Liraglutide

💊 What is Liraglutide used for?

• •The label says liraglutide is used along with diet and exercise to improve blood sugar (glycemic control) in adults and in children aged 10 years and older with type 2 diabetes mellitus. The label says it is not known if it is safe and effective for lowering blood sugar in children under 10.

How it works

The label describes liraglutide as an analog of human GLP-1, a hormone the body makes. It stimulates insulin release when blood glucose is high. The label also says it delays gastric emptying, which means food leaves the stomach more slowly.

How it is usually taken

• •The label says to use liraglutide exactly as your healthcare provider tells you, and to read the Instructions for Use that come with it. It is injected under the skin of the stomach (abdomen), thigh, or upper arm, once each day at any time of day, with or without food. It must not be injected into a muscle or a vein. The label says to change the injection site with each shot, and to inspect the solution before each injection: it should be clear and colorless with no particles. If you use it with insulin, the label says to give separate injections and never mix them. Your provider should show you how to use the pen before your first use.

Comes as

• •Prefilled, single-patient-use pen containing 18 mg per 3 mL (6 mg per mL) of clear, colorless solution, delivering doses of 0.6 mg, 1.2 mg, or 1.8 mg

⚠️ Liraglutide side effects

🛑 Who should not take Liraglutide, and who should be careful

The label says not to take it if

• 🚨You or any of your family have ever had medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC).
• 🚨You have Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2).
• 🚨You have had a serious allergic reaction to liraglutide or any of its ingredients.

Tell your doctor before taking it if

• •Tell your provider if you have any problems with your pancreas.
• •Tell your provider if you have severe stomach problems, such as slowed stomach emptying (gastroparesis) or problems digesting food.
• •Tell your provider if you are scheduled for surgery or any procedure that uses anesthesia or deep sedation. The label says pulmonary aspiration has been reported in people using GLP-1 receptor agonists during these procedures.
• •Tell your provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, or if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.
• •Tell your provider about all medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
• •Talk with your provider about low blood sugar and how to manage it, especially if you take insulin or sulfonylureas.
• •Keep a list of your medicines to show your provider and pharmacist.

🔀 Liraglutide with other medicines, food and alcohol

The label says to discuss these with your doctor or pharmacist

• •Liraglutide delays gastric emptying and may affect how well some oral medicines are absorbed. The label says that in studies it did not affect the tested oral medicines to a clinically relevant degree, but caution is advised when oral medicines are taken with it.
• •Taking liraglutide with an insulin secretagogue (such as a sulfonylurea) or with insulin may raise the risk of low blood sugar, including severe low blood sugar. The label says your provider may consider lowering the dose of these medicines when starting liraglutide.
• •Do not mix insulin and liraglutide in the same injection. The label says you may inject them in the same body area, but not right next to each other.
• •Do not use liraglutide together with other liraglutide-containing products. The label says this combination is not recommended.
• •Liraglutide is not recommended for people who take other GLP-1 receptor agonists.

Alcohol and food

The label says liraglutide may be taken with or without food. The label does not give specific information about alcohol.

🤰 Liraglutide in pregnancy and breastfeeding

Pregnancy

The label says animal studies showed possible risks to the fetus, so liraglutide should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk. The label also notes that poorly controlled diabetes in pregnancy carries its own risks. It is not known whether liraglutide will harm an unborn baby, so tell your provider right away if you become pregnant while using it.

Breastfeeding

The label says it is not known whether liraglutide passes into human breast milk. In studies in lactating rats, liraglutide was present in milk. Your provider can help you decide the best way to feed your baby while using it.

🗓️ Storage, missed doses and taking too much

Storage

Before first use, the label says to store liraglutide pens in a refrigerator between 36 to 46 degrees F (2 to 8 degrees C). Do not store it in the freezer or directly next to the refrigerator cooling element. Do not freeze it, and do not use it if it has been frozen. The label says the pen you are using should be thrown away 30 days after you start using it. The label text provided is cut off in the section on storage after first use, so check the full label or ask your pharmacist.

If a dose is missed

The label says that if you miss a dose, you should take the missed dose at the next scheduled dose. Do not take two doses at the same time, and do not take an extra dose to make up for a missed one. The label text provided is cut off in the part about what to do if more than 3 days have passed, so check the full label or ask your pharmacist.

If too much is taken

The label says overdoses have been reported, with severe nausea, severe vomiting, and severe low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). If you take too much, the label says to call your healthcare provider, call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222, or go to the nearest emergency room right away.

🗒️ Questions to ask about Liraglutide

• How should I inject my liraglutide pen, and how do I rotate injection sites?
• What signs of low blood sugar should I watch for, especially if I also take insulin or a sulfonylurea?
• What symptoms of thyroid tumors should I report to you right away?
• What should I do if I have severe stomach pain that does not go away?
• Do I need to change any of my other medicines before I start liraglutide?
• What should I tell my surgeon or anesthesia team about this medicine?
• What should I do if I miss a dose?

❓ Liraglutide: frequently asked questions