Home Drug Guide Liraglutide

Drug Guide

Generic Name

Liraglutide

Brand Names Victoza, Saxenda

Classification

Therapeutic: Antidiabetic agent / Weight management agent

Pharmacological: GLP-1 receptor agonist

FDA Approved Indications

  • Type 2 diabetes mellitus (Victoza)
  • Chronic weight management in adults with obesity or overweight with comorbidities (Saxenda)

Mechanism of Action

Liraglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist that enhances glucose-dependent insulin secretion, suppresses glucagon secretion, delays gastric emptying, and promotes satiety, leading to reduced blood glucose levels and weight loss.

Dosage and Administration

Adult: Victoza: 0.6 mg daily, can be increased to 1.2 mg or 1.8 mg based on response; Saxenda: 0.6 mg daily, titrated up to 3.0 mg daily.

Pediatric: Not approved for pediatric use.

Geriatric: Use with caution; no specific dosing adjustments, monitor renal and hepatic function.

Renal Impairment: Use with caution; no specific dose adjustment recommended but monitor renal function.

Hepatic Impairment: Use with caution; limited data available.

Pharmacokinetics

Absorption: Slowly absorbed after subcutaneous injection.

Distribution: Wide distribution; bound minimally to plasma proteins (~50%).

Metabolism: Metabolized via proteolytic degradation to small peptides and amino acids.

Excretion: Excreted primarily via urine as metabolites.

Half Life: Approx. 13 hours, allowing once-daily dosing.

Contraindications

  • Personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma
  • Multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2

Precautions

  • History of pancreatitis
  • Renal impairment
  • Hepatic impairment
  • Pregnancy and lactation (use only if clearly needed)

Adverse Reactions - Common

  • Nausea (Common)
  • Diarrhea (Common)
  • Vomiting (Common)
  • Upper respiratory infection (Common)

Adverse Reactions - Serious

  • Pancreatitis (Serious, rare)
  • Thyroid C-cell tumors (Serious, animal studies; human relevance unknown)
  • Hypoglycemia (with concomitant insulin or secretagogues) (Serious)

Drug-Drug Interactions

  • Insulin, sulfonylureas (risk of hypoglycemia)
  • Other medications affecting gastrointestinal motility

Drug-Food Interactions

N/A

Drug-Herb Interactions

N/A

Nursing Implications

Assessment: Monitor blood glucose levels, renal function, and signs of pancreatitis.

Diagnoses:

  • Risk for hypoglycemia
  • Risk for pancreatitis
  • Impaired gastrointestinal motility

Implementation: Administer once daily, optionally titrate based on tolerance and effectiveness.

Evaluation: Assess blood glucose control, weight loss, tolerance, and adverse effects.

Patient/Family Teaching

  • Take medication exactly as prescribed, preferably at the same time each day.
  • Report symptoms of pancreatitis (severe abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting).
  • Be aware of the possible gastrointestinal side effects when initiating therapy.
  • Use contraception if applicable, as safety in pregnancy is not established.
  • Maintain a healthy diet and exercise program.

Special Considerations

Black Box Warnings:

  • Thyroid C-cell tumors observed in rodents; human risk unknown.

Genetic Factors: Limited data; no established genetic considerations.

Lab Test Interference: No known interference.

Overdose Management

Signs/Symptoms: Severe nausea, vomiting, hypoglycemia, or pancreatitis symptoms.

Treatment: Supportive care; monitor vital signs and laboratory parameters; symptomatic management.

Storage and Handling

Storage: Store in a refrigerator (36°F to 46°F / 2°C to 8°C); do not freeze.

Stability: Stable for 21 days at room temperature (up to 86°F / 30°C).

🛡️ 5 Critical Medication Safety Tips for Nurses

1

Triple-Check High-Risk Medications

Always have another nurse verify insulin, heparin, warfarin, and chemotherapy drugs. These "high-alert" medications cause the most serious errors. Check concentration, dose calculation, and pump settings twice.

2

Know Look-Alike, Sound-Alike Drugs

Common mix-ups: hydromorphone/morphine, Celebrex/Celexa, Zyprexa/Zyrtec. Always use BOTH generic and brand names, read labels twice, and use barcode scanning when available. One wrong letter can be fatal.

3

Assess Before AND After Giving Meds

Check vitals before cardiac meds, pain levels before analgesics, and blood glucose before insulin. Always reassess within 30 minutes to evaluate effectiveness and watch for adverse reactions.

4

Watch for Drug Interactions

Common dangerous combinations: warfarin + aspirin (bleeding), ACE inhibitors + potassium (hyperkalemia), digoxin + diuretics (toxicity). Always check drug interactions before administering new medications.

5

Educate Your Patients

Teach patients medication names, purposes, major side effects, and what to report. Informed patients catch errors and improve compliance. Always encourage questions - an educated patient is a safer patient.

⚡ Remember: When in doubt, don't give it out! It's always safer to double-check than regret later.

⚠️ Medical Disclaimer

This drug guide is for educational purposes only and is NOT intended for clinical use. Always consult current prescribing information, healthcare providers, and institutional protocols before administering any medication. Do not use this information for patient care decisions.