Saxenda vs Victoza
Saxenda vs Victoza : What is it used for?
What is Saxenda used for?
SAXENDA (liraglutide injection) is used for chronic weight management in addition to reduced calorie diet and increased physical activity in adults aged 18 and above who have either:
- BMI* of 30 or greater (obesity), or
- BMI* of 27-30 (overweight) in the presence of at least one weight-related comorbidity and who have failed a previous weight management intervention.
*BMI (Body Mass Index) is a simple measure of your weight in relation to your height. See your doctor to have your BMI measured.
SAXENDA can be used in addition to a reduced calorie diet and increased physical activity in adolescents aged 12 to less than 18 years with obesity, as diagnosed by a doctor, who have failed on a reduced calorie diet and increased physical activity alone.
What is Victoza used for?
- Victoza is used in combination with metformin, with metformin and a sulfonylurea, with metformin and a sodium glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor (SGLT2i), or basal insulin to improve blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes.
- Victoza is used in combination with metformin with or without basal insulin to improve blood sugar levels in adolescents and children aged 10 years and above with type 2 diabetes.
- Victoza may be used on its own if your blood sugar is not properly controlled by diet and exercise alone and you cannot use metformin.
- If you have type 2 diabetes and have a history of heart disease (such as a past heart attack, heart failure, or stroke), Victoza can be used along with diet and exercise to lower your risk of dying from events related to your heart or blood vessels.
- Victoza should not be used in type 1 diabetes (formerly known as insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus or IDDM).
Saxenda vs Victoza : How does it work?
How does Saxenda work?
SAXENDA helps adults who are overweight or have obesity, or adolescents with obesity, who also have weight related medical problems lose weight and keep the weight off. SAXENDA should be used with a reduced calorie diet and increased physical activity.
How does Victoza work?
Victoza belongs to a class of medicines called GLP-1 analogue. Victoza helps your body to make more insulin when your blood sugar is high.
Saxenda vs Victoza : What are the ingredients?
What are the ingredients in Saxenda?
Medicinal ingredients: Liraglutide
Non-medicinal ingredients: Disodium phosphate dihydrate, propylene glycol, phenol and water for injections.
What are the ingredients in Victoza?
Medicinal ingredients: Liraglutide
Non-medicinal ingredients: Disodium phosphate dihydrate, propylene glycol, phenol and water for injections
Saxenda vs Victoza : What strengths are available?
SAXENDA is provided in a disposable, prefilled, multi-dose pen. Each pen can deliver a dose of 0.6 mg, 1.2 mg, 1.8 mg, 2.4 mg or 3.0 mg. Each pen contains 3 mL of SAXENDA at a concentration of 6 mg/mL
Victoza Pre-filled multidose pen that can deliver 30 doses of 0.6 mg, 15 doses of 1.2 mg or 10 doses of 1.8 mg.
Saxenda vs Victoza : Who should not use?
Do not use SAXENDA if:
- You or any of your family members have a history of medullary thyroid cancer.
- You have Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2). This is a disease where people have tumours in more than one gland in their body.
- You are allergic to liraglutide or any of the ingredients in SAXENDA (see “What are the ingredients in SAXENDA?” for a complete list of ingredients).
- You are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. SAXENDA may harm your unborn baby.
To help avoid side effects and ensure proper use, talk to your healthcare professional before you take SAXENDA. Talk about any health conditions or problems you may have, including if you:
- have palpitations (you feel aware of your heart beat) or if you have feelings of a racing heart beat while at rest during SAXENDA treatment.
- lose substantial weight you are at risk of gallstones and thereby inflamed gallbladder. Stop taking SAXENDA and contact a doctor immediately if you experience severe pain in your upper abdomen, usually worse on the right side under the ribs. The pain may be felt through to your back or right shoulder (see ‘ What are the possible side effects of SAXENDA?’)
- have or have had depression or suicidal thoughts.
- have severe heart failure. There is little to no experience with this medicine in patients with heart failure.
