Eye Shots Diabetes
Generic Name:liraglutide (LIR a GLOO tide)
Brand Name:Saxenda, Victoza
Medically reviewed by Sanjai Sinha, MD. Last updated on Jan 7, 2021.
Eye injections can help restore vision loss as a result of diabetes. The laser procedure is one of the treatments available for diseases of the eye caused by diabetes. If you have diabetic macular edema (DME) or an advanced case of diabetic retinopathy, your doctor may use injections as part of your treatment plan. You may need other treatments, like laser treatments or surgery, in addition to injections. Learn more about diabetic retinopathy and DME When you get injections in your eye, your eye doctor will.
Injections into the eye with EYLEA can result in an infection in the eye and retinal detachment (separation of retina from back of the eye) can occur. Inflammation in the eye has been reported with the use of EYLEA. In some patients, injections with EYLEA may cause a temporary increase in eye pressure within 1 hour of the injection. Eye drops to dilate the pupil. This can take up to 30 minutes to work. Local anesthetic injection under the ‘skin’ of your eye (the conjunctiva) to further numb the area of the eye that will be injected. During the injection: The injection is performed with a very small needle.
What is Victoza?
Victoza (liraglutide) is similar to a hormone that occurs naturally in the body and helps control blood sugar, insulin levels, and digestion.
Victoza is used together with diet and exercise to improve blood sugar control in adults and children 10 years of age and older with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Victoza may also help reduce the risk of serious heart problems such as heart attack or stroke in adults with type 2 diabetes and heart disease. It is usually given after other diabetes medicines have been tried without success. Victoza is not for treating type 1 diabetes.
Important information
The Saxenda brand of liraglutide is used together with diet and exercise to help people lose weight when they have certain health conditions. Saxenda is not for treating type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Do not use Saxenda and Victoza together.
You should not use Victoza if you have multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (tumors in your glands), a personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer, insulin-dependent diabetes, or diabetic ketoacidosis.
In animal studies, liraglutide caused thyroid tumors or thyroid cancer. It is not known whether these effects would occur in people using regular doses.
Call your doctor at once if you have signs of a thyroid tumor, such as swelling or a lump in your neck, trouble swallowing, a hoarse voice, or shortness of breath.
Before using Victoza
You should not use Victoza if you are allergic to liraglutide, or if you have:
Eye Shots For Diabetes
multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (tumors in your glands);
a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (a type of thyroid cancer); or
diabetic ketoacidosis (call your doctor for treatment).
To make sure Victoza is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:
stomach problems causing slow digestion;
kidney or liver disease;
high triglycerides (a type of fat in the blood);
heart problems;
a history of problems with your pancreas or gallbladder; or
a history of depression or suicidal thoughts.
In animal studies, Victoza caused thyroid tumors or thyroid cancer. It is not known whether these effects would occur in people using regular doses. Ask your doctor about your risk.
Follow your doctor's instructions about using Victoza if you are pregnant or you become pregnant. Controlling diabetes is very important during pregnancy, and having high blood sugar may cause complications in both the mother and the baby.
It may not be safe to breastfeed while using liraglutide. Ask your doctor about any risk.
Victoza is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.
How should I use Victoza?
Victoza is usually given once per day. Follow all directions on your prescription label. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Do not use this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.
Do not use Saxenda and Victoza together. These two brands contain the same active ingredient but they should not be used together.
Read all patient information, medication guides, and instruction sheets provided to you. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
Victoza is injected under the skin at any time of the day, with or without a meal. You will be shown how to use injections at home. Do not self-inject this medicine if you do not understand how to give the injection and properly dispose of used needles and syringes.
Victoza comes in a prefilled injection pen. Ask your pharmacist which type of needles are best to use with your pen.
Your care provider will show you the best places on your body to inject Victoza. Use a different place each time you give an injection. Do not inject into the same place two times in a row.
Do not use Victoza if it has changed colors or looks cloudy, or if it has particles in it. Call your pharmacist for new medicine.
Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) can happen to anyone who has diabetes. Symptoms include headache, hunger, sweating, irritability, dizziness, nausea, fast heart rate, and feeling anxious or shaky. To quickly treat low blood sugar, always keep a fast-acting source of sugar with you such as fruit juice, hard candy, crackers, raisins, or non-diet soda.
Your doctor can prescribe a glucagon emergency injection kit (GlucaGen) to use in case you have severe hypoglycemia and cannot eat or drink. Be sure your family and close friends know how to give you this injection in an emergency.
Also watch for signs of high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) such as increased thirst or urination, blurred vision, headache, and tiredness.
Blood sugar levels can be affected by stress, illness, surgery, exercise, alcohol use, or skipping meals. Ask your doctor before changing your dose or medication schedule.
Use a disposable needle only once. Follow any state or local laws about throwing away used needles and syringes. Use a puncture-proof 'sharps' disposal container (ask your pharmacist where to get one and how to throw it away). Keep this container out of the reach of children and pets.
Victoza is only part of a complete treatment program that may also include diet, exercise, weight control, regular blood sugar testing, and special medical care. Follow your doctor's instructions very closely.
Storing unopened injection pens: Store in the refrigerator. Do not freeze Victoza, and throw away the medication if it has become frozen. Do not use an unopened injection pen if the expiration date on the label has passed.
Storing after your first use: You may keep 'in-use' injection pens in the refrigerator or at room temperature. Protect the pens from moisture, heat, and sunlight. Use within 30 days. Remove the needle before storing an injection pen, and keep the cap on the pen when not in use.
Victoza dosing information
Usual Adult Dose of Victoza for Diabetes Type 2:
Initial dose: 0.6 mg subcutaneously once a day for 1 week; this dose is intended to reduce gastrointestinal symptoms and is not an effective dose for glycemic control.
Maintenance dose: Inject 1.2 mg subcutaneously once a day; if acceptable glycemic control is not achieved, may increase to 1.8 mg subcutaneously once a day
Maximum dose: 1.8 mg once a day
Comments:
-Consider dose reduction of the insulin secretagogue to reduce the risk of hypoglycemia.
-This drug is not recommended as a first-line therapy for patients with inadequate glycemic control on diet and exercise.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Skip the missed dose and use the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
What should I avoid while using Victoza?
Never share an injection pen, cartridge, or syringe with another person, even if the needle has been changed. Sharing these devices can allow infections or disease to pass from one person to another.
Victoza side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Victoza: hives; fast heartbeats; dizziness; trouble breathing or swallowing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have:
racing or pounding heartbeats;
sudden changes in mood or behavior, suicidal thoughts;
severe ongoing nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea;
signs of a thyroid tumor - swelling or a lump in your neck, trouble swallowing, a hoarse voice, feeling short of breath;
gallbladder problems - fever, upper stomach pain, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of your skin or eyes);
symptoms of pancreatitis - severe pain in your upper stomach spreading to your back, nausea with or without vomiting, fast heart rate;
severely low blood sugar - extreme weakness, confusion, tremors, sweating, fast heart rate, trouble speaking, nausea, vomiting, rapid breathing, fainting, and seizure (convulsions); or
kidney problems - little or no urination; painful or difficult urination; swelling in your feet or ankles; feeling tired or short of breath.
Common Victoza side effects may include:
nausea (especially when you start using Victoza), vomiting, stomach pain;
diarrhea, constipation;
headache, dizziness; or
feeling tired.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What other drugs will affect Victoza?
Victoza can slow your digestion, and it may take longer for your body to absorb any medicines you take by mouth.
Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any you start or stop using, especially:
insulin; or
oral diabetes medicine - Glucotrol, Metaglip, Amaryl, Avandaryl, Duetact, DiaBeta, Micronase, Glucovance, and others.
This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with liraglutide, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.
Frequently asked questions
Further information
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use Victoza only for the indication prescribed.
Eye Injections Diabetes
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.
Copyright 1996-2021 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 11.01.
Eye Injections Diabetic Retinopathy
More about Victoza (liraglutide)
- During Pregnancy or Breastfeeding
Consumer resources
Diabetic Retinopathy Injection
Other brands:Saxenda