LIRAGLUTIDE

Liraglutide belongs to a class of drugs called glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 receptor agonists) or incretin mimetics.

Incretin hormones are normally released from the small intestine into your blood after you eat. They cause insulin to be released by your pancreas into your blood. Insulin helps your body move sugar from the bloodstream to your cells, where it belongs. In type 2 diabetes, your body doesn’t make enough insulin or it can’t use the insulin it makes.

This drug helps to lower your blood sugar levels by increasing the production and release of insulin from your pancreas, decreasing high glucagon secretions (high glucagon stops insulin release), and slowing the emptying of your stomach.

Uses

Liraglutide, along with diet and exercise, is used to control blood sugar levels in adults in type 2 diabetes.

Warnings

Don’t use Liraglutide if you have a personal or family history of thyroid cancer or an endocrine system condition called multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2.

Side Effects

Common side effects of this drug include diarrhea, headache, nausea, constipation, and upset stomach.

Precautions

Precautions

Before using Victoza, take note of the following:

if you are allergic to liraglutide
multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (tumors in your glands);
a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (a type of thyroid cancer);
if you are in a state of diabetic ketoacidosis (call your doctor for treatment with insulin).
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding
Victoza is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old

To make sure Victoza is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

stomach problems causing slow digestion;
kidney or liver disease;
high triglycerides (a type of fat in the blood);
heart problems
a history of pancreatitis;
a history of gallstones;
a history of alcoholism; or
a history of depression or suicidal thoughts.

In animal studies, liraglutide caused thyroid tumors or thyroid cancer. It is not known whether these effects would occur in people using regular doses. Ask your doctor about your risk.

Interactions

Your doctor should manage all of your medications carefully because this drug can interact with other medications, herbs, or vitamins you might be taking. To know more about these interactions, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Overdose & Brands

If you take too much, you may have the following symptoms:

severe nausea
severe vomiting
low blood sugar

If you think that you’ve taken too much of this drug, call a poison control center or go to the emergency room at once.

Available brand:

Victoza