DIAVIC

DIAVIC contains the active substance liraglutide. It helps the body lower blood sugar levels when they are too high and slows the passage of food through the stomach.

DIAVIC is a generic medicine with Victoza® as its reference product: the same active substance at the same strength (6 mg/ml).

It is used for type 2 diabetes when diet and exercise alone are not enough — on its own if metformin is not an option, or together with other diabetes medicines such as metformin or insulin. DIAVIC can be used in adults as well as adolescents and children aged 10 years and older.

One prefilled pen contains 18 mg of liraglutide. Needles are not included.

Liraglutide belongs to the class of GLP-1 receptor agonists. It helps the body lower blood sugar levels that are too high and slows the passage of food through the stomach.

DIAVIC is suitable for:

• adults, adolescents and children aged 10 years and older with type 2 diabetes whose blood sugar is not adequately controlled by diet and exercise

Not suitable:

• in type 1 diabetes or diabetic ketoacidosis — DIAVIC is not insulin and not a substitute for it

Not recommended in:

• severe heart failure
• severe liver disease
• dialysis
• stomach or bowel diseases with delayed stomach emptying (gastroparesis)
• inflammatory bowel diseases

Dosage:

• Start with 0.6 mg once daily for at least one week
• then 1.2 mg once daily if your doctor instructs you to
• if needed, a further increase to 1.8 mg once daily if 1.2 mg does not lower blood sugar sufficiently

Only change the dose as instructed by a doctor.

Contents of one pen:

• 3 ml of solution containing 18 mg of liraglutide — enough for 30 doses of 0.6 mg, 15 doses of 1.2 mg or 10 doses of 1.8 mg

How to use:

• Inject under the skin (subcutaneously), not into a vein or a muscle.
• Suitable sites: the front of the thighs, the abdomen or the upper arm. Change the site every day.
• Can be used at any time of day and regardless of meals — ideally always at the same time of day.
• Needles are not included; the pen is designed for disposable needles up to 8 mm in length.

Missed dose:

• Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If more than 12 hours have passed, skip the dose and continue as usual the next day. Do not inject an extra dose.

Important:

• Drink plenty of fluids, especially if you have nausea, vomiting or diarrhea, to avoid fluid loss.

DIAVIC must not be used:

• in case of an allergy to liraglutide or any of the other ingredients

Discuss with a doctor in case of:

• diseases of the pancreas, including past ones
• thyroid diseases, including nodules or enlargement
• a planned operation under anesthesia

Pregnancy and breastfeeding: DIAVIC must not be used during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.

Very common (more than 1 in 10 people treated):

• Nausea, diarrhea — usually subside over time

Common (up to 1 in 10 people treated):

• Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), especially together with a sulfonylurea or insulin
• Vomiting, indigestion, inflammation of the stomach lining, heartburn, constipation, flatulence, abdominal discomfort
• decreased appetite, headache, dizziness, tiredness, increased pulse
• reactions at the injection site

Seek medical help immediately in case of:

• severe, persistent pain in the upper abdomen that may spread to the back, with nausea and vomiting (sign of inflammation of the pancreas)
• breathing problems, swelling of the throat or face (severe allergic reaction)
• severe constipation with abdominal pain, bloating and vomiting (bowel obstruction)

The full list can be found in the package leaflet.

Inform your doctor if you are using:

• sulfonylureas (e.g., glimepiride, glibenclamide) or insulin — risk of low blood sugar; their dose may be adjusted if necessary
• warfarin or other blood thinners taken by mouth — more frequent clotting tests may be necessary