Please click here for Prescribing Information and Medication Guide.
Have questions about the Victoza® pen?
Find out more about how to use, care for, and store Victoza®, which comes in a special, prefilled pen.
I've never used an injectable medication before. How do I get started?
Many people have concerns about using injectable medications to treat type 2 diabetes. But with practice you can make it part of your daily routine. Talk to your health care professional or a Diabetes Health Coach about any questions or concerns you may have. You can also find answers to many of your questions by reading the Medication Guide that comes with your Victoza® pen. These Instructions for Use can help you become more confident about using Victoza® by showing you how to use your Victoza® pen the right way.
These instructions do not take the place of talking with your health care professional or diabetes care team. If you have additional questions about your Victoza® pen, call a Health Coach at 1-877-905-1126, Monday through Friday, 9:00 am to 6:00 pm ET.
What are the Victoza® pen needles like?
The NovoFine® 32G Tip needle is recommended for use with your Victoza® pen.a
NovoFine® is a needle that screws tightly onto the pen. The majority of people studied using this needle experienced little or no pain. It is the thinnest needle from Novo Nordisk that is available in the United States. The higher the gauge, the thinner the needle. For example, a 32-gauge needle is thinner than a 23-gauge needle.
The NovoFine® Plus needle can also be used with the Victoza® pen. This ultra-short, ultra-thin needle is designed for less pain. It features an ergonomic shape, improved skin contact and grip, enhanced flow rates, and reduced dosage force. It's also designed to resist bending or breaking.
aPen needles are sold separately and may require a prescription in some states.
How do I take care of my Victoza® pen?
Always protect your Victoza® pen from heat and sunlight, and be sure to keep the cap on when your Victoza® pen is not in use. Use a Victoza® pen for only 30 days; it should be thrown away after 30 days, even if some medication is left in the pen. The Victoza® pen should only be used with Novo Nordisk disposable needles. After removing the needle and discarding it safely, put the cap on your Victoza® pen and store it without the needle attached. Never try to refill your Victoza® pen—it is prefilled and disposable.
Talk to your health care professional or pharmacist for more information about needles for your Victoza® pen.
Be sure to read the Medication Guide that comes with your Victoza® pen, as well as the Instructions for Use to learn more about how to properly care for your Victoza® pen.
Featured Question
Where can I get help taking my Victoza® injections?
There are a few ways to get the assistance you need, including talking to your health care provider. You can also call a Diabetes Health Coach. They’re available at 1-877-905-1126, M–F, 9:00 am to 6:00 pm.
How should I store my Victoza® pen?
Your new, unused Victoza® pen should be stored in the refrigerator at 36°F to 46°F (2°C to 8°C). If Victoza® is stored outside of the refrigerator (by mistake) prior to first use, it should be used or thrown away within 30 days. Victoza® should not be frozen.
After first use, store your Victoza® pen for up to 30 days at 59°F to 86°F (15°C to 30°C) or in a refrigerator at 36°F to 46°F (2°C to 8°C).
How many doses of medication are available in each Victoza® pen?
Your Victoza® pen contains 18 mg of Victoza® and will deliver doses of 0.6 mg, 1.2 mg, or 1.8 mg. The number of doses that you can take with a Victoza® pen depends on the dose of medication prescribed for you. Your health care provider will tell you how much Victoza® to take.
What is the most important information I should know about Victoza®?
Victoza® may cause serious side effects, including:
- Possible thyroid tumors, including cancer. Tell your health care provider if you get a lump or swelling in your neck, hoarseness, trouble swallowing, or shortness of breath. These may be symptoms of thyroid cancer. In studies with rats and mice, Victoza® and medicines that work like Victoza® caused thyroid tumors, including thyroid cancer. It is not known if Victoza® will cause thyroid tumors or a type of thyroid cancer called medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) in people
Who should not use Victoza®?
Do not use Victoza® if:
- you or any of your family have ever had MTC or if you have an endocrine system condition called Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2)
- you are allergic to liraglutide or any of the ingredients in Victoza®. See symptoms of serious allergic reaction in “What are the possible side effects of Victoza®?”
