The FDA approved the first generic referencing Victoza® (liraglutide) injection, a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist indicated to improve glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes as an adjunct to diet and exercise.
This is the second generic GLP-1 receptor agonist medication approved by the FDA, with a generic for Byetta (exenatide) approved in November of 2024. However, the Victoza generic is the first once-daily medication of this class that will be available.
Liraglutide improves blood sugar levels by creating similar effects in the body as GLP-1 in the pancreas, which is often found in insufficient levels in type 2 diabetes patients.
Liraglutide injection and other GLP-1 medications are currently experiencing drug shortages, due to the popularity of GLP-1 medications for the treatment of obesity. A different liraglutide injection product – Saxenda® is approved for the treatment of obesity. While many GLP-1 medications are only approved for diabetes, some are prescribed off-label for weight loss.
Common side effects of this medication include nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, decreased appetite, dyspepsia (upper abdominal discomfort, including but not limited to bloating, gassiness, or feeling too full to quickly after eating), and constipation.
The prescribing information for the generic liraglutide injection approved includes a Boxed Warning to advise health care professionals and patients about the increased risk of thyroid C-cell tumors. For this reason, patients who have had, or have family members who have ever had medullary thyroid carcinoma should not use liraglutide, nor should patients who have an endocrine system condition called multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2.
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