Victoza for Prediabetes: Evidence, Eligibility, Coverage
Victoza is not FDA approved for prediabetes. It is approved for type 2 diabetes and heart risk. Some doctors prescribe it when one of those uses also applies. In SCALE Obesity and Prediabetes, people on Saxenda lost 7.4% of body weight on average, vs 3% on placebo.
- Active ingredient
- liraglutide
- How it is taken
- daily injection
- Approved for
- Type 2 diabetes and heart risk
- Best result (SCALE Obesity and Prediabetes)
- 7.4% weight loss
A quick look at Victoza
Half-life about 13 hours: about 3% remains after five half-lives (2.7 d), while just half is left at 13 h.
In the 52-week LEAD-3 trial of type 2 diabetes, people lost 2.5 kg compared with 1.1 kg on placebo.
Sources: FDA label (DailyMed).
Who qualifies?
| Who sets the rule | Who qualifies |
|---|---|
| FDA label | For people 10 and older with type 2 diabetes, including adults and children, it lowers blood sugar when used along with diet and exercise. |
| FDA label | Adults with type 2 diabetes and heart disease get a lower risk of heart attack, stroke, or heart-related death when taking it. |
| Typical commercial plan (Aetna policy) | BMI 30 or higher |
| Typical commercial plan (Aetna policy) | BMI 27 or higher with a weight-related condition |
| Typical commercial plan (Aetna policy) | first comes a diet and activity program lasting 6 months |
Sources: FDA label (DailyMed), aetna.com.
Prediabetes trial results
None of these trials enrolled only prediabetes; the people studied were adults with obesity or overweight and no type 2 diabetes.
| Trial | Medicine | Who took part | Length | People | Main result | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SCALE Obesity and Prediabetes |  Saxenda | Adults with obesity or overweight and no type 2 diabetes | 56 weeks | 3,731 | 7.4% weight loss | 3% on placebo |
Trial sources: SCALE Obesity and Prediabetes (FDA label (DailyMed)).
What is different with prediabetes?
| What changes | What the label says |
|---|---|
| Hypoglycemia | When you combine it with insulin or a sulfonylurea, low blood sugar becomes more likely, so those doses may need to be reduced. |
| Taken with insulin or sulfonylureas | Low blood sugar is more likely if this medicine is taken with insulin or a sulfonylurea, for example glipizide or glimepiride. Your doctor may adjust the doses of these medicines downward. |
From the FDA labels: FDA label (DailyMed).
Warning information comes from the FDA label on DailyMed.
Coverage for prediabetes
A GLP-1 used only for weight loss is not covered by Medicare Part D.
Weight-loss GLP-1s covered by Medicaid usually require prior authorization.
Sources: humana.com, KFF.
- Victoza Cost
- Victoza Coupon and Savings Card
- Victoza Cost Without Insurance
- Victoza Cost With Insurance
- Does Medicare Cover Victoza? Criteria, Copay, How to Appeal
- Cheapest Way to Get Victoza
- Is Victoza Covered by Insurance? Criteria, Copay, Appeal
- Does Medicaid Cover Victoza? Criteria, Copay, How to Appeal
Alternatives for prediabetes
| Medicine | For prediabetes | How it is taken | Trial result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Victoza | Not a listed use | daily injection | Not listed |
 Ozempic | Not a listed use | weekly injection | Not listed |
 Wegovy | Not a listed use | weekly injection or daily tablet | 14.9% weight loss |
 Rybelsus | Not a listed use | daily tablet | Not listed |
 Mounjaro | Not a listed use | weekly injection | Not listed |
 Zepbound | Not a listed use | weekly injection | 20.9% weight loss |
 Foundayo | Not a listed use | daily tablet | 11.1% weight loss |
 Trulicity | Not a listed use | weekly injection | Not listed |
| Saxenda | Not a listed use | daily injection | 7.4% weight loss |
| Byetta | Not a listed use | twice-daily injection | Not listed |
Sources: FDA label (DailyMed).
Questions to ask your prescriber
- For coverage, would my prediabetes count as a weight-related condition?
- Is a weight-loss brand a better fit for me than a diabetes brand?