Victoza UK

What is Victoza

• Active ingredient: Liraglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist. European Medicines Agency (EMA)+1

• Used for: Treatment of type 2 diabetes in conjunction with diet and exercise. It helps increase insulin when needed, reduce glucagon, slows digestion, helps reduce HbA1c, etc. Diabetes UK+2European Medicines Agency (EMA)+2

• Dosage: Usually once daily injection. The dose starts at 0.6 mg once daily (for at least one week), then increased to 1.2 mg, and may go up to 1.8 mg if needed. Medicines.org.uk+1

Victoza in the UK: Recent / Current Status

• Discontinued: Novo Nordisk has confirmed that Victoza pens (liraglutide 6mg/ml pre-filled injection pens) have been discontinued in the UK. European Medicines Agency (EMA)+3The Pharmaceutical Journal+3Pharmacy Business+3

• The discontinuation is part of their “portfolio consolidation.” The Pharmaceutical Journal+1

• As of August 2023, it has been out of stock in the UK. The Pharmaceutical Journal+2European Medicines Agency (EMA)+2

Important Notes & Implications

• Because of the discontinuation, patients who were using Victoza for type 2 diabetes will need alternatives. Health services and doctors are likely recommending other GLP-1 agonists or other appropriate diabetes medications. Pharmacy Business+1

• For weight loss: Victoza is not licensed in the UK specifically for weight loss. (Liraglutide has another brand, Saxenda, which is licensed for weight management, but Victoza itself is for diabetes. Off-label prescribing may occur but isn’t standard/licensed. ) Superdrug Online Doctor