From the Guidelines
The standard starting dose for Victoza (liraglutide) is 0.6 mg injected subcutaneously once daily for one week, followed by an increase to 1.2 mg once daily, and can be further increased to a maximum of 1.8 mg once daily if additional glycemic control is needed, as recommended by the most recent guidelines 1.
Key Considerations
- The dose escalation should be gradual to improve gastrointestinal tolerability, with a starting dose of 0.6 mg daily for one week, then increased to 1.2 mg daily, and finally to 1.8 mg daily if needed, as supported by the evidence from the Mayo Clinic Proceedings 1.
- Victoza is administered subcutaneously in the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm, and can be given at any time of day, independent of meals.
- It's essential to rotate injection sites within the same body area to reduce the risk of lipodystrophy.
- Patients with type 2 diabetes may see improvements in blood glucose control within 2 weeks of starting treatment, with full effect typically seen within 8-12 weeks.
- Dose adjustments are not typically required for elderly patients or those with mild to moderate renal or hepatic impairment, but caution is advised in severe renal impairment, as noted in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology 1.
Additional Guidance
- For patients with obesity, the dose of liraglutide can be increased to 3.0 mg daily, as approved for weight management, with a gradual increase of 0.6 mg weekly, as described in Gastroenterology 1.
- The medication should be used with caution in patients with a history of pancreatitis, thyroid C-cell tumors, or severe renal impairment, and patients should be monitored for potential adverse effects, such as nausea, vomiting, and injection site reactions, as highlighted in Diabetes Care 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION
2.1 Recommended Dosage Adult Patients • The recommended starting dosage of VICTOZA is 0.6 mg injected subcutaneously once daily for one week. • After one week at the 0. 6 mg once daily dosage, increase the dosage to 1.2 mg injected subcutaneously once daily. • If additional glycemic control is required, increase the dosage to the maximum recommended dosage of 1.8 mg injected subcutaneously once daily after at least one week of treatment with the 1.2 mg once daily dosage. Pediatric Patients Aged 10 Years and Older • The recommended starting dosage of VICTOZA is 0. 6 mg injected subcutaneously once daily. • If additional glycemic control is required, increase the dosage in 0.6 mg increments after at least one week on the current dosage. • The maximum recommended dosage is 1.8 mg injected subcutaneously once daily.
The dosage of Victoza (liraglutide) is as follows:
- Adult Patients:
- Starting dosage: 0.6 mg subcutaneously once daily for one week
- Increased to 1.2 mg subcutaneously once daily after one week
- Maximum dosage: 1.8 mg subcutaneously once daily if additional glycemic control is required
- Pediatric Patients Aged 10 Years and Older:
- Starting dosage: 0.6 mg subcutaneously once daily
- Increased in 0.6 mg increments after at least one week on the current dosage
- Maximum dosage: 1.8 mg subcutaneously once daily 2
From the Research
Dosage of Victoza (Liraglutide)
- The dosage of Victoza (liraglutide) is initiated with 0.6 mg to improve digestive tolerance, and the daily dose is increased to 1.2 mg (usual dose) after at least one week, and up to 1.8 mg (maximal dose) if necessary 3.
- Liraglutide is administered subcutaneously once a day 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.
- The usual dose of liraglutide is 1.2 mg once daily, and the maximal dose is 1.8 mg once daily 3, 7.
- Liraglutide can be used alone or in addition to oral antidiabetic drugs such as metformin or glimepiride 6.
- Liraglutide is not recommended for first-line therapy and is not approved for use with insulin 6.