At the 71st Annual Scientific sessions of the American Diabetes Association, Novo Nordisk is going to present data from two studies. The data will show that Victoza (liraglutide [rDNA origin] injection), helped patients in bringing blood sugar levels to normal. Though, Victoza is not a weight loss product but still the patients experienced weight loss when they switched from type 2 diabetes treatments to Victoza. Nordisk will also present data to show that when Levemir was added to Victoza and metformin helped patients in maintaining the sugar level of blood, along with low hypoglycemia frequency and also lead to a sustained weight loss.
Mads Krogsgaard Thomsen, the Executive Vice President and Chief Science Officer, Novo Nordisk said that the study showed that 60% of patients achieved the target level by ADA of blood sugar with the use of Victoza. A few important findings of the study are:
- A majority of patients who switched from exenatide to Victoza, further reduced HbA1C almost by 0.3 to 0.8%.
- Patients who switched from sitagliptin to Victoza dose of 1.2mg and 1.8mg, reduced HbA1C by 0.2 to 0.5%
- Also patients who switched from sitagliptin to Victoza 1.2mg and 1.8mg experience weight loss of 1.6kg and 2.5kg respectively
- 61% of patients achieved the ADA target of blood sugar level which is HbA1C<7% after using Victoza and metformin for 12 weeks
Victoza is the first and only of its kind human glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP 1) and it bears almost 97% resemblance to the internally produced human GLP-1. Its work involves stimulation of the beta cells to release insulin only when blood sugar level increases. The complete mechanism also involves creating a delay in gastric emptying. On 25th January 2010, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Victoza as a supplement to diet control and exercise in controlling blood sugar levels. By June 2011, Victoza has already been launched in 30 countries, to name a few: France, Germany, Italy, India, Brazil, Mexico, Japan, UK, Argentina and Malaysia. By 2012 Victoza will be available in many more countries. Victoza is meant only for people suffering from type 2 diabetes and not from type 1 diabetes. Victoza comes with some warnings. One should not use it if there has been any family history of people suffering from medullary thyroid cancer or if one has multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2. If one gets lump or swelling in neck, hoarseness in voice, or problem in breathing then a doctor must be consulted as these might be the symptoms of thyroid cancer. Or if there is pain in stomach with or without vomiting, then also one should immediately consult doctor as it might be a symptom of inflammation of pancreas. The most commonly occurring side effects of Victoza are headache, nausea and diarrhea.