- have ever had a heart attack (myocardial infarction). There is little or no experience with this medicine in patients who have ever had a heart attack.
- have unstable angina, a type of chest pain that happens when there is not enough blood to the heart and that is also either new or different from before. There is little or no experience with this medicine in patients with unstable angina.
- have a problem with your heart beating too fast (tachyarrhythmia) or with the normal electric impulses of your heart (conduction disorder, for example atrioventricular block). There is little or no experience with this medicine in patients with conduction disorders and arrhythmias.
- have diabetes, do not use SAXENDA instead of insulin and do not use SAXENDA with insulin.
- adolescents who are aged 12 to less than 18 years without type 2 diabetes mellitus have a risk of low blood sugar (see ‘What are the possible side effects of SAXENDA?’)
- have the symptoms of inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis), such as severe stomach pain which does not go away, talk to your doctor immediately. Pancreatitis can be severe and lead to death. You may be more likely to get pancreatitis if you have had pancreatitis before, or if you have had stones in your gallbladder, alcoholism or high levels of triglycerides in your blood.
- have ever had an allergic reaction to liraglutide or any of the other ingredients in SAXENDA.
- have kidney problems.
- have liver problems.
- have severe stomach problems, such as slowed emptying of your stomach (gastroparesis) or problems digesting your food.
- are pregnant or plan to have a baby. SAXENDA may harm your unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you become pregnant while taking SAXENDA. If you are pregnant, stop using SAXENDA.
- are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if SAXENDA passes into your breast milk. You and your doctor should decide if you will take SAXENDA or breastfeed.
- have severe vomiting and/or diarrhea and/or dehydration.
Other warnings you should know about Saxenda:
When starting SAXENDA treatment, you might have side effects like throwing up (vomiting), feeling sick (nauseated) and getting diarrhea. Throwing up and diarrhea can cause dehydration (loss of fluids). It is important to avoid dehydration by drinking plenty of fluids. Call your doctor if you have any questions. Dehydration can cause kidney problems that sometimes require hemodialysis.
SAXENDA is not recommended for use in children under 12 years of age or in adolescents with a body weight below or equal to 60 kg.
Tell your healthcare professional about all the medicines you take, including any drugs, vitamins, minerals, natural supplements or alternative medicines.
Who should not use Victoza?
- You or a member of your family has ever had medullary thyroid cancer.
- You have Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2).
- You are allergic to any of the ingredients in Victoza.
- You are pregnant or breastfeeding.
To help avoid side effects and ensure proper use, talk to your healthcare professional before you take Victoza. Talk about any health conditions or problems you may have, including if you:
- Or a member of your family has or has had medullary thyroid carcinoma, or if you have Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2).
- Have type 1 diabetes.
- Have ever had diabetic ketoacidosis (increased ketones in the blood or urine).
- Have ever had an allergic reaction to Victoza.
- Have a high heart rate (fast pulse).
- Have a condition called heart block.
- Have any heart disease, such as angina, heart rhythm disturbances or congestive heart failure; or if you have ever had a myocardial infarction (heart attack).
- Have kidney problems.
- Have liver problems.
- Have gastrointestinal (digestive) problems.
- Have ever had pancreatitis.
- Are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.
- Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
- Have severe vomiting and/or diarrhea and/or dehydration.
When initiating treatment with Victoza, you may in some cases experience loss of fluids/dehydration, e.g. in case of vomiting, nausea and diarrhea. It is important to avoid dehydration by drinking plenty of fluids. Worsening of renal function may sometimes require hemodialysis. Contact your doctor if you have any questions or concerns.
Victoza may increase heart rate and could cause changes known as PR prolongation, which are detected by electrocardiogram (ECG) tracings. Increased heart rate is the same as a faster pulse. Rarely, drugs with these effects can cause changes in heart rhythm that could result in dizziness, palpitations (a feeling of rapid, pounding, or irregular heart beat), fainting or death. These heart rhythm changes are more likely if you have heart disease, or if you are taking certain other drugs. It is important to follow your doctor’s advice about the dose of Victoza or about any special tests that you may need. See ‘What are possible side effects from using Victoza?’
