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 be stopped and not restarted. Animal data from research conducted on rats and mice found that a rare type of thyroid cancer called medullary thyroid cancer was associated with liraglutide (Victoza) although the animals were tested at eight times the normal dose for humans.
Byetta vs. Victoza – Diabetes Meds
In a study conducted by Lawrence Blonde, M.D. and sponsored by Victoza manufacturer Novo Nordisk, Victoza performed better than Byetta in reducing A1C levels at the end of the 26-week study period. Examining 464 patients who were currently on metformin and/or sulphonylureas to regulate their blood sugar levels with an average A1C level of 8.2%. Byetta was shown to lower A1C levels by 0.79% with 43% of patients lowering their A1C levels below 7%. The patients on Victoza lowered their A1C levels by 1.12% with 54% reaching an A1C of 7%. The study also found that Victoza patients had less than half of hypoglycemic episodes and averaged weight loss of 7.1 pounds versus Byetta patients who lost 6.28 pounds. Nausea was more common in Byetta patients and tended to last longer than Victoza.
Januvia vs. Victoza – Diabetes Meds
In another study funded by Novo Nordisk, Victoza injections were compared with the oral diabetes medication Januvia. The study used 665 subjects with type 2 diabetes who were unable to control their blood sugar levels with metformin, administering either a 1.2 mg injection of Victoza or 100 mg pill of Januvia. The study, spanning 26 weeks, found that twice as many patients on Victoza lowered their A1C to 7% compared to Januvia. Weight loss on Victoza averaged seven and a half pounds compared to two pounds lost in Januvia patients. The side effect of nausea was more common in patients on Victoza.
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