How to use the Victoza (liraglutide) pen: attach a needle, check the flow, dial the dose, and inject once daily. Step-by-step. Not medical advice.
Key points
- 01Attach a new needle. Pull the paper tab off a new needle, push it straight onto the pen, and screw it on. Remove the outer needle cap and keep it for later, then remove the inner cap and discard it. The Instructions for Use calls for a new needle on every injection.
- 02Check the flow on a new pen. The first time you use a new pen, turn the dose selector to the flow-check symbol, hold the pen with the needle up, and press the dose button until a drop of liquid appears at the tip. Repeat if needed. This confirms the pen delivers medication, not air, and is done once per new pen.
- 03Dial your prescribed dose. Turn the dose selector until your prescribed dose (0.6, 1.2, or 1.8 mg) lines up with the pointer. If you dial past it, simply turn back. The dose counter is the reference for how much you are about to inject, so confirm it before continuing.
- 04Clean the injection site. Swab the chosen site with the alcohol prep pad and let the alcohol air-dry for at least 10 to 15 seconds. Wet alcohol carried into subcutaneous tissue is a common cause of stinging, so the drying step matters.
- 05Insert the needle. Insert the needle into the skin as your healthcare provider showed you, into the fatty subcutaneous layer rather than muscle. A short needle usually goes straight in at 90 degrees. Keep your thumb ready on the dose button.
- 06Press and hold the dose button. Press the dose button all the way in and hold it. Watch the dose counter return to 0, which shows the full dose has been delivered. Do not tilt the pen or let the button slip while the counter is moving.
- 07Count to 6 before withdrawing. With the counter at 0, keep the needle in the skin and the button pressed for at least 6 seconds, as the Instructions for Use describes. This gives the full dose time to deliver. Then pull the needle straight out. Lifting early can leave part of the dose behind.
- 08Remove and dispose of the needle. Guide the outer cap back over the needle, unscrew it, and drop the needle into the sharps container. Store the pen with its cap on and no needle attached. Leaving a needle on lets air into the cartridge and can cause leaking, so it comes off every time.
Pre-injection checklist
- ✓Keep the Novo Nordisk Instructions for Use with your pen. Victoza is a once-daily injection, and that leaflet is the governing source for the device steps below.
- ✓Check the label and the expiry date, then look at the liquid through the window. The Instructions for Use describes it as clear and colourless; discard the pen if it is cloudy, discoloured, or contains particles.
- ✓Let a refrigerated pen warm toward room temperature before injecting. A cold dose is associated with more stinging in patient-education literature.
- ✓Choose a site (abdomen, front of the thigh, or upper arm) and rotate it with each daily dose.
- ✓This is a technique reference, not medical advice. Your dose (0.6, 1.2, or 1.8 mg) and titration are set by your prescriber.
After the injection
- Press a clean cotton ball or gauze square to the site for a few seconds if any bleeding occurs, without rubbing.
- Log the date, dose, and injection site for rotation tracking, since Victoza is injected daily.
- Store the in-use pen per the Instructions for Use, for up to about 30 days either refrigerated or at room temperature (≤ 86°F / 30°C), cap on and needle off.
Common mistakes
- A lump or swelling in the neck, hoarseness, or trouble swallowing, Victoza carries a boxed warning for thyroid C-cell tumours.
- Severe upper abdominal pain (possibly radiating to the back), pancreatitis is in the Victoza warnings.
- Swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, or difficulty breathing, possible serious allergic reaction.
- Severe right-upper-quadrant pain with fever, nausea, or yellowing skin, possible gallbladder disease.
- Shakiness, sweating, or confusion, possible low blood sugar, more likely if Victoza is combined with insulin or a sulfonylurea.
Frequently asked questions
How many seconds do I hold the Victoza pen in after injecting?+
The Instructions for Use describes keeping the needle under the skin for at least 6 seconds after the dose counter shows 0, with the dose button held down. This gives the full dose time to be delivered. Then withdraw the needle straight out.
Do I have to check the flow on the Victoza pen every time?+
No. The flow check (dialing to the flow-check symbol until a drop appears) is done once when you start each new pen, to confirm it delivers medication rather than air. For every injection after that on the same pen, you dial your dose and inject.
Can I reuse a Victoza needle?+
No. The Instructions for Use calls for a new needle on every injection and removing it after each one. A reused needle is blunter and less sterile, and leaving one on the pen lets air into the cartridge, which can cause leaking and affect dosing.
Where do I inject Victoza?+
The Instructions for Use lists the abdomen, the front of the thigh, and the upper arm as subcutaneous sites. Rotate the site with each daily dose. The where to inject and rotating injection sites guides show a simple pattern.
How long can Victoza stay out of the fridge?+
Once in use, the Instructions for Use allows the pen to be kept for up to about 30 days, either refrigerated or at room temperature below 86°F (30°C), with the cap on and no needle attached. Check the current leaflet for your pen, and discard after the in-use period.