What is Victoza®?
Victoza® (liraglutide) injection 1.2 mg or 1.8 mg is an injectable prescription medicine used:
- along with diet and exercise to lower blood sugar (glucose) in adults and children who are 10 years of age and older with type 2 diabetes mellitus
- to reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events such as heart attack, stroke, or death in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus with known heart disease
Victoza® is not for use in people with type 1 diabetes. It should not be used with other medicines that contain liraglutide. It is not known if Victoza® is safe and effective to lower blood sugar in children under 10 years of age.
Important Safety Information
What should I tell my health care provider before using Victoza®?
Before using Victoza®, tell your health care provider if you:
- have or have had problems with your pancreas, kidneys, or liver
- have any other medical conditions or severe problems with your stomach, such as slowed emptying of your stomach (gastroparesis) or problems with digesting food
- are scheduled to have surgery or other procedures that use anesthesia or deep sleepiness (deep sedation)
- are pregnant or breastfeeding or plan to become pregnant or breastfeed
Tell your health care provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, herbal supplements, and other medicines to treat diabetes, including insulin or sulfonylureas.
How should I use Victoza®?
- Inject under the skin of your stomach (abdomen), thigh, or upper arm. Do not inject Victoza® into a muscle or vein
- Change (rotate) your injection site within the area you choose with each injection to reduce your risk of getting lumps under the skin (cutaneous amyloidosis). Do not use the same site for each injection
- Do not mix insulin and Victoza® together in the same injection
- You may give an injection of Victoza® and insulin in the same body area (such as your stomach area), but not right next to each other
- Do not share your Victoza® pen with other people, even if the needle has been changed. You may give other people a serious infection, or get a serious infection from them
What are the possible side effects of Victoza®?
Victoza® may cause serious side effects, including:
- inflammation of your pancreas (pancreatitis). Stop using Victoza® and call your health care provider right away if you have severe pain in your stomach area (abdomen) that will not go away, with or without vomiting. You may feel the pain from your abdomen to your back
- low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Your risk for getting low blood sugar may be higher if you use Victoza® with another medicine that can cause low blood sugar, such as a sulfonylurea or insulin. In children who are 10 years of age and older, the risk for low blood sugar may be higher with Victoza® regardless of use with another medicine that can also lower blood sugar. Signs and symptoms of low blood sugar may include: dizziness or lightheadedness, blurred vision, anxiety, irritability or mood changes, sweating, slurred speech, hunger, confusion or drowsiness, shakiness, weakness, headache, fast heartbeat, and feeling jittery
- kidney problems (kidney failure). In people who have kidney problems, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting may cause a loss of fluids (dehydration), which may cause kidney problems to get worse
- serious allergic reactions. Stop using Victoza® and get medical help right away if you have any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including swelling of your face, lips, tongue or throat, problems breathing or swallowing, severe rash or itching, fainting or feeling dizzy, or a very rapid heartbeat
- gallbladder problems. Gallbladder problems have happened in some people who take Victoza®. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get symptoms of gallbladder problems, which may include pain in the upper stomach (abdomen), fever, yellowing of skin or eyes (jaundice), or clay-colored stools
- food or liquid getting into the lungs during surgery or other procedures that use anesthesia or deep sleepiness (deep sedation). Victoza® may increase the chance of food getting into your lungs during surgery or other procedures. Tell all your healthcare providers that you are taking Victoza® before you are scheduled to have surgery or other procedures
The most common side effects of Victoza® may include nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, decreased appetite, indigestion, and constipation.
Victoza® is a prescription medication.
Novo Nordisk provides patient assistance for those who qualify.
Please call 1-866-310-7549 to learn more about Novo Nordisk assistance programs.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about Victoza®?
Victoza® may cause serious side effects, including:
- Possible thyroid tumors, including cancer. Tell your health care provider if you get a lump or swelling in your neck, hoarseness, trouble swallowing, or shortness of breath. These may be symptoms of thyroid cancer. In studies with rats and mice, Victoza® and medicines that work like Victoza® caused thyroid tumors, including thyroid cancer. It is not known if Victoza® will cause thyroid tumors or a type of thyroid cancer called medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) in people
Who should not use Victoza®?
