Liraglutide
Description
Liraglutide is an antidiabetic medicine composed of Liraglutide. It is used to control high blood sugar levels due to type II Diabetes mellitus (non-insulin-dependent). Thus it may prevent further complications of diabetes such as blindness, kidney damage, stroke, and heart attack. It works by increasing the production of insulin (a hormone that enables your body to use sugar).
Liraglutide show side effects like nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, taste change, and stomach pain. This medicine can cause vision impairment and/or make you feel dizzy. Therefore, avoid activities like driving vehicles and operating machines after receiving this medicine.
Liraglutide is administered by a qualified healthcare professional in a hospital or clinic. You will be monitored closely for any signs of allergy like rashes, redness, breathing difficulty etc.
Liraglutide is not recommended if are allergic to it. Inform your doctor if you have heart or liver problems, or vitamin B12 deficiency before receiving this medicine. Also let our doctor if you are pregnant, planning a pregnancy, or are breastfeeding.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Liraglutide
- Bladder pain
- Loss of appetite
- Sweating
- Nausea and vomiting
- Trouble sleeping
- Runny nose
- Diarrhoea
- Blurred vision
- Dizziness
- Nervousness
Uses of Liraglutide
What is it prescribed for?
- Diabetes Type 2
- Weight loss
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Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionLiraglutide takes a few days to show its action.
- Duration of effectThe duration of action of Liraglutide is 24 hours.
- Safe with alcohol?Consumption of alcohol is not recommended during treatment with Liraglutide due to the increased risk of severe side effects.
- Is it habit forming?No habit forming tendency has been reported for Liraglutide.
- Usage in pregnancy?Liraglutide is not recommended to be used if you are pregnant as it may harm your developing child. Your doctor will suggest another medicine with similar therapeutic effects in such cases.
- Usage while breast-feeding?It is not known whether Liraglutide passes into breast milk. Hence is not recommended for use during breastfeeding. Consult your doctor if you are breastfeeding.
Allergy
Liraglutide is not recommended if you are allergic to it. Seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms such as skin rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, breathing difficulty, etc.
Medullary thyroid carcinoma
A medullary thyroid carcinoma is a form of thyroid cancer. It is usually present as a lump or nodule in the thyroid which can be seen in routine neck examinations. Liraglutide is not recommended if you have a history of medullary thyroid carcinoma as the safety and efficacy of this medicine have not been established in such cases.
Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2
Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN2) is a hereditary condition associated with a group of tumours. Liraglutide is not recommended if you have a history of multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 as the safety and efficacy of this medicine have not been established in such cases.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
Liraglutide is not recommended to be used if you are pregnant as it may harm your developing child. Your doctor will suggest another medicine with similar therapeutic effects in such cases.
Breast-feeding
It is not known whether Liraglutide passes into breast milk. Hence is not recommended for use during breastfeeding. Consult your doctor if you are breastfeeding.
General warnings
Acute gallbladder disease
Liraglutide should be used with extreme caution if you have a history of gall bladder disorders, as this medicine may provoke or worsen your gall bladder condition. Your doctor can adjust your dose or suggest another medicine in such cases.
Hypoglycemia
Hypoglycemia is a condition characterized by a decrease in your blood glucose levels. If you are prone to having low blood glucose level episodes, take Liraglutide with caution. Monitor your blood glucose level regularly. Always carry a fast-acting sugar source (like sugar candy or fruit juice).
Missed Dose
As Liraglutide is usually administered by a qualified healthcare professional before and during a surgical procedure in the clinical/hospital setting, the likelihood of a missed dose is very low.
Overdose
As Liraglutide is administered in the hospital setting by a qualified healthcare professional, the likelihood of an overdose is very less. However, emergency medical treatment will be initiated by the doctor if an overdose is suspected.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
N/A
Instructions
Consumption of alcohol is not recommended during treatment with Liraglutide due to the increased risk of severe side effects.
Interaction with Medicine
Clarithromycin
Ethinyl Estradiol
Ciprofloxacin
Salbutamol
Furosemide
Gatifloxacin
Disease interactions
Pancreatitis
Pancreatitis is an inflammation (swelling) of the pancreas. Liraglutide should be administered with extreme caution if you have a history of pancreatitis due to the increased risk of recurrent pancreatitis.
Kidney diseases
Liraglutide should be used with caution if you have kidney problems as a diseased kidney will not be able to filter the medicine properly. This can increase the risk of toxicity. Your doctor will monitor your kidney functions closely and/or adjust your dose if required.
Heart disease
Liraglutide should be used with caution if you have conditions related to heart or blood vessels as it may increase the risk of heart failure (a condition in which the heart is not able to pump a sufficient amount of blood). Your doctor may suggest tests to regularly monitor your heart and kidney function during treatment with this medicine.
Liver Disease
Liraglutide should be used with extreme caution if you have liver problems as this medicine is broken down and absorbed in the liver, and if your liver is not working correctly, it might cause a buildup of its metabolites, resulting in toxicity.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Liraglutide is usually given in a clinical/hospital setting under the supervision of a qualified healthcare professional.
Follow all the instructions given by your doctor.
Inform your doctor if you have a known allergy to this medicine.
Report all your current medicines as well as your medical conditions to your doctor before receiving this medicine.
Miscelleneous
How it works
Liraglutide works by increasing the levels of insulin, which enables your body to utilize more sugar.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Incretin mimetics
Schedule
Schedule H
Medicines.org.uk. 2021. Victoza 6 mg/ml solution for injection in pre-filled pen - Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) - (emc). [online] Available at: [Accessed 17 November 2021].
Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2021. DailyMed - SAXENDA- liraglutide injection, solution. [online] Available at: [Accessed 17 November 2021].
Drugs, H., 2021. Liraglutide Injection: MedlinePlus Drug Information. [online] Medlineplus.gov. Available at: [Accessed 17 November 2021].
Information on this page was last updated on 19 Jan 2023
Disclaimer
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