Please click here for Prescribing Information and Medication Guide.
Your first Victoza® injection
Getting started with Victoza® is an important step in managing your diabetes. Victoza® is a noninsulin injectable medication for adults and children who are 10 years of age and older with type 2 diabetes. It is taken once a day and is delivered with the Victoza® pen.
Victoza® can be taken any time of day, with or without food. It’s best to get into a routine so you remember to take it at the same time every day. You do not have to adjust your dose based on what you eat or how active you are.
The 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 that is prescribed for you. Your health care provider will tell you how much Victoza® to take.
The Victoza® pen can be used with Novo Nordisk disposable needles. If your state requires a prescription for needles, make sure that your health care provider also prescribes the needles along with Victoza®.
A thin needle
The recommended needle for the Victoza® pen is the NovoFine® 32-G Tip needle.
- The majority of people studied using this needle experienced little or no paina
- The NovoFine® 32-G Tip needle is the thinnest needle from Novo Nordisk that is available in the United Statesb
- The higher the gauge, the thinner the needle. So a 32-gauge needle, for example, is thinner than a 23-gauge needle
aMulticenter, randomized, open-label, 2-period, crossover trial in insulin-treated patients with diabetes (type 1 or type 2). Patients were randomized to self-administer insulin injections with one needle type followed by the alternative, each for 7 to 14 days. The 2 needle types used were NovoFine® 32-gauge tip x 6 mm and NovoFine® 30-gauge tip x 8 mm.
bPen needles are sold separately and may require a prescription in some states.
How thin is the Victoza®pen needle?
This image shows a NovoFine® Plus needle next to 2 human hairs.
NovoFine® Plus
The NovoFine® Plus needle can also be used with the Victoza® pen. Like NovoFine®, NovoFine® Plus is a 32-gauge needle. Features include:
- Ultra short and thin - Designed for less pain
- SuperFlow™ technology - Designed to enhance flow rates and reduce dosage force
- Ultra strong - Designed to resist bending or breaking
- Ergonomic shape - Designed for improved skin contact and grip
Injecting with the Victoza® pen
People testing the Victoza® pen (using practice injection tools) found it easy to learn how to use. The needle is designed to penetrate into the tissue underneath your skin. Victoza® will move into your bloodstream slowly, over time. The NovoFine® 32-gauge Tip needle is only 6 millimeters long. This may help you avoid injecting into muscle.
Always remove and safely discard the needle after each injection and store the Victoza® pen without an injection needle attached. This will reduce the potential for contamination, infection, and leakage while also ensuring dose accuracy.
Talk to your health care provider or pharmacist for more information about needles for your Victoza® pen. Or see the Instructions for Use.
Preparing for your first Victoza® injection
You will be ready for your first injection once you:
- Have talked with your health care provider or pharmacist about how to use your Victoza® pen, and
- Have read the Victoza® Instructions for Use.
When starting a new prefilled Victoza® pen, you must follow the “First-Time Use for Each New Pen” instructions that come with it. You only need to do this 1 time with each new pen. You should also follow these instructions if you drop your pen. Do not follow the “First-Time Use for Each New Pen” instructions before every injection, because you will run out of medicine too soon.
Remember, we’re here to help along the way. For questions or concerns about your Victoza® pen, you can call a Diabetes Health Coach at 1-877-905-1126, Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM ET, or talk to your doctor.
Using the Victoza® pen
You may have concerns about using an injectable medication for managing your type 2 diabetes. But it’s important to realize the positive effect it may have on the management of your diabetes. And once you gain a little confidence in doing them on your own, Victoza® injections can become part of your daily routine.
If you were given instructions from your health care provider on how to use the Victoza® pen and you have read the Instructions for Use and Medication Guide, you may be ready for your first injection.
Get live support when you need it most
Diabetes Health Coaches are on hand to help you through the injection process. Call a Health Coach at 1-877-905-1126, Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM ET.
When to start your Victoza® injections
First, be sure to use Victoza® exactly as prescribed by your health care provider. Victoza® must be taken every day. It’s best to get into a routine so you remember to take Victoza® once a day, at the same time every day.
Self-injecting with the Victoza® pen
Inject your dose of Victoza® under the skin (this is called a subcutaneous injection) in one of these injection sites: your stomach area (abdomen), upper leg (thigh), or upper arm, as instructed by your health care provider. Do not inject into a vein or muscle.
Also, make sure you read about and understand the proper care and storage of your Victoza® pen in the Victoza® Medication Guide.
How to care for your Victoza® pen
Follow these instructions on how to care for your Victoza® pen. Remember that your doctor or diabetes care team should teach you how to use the pen. You should also read the Instructions for Use and Medication Guide, which provides full information.
If you have questions about using, caring for, or storing your Victoza® pen, call 1-877-905-1126 to speak with a Diabetes Health Coach. They’re available Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM ET.
Caring for the Victoza® pen
- After removing the needle and discarding it properly, put the cap back on your Victoza® pen and store your Victoza® pen without the needle attached
- Do not try to refill your Victoza® pen—it is prefilled and disposable
- Do not try to repair your pen or pull it apart
- Keep your Victoza® pen away from dust, dirt, and liquids
- If cleaning is needed, wipe the outside of the pen with a clean, damp cloth
Victoza® storage
Before use
- Store your new, unused Victoza® pen 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
- Do not freeze Victoza® or use Victoza® if it has been frozen. Do not store Victoza® near the refrigerator cooling element
Victoza® pen in use
- Use a Victoza® pen for only 30 days. Throw away a used Victoza® pen 30 days after you start using it, even if some medicine is left in the pen
- Store your Victoza® pen at 59ºF to 86ºF (15ºC to 30ºC), or in a refrigerator at 36ºF to 46ºF (2°C to 8°C)
- When carrying the Victoza® pen away from home, store the pen at a temperature between 59°F and 86°F (15°C and 30°C)
- If Victoza® has been exposed to temperatures above 86°F (30°C), it should be thrown away
- Protect your Victoza® pen from excessive heat and sunlight
- Keep the cap on when your Victoza® pen is not in use
- Always remove the needle after each injection and store your pen without the needle attached. This reduces the risk of contamination, infection, leakage, and inaccurate dosing
Important information
- Always use a new needle for each injection to prevent contamination
- Always remove the needle after each injection, and store your pen without the needle attached. This reduces the risk of contamination, infection, leakage of liraglutide, blocked needles, and inaccurate dosing
- Keep your Victoza® pen and all medicines out of the reach of children
- If you drop your Victoza® pen, repeat “First Time Use for Each New Pen” (steps A through D) in the Instructions for Use
- Be careful not to bend or damage the needle
- Do not use the cartridge scale to measure how much Victoza® to inject
- Be careful when handling used needles to avoid needlestick injuries
- You can use your Victoza® pen for up to 30 days after you use it the first time
Victoza® pen safety
Do not store the Victoza® pen with the needle attachedb. Always remove the needle after each injection and store your pen without the needle attached. This reduces the risk of contamination, infection, leakage, and inaccurate dosing.
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.
For more information about how to dispose of used pen needles and used Victoza® pens, see the Instructions for Use.
bPen needles are sold separately and may require a prescription in some states.
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.