Victoza is not recommended for use in children under 10 years of age.
Tell your healthcare professional about all the medicines you take, including any drugs, vitamins, minerals, natural supplements or alternative medicines.
In particular, tell your doctor, Diabetes Nurse Educator or pharmacist if you are using any of the following medicines for diabetes:
- A sulfonylurea medicine (such as glibenclamide or glimepiride). This is because using Victoza at the same time may cause your blood sugar to get too low (hypoglycemia).
- When you first start using these medicines together, your doctor may tell you to lower the dose of the sulfonylurea medicine.
- Insulin. You may get hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) when using Victoza with insulin as insulin increases the risk of hypoglycemia. See ‘What are possible side effects from using Victoza?’
- If you are not sure if the medicines you are taking contain a sulfonylurea, ask your doctor, Diabetes Nurse Educator or pharmacist.
Saxenda vs Victoza : What is the usual dose?
Saxenda usual dose:
When you first start using SAXENDA, the starting dose is 0.6 mg once a day. Your dose should be increased after using SAXENDA for one week until you reach the 3.0 mg dose. After that, do not change your dose unless your healthcare professional tells you to.
- SAXENDA is injected 1 time each day, at any time during the day.
- You can take SAXENDA with or without food.
- Your doctor should start you on a diet and exercise program when you start taking SAXENDA. Stay on this program while you are taking SAXENDA.
Administering SAXENDA:
SAXENDA is an injection which is given under the skin (subcutaneously). Do not inject it into a vein or muscle.
Before you use the pen for the first time, your doctor or Diabetes Nurse Educator will show you how to use it. The best places to give yourself the injection are the front of your thighs, the front of your waist (abdomen) or your upper arm. You can give yourself the injection at any time of the day (see ‘Instructions for Use’).
Victoza usual dose:
Victoza can be taken at any time of the day. It does not matter when you take it in relation to meals.
The usual starting dose is 0.6 mg once a day. Your doctor will tell you how long to keep taking this dose. It will be for at least one week. Your dose may be increased to 1.2 mg once a day if your blood glucose is not under control. If your blood glucose is not controlled with a dose of 1.2 mg, your doctor may tell you to increase the dose to 1.8 mg once a day. Do not change your dose unless your doctor has told you to.
You will not need to test your blood sugar levels each day in order to adjust your dose of Victoza. However, if you are taking a sulfonylurea medicine as well as Victoza, your doctor may advise you to test your blood sugar levels. This will help your doctor to decide if the dose of the sulfonylurea needs to be changed.
For children and adolescents starting Victoza, your doctor may advise you to test your blood sugar levels to monitor for hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).
Administering Victoza:
Victoza is an injection which is given under the skin (subcutaneously). Do not inject it into a vein or muscle.
Before you use the pen for the first time, your doctor or Diabetes Nurse Educator will show you how to use it. The best places to give yourself the injection are the front of your thighs, the front of your waist (abdomen) or your upper arm. You can give yourself the injection at any time of the day.
Saxenda vs Victoza : Missed dose
If you miss your daily dose of SAXENDA, use SAXENDA as soon as you remember. Then take your next daily dose as usual on the following day. Do not take an extra dose of SAXENDA or increase your dose on the following day to make up for your missed dose.
If you miss your dose of SAXENDA for 3 days or more, call your healthcare professional to talk about how to restart your treatment.
If a dose of Victoza is missed take your dose on the next day as usual. Do not take an extra dose or increase the dose on the following day to make up for the missed dose.
Do not stop using Victoza without talking to your doctor. If you stop using it, your blood sugar levels may increase.
Saxenda vs Victoza : Side effects
What are possible side effects of Saxenda?
These are not all the possible side effects you may feel when taking SAXENDA. If you experience any side effects not listed here, contact your healthcare professional.
Like all medicines, SAXENDA can cause side effects. The following side effects may happen with this medicine.
