Victoza

VICTOZA- liraglutide injection
Novo Nordisk

WARNING: RISK OF THYROID C-CELL TUMORS

Liraglutide causes dose-dependent and treatment-duration-dependent thyroid C-cell tumors at clinically relevant exposures in both genders of rats and mice. It is unknown whether VICTOZA causes thyroid C-cell tumors, including medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), in humans, as the human relevance of liraglutide-induced rodent thyroid C-cell tumors has not been determined [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) and Nonclinical Toxicology (13.1)].
VICTOZA is contraindicated in patients with a personal or family history of MTC and in patients with Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2). Counsel patients regarding the potential risk for MTC with the use of VICTOZA and inform them of symptoms of thyroid tumors (e.g., a mass in the neck, dysphagia, dyspnea, persistent hoarseness). Routine monitoring of serum calcitonin or using thyroid ultrasound is of uncertain value for early detection of MTC in patients treated with VICTOZA [see Contraindications (4) and Warnings and Precautions (5.1)].

1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE

VICTOZA is indicated:

as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults and pediatric patients aged 10 years and older with type 2 diabetes mellitus,
to reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (cardiovascular death, non-fatal myocardial

infarction, or non-fatal stroke) in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus and established cardiovascular disease.

Limitations of Use:

VICTOZA should not be used in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus.

VICTOZA contains liraglutide and should not be coadministered with other liraglutide-containing products.

2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION

2.1 Recommended Dosage

Adult Patients

The recommended starting dosage of VICTOZA is 0.6 mg injected subcutaneously once daily for one week. The 0.6 mg once daily dosage is intended to reduce gastrointestinal symptoms [see Adverse Reactions (6.1)] during initial titration and is not effective for glycemic control in adults.
After one week at the 0.6 mg once daily dosage, increase the dosage to 1.2 mg injected subcutaneously once daily.
If additional glycemic control is required, increase the dosage to the maximum recommended dosage of 1.8 mg injected subcutaneously once daily after at least one week of treatment with the 1.2 mg once daily dosage.

Pediatric Patients Aged 10 Years and Older

The recommended starting dosage of VICTOZA is 0.6 mg injected subcutaneously once daily.
If additional glycemic control is required, increase the dosage in 0.6 mg increments after at least one week on the current dosage.
The maximum recommended dosage is 1.8 mg injected subcutaneously once daily.

2.2 Recommendations Regarding Missed Dose

Instruct patients who miss a dose of VICTOZA to resume the once -daily dosage regimen as prescribed with the next scheduled dose. Do not administer an extra dose or increase the dose to make up for the missed dose.
If more than 3 days have elapsed since the last VICTOZA dose, reinitiate VICTOZA at 0.6 mg once daily to mitigate any gastrointestinal symptoms associated with reinitiation of treatment. Upon reinitiation, VICTOZA should be titrated at the discretion of the healthcare provider.

2.3 Important Administration Instructions

Inspect visually prior to each injection. Only use if solution is clear, colorless, and contains no particles.
Inject VICTOZA subcutaneously once daily at any time of day, independently of meals.
Inject VICTOZA subcutaneously in the abdomen, thigh or upper arm. No dosage adjustment is needed if changing the injection site and/or timing.
Rotate injection sites within the same region in order to reduce the risk of cutaneous amyloidosis [see Adverse Reactions (6.2)].
When using VICTOZA with insulin, administer as separate injections. Never mix. It is acceptable to inject VICTOZA and insulin in the same body region but the injections should not be adjacent to each other.

3 DOSAGE FORMS AND STRENGTHS

Injection: 18 mg/3 mL (6 mg/mL) clear, colorless solution in a pre-filled, single-patient-use pen that delivers doses of 0.6 mg, 1.2 mg, or 1.8 mg.

4 CONTRAINDICATIONS

VICTOZA is contraindicated in patients with a:

personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or in patients with Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2) [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)].
serious hypersensitivity reaction to liraglutide or to any of the excipients in VICTOZA. Serious hypersensitivity reactions including anaphylactic reactions and angioedema have been reported with VICTOZA [see Warnings and Precautions (5.6)].

5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

5.1 Risk of Thyroid C-cell Tumors

Liraglutide causes dose-dependent and treatment-duration-dependent thyroid C-cell tumors (adenomas and/or carcinomas) at clinically relevant exposures in both genders of rats and mice [see Nonclinical Toxicology (13.1) ]. Malignant thyroid C-cell carcinomas were detected in rats and mice. It is unknown whether VICTOZA will cause thyroid C-cell tumors, including medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), in humans, as the human relevance of liraglutide-induced rodent thyroid C-cell tumors has not been determined.

Cases of MTC in patients treated with VICTOZA have been reported in the postmarketing period; the data in these reports are insufficient to establish or exclude a causal relationship between MTC and VICTOZA use in humans.

VICTOZA is contraindicated in patients with a personal or family history of MTC or in patients with MEN 2. Counsel patients regarding the potential risk for MTC with the use of VICTOZA and inform them of symptoms of thyroid tumors (e.g., a mass in the neck, dysphagia, dyspnea, persistent hoarseness).

Routine monitoring of serum calcitonin or using thyroid ultrasound is of uncertain value for early detection of MTC in patients treated with VICTOZA. Such monitoring may increase the risk of unnecessary procedures, due to low test specificity for serum calcitonin and a high background incidence of thyroid disease. Significantly elevated serum calcitonin may indicate MTC and patients with MTC usually have calcitonin values >50 ng/L. If serum calcitonin is measured and found to be elevated, the patient should be further evaluated. Patients with thyroid nodules noted on physical examination or neck imaging should also be further evaluated.

5.2 Pancreatitis

Based on spontaneous postmarketing reports, acute pancreatitis, including fatal and non-fatal hemorrhagic or necrotizing pancreatitis, has been observed in patients treated with VICTOZA. After initiation of VICTOZA, observe patients carefully for signs and symptoms of pancreatitis (including persistent severe abdominal pain, sometimes radiating to the back and which may or may not be accompanied by vomiting). If pancreatitis is suspected, VICTOZA should promptly be discontinued and appropriate management should be initiated. If pancreatitis is confirmed, VICTOZA should not be restarted.

In glycemic control trials of VICTOZA, there have been 13 cases of pancreatitis among VICTOZA-treated patients and 1 case in a comparator (glimepiride) treated patient (2.7 vs. 0.5 cases per 1000 patient-years). Nine of the 13 cases with VICTOZA were reported as acute pancreatitis and four were reported as chronic pancreatitis. In one case in a VICTOZA-treated patient, pancreatitis, with necrosis, was observed and led to death; however clinical causality could not be established. Some patients had other risk factors for pancreatitis, such as a history of cholelithiasis or alcohol abuse.

VICTOZA has been studied in a limited number of patients with a history of pancreatitis. It is unknown if patients with a history of pancreatitis are at higher risk for development of pancreatitis on VICTOZA.

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