Victoza (liraglutide) is a prescription brand-name medication. It’s approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the following uses:

  • To help improve blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes, in combination with a healthy diet and exercise. Victoza may be used in adults and children ages 10 years and older with this condition.
  • To lower the risk of severe cardiovascular (heart and blood vessel) problems, such as stroke and heart attack. For this use, Victoza is prescribed for adults who have both type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

If you and your doctor determine that Victoza is effective for your condition, you’ll likely use the drug long term.

The active drug in Victoza, liraglutide, is a type of drug called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists. Victoza comes as a liquid solution in prefilled, multidose pens. You’ll use these pens to give yourself Victoza by subcutaneous injection.

For information on the dosage of Victoza, including its form, strength, and how to use the drug, keep reading. For a comprehensive look at Victoza, including details about its uses, see this article.

This article describes typical dosages for Victoza provided by the drug’s manufacturer. When using Victoza, always follow the dosage prescribed by your doctor.

Your doctor will prescribe a Victoza dosing schedule that’s best for you. Keep reading for information on Victoza’s typical dosage.

Victoza form

Victoza comes as a liquid solution in prefilled, multidose pens. You’ll use a pen to give yourself the drug as a subcutaneous injection.

A new needle should be inserted into the pen before each injection. Needles are purchased separately from Victoza pens. Your doctor may provide a prescription for the needles you’ll need for Victoza pens.

Each Victoza pen contains 18 milligrams (mg) of the drug in 3 milliliters (mL) of solution. The pen can be used to give Victoza in doses of 0.6 mg, 1.2 mg, and 1.8 mg. So how many doses per pen you’ll use will depend on your dosage.

Victoza strength

Victoza pens come in one strength: 18 mg of the drug in 3 mL of solution. The pen can give Victoza in doses of 0.6 mg, 1.2 mg, and 1.8 mg.

Typical dosages for Victoza pen

The dosage of Victoza is the same regardless of why you’re using the drug. Typically, your doctor will start you on a low dosage. Then they’ll adjust it over time to reach the amount that’s right for you. Your doctor will ultimately prescribe the smallest dosage that provides the desired effect.

The following information describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.

The recommended starting dosage of Victoza is 0.6 mg once per day. It should be injected at about the same time each day.

In adults, your doctor will likely increase your dose to 1.2 mg once per day, starting 7 days after your first dose. After another 7 days, your doctor may increase your dose again to 1.8 mg once per day, if needed. Whether your dose is increased depends on how well the drug is working for you.

Victoza maximum dosage

The maximum dosage of Victoza, regardless of the condition it’s used to treat, is 1.8 mg once per day.

Long-term use

Victoza is meant to be used as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that Victoza is safe and effective for you, you’ll likely take it long term.

Children’s dosage

Victoza is approved for improving blood sugar levels in children ages 10 years and older with type 2 diabetes.

The recommended Victoza dosing frequency is the same in children as adults: once per day. Your child will likely start at a dosage of 0.6 mg once per day. Their doctor may increase their dose as needed. See the dosing guide just above for details, under “Typical dosages for Victoza pen.”

If you have questions about your child’s Victoza dosage, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Below are some answers to frequently asked questions about Victoza dosages.

Is there a Victoza dosage for weight loss?

No, because Victoza is not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for weight loss.

However, some people who used Victoza in clinical trials reported weight loss. This occurred in people taking either 1.2 milligrams (mg) or 1.8 mg of Victoza once per day.

Victoza’s active drug liraglutide is also the active drug in the brand-name drug Saxenda, which is approved for weight loss in certain situations. For more information on how Victoza and Saxenda are alike and different, see this article.

If you have questions about managing your weight, talk with your doctor. They can recommend ways to maintain a weight that’s healthy for you.

Do older adults need a different Victoza dosage?

No, there aren’t different dosages of Victoza for older adults.

Clinical trials of Victoza included adults ages 65 years and older. The researchers found that Victoza was as safe and effective in older adults as it was for other people in the study. There aren’t any recommended dosages of Victoza specifically for older adults.

If you have questions about factors affecting your dosage of Victoza, see the “Factors that can affect your dosage” section below. You can also talk with your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Below are general instructions for Victoza administration. But remember, you should use Victoza according to your doctor or healthcare professional’s dosage instructions.

Victoza comes as a liquid solution in a prefilled, multidose pen. You’ll use a pen to give yourself the drug as a subcutaneous injection. When you first pick up your prescription, a healthcare professional (such as your pharmacist) will show you how to give yourself the injections. (If your child is prescribed Victoza, you’ll be shown how to give the injections to your child.)

A new needle should be inserted into the pen before each injection. Needles are purchased separately from Victoza pens. Your doctor may provide a prescription for the needles you’ll need for Victoza pens.

Victoza is typically used once per day. If possible, you should inject Victoza at the same time every day. Injections can be given under the skin of your:

  • abdomen (belly)
  • upper arm
  • thigh

You should use a different injection site for each dose of Victoza. This can help avoid injection site reactions, such as skin discoloration, rash, or pain.

Here are some other important tips to remember about giving doses of Victoza:

  • Never inject Victoza into a vein or muscle.
  • Avoid giving Victoza injections in areas of skin that are tender, scarred, bruised, or damaged.
  • Never mix Victoza and insulin in the same injection or inject these drugs in the same spot. Victoza and insulin injections can be given in the same body area. But don’t give the injections too close together. (For example, you could give both injections into your abdomen, but you should use opposite sides of your abdomen.)
  • Never share Victoza pens with another person, even if the needle is changed.

You may also view step-by-step instructions for giving Victoza injections on the manufacturer’s website.

If you use more Victoza than your doctor prescribes, you may develop serious side effects.

It’s important that you do not use more Victoza than your doctor advises.

Symptoms of an overdose

Overdose symptoms of Victoza can include:

If you take more than the recommended amount of Victoza

Call your doctor right away if you believe you’ve taken too much Victoza. Another option is to call the American Association of Poison Control Centers at 800-222-1222 or use their online tool. If you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.

If you miss a dose of Victoza, skip that dose. The next day, take your usual dose at the regular time. Do not “double up” and take two doses to try and make up for the missed dose. This could increase your risk for side effects from Victoza.

If it’s been more than 3 days since your last Victoza dose, your doctor may lower your dosage to 0.6 milligrams once per day, for a short period of time. Your doctor will then slowly increase your dose back to where it was before it was lowered. This is to help decrease your risk for digestive problems as a side effect of Victoza. (This article has more information about potential side effects of Victoza.)

To help make sure that you don’t miss a dose, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or timer on your phone or downloading a reminder app. A kitchen timer can work, too.

The Victoza dosage your doctor prescribes will depend on several factors. These include:

Other medical conditions you have can also affect your Victoza dosage.

The dosages in this article are typical dosages provided by the drug manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Victoza for you, they will prescribe the dosage that’s right for you. Always follow the dosage that your doctor prescribes for you.

As with any drug, never change your dosage of Victoza without your doctor’s approval. If you have questions about the dosage of Victoza that’s right for you, talk with your doctor.

Besides learning about dosage, you may want other information about Victoza. These additional articles might be helpful:

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or other healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.