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Victoza for Type 1?

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diannalauren

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My boyfriend has had type 1 since two yearld old. He is now 30. His doctor just changed him from Humalog to Victoza. Ever since he is feeling nautious and tired. Is this normal? Everything I read says Victoza is for type 2 people who are often overweight. He is very healthy and fit. Should he go back to Humalog? She switched him because he was getting a lot of low readings while on Humalog. He also takes Basaglar once per day. I appreciate any help!!! He is completely not himself and it is a little scary!
 
@diannalauren what doctor prescribed Victoza instead of humalog? Was it a GP or an endocrinologist?

What sort of lows was he seeing on humalog? How was he managing his humalog?

Is he taking no bolus insulin at all now? What are his blood sugar levels looking like?

Nausea can be a Victoza side effect. But being tires and not himself suggests there may be some high blood sugar going on.

Victoza isn't licenced for type 1 diabetics. It can and has been prescribed to type 1s though. It isn't prescribed as an alternative to insulin, any insulin. It can reduced the amount of insulin needed, but not stop it being needed at all. So a type 1 on Victoza would keep taking both basal and bolus insulin, it's usually prescribed to those who are struggling to lower hba1c. Have a look at the ADJUNCT trials. It would be really unusual to prescribe it to someone suffering too many hypos on insulin - the way to manage that would be better management of the insulin.
 
I'm fairly sure he shouldn't be using Victoza instead of insulin if a T1. This would be violating NICE guidance and not the right med for a genuine T1. I would seek a second opinion or insist on being referred to a diabetes clinic. If your boyfriend is a genuine T1, per NICE guidelines he should be on the Basal/Bolus insulin regime not mixed anyway unless there is some good reason. I wonder whether your boyfriend has a lot of excess weight and the GP has prescribed Victoza for that; the GP may also (incorrectly?) assume he isn't T1 but T2?
 
What Catapillar and diabell both said is correct in my experience I am type 1 and was prescribed victoza in addition to basal and bolus insulins. I tried the victoza because I have a high insulin resistance particularly at dawn and I am overweight. It did help to loose weight and slightly lower BG, but like your partner nausea was a problem along with acid reflux and fatigue. It took a few weeks to settle onto the higher dose, but the side effects did not completely go. I stopped taking it some months ago after an acute intestinal infection and bleeding. My situation sounds different to your partners. It sounds like there has been prescribing a mistake. Victoza should not be prescribed to normal weight type 1s. Has his BG not gone through the roof? I am not surprised he is not himself. I would go back to the doc immediately.
 
Thank you all so much!!! This is all very helpful. He stopped the Victoza and went back to Humalog and is already feeling a lot better after just one day. He is very healthy and not overweight and is definitely Type 1 so not sure why she prescribed him this. So it sounds more as you say, just better managing his insulin to try and not go too low. He is going to call the doctor on Monday to let her know everything. And if needed he will get a second opinion. Thank you again!!!!!! I appreciate it so much!
 
IMHO a second opinion is the most cost effective option in medicine. Just don't get a 3rd opinion lol.
 
Hi again. Don't forget that at some stage, earlier if possible, to ask to be changed to Basal/Bolus which is the standard insulin protocol for T1 given to GPs by NICE. You may have to tactfully explain this to the GP! It does involve 4 to 5 injections per day but gives the best control as you can adjust the insulin to match the carbs at each meal which provides freedom for eating. Be aware, however, that having too many carbs can result in weight gain.
 
Daibell said:
Hi again. Don't forget that at some stage, earlier if possible, to ask to be changed to Basal/Bolus which is the standard insulin protocol for T1 given to GPs by NICE. You may have to tactfully explain this to the GP! It does involve 4 to 5 injections per day but gives the best control as you can adjust the insulin to match the carbs at each meal which provides freedom for eating. Be aware, however, that having too many carbs can result in weight gain.
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Basaglar + humalog, as OP's boyfriend is on, is a basal bolus regiem. Basaglar is the generic name for lantus, she said he kept taking this even when he was taking Victoza. Humalog Is a rapid acting insulin. He ceased taking humalog while on Victoza but she says he is now taking it again. Neither of the insulins mentioned by OP is a mixed insulin.
 
catapillar said:
Basaglar + humalog, as OP's boyfriend is on, is a basal bolus regiem. Basaglar is the generic name for lantus, she said he kept taking this even when he was taking Victoza. Humalog Is a rapid acting insulin. He ceased taking humalog while on Victoza but she says he is now taking it again. Neither of the insulins mentioned by OP is a mixed insulin.
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Hi. Thanks. Yes, I mis-read the OP's post and thought it mentioned mixed rather than Basal/Bolus. I must get some new glasses!
 
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