On January 25, 2010, the FDA approved Victoza (liraglutide), a once-daily injection to treat type 2 diabetes in some adults that is manufactured by Novo Nordisk of Bagsvaerd, Denmark.
Victoza is intended to help lower blood sugar levels along with diet, exercise, and selected other diabetes medicines. It is not recommended as initial therapy in patients who have not achieved adequate diabetes control on diet and exercise alone.
Insulin is a hormone that helps prevent sugar (glucose) from building up in the blood. People with type 2 diabetes have difficulty making and using insulin.
Victoza is in a class of medicines known as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists that help the pancreas make more insulin after eating a meal.
Because of studies suggesting an increased risk of pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas) and an ongoing study of both cardiovascular safety and the fact that massive doses caused tumors of the thyroid gland in rats and mice, in order to ensure the safe and effective use of this product, Victoza was approved with a risk and mitigation strategy consisting of a communication plan to help patients and providers understand the risks of Victoza and to ensure that the benefits outweigh the risk of acute pancreatitis and the potential risk of medullary thyroid cancer.