Victoza 6 mg/mL solution for injection in pre-filled pen – liraglutide for type 2 diabetes

Victoza is a solution for injection in a pre-filled pen containing the active substance liraglutide – a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) analogue. Liraglutide helps the body lower blood sugar only when it is too high, slows the passage of food through the stomach and, according to the leaflet, may help prevent heart disease.

Victoza is used to treat insufficiently controlled type 2 diabetes mellitus in adults, adolescents and children aged 10 years and above, as an addition to diet and exercise. It is injected under the skin once a day. Victoza is not insulin and must not be used as a substitute for insulin.

What is Victoza used for and how should it be used correctly?

Key facts about the medicine

What is Victoza used for?

Victoza is indicated for the treatment of insufficiently controlled type 2 diabetes mellitus in adults, adolescents and children aged 10 years and above, as an adjunct to diet and exercise:

• as monotherapy – when metformin is considered inappropriate due to intolerance or contraindications;
• in addition to other medicines for diabetes – oral antidiabetics (e.g. metformin, pioglitazone, sulphonylurea, SGLT2 inhibitors) and/or insulin, when these are not enough to control blood sugar.

How is it used and dosed?

The medicine is given once a day as an injection under the skin (subcutaneously) – into the front of the thigh, the abdomen or the upper arm. It must not be injected into a vein or muscle. It can be used at any time of day, independently of meals, but preferably at about the same time every day.

• Do not change the dose yourself – your doctor decides on dose increases.
• When Victoza is added to a sulphonylurea or insulin, your doctor may reduce the dose of those medicines to lower the risk of hypoglycaemia and advise more frequent blood sugar testing.
• Before first use your doctor or nurse will show you how to use the pen; use a new needle for each injection.

Special patient groups

• Children and adolescents: the medicine can be used from 10 years of age without dose adjustment; there are no data for children under 10. Combination with a sulphonylurea is justified only in adults.
• Elderly (> 65 years): no dose adjustment is needed.
• Kidney impairment: no dose change in mild, moderate or severe impairment; use is not recommended in end-stage renal disease or in patients on dialysis.
• Liver impairment: no dose change in mild or moderate impairment; not recommended in severe liver disease.

Contraindications – when the medicine must not be used

Do not use Victoza if you are allergic (hypersensitive) to liraglutide or to any of the excipients.

Warnings and precautions

Talk to your doctor before using the medicine, especially if you have or have had a disease of the pancreas. Use is not recommended:

• in type 1 diabetes or diabetic ketoacidosis (the medicine is not a substitute for insulin);
• in patients on dialysis, with severe liver disease or severe heart failure;
• in severe stomach or gut problems leading to delayed gastric emptying (gastroparesis) or in inflammatory bowel disease.

• If you have thyroid disease (nodules, enlargement), talk to your doctor.
• At the start of treatment nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea may cause fluid loss – it is important to drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration.

Interactions with other medicines, food and drink

Tell your doctor, pharmacist or nurse about all medicines you are taking. In particular:

• a sulphonylurea (e.g. glimepiride, glibenclamide) or insulin – increased risk of hypoglycaemia; your doctor may reduce their dose and advise blood sugar testing. When the insulin dose is reduced, monitor blood sugar more often to avoid hyperglycaemia and ketoacidosis;
• warfarin or other oral anticoagulants – more frequent blood clotting tests may be needed.

The medicine is used independently of meals.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding

• Pregnancy: Victoza is not used during pregnancy because it is not known whether it may harm the unborn child. If you are planning a pregnancy, talk to your doctor.
• Breast-feeding: it is not known whether liraglutide passes into breast milk – do not use the medicine if you are breast-feeding.

Driving and using machines

Hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar) may reduce your ability to concentrate. Avoid driving or using machines if you feel signs of hypoglycaemia – especially if you take a sulphonylurea or insulin together with Victoza.

Possible side effects

• Very common (more than 1 in 10): nausea and diarrhoea – they usually pass over time.
• Common (up to 1 in 10): hypoglycaemia (especially with a sulphonylurea or insulin), vomiting, headache, indigestion, gastritis, heartburn (GERD), painful or swollen abdomen, abdominal discomfort, constipation, wind, decreased appetite, bronchitis, common cold, dizziness, fast pulse, tiredness, toothache, injection-site reactions, increased pancreatic enzymes.
• Uncommon (up to 1 in 100): allergic reactions (itching, hives), dehydration sometimes with reduced kidney function, feeling unwell, gallstones, inflamed gallbladder, delayed gastric emptying.
• Rare (up to 1 in 1,000): anaphylactic reaction, bowel obstruction. Very rare: inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis).

Signs of hypoglycaemia may include cold sweat, pale skin, headache, fast heartbeat, nausea, strong hunger, changes in vision, drowsiness, weakness, nervousness, confusion and shaking.

Overdose, missed dose and stopping treatment

• Overdose: contact a doctor immediately – nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea may occur and medical treatment may be needed.
• Missed dose: use the dose as soon as you remember. If more than 12 hours have passed since the usual time, skip the missed dose and take the next one at the usual time the following day. Do not take an extra dose or increase the dose to make up for a missed one.
• Stopping treatment: do not stop without talking to your doctor – your blood sugar may rise.

Related information

For additional skin and foot care in diabetes, see also the category Creams for diabetics – products in this category do not replace the medicine prescribed for you.

Composition, pack and manufacturer

• Active substance: liraglutide – 6 mg in 1 mL; one pre-filled pen contains 18 mg liraglutide in 3 mL.
• Excipients: disodium phosphate dihydrate; propylene glycol; phenol; water for injections. The medicine contains less than 1 mmol (23 mg) sodium per dose.
• Pack: type 1 glass cartridge in a disposable multi-dose pre-filled pen; carton with 2 or 3 pens; needles are not included.
• Marketing authorisation holder: Novo Nordisk Pharma d.o.o. Beograd, Milutina Milankovića 9b, Belgrade. Manufacturer: Novo Nordisk A/S, Bagsværd, Denmark.

Storage

• Before first use: store in a refrigerator (2–8 °C), away from the freezer compartment. Do not freeze.
• After first use: the pen can be kept for 1 month below 30 °C or in a refrigerator; when not in use, keep the cap on to protect from light.
• Do not use if the solution is not clear and colourless or almost colourless. Keep out of the reach of children; return unused medicine to a pharmacy.

Frequently asked questions

Is Victoza insulin?

No. Victoza contains liraglutide, a GLP-1 analogue, and must not be used as a substitute for insulin, nor in type 1 diabetes or diabetic ketoacidosis.

When during the day should the injection be given?

The medicine is given once a day, at any time and independently of meals, but preferably at about the same time every day.

What if I forget a dose?

Use it as soon as you remember. If more than 12 hours have passed, skip that dose and continue the next day at the usual time. Do not take an extra or larger dose.

How should the Victoza pen be stored?

An unopened pen is stored in the refrigerator (2–8 °C) and must not be frozen. An opened pen can be kept for one month below 30 °C or in the refrigerator, with the cap on.

Sources

• ALIMS – Summary of Product Characteristics, Victoza® 6 mg/mL solution for injection in pre-filled pen (SmPC, Serbian)
• ALIMS – Package leaflet, Victoza® 6 mg/mL solution for injection in pre-filled pen (PIL, Serbian)

Sources checked on: 25 October 2026.