Victoza Vs. Phentermine: Drug Comparison

Victoza^® (liraglutide) is an injectable medication used to improve blood sugar control in adults and children aged 10 years and older with type 2 diabetes. It works as a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist, enhancing insulin secretion, inhibiting glucagon release, and slowing gastric emptying to lower blood sugar levels. Victoza is also indicated to reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events, such as heart attack, stroke, and cardiovascular death,] in adults with type 2 diabetes and established cardiovascular disease. Common side effects include nausea, diarrhea, and headache. It should be used with caution in patients with a history of pancreatitis​.

Phentermine is the active ingredient in brand-name medications including Adipex-P^®. The information below is about brand name Adipex-P. According to the FDA, “Generic medicines use the same active ingredients as brand-name medicines and work the same way, so they have the same risks and benefits as the brand-name medicines.”

Adipex-P (phentermine hydrochloride) is a prescription medication used as a short-term adjunct to weight loss in patients with obesity. It works as an appetite suppressant by stimulating the central nervous system, which increases heart rate and blood pressure while reducing hunger. Adipex-P is typically prescribed alongside a reduced-calorie diet and exercise regimen to enhance weight loss efforts. Common side effects include increased heart rate, dry mouth, insomnia, and nervousness. It is important to note that Adipex-P is intended for short-term use due to the potential for dependence and other adverse effects​.

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist

Sympathomimetic amine anorectic

Victoza (liraglutide) is indicated:

• As an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults and pediatric patients aged 10 years and older with type 2 diabetes mellitus

• To reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus and established cardiovascular disease

Adipex-P (phentermine hydrochloride) is indicated:

• As a short-term adjunct (a few weeks) in a regimen of weight reduction based on exercise, behavioral modification and caloric restriction in the management of exogenous obesity for patients with an initial body mass index greater than or equal to 30 kg/m², or greater than or equal to 27 kg/m² in the presence of other risk factors (e.g., controlled hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia)

• Typically taken as an injection once daily

• Comes in single-patient-use pens that deliver 0.6 mg, 1.2 mg, or 1.8 mg per injection

• Typically taken orally once daily

• Comes in 37.5 mg tablets

Most common adverse reactions (incidence ≥5%) in clinical trials are:

• Nausea

• Diarrhea

• Vomiting

• Decreased appetite

• Indigestion

• Constipation

Immunogenicity-related events, including hives, were more common among Victoza-treated patients (0.8%) than among comparator-treated patients (0.4%) in clinical trials

Adverse events have been reported in the following systems:

• Cardiovascular

• Central nervous system

• Gastrointestinal

• Allergic

• Endocrine

• Patients with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or in patients with multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2

• Patients with a serious hypersensitivity reaction to liraglutide or any of the excipients in Victoza

• Drug interactions: Victoza delays gastric emptying and may impact absorption of concomitantly administered oral medications

• History of cardiovascular disease (e.g., coronary artery disease, stroke, arrhythmias, congestive heart failure, uncontrolled hypertension)

• During or within 14 days following the administration of monoamine oxidase inhibitors

• Hyperthyroidism

• Glaucoma

• Agitated states

• History of drug abuse

• Pregnancy

• Nursing

• Known hypersensitivity, or idiosyncrasy to the sympathomimetic amines

• Drug interactions: Monoamine oxidase inhibitors, alcohol, insulin and oral hypoglycemics, adrenergic neuron blocking drugs

• Pancreatitis

• Never share a Victoza pen between patients, even if the needle is changed

• Low blood sugar: Adult patients taking an insulin secretagogue or insulin may have an increased risk of low blood sugar, including severe low blood sugar

• Acute kidney injury

• Hypersensitivity reactions

• Acute gallbladder disease

• Pregnancy: Victoza should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus

• Coadministration with other drugs for weight loss is not recommended

• Rare cases of primary pulmonary hypertension have been reported

• Rare cases of serious regurgitant cardiac valvular disease have been reported

• Tolerance to the anorectic effect usually develops within a few weeks

• Adipex-P may impair the ability of the patient to engage in potentially hazardous activities such as operating machinery or driving a motor vehicle

• Risk of abuse and dependence

• Concomitant alcohol use may result in an adverse drug reaction

• Use caution in patients with even mild high blood pressure

• A reduction in dose of insulin or oral hypoglycemic medication may be required in some patients

• Breastfeeding: Discontinue drug or nursing taking into consideration importance of drug to mother

WARNING: RISK OF THYROID C-CELL TUMORS

Liraglutide causes thyroid C-cell tumors at clinically relevant exposures in both genders of rats and mice. It is unknown whether Victoza causes thyroid C-cell tumors, including medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), in humans, as the human relevance of liraglutide-induced rodent thyroid C-cell tumors has not been determined.

Victoza is contraindicated in patients with a personal or family history of MTC or in patients with multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2). Counsel patients regarding the potential risk of MTC and the symptoms of thyroid tumors.

*This information is from the label for brand name Victoza^®. See the Full Prescribing Information for more complete information. Liraglutide, the active ingredient in Victoza, may also be the active ingredient in other medications, and this information may not be accurate for all medications that include the active ingredient liraglutide.

*This information is from the label for brand name Adipex-P^®. See the Full Prescribing Information for more complete information. Phentermine, the active ingredient in Adipex-P, may also be the active ingredient in other medications, and this information may not be accurate for all medications that include the active ingredient phentermine.