Victoza is a once-daily injection used primarily for kind 2 diabetes, however can be prescribed off-label for kind 1 diabetes, prediabetes, and weight reduction.
What’s Victoza?
The remedy is a once-daily injectable remedy that is available in a prefilled pen and comprises liraglutide, a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonist. Accredited for youngsters 10 years and older and adults with kind 2 diabetes.
Related GLP-1 agonists, equivalent to Ozempic, are prescribed for comparable functions.
This injection works by lowering glucose manufacturing within the liver and rising insulin secretion, bettering insulin sensitivity and serving to handle blood sugar ranges.
As well as, the drug slows down digestion, making you’re feeling fuller longer after consuming.
Who can take Victoza?
Adults with a physique mass index (BMI, a measure of weight relative to top) of 30 or larger, and other people with a BMI of 27 or larger and a number of weight-related medical circumstances, are sometimes prescribed a once-daily capsule. might be executed. A non-standard shot.
Due to the chance of hypoglycemia (hypoglycemia) when Victoza and insulin are used collectively, the drug is just not permitted by the FDA for off-label use in sufferers with kind 1 diabetes. Nonetheless, its use has turn out to be more and more in style lately.
It isn’t advisable for individuals with a private or household historical past of sure thyroid cancers as a result of it could improve the chance of thyroid most cancers.
Does Victoza show you how to shed pounds?
Sure, vital proof means that it helps with weight reduction.
Though not FDA-approved for this function, this remedy suppresses urge for food, slows digestion, and reduces glucose manufacturing within the liver.
Many medical doctors prescribe it along with a wholesome life-style, balanced food regimen, and common train.
In scientific trials, individuals who took the drug based on food regimen and train pointers had been extra more likely to lose 5 to 10 p.c of their complete physique weight, a mean of 5.8 kilograms (kg) greater than in the event that they adopted food regimen and train alone. 12.75 lbs) has been proven to scale back weight.
How shortly does Victoza show you how to shed pounds?
Medical research have proven that weight reduction might start throughout the first few weeks of taking the drug, however the quantity and length fluctuate from individual to individual.
2023 meta-analysis revealed in Journal of Medical Endocrinology and Metabolism Researchers discovered that liraglutide customers skilled vital weight reduction, averaging 5.3 to six.0 kg (11.6 to 13.2 lb) over 20 to 56 weeks, with essentially the most vital loss occurring throughout the first 3 months of remedy. I found one thing.
This loss seems to be sustainable, as research spanning greater than a 12 months have proven continued outcomes.
Elements equivalent to your beginning weight, food regimen, train, and total well being have an effect on how shortly and the way a lot weight you lose whenever you take this drug. Earlier than beginning Victoza, focus on your weight reduction and well being targets together with your physician.
Why am I not losing a few pounds on Victoza?
Weight reduction with this remedy can stall for a wide range of causes.
Dietary decisions, equivalent to consuming high-calorie or unhealthy meals, or decreased bodily exercise ranges can counteract the results of the drug.
For extra info, see: Meals to keep away from whereas taking Victoza.
A person’s metabolism can be influenced by components equivalent to age, genetics, and hormonal imbalances.
Moreover, if the drug is taken in decrease doses, the results on urge for food and metabolism could also be much less pronounced.
Sure medical circumstances, equivalent to hypothyroidism and PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome), can additional complicate weight reduction.
It is very important be constant together with your food regimen, train, and medicines, and to seek the advice of your well being care supplier for customized recommendation and dosage changes.
See under for extra info. Victoza Dosage: How A lot Ought to I Take?
When is the very best time to take Victoza for weight reduction?
In keeping with the producer, this remedy could be taken at any time, with or with out meals. One of the best time to take it’s when it is best to get into your routine and keep in mind your dose.
What are the unwanted side effects?
While you begin taking this remedy, you might expertise some unwanted side effects. In keeping with drug corporations, frequent ones embrace:
- nausea
- diarrhea
- vomiting
- decreased urge for food
- weight reduction
- Indigestion/heartburn
- constipation
These signs normally enhance after a number of weeks. To attenuate them, your physician might begin you with a decrease dose. Nonetheless, in case your unwanted side effects persist or worsen, contact your physician instantly.
Extra critical and fewer frequent unwanted side effects embrace:
- Hypoglycemia (particularly in case you are additionally taking insulin)
- allergic response
- Pancreatitis (irritation of the pancreas)
- kidney issues
- gallbladder issues
Earlier than you begin taking this remedy, inform your physician about your private or household historical past of thyroid most cancers. Victoza has a black field warning due to the potential danger of thyroid tumors, together with medullary thyroid most cancers, which has been noticed in animal research.
Though the chance to people has not been totally established, it is very important focus on this together with your healthcare supplier.
For extra info, see: Victoza unwanted side effects: what you have to know.
How a lot ought to I take for weight reduction?
This drug is just not expressly permitted by the FDA for this function, so there isn’t a advisable dosage.
If in case you have kind 2 diabetes and are fascinated by losing a few pounds, speak to your physician about your choices. There are different medicine permitted by the FDA particularly for weight reduction, together with Saxenda, Wegoby, and Zepbound.
Is there anybody who shouldn’t take Victoza for weight reduction?
This GLP-1 agonist is advisable for sufferers with a private or household historical past of thyroid most cancers or a number of endocrine neoplasia syndrome, as animal research recommend an elevated potential danger of growing thyroid C-cell tumors. Not advisable for people.
Moreover, individuals with a historical past of pancreatitis are suggested to not take Victoza.
Individuals utilizing short-acting or rapid-acting insulin needs to be cautious when taking the drug as a result of the chance of hypoglycemia is elevated.
This remedy is usually prescribed to individuals with kind 1 diabetes, particularly these utilizing bolus or modified doses of insulin, nevertheless it’s essential to concentrate on the dangers of low blood sugar ranges and know learn how to handle them .
Which is best for weight reduction: Ozempic or Victoza?
Ozempic and Victoza work equally, each aiding weight reduction by suppressing urge for food, slowing digestion, and stabilizing blood sugar ranges. Though neither drug is FDA permitted for weight reduction, these results typically result in weight reduction in lots of customers.
A examine revealed in late 2022 confirmed robust proof of weight reduction with Victoza, however famous that folks are likely to lose extra weight when taking Ozempic.
Nonetheless, every has essential professionals and cons, so it is essential to debate your choices together with your physician.
For extra info, Ozempich vs. Victoza: Which one must you select?
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