  • Difficulty catching your breath or chest pain/pressure
  • Confusion
  • Nausea
  • Seizures

Gallbladder problems. Liraglutide can induce gallbladder disorders such as cholecystitis and cholelithiasis (gallstones). If you have any of the following symptoms, contact your healthcare professional straight once.

  • The discoloration of your skin or the whites of your eyes is called jaundice.
  • Fever
  • Pain in your upper stomach area
  • Stool (poop) that is clay-colored

Who shouldn’t use liraglutide?

Allergies to ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should avoid using liraglutide.

  • Liraglutide
  • Victoza Saxenda
  • Any other drug containing liraglutide.
  • Any of the components in the particular product dispensed

Your chemist can tell you all about the chemicals in liraglutide.

Type 1 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes cannot be treated with liraglutide.

Thyroid cancer or an endocrine condition. Liraglutide should not be taken if you or a family member have had medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) or if you have Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Syndrome type 2 (MEN 2). Inform your healthcare professional about your current and previous medical issues, as well as your family’s medical history.

What do I need to know about liraglutide before using it?

When taking liraglutide for the first time or after a long period away from it, read the Instructions for Use that came with it.

Liraglutide should not be used unless a healthcare practitioner has recommended it for you. Use it as directed.

Do not distribute liraglutide to others, even if they have the same illness as you and the needle has been replaced. It may do them damage.

Keep liraglutide out of reach of youngsters. Because this medication may be stored in a refrigerator, take extra steps to keep it away from youngsters who also use the refrigerator.

If you are experiencing nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea, drink plenty of water to avoid becoming dehydrated.

Each injection should be administered with a fresh needle.

To avoid utilizing the same injection site each time you take liraglutide, rotate where you inject.

What should I notify my doctor before using liraglutide?

Inform your healthcare practitioner about any of your medical problems, as well as any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medications, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, or other supplements you are taking. This will help them decide if liraglutide is suitable for you.

Make careful to bring up any of the following.

Stomach problems. Tell your doctor if you experience stomach difficulties, such as sluggish stomach emptying (gastroparesis) or difficulty digesting meals. Your healthcare professional may recommend a different medication to manage your type 2 diabetes.

Pancreatic problems. Tell your doctor if you’ve ever had pancreatitis or any other pancreatic disorders. Your healthcare professional may recommend a different medication to manage your type 2 diabetes.

Kidney problems. Inform your healthcare practitioner if you have renal issues, such as long-term kidney failure or end-stage kidney disease, since they may worsen while using liraglutide.

Liver problems. Tell your physician if you have liver problems. Your healthcare professional may recommend a different medication to manage your type 2 diabetes.

Supplements and other medications. There may be interactions between liraglutide and other medications and supplements. Tell your doctor about all of your current medications, including prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and other supplements, before using liraglutide. For further information, see the Interactions section.

Pregnancy Liraglutide’s potential effects on pregnancy and potential damage to the fetus are unknown. If you are or want to become pregnant, let your healthcare practitioner know.

Breastfeeding The presence of liraglutide in breast milk is unknown. If you are nursing or intend to breastfeed, let your healthcare professional know.

How should liraglutide be stored?

Liraglutide should not be frozen; instead, it should be kept in a refrigerator between 36 and 46°F (2 and 8°C) without being exposed to the cooling element.

The pen can be kept in the refrigerator or at room temperature (59–86°F/15–30°C) for 30 days after it is opened. Keep the cap on at all times and shield it from sunshine and heat.

Always use a new needle for injections, taking it out and throwing it away after use. To avoid contamination, spillage, or infection, store the pen without the injection needle attached.

Missed Dose/Overdose:

If I inadvertently take too much liraglutide, what should I do?

If you or someone else has taken too much liraglutide, seek medical attention immediately, dial 911, or phone 800-222-1222 to reach a Poison Control center.

What happens if I forget to take my liraglutide dose?

If a dosage is missed, only take the subsequent dose and skip the missing one. Avoid taking more than one dosage.

To lower the likelihood of stomach-related side effects, start with the lowest dose of liraglutide if it has been more than three days since your last dose. After that, increase back to your prior dosage as directed by your healthcare professional.

FAQs

Is it possible to lose weight with liraglutide?

It is possible to utilize liraglutide as an adjuvant treatment for weight reduction. It can be used in conjunction with calorie restriction and an exercise regimen to help people who are obese or overweight control their weight. Liraglutide, on the other hand, is authorized for the treatment of individuals with type 2 diabetes.

Is taking Liraglutide at night or in the morning preferable?

Liraglutide should be taken once daily at any time of day, but ideally at the same time every day. Liraglutide is administered subcutaneously (under the skin) in the upper arm, thigh, or stomach as a liquid solution in a prefilled dosage pen.

What further applications does ligarglutide have?

For individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus, liraglutide is used in conjunction with a diet and exercise regimen to regulate blood sugar levels. In individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus, heart disease, and blood vessel disorders, it is also used to prevent heart attacks, strokes, or death.

What is the most crucial information regarding liraglutide that I should be aware of?

Thyroid tumors are among the severe adverse effects of liraglutide that you should be aware of. As a result, people with a personal or family history of thyroid tumors are not advised to use this medication. If you have shortness of breath, hoarseness (an unnatural change in voice), difficulty swallowing, or a lump in your neck, notify your doctor very once.

What are Liraglutide’s major negative effects?

Liraglutide’s severe adverse effects include renal failure, gall bladder issues, severe allergic responses, low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), and pancreatic inflammation (pain and swelling) (pancreatitis).

What happens if I neglect to provide a dose?

Inject the missed dose right away if you neglect to do so. However, if your next dose is almost here, skip the one you forgot and take it as usual. Do not take two doses at once.

References

  • 1mg. (n.d.). Liraglutide: View Uses, side effects, and medicines | 1mg. https://www.1mg.com/generics/liraglutide-210162?srsltid=AfmBOooxWdsVFhXxWl8jTUYoSOJLzSSCaJN60FSJuSIFCeu6rEijpps3
  • Liraglutide (Victoza): uses, side effects, interactions, pictures, warnings & dosing – WebMD. (n.d.). https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-153566/liraglutide-subcutaneous/details
  • Hyderabad, Y. H. (n.d.). Yashoda hospitals. Yashoda Hospitals. https://www.yashodahospitals.com/medicine-faqs/liraglutide/

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