Victoza® (liraglutide) injection

Victoza® (liraglutide) injection

Victoza (liraglutide) is considered an injectable incretin mimetic, that is a relatively new drug used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.

It is commonly recommended for adults and children over the age of 10 with type 2 diabetes to be used in conjunction with diet and lifestyle modifications in order to improve glycaemic control.

Incretin mimetics have been proven to be effective in lowering blood glucose and through clinical research studies, they have also shown to be beneficial for weight loss when compared to subjects on the placebo, when used in combination with diet and exercise.

The FDA first approved Victoza for medical use in adults with type 2 diabetes in 2010 followed by approval in 2019 for the use in children older than 10 years with type 2 diabetes. It has become the only non-insulin drug approved by the FDA to be used in the paediatric population since metformin was approved for pediatric use in 2000.

The FDA has issued a black box warning with regards to the increased risk of thyroid tumours with the use of Victoza. During the animal trials, it has been shown that Victoza has caused certain cancers in animals. The most frequently noted cancer was medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) which is a cancer that arises from the C cells of the thyroid gland. Even though it is reported in animal trials, the effect of Victoza on thyroid tumours in humans is not known. But as a safety precaution, it is avoided in patients with a past history or family history of MTC. Patients who receive Victoza treatment are monitored closely for possible signs and symptoms of MTC. The most common signs and symptoms of MTC are the presentations of a neck lump, dysphagia (which is having trouble swallowing), hoarseness of voice and shortness of breath. It is important to withhold treatment if these signs arise. The doctor and patient both should be alert for possible warning signs.

How is blood glucose levels regulated in our body?

Glucose is the body’s primary source of energy and in fact the obligatory source of energy for the adult brain; cells use glucose and fatty acids along with amino acids for cellular metabolism. The need to maintain adequate fuel supplies in the face of intermittent food intake and variable metabolic demands is fulfilled by careful balance between the 2 main glucose regulating hormones; insulin and glucagon. Insulin is the main hormone controlling intermediary metabolism, having its main actions on liver, fat and muscle. It is an anabolic hormone: its overall effect is to conserve fuel by facilitating the uptake and storage of glucose, amino acids and fats after a meal. Its most striking acute effect is to lower blood glucose. When we eat in excess, the excessive calories are stored as glycogen in the liver and muscle or fat in adipose tissue. During fasting, these energy stores need to be mobilized in a regulated manner.

Insulin is secreted by ? cells located in the Islets of Langerhans in the pancreas. Many factors stimulate insulin secretion, but the main one is blood glucose. Incretins, especially GIP and GLP-1 secreted, respectively, by K and L cells in the gut are also important.

Insulin has essential metabolic actions as a fuel storage hormone and also affects cell growth and differentiation. It decreases blood glucose by:

• Increasing glucose uptake into muscle and fat / adipose tissue via Glut-4
• Increasing glycogen synthesis
• Decreasing gluconeogenesis
• Decreasing glycogen breakdown.

What is Diabetes?

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder in which persistent hyperglycaemia is caused by deficient insulin secretion or by resistance to the action of insulin. This leads to the abnormalities of carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism that are characteristic of diabetes.

Hyperglycaemia occurs as a result of uncontrolled glucose output from the liver and reduced uptake of glucose by skeletal muscle with reduced glycogen synthesis. Insulin deficiency causes muscle wasting through increased breakdown and reduced synthesis of proteins.

An estimated 25.8 million people in the United States and 347 million people worldwide are afflicted with diabetes. Type 1 and type 2 diabetes are the two most common classifications of diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes is characterized by an absolute deficiency of insulin due to destruction of cells by an autoimmune-mediated processes that may be triggered by viruses or other environmental toxins.

Type 2 diabetes is a chronic metabolic condition characterized by insulin resistance (lack of sensitivity of target organs to insulin) followed by ?-cell dysfunction and insufficient insulin production, which leads to hyperglycemia.

Aims of treatment

Treatment is aimed at minimizing the risk of long-term microvascular and macrovascular complications by effective blood-glucose control and maintenance of HbA1c at or below the target value set for each individual patient. Specialized diet and lifestyle advice is of paramount importance in managing diabetes. Weight loss, smoking cessation and regular exercise can help to reduce hyperglycaemia and reduce cardiovascular risk. Antidiabetic drugs should be prescribed to augment lifestyle interventions, when these changes are not adequate to control blood glucose alone.

Antidiabetic drugs

There are several classes of non-insulin antidiabetic drugs available for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. The choice of drug should be based on effectiveness, safety, tolerability and should also take into consideration the patient’s comorbidities and concomitant medication. Oral antidiabetes drugs are either,

• Secretagogue therapy to increase endogenous insulin release (Sulphonyureas, Incretin mimetics like Victoza)
• Insulin sensitisers to reduce insulin resistance, or (Eg. Metformin)
• Drugs aimed at modifying absorption of glucose.
  