Do not use Victoza® if:
- you or any of your family have ever had MTC or if you have an endocrine system condition called Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2)
- you are allergic to liraglutide or any of the ingredients in Victoza®. See symptoms of serious allergic reaction in “What are the possible side effects of Victoza®?”
What is Victoza®?
Victoza® (liraglutide) injection 1.2 mg or 1.8 mg is an injectable prescription medicine used:
- along with diet and exercise to lower blood sugar (glucose) in adults and children who are 10 years of age and older with type 2 diabetes mellitus
- to reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events such as heart attack, stroke, or death in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus with known heart disease
Victoza® is not for use in people with type 1 diabetes. It should not be used with other medicines that contain liraglutide. It is not known if Victoza® is safe and effective to lower blood sugar in children under 10 years of age.
Important Safety Information
What should I tell my health care provider before using Victoza®?
Before using Victoza®, tell your health care provider if you:
- have or have had problems with your pancreas, kidneys, or liver
- have any other medical conditions or severe problems with your stomach, such as slowed emptying of your stomach (gastroparesis) or problems with digesting food
- are scheduled to have surgery or other procedures that use anesthesia or deep sleepiness (deep sedation)
- are pregnant or breastfeeding or plan to become pregnant or breastfeed
Tell your health care provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, herbal supplements, and other medicines to treat diabetes, including insulin or sulfonylureas.
How should I use Victoza®?
- Inject under the skin of your stomach (abdomen), thigh, or upper arm. Do not inject Victoza® into a muscle or vein
- Change (rotate) your injection site within the area you choose with each injection to reduce your risk of getting lumps under the skin (cutaneous amyloidosis). Do not use the same site for each injection
- Do not mix insulin and Victoza® together in the same injection
- You may give an injection of Victoza® and insulin in the same body area (such as your stomach area), but not right next to each other
- Do not share your Victoza® pen with other people, even if the needle has been changed. You may give other people a serious infection, or get a serious infection from them
What are the possible side effects of Victoza®?
Victoza® may cause serious side effects, including:
- inflammation of your pancreas (pancreatitis). Stop using Victoza® and call your health care provider right away if you have severe pain in your stomach area (abdomen) that will not go away, with or without vomiting. You may feel the pain from your abdomen to your back
- low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Your risk for getting low blood sugar may be higher if you use Victoza® with another medicine that can cause low blood sugar, such as a sulfonylurea or insulin. In children who are 10 years of age and older, the risk for low blood sugar may be higher with Victoza® regardless of use with another medicine that can also lower blood sugar. Signs and symptoms of low blood sugar may include: dizziness or lightheadedness, blurred vision, anxiety, irritability or mood changes, sweating, slurred speech, hunger, confusion or drowsiness, shakiness, weakness, headache, fast heartbeat, and feeling jittery
- kidney problems (kidney failure). In people who have kidney problems, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting may cause a loss of fluids (dehydration), which may cause kidney problems to get worse
- serious allergic reactions. Stop using Victoza® and get medical help right away if you have any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including swelling of your face, lips, tongue or throat, problems breathing or swallowing, severe rash or itching, fainting or feeling dizzy, or a very rapid heartbeat
- gallbladder problems. Gallbladder problems have happened in some people who take Victoza®. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get symptoms of gallbladder problems, which may include pain in the upper stomach (abdomen), fever, yellowing of skin or eyes (jaundice), or clay-colored stools
- food or liquid getting into the lungs during surgery or other procedures that use anesthesia or deep sleepiness (deep sedation). Victoza® may increase the chance of food getting into your lungs during surgery or other procedures. Tell all your healthcare providers that you are taking Victoza® before you are scheduled to have surgery or other procedures
The most common side effects of Victoza® may include nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, decreased appetite, indigestion, and constipation.
Please click here for Prescribing Information and Medication Guide.
Victoza® is a prescription medication.
Novo Nordisk provides patient assistance for those who qualify.
Please call 1-866-310-7549 to learn more about Novo Nordisk assistance programs.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
