Victoza interactions: Alcohol, medications, and other factors

Victoza interactions with other medications  

Before you start treatment with Victoza, tell your doctor and pharmacist which prescription, over-the-counter, and other medications you take. By sharing this information with them, you may help prevent possible interactions. (To learn whether Victoza interacts with supplements, herbs, or vitamins, see the “Victoza and other interactions” section.)

If you have questions about drug interactions that may affect you, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Here’s a table of drugs that can interact with Victoza. Keep in mind that this table doesn’t include all drugs that may interact with Victoza. Some of these interactions are described in detail in “Drug interactions in depth.”

When to avoid Victoza

Sometimes, certain factors or conditions could prevent your doctor from prescribing Victoza due to the risk of harm. These are known as contraindications. The contraindications of Victoza include:

Having MEN2 or MTC

Doctors typically won’t prescribe Victoza for people with factors that increase the risk of thyroid cancer. This is because Victoza has a boxed warning about the risk of thyroid cancer. This is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Specifically, this includes people with a personal history of multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN2), which is a rare genetic condition. This also includes people with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer (MTC), which is a rare type of thyroid cancer.

For details about the risk of thyroid cancer, see “Boxed warning” at the beginning of this article.

Having had an allergic reaction to Victoza or any of its ingredients

If you have had an allergic reaction to Victoza or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe Victoza. Taking the drug could cause another allergic reaction. You can ask them about other treatments that may be better choices for you.

Note:Before you start treatment with Victoza, it’s important to tell your doctor if these contraindications apply to you. They can determine whether to prescribe Victoza.

Victoza and alcohol

There are no known interactions between Victoza and alcohol.

However, alcohol can affect blood sugar levels. Victoza is used to help manage blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. Consuming alcohol during Victoza treatment could make it difficult to tell whether the drug is working for this condition.

Drinking alcohol during Victoza treatment could also worsen some of the drug’s side effects. For example, you may experience worsened headache or diarrhea.

If you have questions about drinking alcohol during Victoza treatment, talk with your doctor.

Drug interactions in depth

Here’s a closer look at certain drug interactions of Victoza.

Beta-blockers

Beta-blockers are prescribed to treat heart-related conditions, including high blood pressure.

Interaction result:Beta-blockers may mask low blood sugar as a side effect of Victoza.

Interaction explained:Victoza is prescribed to help manage blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. However, if your blood sugar drops below the typical range, you may have such symptoms as sweating, shaking, and dizziness. Because of the way beta-blockers work, they can mask these symptoms.

Examples of beta-blocker drugs: Here are some beta-blockers that may interact with Victoza:

• bisoprolol
• carvedilol (Coreg, Coreg CR)
• metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL, others)
• nebivolol (Bystolic)
• propranolol (Hemangeol, Innopran XL, others)

Steps you or your doctor may take: Before taking a beta-blocker with Victoza, talk with your doctor. They can recommend whether it’s safe to take these medications together.

If your doctor prescribes Victoza with a beta-blocker, they may advise you to monitor your blood sugar level more often. They can also recommend what to do if your blood sugar level is too low.

For example, your doctor may advise you to eat at least 15 grams (g) of carbohydrates to raise your blood sugar level. Sources of carbohydrates include fruit juice, glucose tablets, hard candies, and non-diet sodas.

If your symptoms seem severe or life threatening, you or a bystander should call 911 or a local emergency number immediately.

If you have other questions about Victoza and beta-blockers, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

ACE inhibitors

ACE inhibitors are prescribed for many different conditions, including heart and kidney conditions.

Interaction result: Taking an ACE inhibitor with Victoza may increase the blood sugar-lowering effect of Victoza.

Interaction explained: Victoza is prescribed to help manage blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. ACE inhibitors can increase Victoza’s ability to lower blood sugar. Taking these drugs together could cause your blood sugar level to fall below the typical range.

Examples of ACE inhibitor drugs: Here are some ACE inhibitors that may interact with Victoza:

• benazepril (Lotensin)
• captopril
• lisinopril (Qbrelis, Zestril)
• ramipril (Altace)
• quinapril

Steps you or your doctor may take: Before taking an ACE inhibitor with Victoza, talk with your doctor. They can tell you whether it’s safe to take them together.

If your doctor prescribes an ACE inhibitor with Victoza, they may recommend that you monitor your blood sugar level more often. They can also advise you on what to do if your blood sugar level is too low. To learn more, see “Steps you or your doctor may take” under “Beta-blockers.”

If you have other questions about Victoza and ACE inhibitors, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Aspirin

Aspirin is used for several purposes, including reducing certain heart-related risks such as heart attack.

Interaction result: Taking aspirin during Victoza treatment may increase the blood sugar-lowering effect of Victoza.

Interaction explained: Victoza is prescribed to help manage blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. Although rare, aspirin may cause low blood sugar as a side effect. Taking aspirin during Victoza treatment could cause your blood sugar level to fall below the typical range.

Steps you or your doctor may take: Before taking aspirin with Victoza, talk with your doctor. They can recommend whether it’s safe to take these medications together.

If your doctor prescribes Victoza with aspirin, they may advise you to monitor your blood sugar level more often. They can also recommend what to do about low blood sugar. To learn more, see “Steps you or your doctor may take” in the “Beta-blockers” section.

If you have other questions about Victoza and aspirin, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Victoza and other interactions

Victoza may have other interactions, such as with supplements, foods, vaccines, or even lab tests. Read on for more details. Keep in mind that the following information does not include all other possible interactions with Victoza.

