How many pens Victoza for a month depends on your prescribed daily dose. Victoza (liraglutide) is a once-daily GLP-1 receptor agonist injection used to improve blood sugar control in adults and children aged 10 years and above with type 2 diabetes. Each pre-filled pen contains 18 mg of liraglutide and delivers different numbers of doses depending on your strength: 30 doses at 0.6 mg, 15 doses at 1.2 mg, or 10 doses at 1.8 mg. For a typical 30-day month, you'll need 1 pen at 0.6 mg, 2 pens at 1.2 mg, or 3 pens at 1.8 mg. Understanding your dosing regimen ensures you request the correct quantity from your pharmacy and maintain consistent diabetes control.

Understanding Victoza Pen Dosing and Supply

Victoza (liraglutide) is a once-daily injectable medication used to improve blood sugar control in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus. It is licensed in the UK for adults and children/adolescents aged 10 years and above. Victoza belongs to a class of medicines called GLP-1 receptor agonists, which work by stimulating glucose-dependent insulin secretion, suppressing glucagon release, and delaying gastric emptying, which may increase satiety.

Victoza is supplied as a pre-filled, multi-dose pen designed for subcutaneous injection. Each pen contains 18 mg of liraglutide (6 mg/ml in a 3 ml solution). The pen is calibrated to deliver doses of 0.6 mg, 1.2 mg, or 1.8 mg per injection, depending on your prescribed dose. The starting dose is typically 0.6 mg once daily for at least one week, which helps minimise gastrointestinal side effects such as nausea. This initial dose is for titration only and not intended for long-term glycaemic control. Your doctor will then usually increase the dose to 1.2 mg daily, and may further increase it to the maximum maintenance dose of 1.8 mg daily if additional glycaemic control is needed.

Understanding how the pen works is essential for calculating your monthly supply needs. Each pen delivers a specific number of doses depending on which strength you inject. For example, at the 0.6 mg dose, one pen provides 30 doses; at 1.2 mg, it provides 15 doses; and at the maximum 1.8 mg dose, one pen delivers 10 doses. This means the number of pens you require each month varies significantly based on your prescribed maintenance dose. Proper understanding of your dosing regimen ensures you request the correct quantity from your pharmacy and avoid running out unexpectedly.

How Many Victoza Pens You Need for a Month

The number of Victoza pens required for a month depends entirely on your prescribed daily dose. Since Victoza is administered once daily, a typical month (30 days) requires 30 doses. Here's how this translates into pen quantities:

• 0.6 mg daily dose: Each pen contains 30 doses at this strength, so you need 1 pen per month. This dose is typically used only during the initial titration period and is not intended for long-term glycaemic control.

• 1.2 mg daily dose: Each pen provides 15 doses at this strength, so you need 2 pens per month to cover 30 days of treatment. This is a common maintenance dose for many patients.

• 1.8 mg daily dose: Each pen delivers 10 doses at the maximum strength, so you require 3 pens per month for a full 30-day supply.

It's important to note that these calculations assume consistent daily use without missed doses. In practice, your healthcare provider may prescribe slightly more than the exact monthly requirement to account for potential wastage, the initial flow check (priming) required with each new pen, missed doses, or months with 31 days. Some prescriptions are written for 28-day cycles rather than calendar months, which may affect the exact quantity dispensed.

Always follow your doctor's specific instructions regarding your dose and supply. If you're transitioning between dose strengths during titration, your prescription may include different quantities to cover the adjustment period. Never attempt to adjust your dose or ration your pens without consulting your diabetes specialist or GP, as maintaining consistent blood glucose control is essential for preventing both short-term and long-term complications of diabetes.

Victoza Prescription Quantities on the NHS

When Victoza is prescribed on the NHS, the quantity dispensed typically follows NICE guidance and local formulary recommendations. GLP-1 receptor agonists like Victoza are recommended by NICE as a treatment option for type 2 diabetes in specific circumstances, usually when metformin is contraindicated or not tolerated, or as part of dual or triple therapy when other treatments haven't achieved adequate glycaemic control.

NHS prescriptions for Victoza are commonly written for 28-day or 30-day supplies, though some practices may issue longer prescriptions for stable patients, depending on local prescribing policies. For a standard 28-day prescription at the maintenance dose of 1.2 mg daily, you would typically receive 2 pens. At the 1.8 mg dose, a 28-day supply would be 3 pens. Your prescription should clearly state both the dose strength and the quantity of pens to be dispensed.

