Victoza is liraglutide, a once-daily injection for adults with type 2 diabetes — not a weight-loss medicine. In Australia it is registered to control blood glucose, alongside diet and exercise, and to reduce the risk of cardiovascular events in people with type 2 diabetes at high cardiovascular risk (healthdirect — Victoza). The liraglutide product approved for chronic weight management is a different one, Saxenda (healthdirect — Weight loss medicine). Current prices are in the table above.

What is Victoza used for?

Victoza is used in adults with type 2 diabetes to achieve glucose control — on its own when metformin cannot be used or is not tolerated, or together with other glucose-lowering medicines. Where it is used for glucose control, it is also indicated to reduce the risk of cardiovascular events in people at high cardiovascular risk (healthdirect — Victoza). It is a GLP-1 medicine: it boosts the insulin released from the pancreas in response to food (EMA).

Is Victoza a weight-loss medicine?

No. Victoza is registered for type 2 diabetes. GLP-1 medicines can help people with type 2 diabetes lose weight if they are overweight, but the liraglutide product approved for chronic weight management is Saxenda, and medicines prescribed for weight loss are not covered by Medicare (healthdirect — Weight loss medicine). If weight is your main concern, that is a conversation for your GP.

How is Victoza injected?

Once a day, under the skin of the abdomen, thigh or upper arm. The starting dose is 0.6 mg; after one week it goes up to 1.2 mg, and it can be raised to the maximum of 1.8 mg a week later if more blood-glucose control is needed (EMA). Your doctor sets the dose.

How is Victoza stored?

In the refrigerator, at 2 to 8°C, protected from light, and never frozen (healthdirect — Victoza). Check the storage instructions in the pack for a pen that is in use.

What are the side effects?

The most common are nausea and diarrhoea, seen in more than 1 patient in 10; they usually pass after a few days or weeks (EMA). Severe, persistent stomach pain needs a doctor straight away. Low blood glucose is not usual with a GLP-1 medicine and metformin, but can happen with a sulfonylurea or insulin, so those doses may be lowered (Diabetes Victoria).

Do you need a prescription?

Yes. Victoza is a prescription-only medicine (Schedule 4) in Australia (healthdirect — Victoza), and it is on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (since 26 August 2010). Your doctor decides whether it suits you.

How does Victoza compare with semaglutide?

Both are GLP-1 medicines. Victoza is injected once a day; semaglutide is a once-daily tablet as Rybelsus and a once-weekly injection as Ozempic. The type 2 diabetes medicines are compared by goal in our guide to type 2 diabetes medicines.

Delivery to Australia

Orders are dispatched from India or Hong Kong, not from an Australian warehouse. Express delivery takes 5–9 days and regular delivery 10–14 days; orders from A$320 ship free. The details are on the delivery page.

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