Understanding how many doses your Victoza pen contains is essential for managing your type 2 diabetes treatment effectively and ensuring you never run out of medication. Victoza (liraglutide) is a GLP-1 receptor agonist delivered via a pre-filled injection pen, with each pen containing 18mg of liraglutide in 3ml of solution. At the standard maintenance dose of 1.2mg daily, each pen provides up to 15 doses, lasting approximately two weeks. Proper planning of your prescription refills and understanding your pen's capacity helps maintain consistent glycaemic control and prevents treatment interruptions.

Understanding Victoza Pen Dosing and Capacity

Victoza (liraglutide) is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist used in the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus. It is administered via a pre-filled, multi-dose injection pen designed for subcutaneous use. Each Victoza pen contains 18mg of liraglutide in 3ml of solution, providing a concentration of 6mg/ml. The pen is designed to deliver doses of 0.6mg, 1.2mg or 1.8mg, with the dose selector showing the selected dose in mg.

Victoza is not insulin and is not suitable for people with type 1 diabetes or diabetic ketoacidosis. Its mechanism of action involves stimulating insulin secretion in a glucose-dependent manner, suppressing glucagon release, and slowing gastric emptying. This multi-faceted approach helps improve glycaemic control whilst potentially supporting modest weight reduction.

Victoza is typically initiated at 0.6mg daily for at least one week to minimise gastrointestinal adverse effects such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea. This starting dose is not intended for long-term glycaemic control. After at least one week, the dose should be increased to 1.2mg daily. If additional glycaemic control is needed, the dose may be further increased to 1.8mg after at least another week.

Before first use, you should check the flow of the pen (priming), which uses a small amount of solution. This, along with the pen's residual volume, may slightly reduce the total number of full doses available from each pen. If you experience severe, persistent abdominal pain (with or without vomiting), seek urgent medical advice as this could indicate acute pancreatitis, a rare but serious side effect.

How Many 1.2mg Doses Are in a Victoza Pen

When using Victoza at the 1.2mg daily dose, each pen contains up to 15 doses. This calculation is based on the 18mg of liraglutide per pen, divided by 1.2mg per dose. However, the actual number may be slightly less due to the initial priming (flow check) required before first use and the pen's residual volume.

The 1.2mg dose represents the standard maintenance dose after the initial 0.6mg titration phase. According to NICE guidance (NG28) on type 2 diabetes management, dose titration should be individualised based on glycaemic response and gastrointestinal tolerability. Some patients achieve adequate HbA1c reduction at 1.2mg daily, while others may require escalation to 1.8mg for optimal control.

It is important to understand that the Victoza pen's dose selector displays the dose you are about to inject in mg, not the number of doses remaining. When you set the dose to 1.2mg and inject, the selector returns to zero. If there is not enough medicine left in the pen to deliver a complete 1.2mg dose, the dose selector will not reach 1.2mg. In this case, do not attempt to force the selector or deliver a partial dose – use a new pen instead.

Key points for 1.2mg dosing:

• Each pen provides up to 15 days of treatment at 1.2mg daily

• The dose selector shows the dose in mg, not doses remaining

• If you cannot set your full prescribed dose, use a new pen

• Never share pens between patients due to infection risk

• Rotate injection sites (abdomen, thigh, upper arm) to reduce local reactions

Calculating Your Victoza Pen Supply Duration

Accurately calculating how long your Victoza pen supply will last is crucial for maintaining uninterrupted diabetes management. The duration depends entirely on your prescribed daily dose. At 1.2mg daily, one pen lasts up to 15 days. For comparison, at 0.6mg daily (the starting dose only), a single pen provides up to 30 doses (30 days), whilst at the maximum 1.8mg daily dose, each pen contains up to 10 doses (10 days).

When calculating your supply needs, consider that most prescriptions in the UK are issued for 28-day periods, though this can vary. If you are prescribed 1.2mg daily, you will require two pens per 28-day prescription cycle (providing approximately 30 days of treatment with slight overlap). This small buffer is beneficial as it accounts for potential delays in prescription collection or occasional missed appointments.

Remember that once a pen has been used for the first time, it must be discarded after 30 days even if medicine remains inside. This is important when planning your supplies.

If you cannot set your full prescribed dose on the pen (the dose selector will not reach your required dose), do not try to deliver partial doses. Start a new pen instead to ensure you receive the complete prescribed amount.

