My wife, Susan, has been a diabetic for more than 30 years. She was initially diagnosed as a type 2, but that was changed to a type 1.5 a few years ago. She is on a pump, and has been on Victoza for a year or so. She stopped for a while, but the Endo put her back onto it. Se has thyroid problems, (and Chronic Kidney Disease, and quite a few other issues.) Since their computer system can only recognize types 1 and 2, the doctor has chosen to continue to say that she is a type 2, Therefore, he is insisting she take the Victoza. I keep hearing that it is NOT for type 1's. Any suggestions or comments? I am pushing her to look for another Endo, who has a staff that can figure out how to add Type 1.5s to their computer system.
If by "Type 1.5" you mean antibody positive slow onset adult type 1 (otherwise known as LADA). it IS Type 1, just a slower onset form of it. Her diagnosis is type 1, not type 2. Finally, I would not allow a doctor to "insist" I take anything at all. It's my body.I would ask for the reasoning behind its use. If I disagree they can accept it or we can part ways. What power does he have to insist on anything??
Please visit their website: http://www.victoza.com/
There you will find: Victoza® is not for people with type 1 diabetes or people with diabetic ketoacidosis.
The FDA has forced Victoza to put this statement there. In my opinion they will have good reasons to do that.
While Victoza is not approved for use with T1, it has been approved by the FDA for use with basal insulin's. The prescribing information says that it has not been studied with prandial insulin. The exact language in the prescribing information is:
Victoza® is not a substitute for insulin. Victoza® should not be used in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus or for the treatment of diabetic ketoacidosis, as it would not be effective in these settings.
This means that Victoza should not be used as a treatment for either blood sugar control or for DKA. There is no adverse effects noted for T1 patients or with any type of insulin.
That being said, doctors can prescribe Victoza as an off-label prescription and some do. Dr. Bernstein regularly uses Byetta and Victoza (and Bydureon I believe) to help T1s with hunger and weight management. But this isn't about blood sugar control. If your doctor is suggesting that Victoza helps with blood sugar control, then you are right to push back. But if your doctor is suggesting Victoza to help with weight and hunger, that may be useful.
Welllllll, I think that Victoza has an effect on blood sugar control albeit sideways.
I likely will not bolus for a handful of animal crackers or nuts two hours before dinner because I don't want to stack my bolus insulin. The end result is that my sugar goes up and stays up until dinner. While taking Victoza, my urge to eat said snacks is greatly reduced.
So while I acknowledge that Victoza does not directly affect blood sugar control, I do think it is conceivable that someone might relate the two.
I do agree that 1.5 = Type 1 and that one has the right to refuse medication.
I am (LADA) T1.
Thanks for the replies. I made an appointment for Susan with a new Endo, for the end of the month. Hopefully, this one will allow her to be a partner in her treatment, and not someone who can only follow directions.