Victoza Special Precautions

Liraglutide should not be used in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus or for the treatment of diabetic ketoacidosis.
Liraglutide is not a substitute for insulin. Diabetic ketoacidosis has been reported in insulin-dependent patients after rapid discontinuation or dose reduction of insulin (see Dosage & Administration).
There is no therapeutic experience in patients with congestive heart failure New York Heart Association (NYHA) class IV, and liraglutide is therefore not recommended for use in these patients.
There is limited experience in patients with inflammatory bowel disease and diabetic gastroparesis. Use of liraglutide is not recommended in these patients since it is associated with transient gastrointestinal adverse reactions, including nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea.
Acute pancreatitis: Acute pancreatitis has been observed with the use of GLP-1 receptor agonists. Patients should be informed of the characteristic symptoms of acute pancreatitis. If pancreatitis is suspected, liraglutide should be discontinued; if acute pancreatitis is confirmed, liraglutide should not be restarted (see Adverse Reactions and Pharmacology: Pharmacodynamics under Actions).
Thyroid disease: Thyroid adverse events, such as goitre, have been reported in clinical trials and in particular in patients with pre-existing thyroid disease. Liraglutide should therefore be used with caution in these patients.
Hypoglycaemia: Patients receiving liraglutide in combination with a sulfonylurea or insulin may have an increased risk of hypoglycaemia (see Adverse Reactions). The risk of hypoglycaemia can be lowered by a reduction in the dose of sulfonylurea or insulin.
Dehydration: Signs and symptoms of dehydration, including renal impairment and acute renal failure, have been reported in patients treated with liraglutide. Patients treated with liraglutide should be advised of the potential risk of dehydration in relation to gastrointestinal side effects and take precautions to avoid fluid depletion.
Excipients: Victoza contains less than 1 mmol sodium (23 mg) per dose, therefore the medicinal product is essentially 'sodium-free'.
Effects on ability to drive and use machines: Victoza has no or negligible influence on the ability to drive and use machines. Patients should be advised to take precautions to avoid hypoglycaemia while driving and using machines, in particular when Victoza is used in combination with a sulfonylurea or insulin.