Victoza interactions with supplements

Victoza may interact with supplements that lower blood sugar levels. A few examples include:

• dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)
• garlic
• green tea

Victoza helps manage blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. Taking these supplements during Victoza treatment may lower your blood sugar below the typical range. For this reason, your doctor may recommend avoiding DHEA, garlic, and green tea supplements during Victoza treatment.

Before you start with Victoza, tell your doctor and pharmacist which supplements, herbs, and vitamins you take. By sharing this information with them, you may help prevent possible interactions.

If you have questions about drug interactions that may affect you, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Victoza and herbs

There are no specific reports of herbs interacting with Victoza. However, that doesn’t mean herbal interactions won’t occur or be recognized in the future. Because of this, it’s important to check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any of these products during Victoza treatment.

Victoza interactions with vitamins or minerals

There are no specific reports of vitamins interacting with Victoza. However, Victoza may interact with a mineral called chromium. Some people take this supplement to help manage their blood sugar levels.

Victoza helps manage blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. Taking chromium during Victoza treatment may lower your blood sugar below the typical range. For this reason, your doctor may recommend avoiding this mineral during Victoza treatment.

Keep in mind that some multivitamins may also contain minerals, such as chromium. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any vitamin product with Victoza.

Victoza interactions with food

Victoza may interact with green tea. Consuming too much green tea while taking Victoza may lower your blood sugar below the typical range. For this reason, your doctor may recommend limiting the amount of green tea you consume during Victoza treatment.

Although garlic supplements may interact with Victoza, the amount of garlic in seasonings and foods is usually small. The quantity of garlic in these products would be much less than in a garlic supplement.

If you have additional questions or want more information about foods to avoid during Victoza treatment, talk with your doctor.

Victoza and vaccines

There aren’t any known interactions between Victoza and vaccines. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist to see whether you’re due for any vaccines.

Victoza and lab tests

Victoza is not known to interact with any lab tests. If you have concerns about this medication interacting with lab tests, talk with your doctor.

VICTOZA AND CANNABIS OR CBD

Cannabis (often called marijuana) and cannabis products, such as cannabidiol (CBD), have not been specifically reported to interact with Victoza. However, as with any drug or supplement, talk with your doctor before using cannabis in combination with Victoza. The impact of cannabis may affect how well you stick to your Victoza treatment plan.

Note: Cannabis is illegal at a federal level but is legal in many states to varying degrees.

Victoza and health-related interactions

Certain medical conditions and other factors may increase the risk of interactions with Victoza. Before you take this drug, be sure to talk with your doctor about your health history. Victoza may not be the right treatment option if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health.

Health conditions or factors that might interact with Victoza include:

• Digestive problems: Before starting Victoza, tell your doctor if you have a digestive problem. An example is slowed stomach emptying. Victoza may cause slowed stomach emptying, and it is unknown whether the drug is safe for people who already have this condition. Your doctor may prescribe a treatment other than Victoza.
• Kidney problems: If you have a kidney problem, such as kidney failure, talk with your doctor before starting Victoza. The drug may cause severe digestive problems that lead to dehydration, which could worsen your kidney condition. Your doctor can advise whether Victoza is a safe treatment option.
• Pancreatitis: If you’ve ever had pancreatitis, talk with your doctor before starting Victoza treatment. It is unknown whether the drug is safe for people who have had this condition. Your doctor may prescribe a drug other than Victoza.
• Allergic reaction: If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Victoza or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe Victoza. Taking the drug could cause another allergic reaction. You can ask them about other treatments that may be better choices for you.
• Breastfeeding: It is unknown whether it’s safe to use Victoza while breastfeeding. There is not enough information to determine whether the drug passes into breast milk or what effects Victoza may have on a child who is breastfed. If you’re breastfeeding or planning to, talk with your doctor before using Victoza. They can talk with you about treatment options and ways to feed your child.
• Pregnancy: There have not been enough clinical trials to determine whether Victoza is safe to use while pregnant. Animal studies show that the drug may cause congenital anomalies (commonly known as birth defects) or pregnancy loss. However, it’s important to note that animal studies don’t always predict what happens in humans. If you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant, tell your doctor before starting Victoza. They can advise you on the right treatment plan for you.
• Factors that increase the risk of thyroid cancer: Doctors typically will not prescribe Victoza for people with MTC or MEN2, which increases the risk of thyroid cancer. This is because Victoza has a boxed warning about the risk of thyroid cancer. (A boxed warning is a serious warning from the FDA.) For details, see the “Boxed warning” at the top of this article.

Preventing interactions

You can take certain steps to help prevent interactions with Victoza. Your doctor and pharmacist are key resources, so reach out to them before starting treatment. For example, you should plan to do the following:

• Let them know if you drink alcohol or use cannabis.
• Tell them about any other medications you take, as well as any supplements, herbs, and vitamins.
• Create a medication list, which your doctor and pharmacist can help you fill out.

It’s also important to read the Victoza label and other paperwork that may come with the drug. The label may have colored stickers that mention an interaction. And the paperwork, sometimes called the medication guide or patient package insert, may contain details about interactions.

If Victoza doesn’t come with paperwork, you can ask your pharmacist to print a copy. If you need help reading or understanding this information, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

You can also help prevent interactions with Victoza by taking it exactly as your doctor prescribes.

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.