Supply calculation tips:

• Mark your calendar when starting a new pen

• Keep a medication diary noting pen start dates

• Account for bank holidays when GP surgeries may be closed

• Never ration doses to extend pen life—this compromises glycaemic control

• Contact your healthcare team if you notice you're using pens faster than expected, as this may indicate dosing errors

If you take Victoza with a sulfonylurea medication or insulin, be aware of the increased risk of hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar). Your doctor may reduce your doses of these other medications when starting Victoza.

When to Order Your Next Victoza Prescription

Timely prescription ordering is essential to prevent treatment gaps that could destabilise your blood glucose control. As a general principle, patients using Victoza at 1.2mg daily should request their next prescription when they have approximately 7-10 days of medication remaining. This timeframe provides adequate buffer for prescription processing, pharmacy dispensing, and any unforeseen delays whilst preventing excessive stockpiling of medication.

Most GP surgeries in the UK require 48-72 hours (2-3 working days) to process repeat prescriptions, though this varies by practice. Some surgeries offer electronic prescription services (EPS), allowing prescriptions to be sent directly to your nominated pharmacy, which can expedite the process. However, you should still allow sufficient time for the pharmacy to obtain stock if Victoza is not routinely held in large quantities. Community pharmacies typically need to order specialist medications like Victoza, potentially adding 1-2 days to the collection timeline.

For patients on repeat prescription systems, consider setting up a regular ordering schedule. With 1.2mg daily dosing requiring two pens per month, you might establish a routine of ordering on the same date each month—for example, ordering on the 1st of each month for collection by the 5th. Many surgeries now offer online prescription ordering through the NHS App or practice-specific portals, making the process more convenient.

Remember that once opened, a Victoza pen must be discarded after 30 days even if medicine remains. Plan your ordering schedule accordingly to avoid wastage.

Prescription ordering best practices:

• Set phone or calendar reminders for ordering dates

• Keep your GP surgery and pharmacy contact details readily accessible

• Inform your surgery if you're planning holidays requiring additional supply

• Never wait until your final dose before ordering

• If experiencing supply issues, speak with your pharmacist who may contact alternative suppliers or your GP for interim solutions

Proper Storage and Handling of Victoza Pens

Correct storage and handling of Victoza pens is critical for maintaining medication efficacy and patient safety. Unopened pens must be stored in a refrigerator at 2-8°C and protected from light, typically by keeping them in the original carton. They should never be frozen; if a pen has been frozen, it must be discarded even if subsequently thawed, as freezing can denature the liraglutide protein and render it ineffective. Unopened pens stored correctly remain stable until the expiry date printed on the label.

Once in use, a Victoza pen may be stored either in the refrigerator (2-8°C) or at room temperature (not exceeding 30°C) for up to 30 days. After this time, you must discard the pen even if solution remains. The pen cap must be kept on when not in use to protect from light. Many patients find room temperature storage more comfortable, as injecting cold medication can be slightly more uncomfortable. However, pens should never be stored in excessively warm locations such as near radiators, in direct sunlight, or in cars, where temperatures can fluctuate dramatically.

The pen needle should be removed after each injection and disposed of in a sharps container. Leaving needles attached can lead to medication leakage, air bubble formation, and potential needle blockage. Each injection requires a new sterile needle to minimise infection risk and ensure accurate dosing. Before each injection, patients should inspect the solution through the pen window—it should be clear and colourless. Any cloudiness, discolouration, or visible particles indicates the medication should not be used.

Rotate your injection sites between your abdomen, thigh and upper arm to reduce the risk of lipodystrophy (changes in the fatty tissue) and other local reactions.

If the dose selector will not reach your prescribed dose, do not force it or try to deliver a partial dose. Use a new pen instead.

Storage and handling checklist:

• Store unopened pens in refrigerator (2-8°C)

• Once opened, use within 30 days regardless of storage location

• Never freeze or expose to excessive heat

• Remove and safely dispose of needles after each use

• Inspect solution before each injection

• Keep pen cap on between uses

• Dispose of used pens in sharps containers (ask your GP or pharmacist about local arrangements for obtaining and returning sharps bins)

When to contact your healthcare team:

• If you experience severe, persistent abdominal pain (with or without vomiting) – seek urgent medical advice as this could indicate pancreatitis

• If you notice changes in solution appearance

• If the pen has been frozen or exposed to high temperatures

• If you experience unexplained changes in blood glucose control

• If you have concerns about injection technique or pen operation

• If you develop persistent injection site reactions

Report any suspected side effects to the MHRA Yellow Card Scheme at yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk or via the Yellow Card app.

Frequently Asked Questions