  Do not take Victoza if you are

  • Pregnant
    • Should be avoided during pregnancy
    • Toxicity has been showed in animal studies
  • Breast feeding
    • Should be avoided in breast feeding
    • Animal studies suggest that transfer into breast milk is low, but the extent of excretion into human milk is not known
    • If given, blood glucose monitoring of the infant should be considered
  • Hepatic impairment
    • Should be avoided in severe liver impairment.

  Handling and Storage

  Victoza should be stored in a refrigerator (2–8°C). It can also be stored below 30°C after first use and should be used within 1 month. The cap on the pen should be kept in place to protect from light.

  Advice for patients and caregivers

  • The solution should be observed before administration to ensure that it is clear, colourless and there are no particles.
  • It is injected once daily, independently of meals. A missed dose should never be given closer to the next dose as it can lead to a hypoglycaemic crisis by a sudden drop in blood glucose levels.
  • If Victoza and insulin are co-administered, they should be given as separate injections. They should never be mixed.
  • The likelihood of hypoglycaemia increases with concomitant use of Victoza with other anti-diabetic drugs, leading to the sudden lowering of blood glucose levels.

  Signs and symptoms associated with the hypoglycaemic condition are as follow:

  • Fogy vision with light-headedness
  • Unconsciousness
  • Drowsiness
  • Fluctuations in heartbeat
  • Increase in thrust and hunger
  • A profound state of confusion
  • Increased Sweating
  • Dizziness

  Warnings:

  • Do not drive if you face a hypoglycaemic condition or handle projects which require prompt alertness.
  • Do not use too much alcohol with the medication course.
  • Children (especially those under 10 years of age) are at more risk of hypoglycaemia. Therefore, blood sugar levels should be monitored regularly.
  • You should be able to recognise signs and symptoms of acute pancreatitis and should seek immediate medical attention if symptoms develop.
  • You should know the potential risk of dehydration in relation to gastro-intestinal side-effects and should take precautions to avoid fluid depletion
  • You should be able to recognize the symptoms of cholelithiasis and cholecystitis. Symptoms include:
    • Fever
    • Jaundice (which indicates raised bilirubin levels presents as yellowish discolouration of skin and sclera)
    • Pain in the right adjacent area of the stomach
    • Nausea
  • Your healthcare provider will watch for the following signs and symptoms to pick up any neoplastic growth at the earliest as thyroid related cancers are a major concern with the use of Victoza.

  Symptoms include:

  • Shortness of breath
  • Hoarsening of the voice
  • Unexplained and sudden occurrence of lumps / swelling in the neck area
  • Swollen lymph nodules on the neck
  • Recurrent episodes of fever
  • Warmth around the neck
  • Victoza is only recommended in pregnancy if the potential benefits outweigh the risks and the decision should be made by your health expert / consultant / physician.
  • Pen sharing among individuals is discouraged as blood borne pathogens might transmit from patient to patient.
  • Disposal should be done after ensuring the following safety precautions.
    • After using the Victoza pen, remove the un-sterile needle
    • Discard the used needle carefully after decamping
    • Keep the rest of the drug container closed

  What are the alternative drugs for Victoza ?

  • Trulicity
  • Ozempic

  A comparison between Trulicity and Victoza

  • Both medications are GLP-1 agonists and used to treat type 2 diabetes. Trulicity is used only to treat diabetes, while Victoza can be used to treat diabetes and to reduce cardiovascular conditions caused by diabetes.
  • The two drugs differ in its side effect profile.
  • Victoza should be injected once daily, while Trulicity should be administered only once a week. Both drugs can be administered at any time of the day, independently of food intake.
  • Hypoglycaemia can be caused by both medications when they are taken together with other glucose lowering drugs.
  • Side effects are similar for both drugs, but ingestion and constipation are seen more commonly with Victoza. Both drugs are contraindicated in patients with a history of thyroid cancer.

  A comparison between Ozempic and Victoza

  • Both medications are GLP-1 agonists and used to treat type 2 diabetes. Ozempic is used only to treat diabetes, while Victoza can be used to treat diabetes and to reduce cardiovascular conditions caused by diabetes.
  • Both drugs are similar in their side effects profile and carry a risk of thyroid cancers.
  • Victoza should be injected once daily, while Ozempic should be administered only once a week. Both drugs can be administered at any time of the day, independently of food intake. Both drugs carry the advantage of weight loss.
  • Victoza is available as multi-use pens, while Ozempic is only available as a single -use pens.

  Can Saxenda be used as an alternative to Victoza ?

  • Saxenda cannot be used interchangeably or as an alternative to Victoza for the reason that even though both medications are GLP-1 agonists the drugs are used for different indications.
  • Saxenda is not considered as a diabetic treatment although it is usually used in patients to help control blood sugar and insulin levels and manage digestion