Victoza for weight loss

Victoza is a self-injectable, prescription-only medication that is licensed to treat type 2 diabetes in the UK. It contains the active ingredient, liraglutide, a type of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist that works by mimicking the actions of GLP-1, a digestive hormone that’s released by the intestine and colon after you have eaten.

Victoza can be used alone when diet, exercise, or metformin are not enough to control blood sugar, or alongside other type 2 diabetes medications when additional help is needed for better glucose management.

Victoza mimics the natural hormone GLP-1 to:

1. Stimulate the pancreas to produce more insulin.
2. Stop the liver from producing too much sugar
3. Act on the brain to reduce appetite
4. Slow down the time it takes for food to leave the stomach.

These actions work to keep you feeling fuller for longer, it can also help you lose weight while taking Victoza for type 2 diabetes.

The active ingredient in the Victoza injection, liraglutide, is an effective medication approved for both type 2 diabetes and weight loss in the UK.

Victoza for diabetes

Clinical trials show that Victoza resulted in a significant reduction in HbA1c, the average blood sugar levels over the previous 8 to 12 weeks. After 52 weeks, the 1.2mg dose resulted in a 0.84% average reduction in HbA1c, while those given the 1.8mg daily dose had an average reduction of 1.14%.

For weight loss

Although it is not approved for weight loss, people with type 2 diabetes lost an average of 2.05% (1.2mg dose) or 2.45% (1.8mg dose) of their starting body weight over 52 weeks.

However, higher doses that have been approved for weight loss under the names Saxenda and Nevolat, such as 3mg per day, can cause greater losses. For example, the maximum Nevolat dose can help you lose up to 8% of your initial body weight over 56 weeks.

Victoza is available as a pre-filled injection pen that is given under the skin of your thigh, abdomen, or upper arm, either by yourself or with the help of someone else. Before you inject Victoza for the first time, a doctor or nurse will show you how to do it for the best results.

When you use Victoza, you should:

• inject it at the same time each day
• replace the needle after each injection
• rotate the injection site to lower the chance of injection site reactions and inflammation

How much Victoza should I take?

Victoza is available in 3 doses for type 2 diabetes:

• 0.6mg
• 1.2mg
• 1.8mg

Everyone will begin on the lowest 0.6mg dose once a day for 1 week. If you tolerate the medication well, the dose will increase to 1.2mg every day. If this dose does not control your blood glucose levels enough, your doctor may advise you to increase to the maximum 1.8mg daily dose. However, you should only increase the amount of Victoza you inject under the guidance of your doctor.

The dosage schedule is different to Nevolat’s, which is approved for weight loss. Although you will begin with the lowest 0.6mg dose, which will increase weekly if it is well tolerated, the maximum maintenance dose is 3mg per day.

Like all medications, Victoza can cause side effects, but not everyone will get them. They are more likely to be worse when you first start the medication, and after you have increased the dose, but will usually get better as your body gets used to the medication.

Very common Victoza side effects include:

• feeling sick
• diarrhoea

Common Victoza side effects include:

• being sick
• headache
• indigestion
• inflamed stomach
• painful or swollen abdomen
• constipation
• wind
• reduced appetite
• dizziness
• fast pulse
• tiredness
• toothache
• injection site reactions
• increased pancreatic enzymes

Uncommon side effects include:

• itching or skin rashes
• dehydration
• generally feeling unwell
• gallstones
• inflamed gallbladder
• taste changes
• delayed stomach emptying

A full list of Victoza side effects can be found in the patient information leaflet that is provided with your medication.

What to do if you get Victoza side effects?

Most Victoza side effects will go away on their own once your body gets used to the medication. However, if you are concerned about any symptoms you are experiencing, you should contact your doctor for further advice.

If you experience any of the following serious side effects, you should call 999 or get someone to take you to A&E:

• severe allergic reaction – difficulty breathing, swelling of the throat and face, and fast heartbeat
• bowel obstruction – severe constipation with stomach ache, bloating, and being sick
• inflamed pancreas (pancreatitis) – severe and persistent pain in the stomach that may reach into the back, and feeling or being sick
• hypoglycaemia – cold sweats, headache, fast heartbeat, feeling sick, feeling very hungry, vision changes, feeling sleepy or weak, difficulty concentrating, and cool, pale skin

Victoza is only licensed to treat type 2 diabetes in the UK. Instead, another form of liraglutide called Nevolat is available for weight loss. Some private clinics may prescribe Victoza off-label to help you lose weight, but it is safer and more effective to use a licensed weight loss medication because the dosing schedules have been formulated and tested for their effectiveness for this purpose.

If you have been prescribed Victoza to regulate high blood sugar levels associated with type 2 diabetes, you may also lose weight. That’s because Victoza, like other GLP-1 medications, suppresses your appetite and slows your stomach emptying, so you feel fuller for longer. This will reduce the number of calories you are eating and contribute to weight loss.

Nevolat

Nevolat is similar to Victoza because it contains the same active ingredient, but it is approved for weight loss. It is available in a higher maximum dose, 3mg per day and can help people lose, on average, 8% of their starting body weight at the maximum maintenance dose after 56 weeks.

Wegovy

Wegovy contains the active ingredient semaglutide, and like Victoza, is a GLP-1 receptor agonist. It is a self-injectable medication that is injected weekly rather than daily. Clinical trials have found that Wegovy can help people lose up to 15% of their initial body weight after 68 weeks on the maximum maintenance dose of 2.4mg per week.

Mounjaro

Mounjaro contains the active ingredient, tirzepatide, and is injected similarly to Wegovy (weekly). However, it is a dual agonist because it not only mimics the GLP-1 hormone, but it also binds to the glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptors. This combination contributes to greater weight loss results, with clinical trial results showing that it is possible to lose up to 22.5% of your starting body weight when you use the maintenance dose of 15mg per week for 72 weeks. Mounjaro can also be prescribed for weight loss and to regulate very high blood glucose levels.

Weight loss tablets

If injections are not suitable for you or you’re not sure about injecting yourself with medication, weight loss pills may be a more suitable alternative. They work by either suppressing your appetite (Mysimba) or blocking fat absorption (orlistat and Xenical). A low-dose orlistat weight loss pill, alli, is also available over the counter without a prescription.