Victoza Dosage

To reduce the risk of certain side effects, people generally start with a low dosage of Victoza (0.6 mg once daily) during the first week of treatment. After the first week, the dose may be increased to 1.2 mg or, if necessary, 1.8 mg a day. Victoza is injected just under the skin of the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm.

An Introduction to Dosing With Victoza

The dose of Victoza® (liraglutide) your healthcare provider recommends will vary, depending on a number of factors, including:
 
  • Your blood sugar levels
  • How well you tolerate this medication
  • Other medications you are taking
  • Other medical conditions you may have.
     
As is always the case, do not adjust your dosage unless your healthcare provider specifically tells you to do so.
 

Dosage Guidelines for Victoza

In all cases, the recommended starting dosage is Victoza 0.6 mg injected just under the skin (subcutaneously), once daily for one week. This starting dose is usually too low to be effective, but it is important to start with this low amount in order to reduce digestive-related side effects such as nausea and vomiting.
 
After one week, your healthcare provider will likely increase the dose to 1.2 mg once daily. If this amount does not adequately control your blood sugar, your healthcare provider may further increase your dose to Victoza 1.8 mg once daily.
 
Your healthcare provider may want to lower the dosage of certain other diabetes medications you are taking when you first start taking Victoza.
 

General Information on Taking Victoza

Considerations to keep in mind during treatment with Victoza include the following:
 
 
  • This diabetes medication comes in injectable form. It is injected just under the skin (subcutaneously) of the abdomen (stomach), thigh, or upper arm once daily.
     
  • Unlike many other injectable diabetes medications, you can change the injection site and the specific injection time without adjusting your Victoza dosage. However, it is best to try to stick with one certain time of the day to take this medication in order to be somewhat consistent.
     
  • Victoza comes in prefilled pens. You will need to buy pen needles and you will need a separate prescription for pen needles in order to use the pen. Use a new needle each time you inject this medication.
     
  • Do not inject this medication into a vein or a muscle. It should be injected just under the skin.
     
  • For this diabetes drug to work properly, it must be taken as prescribed. Victoza will not work if you stop taking it. Make sure to monitor your blood sugar levels as your healthcare provider recommends.
     
  • If you are unsure about anything related to your Victoza dosage, please talk with your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist.
     
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD
 
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