VICTOZA users

Re: VICTOZA

Hi Garfield.

Victoza is not recommended for use with Insulin in the UK. However some Consultants routinely ignore the advice.

Here is the relevant section from the Patient Information leaflet.
insulin. Victoza is not recommended if you are using insulin.
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Re: VICTOZA

Hi Garfield,

I have been on insulin 4 times daily in the past! But now I have lost weight and I'm finding victoza and metformin is working fantastically for me!

Re: VICTOZA

Garfield said:

Those of you on Victoza, are you also on insulin 4 times a day, or were you?

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I will probably be starting with Victoza early next week.

I have been on Insulin 2 times/day for about 9 months (up to 60 units am/pm), but it has had no affect on my levels, which is ever so demoralising - I just hope Victoza is as helpful for me as it has been a lot of people. I have been hovering around 10/11 for far too long.

This is probably not the right forum to post on, but is anyone else worried about the possible, or rumoured links with Thyroid tumours? I have been thinking for a few days about this, and have decided not to worry. If I am being monitored closely, I am sure abnormal thyroid activity will get picked up.

Also, does anybody know what I need to tell the DVLA? I am currently on a 3 year reduced licence because of insulin injections. Will my licence become "normal" again after transferring to Victoza?

Re: VICTOZA

Hi Jasey.

DVLA. You will need to contact them once you come off Insulin and ask their advice. They are changing the rules all the time and it is better to get the correct information direct from them. Your licence does not automatically become a normal one if it is restricted. They have to re-issue another usually.

Don't know anything as yet about Thyroid Tumours....? If it is listed in side effects I am sure you will be closely monitored as with all new drugs, so I wouldn't worry too much. If you are comncerned then discuss it with your GP.

Re: VICTOZA

cugila said:

Your licence does not automatically become a normal one if it is restricted. They have to re-issue another usually.

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I know I will have to ring them again, I was just wondering if I could get my old licence back if I moved off insulin. Has anyone else had to ring the DVLA up yet?

cugila said:

Don't know anything as yet about Thyroid Tumours....?

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No, I used Tumors as opposed to using the "C" word. A quick goggle for "victoza thyroid" reveals lots of speculation on the subject. It bothered me for a while, but I am less worried now due to the potential benefits.

Re: VICTOZA

Hi Jasey.
Finally tracked down the article about adverse Thyroid events which happened during the Clinical trials. This medicine is monitored intensively by the CHM and MHRA.

Here is an extract:
Thyroid events
The overall rates of thyroid adverse events in all intermediate and long-term trials are 33.5, 30.0 and 21.7 events per 1000 subject years of exposure for total liraglutide, placebo and total comparators; 5.4, 2.1 and 0.8 events, respectively concern serious thyroid adverse events.
In liraglutide-treated patients, thyroid neoplasms, increased blood calcitonin and goiters are the most frequently thyroid adverse events and were reported in 0.5%, 1% and 0.8% of patients respectively. (end quote)

There is an almost negligible risk. Much higher risk from some foods and additives. However, if you have a Thyroid problem this should be discussed with your GP. As Thyroid Cancer is also only 1% of the total cancers in the world again it it probably not really something to worry about in this instance.


DVLA, Medical Helpline is:
You can notify DVLA of a medical condition or any changes by telephone. Please remember to quote your full name, date of birth and or driver number (if known). You must also give details of your specific medical condition or disability in order that you can be sent the appropriate medical questionnaire if required.

Telephone: 0300 790 6806

(Monday to Friday, 8.00 am to 5.30 pm and Saturday, 8.00 am to 1.00 pm)

Re: VICTOZA

Hi Jasey,

It appears that the risk of thyroid cancer is somewhere around 10% higher among patients on Liraglutide. This is why the US authorities have refused to licence it. In Europe this risk is deemed low enough to be acceptable and it is therefore licenced this side of the pond.

Re: VICTOZA

hi i was just wondering if anyone on victoza has experienced a lot of hair loss :?: for a few weeks my hair has been coming out when i wash it it comes out in handfuls i have never had this before the only new drug i am on is victoza it might not have anything to do with it but it was just a thought that anyone else might be having the same trouble i dont really want to go to the doctors about or if anybody has heard it might be a side effect of victoza thanks for any help :!: :!:

Re: VICTOZA

cugila said:

Hi Garfield.

Victoza is not recommended for use with Insulin in the UK. However some Consultants routinely ignore the advice.
•

Click to expand...

Im taking 26 units of Levemir each evening along with the initial dosage of Victoza.

My Diabetic Nurse had discussions with my Consultant who agreed to prescribe this. Should I be worried about this and contact my Diab Nurse? To question about not using the insulin with the Victoza? What do you think????? JC

Re: VICTOZA

Hi JC.

I can only tell you what is the current thinking, the recommendations.

This is an extract from the European Medicines Agency Document (the agency which approves use of a drug) about Liraglutide (Victoza) which was updated 05/2009. The very same information is in the Patient Information leaflet which should come with the drug when dispensed.

In particular, tell your doctor, nurse or pharmacist if you are using medicines for diabetes containing
any of the following active substances:
• insulin. Victoza is not recommended if you are using insulin.
• a suphonylurea (such as glimepiride or glibenclamide). You may get hypoglycaemia (low blood
sugar) when using Victoza together with a sulphonylurea as sulphonylurea increases the risk of
hypoglycaemia. When you first start using these medicines together, your doctor may tell you to
lower the dose of the sulphonylurea medicine. Please, see section 4 for the warnings signs of
low blood sugar.