Some severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) have been reported rarely in patients using SAXENDA. You should see your doctor straight away if you get symptoms such as breathing problems, swelling of face and throat and fast heart beat.
Cases of inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis) have been reported uncommonly in patients using SAXENDA. Pancreatitis can be a serious, potentially life-threatening medical condition. Talk to your doctor straight away if you get severe stomach pain which does not go away.
Very common: may affect more than 1 in 10 people:
- feeling sick (nausea), being sick (vomiting), diarrhea, constipation – these usually go away after a few days or weeks
- lower appetite
Common: may affect up to 1 in 10 people:
- problems affecting the stomach and intestines such as: indigestion (dyspepsia), inflamed lining of the stomach (gastritis), stomach discomfort, upper stomach pain, heart burn, feeling bloating, wind (flatulence), belching, dry mouth
- feeling weak or tired
- changed sense of taste
- dizziness
- gallstones
- injection site reactions (such as bruising, pain, irritation, itching and rash)
- low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) – the warning signs of low blood sugar may come on suddenly and can include: cold sweat, cool pale skin, headache, fast heart beat, feeling sick, feeling very hungry, changes in vision, feeling sleepy, feeling weak, nervous, anxious, confused, difficulty concentrating, shaking (tremor). Your doctor will tell you how to treat low blood sugar and what to do if you notice these warning signs.
- difficulty sleeping (insomnia). This usually occurs during the first 3 months of treatment
- increase of pancreatic enzymes, such as lipase and amylase
Uncommon: may affect up to 1 in 100 people:
- loss of fluids (dehydration) – this is more likely at the start of treatment and may be due to being sick (vomiting), feeling sick (nausea) and diarrhea
- inflamed gallbladder
- allergic reactions including skin rash
- feeling generally unwell
- faster pulse
- inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis)
Rare: may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people:
- reduced kidney function
- acute kidney failure – signs include metallic taste in mouth and easily bruising
- severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis)
If any of the side effects do not go away or get worse, or if you notice any side effects not listed in the leaflet, please tell your doctor, Diabetes Nurse Educator or pharmacist.
What are possible side effects of Victoza?
These are not all the possible side affects you may feel when taking Victoza. If you experience any side effects not listed here, contact your healthcare professional.
Like all medicines, Victoza can cause side effects. The following side effects may happen with this medicine.
Very common (affects more than 1 in 10 people):
- Feeling sick (nausea). This usually goes away over time.
- Diarrhea
Common (affects less than 1 in 10 people):
- Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). This is usually mild. It is more likely if you are also taking a medicine for diabetes called a sulfonylurea. The warning signs of low blood sugar may come on suddenly. They can include: cold sweat, cool pale skin, headache, fast heart beat, feeling sick, feeling very hungry, changes in vision, feeling sleepy, feeling weak, nervous, anxious, or confused, difficulty concentrating, shaking (tremor). Your doctor will tell you how to treat low blood sugar and what to do if you notice these warning signs. If you are already taking a sulfonylurea medicine when you start using Victoza, your doctor may tell you to reduce the dose of the sulfonylurea. While you are driving or using tools or machines, you should avoid getting low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), because this may reduce your ability to concentrate.
- Anorexia
- Decreased appetite
- Headache
- Being sick (vomiting)
- Burping
- Indigestion
- Inflamed stomach (gastritis). The signs include stomach pain, feeling sick (nausea) and being sick (vomiting)
- Gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD). The signs include heartburn.
- Painful or swollen tummy (abdomen)
- Constipation
- Wind (flatulence)
- Infection of the upper airways
- Injection site reactions (such as bruising, pain irritation, itching and rash)
- Increased heart rate
- Gallstones
- Inflamed gallbladder (upper abdominal pain after eating, nausea, bloating and indigestion, especially after consuming a fatty meal)
Uncommon (affects less than 1 in 100):
- Urticaria (a type of skin rash)
If any of the side effects do not go away or get worse, or if you notice any side effects not listed in the leaflet, please tell your doctor, Diabetes Nurse Educator or pharmacist.
