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Victoza Tracker App

Track Liraglutide Doses, HbA1c, and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Shotlee

Victoza (liraglutide 1.2 mg and 1.8 mg) was the first GLP-1 receptor agonist to demonstrate cardiovascular mortality benefit in a major outcomes trial. The LEADER trial showed a 13% reduction in major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and a 22% reduction in cardiovascular death in high-risk type 2 diabetes patients. Track your Victoza protocol, HbA1c, and CV markers in Shotlee.

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What Is Victoza (Liraglutide for T2D)?

Victoza is the brand name for liraglutide 1.2 mg and 1.8 mg for the treatment of type 2 diabetes in adults. FDA approved in January 2010, it was one of the first GLP-1 receptor agonists on the market and remains widely used globally. It is the same molecule as Saxenda (liraglutide 3 mg for obesity) but at a lower dose calibrated for glycaemic control rather than weight management.

Liraglutide is a human GLP-1 analogue with 97% sequence homology to native GLP-1, extended to a 24-hour half-life through a fatty acid side chain that promotes albumin binding. This enables once-daily dosing. Beyond glucose lowering, Victoza has demonstrated cardiovascular mortality benefit in the LEADER outcomes trial — the first GLP-1 agonist to show superiority (not just non-inferiority) for CV death in a high-risk T2D population.

First GLP-1 With Proven CV Mortality Benefit

LEADER (2016) showed a 22% relative reduction in cardiovascular death with liraglutide vs placebo in high-CV-risk T2D patients. This was the first positive CV superiority result in the GLP-1 class and established liraglutide as a cardiovascular medication in addition to a diabetes drug.

Victoza Dose Escalation Schedule

0.6 mg

Week 1

Starting dose to improve GI tolerability only — not a therapeutic glycaemic dose. Inject once daily subcutaneously.

1.2 mg

Week 2+

Maintenance therapeutic dose for most patients. Adequate glycaemic control is achieved at 1.2 mg for many individuals.

1.8 mg

Week 3+ (optional)

Higher dose for patients needing additional HbA1c reduction. LEADER trial used doses of 1.2 or 1.8 mg.

LEADER Trial Key Outcomes

MACE reduction

-13%

Relative risk reduction in major adverse CV events (heart attack, stroke, CV death) in high-CV-risk T2D patients vs placebo.

CV death reduction

-22%

Relative reduction in cardiovascular death with liraglutide vs placebo in LEADER (HR 0.78, 95% CI 0.66–0.93).

HbA1c reduction

-0.4%

Additional mean HbA1c reduction vs placebo at 36 months in LEADER (on top of standard T2D therapy).

LEADER Trial Results Summary

OutcomeLiraglutidePlaceboHR (95% CI)
3-Point MACE (primary)13.0%14.9%0.87 (0.78–0.97)
CV death4.7%6.0%0.78 (0.66–0.93)
Non-fatal MI6.1%7.0%0.88 (0.75–1.03)
Non-fatal stroke3.4%3.8%0.89 (0.72–1.11)
All-cause mortality8.2%9.6%0.85 (0.74–0.97)
Mean HbA1c change-0.4% vs placebo
Mean weight change-2.3 kg vs placebo

LEADER trial, N=9,340 high-CV-risk T2D patients, median 3.8 years follow-up. Marso SP, et al. NEJM 2016. [1]

What to Track in Shotlee

Victoza is a daily injection with proven CV and glycaemic benefits — track both dimensions in Shotlee.

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Daily Injection Logs

Record each dose, time, and injection site. Consistent daily injections are essential for steady-state liraglutide levels.

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HbA1c & Glucose

Enter lab HbA1c at each clinic visit. Track fasting glucose readings to monitor glycaemic response over the escalation period.

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Blood Pressure

LEADER showed modest BP reductions alongside CV mortality benefit. Log systolic and diastolic BP at home or clinic visits.

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Body Weight

Liraglutide produces modest weight reduction (-2.3 kg in LEADER). Track weekly weight to quantify your metabolic response.

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Side Effects

Nausea and GI symptoms peak in the first weeks of escalation. Log timing and severity to share with your care team.

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Lipid & Lab Panels

Track cholesterol, triglycerides, and kidney function (eGFR) alongside HbA1c — Victoza has benefits across multiple metabolic markers.

Protocol FAQs

LEADER was a cardiovascular outcomes trial enrolling 9,340 high-CV-risk type 2 diabetes patients over a median 3.8 years. Liraglutide reduced 3-point MACE by 13% and cardiovascular death by 22% vs placebo. It was the first GLP-1 to demonstrate superiority (not just non-inferiority) in a CV outcomes trial.

Both contain liraglutide, but Victoza (1.2–1.8 mg) is approved for type 2 diabetes management, while Saxenda (3.0 mg) is approved for obesity/weight management. The higher Saxenda dose drives greater appetite suppression and weight loss. Victoza is focused on glycaemic control with secondary weight and CV benefits.

Meaningful HbA1c reduction typically emerges from week 4–8 at the 1.2 mg therapeutic dose. Full efficacy is assessed at 3 months. Log your HbA1c from each clinic visit in Shotlee to track your personal response curve.

Yes. Victoza remains in use for patients who prefer daily injections for titration control, those with specific insurance coverage, patients outside the US where semaglutide supply is limited, and those with established tolerance to liraglutide.

Nausea (28.4%), diarrhoea (17.0%), vomiting (10.9%), and constipation (9.9%) are most common, primarily during dose escalation. These typically improve within 2–4 weeks. Log side effects in the Shotlee app to track resolution over time.

References

  1. [1]Clinical TrialMarso SP, et al. "Liraglutide and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Type 2 Diabetes." NEJM. 2016;375(4):311-322.
  2. [2]Clinical TrialGarber A, et al. "Liraglutide versus glimepiride monotherapy for type 2 diabetes (LEAD-3 Mono)." Lancet. 2009;373(9662):473-481.

Track Your Victoza Protocol in Shotlee

Log daily doses, HbA1c, blood pressure, and CV markers in the free app designed for GLP-1 users.

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