This article describes Victoza injection’s dosages and strength and gives details on how to use it. You’ll also find information on cost savings and coupon options for Victoza. If you want to know more about Victoza injection, see this overview article. It covers details about the drug’s uses, side effects, and more.
Victoza is a brand-name medication that comes as a liquid solution that you’ll inject under your skin. It isn’t available in a generic version. This article describes dosages of Victoza.
Victoza injection has a boxed warning. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). For details, see the end of this article.
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Form and strength of Victoza
Victoza injection comes as follows:
- Form: a liquid solution in a prefilled pen, which you’ll take by injection under the skin
- Strength: 6 milligrams per milliliter (mg/mL)
Dosage of Victoza
This article describes the recommended dosages for Victoza injection. The drugmaker provides these dosages. In some cases, doctors may adjust your dosage from those shown below.
If your doctor prescribes this medication, you should follow the dosage they prescribe. Your doctor will determine the dosage that best meets your needs. Do not change your dosage of Victoza injection without your doctor’s recommendation.
Usual recommended dosages of Victoza in adults
Usually, doctors start by prescribing a low dosage of Victoza injection. Then, they’ll adjust it over time until the right dosage is reached. Ultimately, your doctor will prescribe the smallest dosage of Victoza injection that gives the desired outcome.
Dosage for type 2 diabetes
The recommended Victoza daily dose information is as follows:
- Starting dosage: 0.6 milligrams (mg) once per day
- Maintenance dosage: 1.2 to 1.8 mg once per day
- Maximum dosage: 1.8 mg once per day
You’ll inject Victoza under the skin once per day. You can use it at any time of day. But try to use it at the same time each day. You can also inject Victoza with or without eating food.
Your doctor or other healthcare professional will show you how to inject Victoza. They’ll help you decide where to inject it. They’ll also explain how to rotate injection sites. (This means you’ll use a different spot of skin for each injection.) You can find detailed instructions on Victoza’s website.
Dosages of Victoza in children
Doctors may prescribe Victoza for managing type 2 diabetes in children 10 years and older. The recommended dosages are as follows:
- Starting dosage: 0.6 mg once per day
- Maintenance dosage: 0.6 to 1.8 mg once per day
- Maximum dosage: 1.8 mg once per day
Frequently asked questions
Below are answers to some commonly asked questions about Victoza injection and its dosage.
What is the best time to take Victoza for weight loss?
There’s no Victoza dosage for weight loss. Victoza is only approved for managing type 2 diabetes.
But there’s a similar drug that’s approved for weight loss. It’s called Saxenda. Victoza and Saxenda contain the same active ingredient called liraglutide. Saxenda has the same starting dosage as Victoza. But Saxenda’s maintenance dosage and maximum dosage are higher than Victoza’s.
To learn more about using Saxenda for weight loss, talk with your doctor.
Is there a Victoza 3-mg dose?
No, there’s no Victoza 3-milligram (mg) dose. Victoza’s maximum dosage is 1.8 mg once per day.
That said, Saxenda has a maximum dosage of 3 mg once per day. Saxenda is a drug that has the same active ingredient as Victoza. Doctors prescribe it for weight loss.
You can learn more about using Saxenda for weight loss by talking with your doctor. If you have questions about your Victoza dosage, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
How is my dose of Victoza calculated?
To determine which dose of Victoza is right for you, doctors usually start with a low dosage of Victoza and increase it over time based on your blood sugar. It’s recommended to wait 1 week before increasing the dosage of Victoza. Increasing the dosage slowly helps prevent side effects, such as nausea or vomiting.
Talk with your doctor if you have questions or concerns about your Victoza dosage.
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Get free cardOverdose of Victoza
It’s important that you do not use more Victoza injection than your doctor prescribes. Doing so can lead to harmful effects.
What to do if you use too much Victoza
If you think you’ve used too much Victoza, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.
Boxed warning for Victoza
Victoza has a boxed warning for the risk of thyroid cancer. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA.
In studies, Victoza caused thyroid cancer in animals. But results from animal studies don’t always predict how drugs will affect people. It isn’t known whether Victoza causes thyroid cancer in humans.
Due to this risk, doctors usually don’t prescribe Victoza to people with a personal or family history of certain types of thyroid tumors or cancer. This includes medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) and multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN2).
Tell your doctor about lumps or swelling in your neck, trouble swallowing, or hoarseness. These may be symptoms of thyroid cancer.
Talk with your doctor or pharmacist to learn more.
Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.