Victoza 6mg/ml 2 Penfill (Refrigerator)

Product Description:

6mg/ml Liraglutide Solution for Injection in Ready-to-Use Pen

What is liraglutide and what is it used for?

• Liraglutide is a weight loss medicine. It is similar to a natural hormone called glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) that is released from the gut after you eat a meal. Liraglutide works by acting on receptors in the brain that control your appetite, making you feel full and less hungry. This may help you eat less food and lose weight.

• Liraglutide is used for weight loss in addition to diet and exercise in adults 18 years of age and older.

• Body mass index of 30 kg/m2 or more (obesity) or

• BMI 27 kg/m2 and less than 30 kg/m2 (overweight) and weight-related health problems such as diabetes, high blood pressure, abnormal blood fat levels or shortness of breath

• Problems during sleep called “sleep apnea.”

Do not take liraglutide:

• If you are allergic to liraglutide or any of the other ingredients of this medicine.

Warnings and Precautions:

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking liraglutide if:

• They have severe heart failure.

• You are 75 years of age or older.

• You have kidney disease or are on dialysis.

• They have liver problems.

• You have a severe stomach or bowel problem that delays stomach emptying (called gastroparesis), or if you have inflammatory bowel disease.

• You have diabetes, do not use liraglutide as a substitute for insulin.

• You have or have had pancreatic disease.

• You have severe pain in your upper abdomen, usually worse on the right side under the ribs.

• Have thyroid disease, including thyroid nodules and goiter

• You have palpitations (awareness of your heartbeat) or a feeling of a fast heartbeat at rest while taking liraglutide.

Possible side effects of liraglutide:

Like all medicines, liraglutide can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.

Severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) have been reported rarely in patients taking liraglutide. You should see your doctor right away if you develop symptoms such as trouble breathing, swelling of your face and throat, and a fast heartbeat.

Cases of pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas) have been reported uncommonly in patients using liraglutide.

Stop taking this medicine and call your doctor right away if you notice any of the following serious side effects:

• Severe, persistent pain in your abdomen (stomach area) that may extend to your back, as well as nausea and vomiting, can be a sign of pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas).

Very common side effects:

• Feeling sick (nausea), being sick (vomiting), diarrhea, constipation - these symptoms usually go away after a few days or weeks.

Other medications and liraglutide:

In particular, tell your doctor, pharmacist or nurse if:

• You are taking diabetes medicines called sulfonylureas (such as glimepiride or glibenclamide) or if you are taking insulin - you may get low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) when you use these medicines with liraglutide. Your doctor may adjust the dose of your diabetes medicine to prevent you from getting low blood sugar. If you adjust your insulin dose, your doctor may recommend that you monitor your blood sugar more often.

• You are taking warfarin or other oral medicines that reduce blood clotting (anticoagulants). More frequent blood tests may be needed to determine your blood's ability to clot.

How to take liraglutide:

Your treatment will start with a low dose which will be gradually increased over the first five weeks of treatment.

When first starting liraglutide, the starting dose is 0.6 mg once a day, for at least one

week.

Your doctor will ask you to gradually increase your dose by 0.6 mg each week until you reach the recommended dose of 3.0 mg once a day.

Once you reach the recommended dose of 3.0 mg by week 5 of treatment, continue using this dose until the end of the treatment period. Do not increase your dose further.

Your doctor will evaluate your treatment on a regular basis.

How to store liraglutide:

• Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.

• Do not use liraglutide after the expiry date which is stated on the pen and carton label after “EXP”. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.

• Before first use: Store in the refrigerator (2 to 8°C). Do not freeze. Keep away from the freezer compartment.

• Once you start using the pen: You can keep the pen for one month when stored below 30°C or in the refrigerator (2°C to 8°C). Do not freeze. Keep away from the freezer compartment.

• When not in use, keep the pen cap on to protect it from light.

• Do not use this medicine if the solution is not clear, colorless, or nearly colorless.

• Do not dispose of medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines you no longer use. These measures will help protect the environment.