Victoza (liraglutide) is a once daily injection used to treat type 2 diabetes by helping the pancreas release more insulin was approved for use by the FDA in January 2010. Victoza diabetes injections are part of a class of drugs called glucagon-like-peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist.  The FDA does not recommend Victoza for diabetes as a first-line therapy for patients who are unable to control their blood sugar levels with diet and exercise.

Clinical trials conducted before Victoza’s release found it may be associated with pancreatitis, similar to other drugs with the same functions. In five clinical trials of more than 3,900 patients, there were seven cases of pancreatitis in patients using Victoza diabetes injections. Because the number of cases is too low to determine if Victoza causes pancreatitis, the FDA recommends that patients using the drug be aware of the symptoms of pancreatitis. In the event of pancreatitis Victoza should …