Once daily diabetes drug improves glycaemic control with the potential to aid weight loss
Novo Nordisk has launched a new treatment for people with type 2 diabetes called Victoza® (liraglutide). Victoza® represents an important advance in diabetes treatment because it helps patients maintain normal blood sugar levels, whilst having a potentially beneficial effect on weight and systolic blood pressure without increased risk of hypoglycaemia. Victoza® is a once-daily injection that can be taken at any time of day, irrespective of meals.
Professor John Nolan, Consultant Endocrinologist at St. James’s Hospital, Dublin, said: “With Victoza®, patients with type 2 diabetes have an important new agent to control their blood sugar, and they may also have the added benefit of weight loss. This is an important advance for patients with type 2 diabetes, many of whom are already overweight. Additionally, the once-daily formula, independent of meals, should improve patient compliance and in turn clinical outcomes.”
Victoza® is a modification of naturally occurring human Glucagon-like Peptide-1 (GLP-1). It has been designed by Novo Nordisk so that it maintains 97% similarity to naturally occurring human GLP-1. Victoza® works with the body to lower blood glucose levels by stimulating the release of insulin within the body only when glucose levels become too high. The benefit to the patient is that there is little risk of hypoglycaemia (blood sugar levels that are too low).
Owen Treacy, General Manager of Novo Nordisk Ireland said: “Our goal for the development of Victoza® was to find the best way to help people with type 2 diabetes maintain control over their glucose levels in a manageable way with low risk of hypoglycaemia. Victoza® is an important new addition to the portfolio designed to support our mission to defeat diabetes, and we are delighted to make this product available to patients in Ireland.”
Dr. Anna Clarke, Diabetes Federation of Ireland, said: “The Diabetes Federation of Ireland is delighted to see another option become available to assist people in achieving good diabetes control. With Victoza® healthcare professionals have the option of prescribing a once-daily medication that can effectively lower blood glucose without increasing the risk of hypoglycaemia while potentially causing weight loss and also improving systolic blood pressure and beta-cell function. I am confident that Victoza® will be welcomed by many patients with type 2 diabetes.”