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Overview: Liraglutide is a GLP-1 agonist. It is used for managing type 2 diabetes and to lower the risk of a heart attack, stroke, or death in people who also have heart disease. Nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, low appetite, and upset stomach are common side effects. If any of these are severe or will not go away, call your health care provider right away. Liraglutide is given as a daily injection under your skin.

Uses

What is liraglutide used for?

Liraglutide is commonly used to help lower blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes.

Liraglutide is used to lower the risk of cardiovascular events (heart attack, stroke, or death) in people who have type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

Liraglutide may also be used for other conditions as determined by your health care provider.

Liraglutide is also available for weight management. See Saxenda for more information.

How does liraglutide work (mechanism of action)?

Liraglutide works to improve blood sugar in 3 different ways. It works to stimulate your pancreas to release more insulin after you eat, prevents your liver from releasing stored sugars, and slows down the movement of food through your body.

How is liraglutide supplied (dosage forms)?

Brands and other names

  • Victoza

Dosage forms and strengths

  • 0.6 mg, 1.2 mg, or 1.8 mg solution for injection (pre-filled pens) 

How should I store liraglutide?

Before using liraglutide injection liquid, store it in the refrigerator between 36 F and 46 F (2 C and 8 C). Unused liraglutide can be stored until the expiration date.

Once you start using liraglutide, store it with the cap on, at room temperature between 59 F and 86 F (15 C and 30 C) or in the refrigerator 36 F and 46 F (2 C and 8 C) for up to 30 days. Do not store a liraglutide pen with the needle on it. 

If you are storing liraglutide in the refrigerator, do not store the medicine next to the cooling element in the refrigerator.

Store in a place that is not exposed to direct sunlight and heat. Do not freeze.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of liraglutide?

The most common side effects of liraglutide are listed below. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Diarrhea or constipation
  • Decreased appetite
  • Indigestion

There may be other side effects of liraglutide that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088 (800-332-1088). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of liraglutide?

While less common, the most serious side effects of liraglutide are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Liraglutide may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop using liraglutide and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching or skin rash
  • Bumps on the skin called hives that can be red, pink, white, or brown depending on your skin tone
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Thyroid Tumors. Liraglutide may cause may cause thyroid tumors, including a type of cancer called medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC). Call your health care provider right away if you have symptoms of MTC including swelling or a lump in the neck, trouble swallowing, shortness of breath, or hoarseness.

Pancreatitis. Liraglutide may cause inflammation of the pancreas, which is called pancreatitis. Stop using liraglutide and call your health care provider right away if you have symptoms of pancreatitis, including vomiting or severe pain in the upper part of your belly that travels to your back.

Low Blood Sugar (Hypoglycemia). Liraglutide can cause low blood sugar, especially when used with insulin or other medicines that increase your insulin levels. Hypoglycemia can be serious and may lead to death. To decrease your risk of low blood sugar, your health care provider may need to lower your dose of insulin or other diabetes medicines. Do not use liraglutide and call your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of hypoglycemia.

  • Headache
  • Crankiness or anxiety
  • Hunger
  • Dizziness or confusion
  • Blurry vision
  • Slurred speech
  • Sweating
  • Feeling jittery or shakiness
  • Fast heartbeat
  • Seizures

Kidney Damage. Kidney damage can happen when using liraglutide, especially if you are dehydrated from having severe or ongoing nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. Try to drink water to avoid dehydration. Call your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of kidney damage.

  • Reduced need to pee
  • Swelling in your feet, ankles, or legs
  • Weakness or unusual tiredness
  • Trouble catching your breath and chest pain or pressure
  • Confusion
  • Nausea
  • Seizures

Severe Stomach Problems. Liraglutide may cause severe stomach problems. Call your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms that are severe or will not go away.

  • Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or constipation
  • Feeling bloated
  • Stomach pain or cramps

Gallbladder Problems. Using liraglutide can cause gallbladder problems, including cholecystitis and cholelithiasis (also known as gallstones). Call your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms.

  • Your skin or the whites of your eyes turning yellowish in color (also called jaundice)
  • Fever
  • Pain in your upper stomach area
  • Stool (poop) that is clay-colored

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use liraglutide?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not use liraglutide.

  • Liraglutide
  • Victoza
  • Saxenda
  • Any other medicine that contains liraglutide

Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in liraglutide.

Thyroid Cancer or Endocrine Condition. Liraglutide should not be used if you or someone in your family has had medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or if you have a condition called Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2). Talk to your health care provider about your current and past health conditions and your family medical history.

What should I know about liraglutide before using it?

Do not use liraglutide unless it has been prescribed to you by a health care provider. Use it as prescribed.

Do not share liraglutide with other people, even if they have the same condition as you, and even if the needle has been changed. It may harm them.

Keep liraglutide out of the reach of children. Since this medicine can be kept in a refrigerator, take special precautions to keep it away from children who also use the refrigerator.

If you have nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea, drink plenty of water so that you do not get dehydrated.

Use a new needle for each injection.

Read and follow the instructions for the product you have and make sure you understand how to use it properly. If you have any questions about how to use liraglutide, talk to your health care provider.

Avoid using the same injection site each time you use liraglutide by rotating where you inject it.

What should I tell my health care provider before using liraglutide?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them know if liraglutide is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Upcoming Surgery or Procedures. Liraglutide slows the movement of food through your digestive system. If you have an upcoming surgery or procedure, tell your health care provider that you use liraglutide. Your risk of food getting into your lungs during anesthesia or sedation may be higher.

Stomach Problems. Tell your health care provider if you have stomach problems, such as slowed stomach emptying (gastroparesis) or problems digesting food. Your health care provider may choose another medicine to treat your type 2 diabetes.

Pancreas Problems. Tell your health care provider if you have ever had pancreatitis or other problems with your pancreas. Your health care provider may choose another medicine to treat your type 2 diabetes.

Liver or Kidney Problems. Tell your health care provider if you have liver problems or end-stage kidney disease. Your health care provider may choose another medicine to treat your type 2 diabetes.

Other Medicines and Supplements. Liraglutide may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before using liraglutide, tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

Pregnancy. It is not known if or how liraglutide could affect pregnancy or harm a fetus. Tell your health care provider if you are or plan to become pregnant.

Breastfeeding. It is not known if liraglutide passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

Interactions

Does liraglutide interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between liraglutide and foods or drinks.

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect liraglutide, but alcohol may affect blood sugar levels in people with diabetes. This may interfere with the effect of liraglutide. It is best to limit the amount of alcohol you drink.

Does liraglutide interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

Make sure that you discuss if you are using insulin or taking another type of medicine for diabetes called a sulfonylurea (glimepiride, glyburide, glipizide). These medicines may increase your risk of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).

Liraglutide works by slowing down the movement of food through your body. Because of this, liraglutide may affect the absorption of some other medicines that you take by mouth. Tell your health care provider about all medicines that you take or have recently taken.

Also tell your health care provider if you are using any other medicines that contain liraglutide, such as Saxenda.

This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with liraglutide. Always check with your health care provider.

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much liraglutide?

If you or someone else has used too much liraglutide, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of liraglutide?

If you miss a dose, skip the missed dose and only take the next dose. Do not take double or extra doses. 

If it has been more than 3 days since your last liraglutide dose, use the lowest available dose at first to reduce the risk of stomach-related side effects. Then follow your health care provider’s recommendations on increasing back to your previous dose.