I. Methods of use
1. Preparation for use
Check the medication: make sure the injection pen is labeled as “liraglutide” (e.g., Novolac®), check the expiration date, and the state of the liquid (it should be clear and colorless, without turbidity or discoloration).
Storage conditions:
Unopened: Refrigerate (2-8℃), avoid freezing.
Opened: can be stored below 30 ℃, the expiration date of 1 month after the first use, refrigerated or room temperature to avoid light can be, but need to cover the pen cap tightly.
Preparation of articles: injection pen, alcohol cotton pads, new needles (each time replacement), sharps box.
2. Injection procedure
1. Install the needle: Remove the needle sealing sticker, tighten it vertically on the injection pen, remove the outer needle cap
(keep the inner needle cap).
2. Venting (when using for the first time or replacing the needle): Adjust the dosage knob to the “flow check” symbol (water drop icon), flick the tip of the needle upward to expel air bubbles, and press the button until the tip of the needle appears to be a drop of liquid.
3. Setting the dose: rotate the knob to the prescribed dose (starting at 0.6mg/day, after 1 week, it can be increased to 1.2mg, the maximum does not exceed 1.8mg/day).
4. Selection of injection site:
Recommended sites: abdomen (5cm away from the navel), anterior thighs, posterior upper arm. Need to rotate the site to avoid hard nodules.
5. Sterilization and injection: Alcohol cotton pads to disinfect the skin in a circular manner, pinch the skin after drying, rapidly enter the needle vertically (at an angle of 90 °), press the button until the liquid is completely injected, stay for 6-10 seconds and then pull out the needle, and the cotton ball is pressed to stop bleeding.
6. Needle disposal: put back the inner needle cap, remove the needle and discard it to the sharps box, do not reuse.
3. Injection time
Once daily, can be injected at any time, but a fixed time is recommended to maintain stable blood concentration.
II. Contraindications
1. Thyroid-related diseases:
Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) is contraindicated in patients with personal or family history.
Patients with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN2) are contraindicated.
2. Hypersensitivity: Not allowed if allergic to liraglutide or excipients.
3. Diabetes type restriction:
is not suitable for the treatment of type 1 diabetes mellitus or diabetic ketoacidosis.
4.Special Populations:
Contraindicated in pregnant and lactating women (animal studies have shown reproductive toxicity).
The safety of children and adolescents (under 18 years of age) has not been established.
C. Precautions
1. Management of adverse reactions:
Common: nausea, diarrhea, vomiting (mostly in the early stage of drug use, reduced with treatment). Small sips of water and small meals are recommended.
Serious: If persistent abdominal pain (may be pancreatitis), dyspnea (allergic reaction) or severe hypoglycemia (when combined with sulfonylureas), the drug should be discontinued immediately and seek medical attention.
2. Risk of drug combination:
When used in combination with a sulfonylurea, the dose of the latter should be reduced to minimize the risk of hypoglycemia.
3. Use with caution in specific diseases:
Not recommended for patients with moderate-to-severe renal insufficiency, hepatic impairment, congestive heart failure (NYHA class III-IV).
Use with caution in patients with inflammatory bowel disease or diabetic gastroparesis.
4. Storage and Operation:
Avoid freezing, needles need to be replaced every time after opening, injection pens should not be used for intravenous or intramuscular injection.
IV. When to seek medical treatment
Missed dose: If missed, the injection can be made up within 3 days; if more than 3 days, it will be skipped and injected the following week according to the original plan.
Suspected drug failure (e.g. improper storage or expiration date) or serious adverse reaction.
The Information is obtained from the internet and is for reference only.