Saxenda : Serious side effects and what to do about them?
Serious side effects and what to do about them | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Symptom / effect | Talk to your healthcare professional | Stop taking drug and get immediate medical help | |
Only if severe | In all cases | ||
COMMON | |||
Increases in heart rate. If you experience, while at rest, a racing or pounding feeling in your chest lasting several minutes when taking SAXENDA, notify your doctor. | √ | ||
RARE | |||
Severe form of allergic reaction (anaphylactic reaction) with symptoms of breathing problems, swelling of throat and face, and fast heart beat. You should seek immediate medical attention. | √ | ||
If you have a troublesome symptom or side effect that is not listed here or becomes bad enough to interfere with your daily activities, talk to your healthcare professional.
Victoza: Serious side effects and what to do about them?
Serious side effects and what to do about them | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Symptom / effect | Talk to your healthcare professional | Stop taking drug and get immediate medical help | |
Only if severe | In all cases | ||
UNCOMMON | |||
Chest pain or symptoms of a possible heart rhythm disturbance / dizziness, palpitations, fainting or seizures, you should seek immediate medical attention | √ | √ | |
RARE | |||
Pancreatitis / persistent, severe abdominal pain with or without vomiting | √ | ||
Severe hypoglycemia / disorientation, loss of consciousness, and seizures | √ | √ | |
Severe form of allergic reaction (anaphylactic reaction) with symptoms of breathing problems, swelling of throat and face, and fast heart beat. You should seek immediate medical attention | √ | √ | |
Cases of inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis). Pancreatitis can be a serious, potentially life-threatening medical condition. Stop taking Victoza and contact your doctor immediately, if you notice any of the following serious side effects: severe and persistent pain in the abdomen (stomach area) which might reach through your back, as well as nausea and vomiting, as it could be a sign of an inflamed pancreas (pancreatitis). | √ | √ | |
VERY RARE | |||
Thyroid tumour / lump in the neck, difficulty in swallowing, difficulty in breathing or persistent hoarseness | √ | ||
If you have a troublesome symptom or side effect that is not listed here or becomes bad enough to interfere with your daily activities, talk to your healthcare professional.
Saxenda vs Victoza : Storage
How to store Saxenda?
Do not use SAXENDA after the expiry date which is stated on the label and carton. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
- Before you start to use SAXENDA, store it in a refrigerator (2˚C to 8˚C) away from the freezer compartment. Do not freeze it.
- When SAXENDA is being used, you can keep it for 1 month either at room temperature (not above 30˚C) or in a refrigerator (2˚C to 8˚C).
- Do not use SAXENDA if it has been frozen.
- Do not use SAXENDA if it is not clear and colourless.
- Always remove the injection needle after each injection and store your SAXENDA pen without an injection needle attached. This prevents contamination, infection, and leakage. It also ensures that the dosing is accurate.
- When you are not using the pen, keep the cap on. This will protect the medicine from light.
- Protect SAXENDA from high temperatures and sunlight.
- Medicines should not be disposed of via waste water or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines no longer required. These measures will help to protect the environment.
Keep out of reach and sight of children.
How to store Victoza?
Keep out of reach and sight of children.
Do not use Victoza after the expiry date which is stated on the label and carton. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
- Before you start to use Victoza, store it in a refrigerator (2˚C-8˚C) away from the freezer compartment. Do not freeze it.
- When Victoza is being used, you can keep it for 1 month either at room temperature (not above 30˚C) or in a refrigerator (2˚C-8˚C).
- Do not use Victoza if it has been frozen.
- Do not use Victoza if it is not clear and colourless.
- Always remove the injection needle after each injection and store your Victoza pen without an injection needle attached. This prevents contamination, infection, and leakage. It also ensures that the dosing is accurate.
- When you are not using the pen, keep the cap on. This will protect the medicine from light.
- Protect Victoza from high temperatures and sunlight.
- Medicines should not be disposed of via waste water or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines no longer required. These measures will help to protect the environment.