Repeat prescriptions are usually arranged through your GP surgery, and many practices now offer online ordering systems for convenience. It's advisable to request your repeat prescription at least one week before you run out to allow time for processing and pharmacy dispensing. Some areas operate electronic repeat dispensing (eRD), where your pharmacist can dispense multiple repeats without you needing to contact your GP each time, provided your treatment remains stable.

The NHS prescription charge in England currently applies per prescription item (Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland have abolished prescription charges). If you require multiple pens, they're typically counted as a single prescription item. People with diabetes who require medication (not just diet-controlled) are entitled to free prescriptions by applying for a medical exemption certificate (MedEx). This requires completing an FP92A form, which must be signed by your doctor or another authorised healthcare professional. The form is available from your GP surgery.

Managing Your Victoza Supply and Refills

Effective management of your Victoza supply is crucial for maintaining consistent diabetes control. Here are practical strategies to ensure you never run out:

Keep track of your supply: Mark your calendar when you start a new pen and calculate when you'll need to order your next prescription. For example, if you're on 1.2 mg daily with 2 pens per month, set a reminder after 3 weeks to request your refill.

Store pens correctly: Unopened Victoza pens should be stored in the refrigerator (2°C to 8°C) and protected from light. Once in use, a pen can be kept at room temperature (below 30°C) or in the refrigerator for up to 30 days. Always keep the pen cap on when not in use to protect from light. Never freeze Victoza, and discard any pen that has been frozen. Do not store the pen with a needle attached. Proper storage ensures the medication remains effective throughout its use.

Use proper injection technique: Always use a new needle for each injection to prevent infection and ensure accurate dosing. Never share your pen with anyone else, even if you change the needle. When starting a new pen, perform a flow check as directed in the patient information leaflet.

Plan for holidays and travel: If you're going away, ensure you have sufficient supply for your entire trip plus a few extra days. Victoza pens can be transported in hand luggage (carry a prescription or doctor's letter for airport security). Consider using a cooling wallet if travelling to hot climates, though remember not to freeze the medication.

Register for repeat prescriptions: Most GP surgeries offer repeat prescription services, either through their website, NHS App, or by dropping off a request slip. Establishing a regular ordering routine—such as ordering on the same day each month—helps prevent supply gaps.

Communicate with your pharmacy: Building a relationship with your regular pharmacy can be beneficial. They can often remind you when prescriptions are due and may be able to order Victoza in advance if it's not routinely stocked, ensuring it's available when you need it.

What to Do If You Run Out of Victoza Early

Running out of Victoza before your next prescription is due requires prompt action to maintain your diabetes control. Here's what you should do:

Contact your GP surgery immediately: Explain the situation and request an emergency supply or early repeat prescription. Most surgeries can accommodate genuine supply issues, particularly for essential diabetes medications. If your surgery is closed, you can contact NHS 111 for advice on accessing emergency care or medication.

Visit your pharmacy: Under certain circumstances, pharmacists can provide an emergency supply of prescription medication to tide you over until you can see your GP. This typically covers a few days and may incur a charge. Your pharmacist will need to verify your previous prescription and may contact your GP surgery. Some areas offer the NHS Community Pharmacist Consultation Service (CPCS), which provides a formal route for emergency supplies via NHS 111 referral.

If you miss a dose: According to the Victoza patient information, if you miss a dose and remember within 12 hours of when you usually take it, inject the dose as soon as you remember. If more than 12 hours have passed, skip the missed dose and take your next dose as usual the following day. Do not take a double dose or increase your dose to make up for a missed dose.

Never ration your medication: Missing doses of Victoza can lead to poor blood glucose control, increasing your risk of hyperglycaemia and long-term complications. If you've genuinely run out and cannot obtain an emergency supply, monitor your blood glucose levels more frequently and contact your diabetes team for guidance on managing your blood sugar in the interim.

Identify why you ran out early: Common reasons include miscounting doses, accidentally discarding a pen with remaining medication, or increased wastage due to injection technique errors. If you're consistently running out early, discuss this with your diabetes nurse or GP—you may need additional training on pen use or a review of your prescription quantity.

If you experience any side effects from Victoza, report them to your healthcare professional and consider using the MHRA Yellow Card scheme to help monitor medication safety.

Frequently Asked Questions