This is from the manufacturer, Novo Nordisk's website, a Summary of Product Characteristics.
Insulin
Combination of liraglutide with insulin has not been evaluated and is therefore not recommended.

I would suggest you clarify this with your DN and the Consultant. They may have their reasons for going against the above. Something you need to discuss. As stated before, some Consultants routinely ignore guidelines ?

Re: VICTOZA

Hi JAC,

The problem with taking Victoza and insulin together is that liraglutide (Victoza) encourages the pancreas to produce the appropriate amount of insulin to deal with the food you have eaten. If it does this AND you inject additional insulin, then you could end up with far more insulin than you need, resulting in a very low residual blood sugar level and a hypo. This is why Byetta patients who are also on insulin are told to reduce the amount of insulin they take and to constantly test to ensure they are not going too low. As Victoza works in exactly the same way as Byetta, I would imagine the requirement to drastically reduce the insulin would be the same.

As Ken said, it is vital that you discuss this with an expert in diabetes, not your GP.

Re: VICTOZA

candyog said:

hi i was just wondering if anyone on victoza has experienced a lot of hair loss :?: for a few weeks my hair has been coming out when i wash it it comes out in handfuls i have never had this before the only new drug i am on is victoza it might not have anything to do with it but it was just a thought that anyone else might be having the same trouble i dont really want to go to the doctors about or if anybody has heard it might be a side effect of victoza thanks for any help :!: :!:

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Hi,

I have been on vicotza for a while now (think around 5/6 weeksish) and I haven't noticed any change in my hair (apart from the greys that keep sneeking in, but I know thats not Victoza). Maybe its worth popping along to the doctor, but I haven't heard of it as a side effect.

Sammy :wink:

Re: VICTOZA

hi thanks for that sammybee ill give it another week and if its not better ill go to docs it was just a thought about victoza as i dont know any other reason why you loose your hair so bad thanks again

Re: VICTOZA

I am on trials of Liraglutide.

Started:

1.8ml Liraglutide
1500mg Metformin
10mg Ezetrol

Was losing weight sugars were down to fasting am of 5.9 > 6.7.

Randomised to include Determir first at 10 now on 18

Sugar levels up to fasting am of 7.5 > 8.1.
Stopped losing weight
Hungrier
Not eating any more than before
So tired some days could fall asleep on a razor blade

Have said I will make a concerted effort for another month, if no better I will come out of the trials, hopefully my GP will let me take the Liraglutide on its own with the Metformin and Ezetrol which I was on before the randomisation.

The problem with the trials is that they expect an instant result you are tested at 4 weekly intervals and I would have liked to have been randomised after 13 weeks of 1.8ml and not 8 weeks. My longterm was 7.1 before randomising. The target is 6.5 and below.

Insulin has really messed everything up and I know that it is for trial purposes but....

Re: VICTOZA

Hello to all you good people. I am on the following:
Allopurinol
Asprin
Bisoprolol Fumerate
Candesartin Cilexetil
Insulin Humalog
Insulin Insulatard
Metformin
Quinine Bisulphate
Simvastatin.
I have tried Bizeta and it made me ill, so back to my Doctor (Diabetes Specialist) and asked about Victoza, he agreed for me to try this. I have been on i t for 3 days now, without any side affects. He He phoned me this morning, asking how I and My BS were, Both OK, he said if my BS drop he would reduce my insulin. If any side affects to phone him straight away, if not he will phone me next Friday and all being well would increase the dose of Victoza to 1.2. I asked about mixing it with Insulin and his reply satisfied me, so I am carrying on. I will keep you informed about further happenings.
I have had an Aortic valve replacement and a bipass just for laughs :lol:

Re: VICTOZA

I've now been on Victoza 5 days and all is well.

Re: VICTOZA

Hi

I am now on day 7 of victoza and all is well. I felt very slightly sick the first couple of days and have had a slightly upset stomach (but nothing like when I started metformin). My sugar levels are much improved with my pre breakfast reading one day last week being 6.8, which is a record for me and daytime readings have been as low as 5.4.

If you get the opportunity to try Victoza I would go for it. It is true that you don't eat as much and I I look at my meals and think how an earth am I going to get through this!!! Lost three pounds over 6 days.

Re: VICTOZA

My Consultant has decided to move me onto Victoza from Byetta, but only until Byetta LAR is approved. Will start on 6mcg, but move in up will be dependent on the results of my blood test for pancreas function, if my amylase levels are still high, then I will stay on the 6mcg till my next blood test.

I am trying to find an online source, I am on a private prescription for now, my usual pharmacy don't stock it. I am probably getting my first pen from Lloyds Pharmacy tomorrow. Any ideas for an online source?

Re: VICTOZA

Just got my first Victoza pens from the pharmacy yesterday - I start on it next Wednesday after a session with the diabetic nurse and dietician in the diabetic educational support unit in Belfast Ciuty Hospital. I never had any side effects from the metformin so fingers crossed it will be the same with the victoza. My fasting AM BG is normally around 12 so it will good to see if I can get that down. Weight loss would be good too - I'll keep you all posted

Re: VICTOZA

Hi Humph,

Have you tried Boots? For people on private prescriptions for Byetta, Boots are way cheaper than any of the other chemists, so might also be cheaper for Victoza.