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How many Victoza pens for 30 day supply depends on your prescribed maintenance dose. Victoza (liraglutide) is a GLP-1 receptor agonist used to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus in the UK. Each pre-filled pen contains 18 mg of liraglutide and delivers multiple doses at strengths of 0.6 mg, 1.2 mg, or 1.8 mg. For a 30-day supply, patients on 1.2 mg daily require two pens, whilst those on 1.8 mg daily need three pens. Understanding your dosing schedule and pen capacity ensures uninterrupted treatment and optimal glycaemic control. This guide explains how to calculate your monthly supply requirements in line with NHS and NICE guidance.
Quick Answer: For a 30-day supply of Victoza, you need two pens if prescribed 1.2 mg daily or three pens if prescribed 1.8 mg daily.
Victoza (liraglutide) is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist licensed in the UK for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. It is administered as a once-daily subcutaneous injection using a pre-filled, multi-dose pen device. Understanding how the pen works and how dosing progresses is essential for calculating your monthly supply needs.
Each Victoza pen contains 18 mg of liraglutide in 3 ml of solution, delivering doses of 0.6 mg, 1.2 mg, or 1.8 mg per injection. The pen is designed to provide multiple doses depending on your prescribed strength. Treatment typically begins with a starting dose of 0.6 mg once daily for at least one week to improve gastrointestinal tolerability. The dose is then increased to 1.2 mg daily, and may be further increased to 1.8 mg daily if additional glycaemic control is required, as per the Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC).
The number of pens required for a 30-day supply depends entirely on your maintenance dose. At the lowest dose (0.6 mg), each pen lasts longer than at higher doses. It is important to note that the starting dose of 0.6 mg is not intended for long-term glycaemic control—it serves only as a dose escalation step to minimise side effects such as nausea and vomiting.
Patients should be counselled on proper injection technique and pen storage. Unused pens should be refrigerated (2-8°C); in-use pens may be kept for up to one month at or below 30°C or refrigerated. Do not freeze Victoza and keep the pen cap on to protect from light. Note that pen needles are required (available on prescription) and should be changed for each injection. Never share pens between individuals due to infection risk. Victoza is not indicated for type 1 diabetes or diabetic ketoacidosis.
If you experience severe, persistent abdominal pain (with or without vomiting), seek urgent medical advice as this could indicate pancreatitis. Suspected side effects can be reported via the MHRA Yellow Card Scheme (yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk).
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The number of Victoza pens required for a 30-day supply varies according to your prescribed maintenance dose. Each pen contains 18 mg of liraglutide, and the number of doses per pen depends on the strength you inject daily.
For a 0.6 mg daily dose: Each pen delivers 30 doses of 0.6 mg (30 × 0.6 mg = 18 mg). Therefore, you will need one pen for 30 days. However, this dose is typically used only during the initial titration period and is not a long-term maintenance dose.
For a 1.2 mg daily dose: Each pen delivers 15 doses of 1.2 mg (15 × 1.2 mg = 18 mg). For a 30-day supply, you will need two pens. This is a commonly used maintenance dose for many patients with type 2 diabetes.
For a 1.8 mg daily dose: Each pen delivers 10 doses of 1.8 mg (10 × 1.8 mg = 18 mg). For a 30-day supply, you will need three pens. This higher dose is reserved for patients requiring maximal glycaemic control and is used when the 1.2 mg dose has proven insufficient.
It is essential to plan ahead and ensure you have sufficient pens before your current supply runs out. Do not attempt to stretch your supply by reducing your dose without consulting your GP or diabetes specialist nurse, as this may compromise your blood glucose control. If you are unsure about your prescribed dose or how many pens you should be using, contact your healthcare provider or pharmacist for clarification.
Calculating your monthly Victoza prescription accurately helps prevent treatment interruptions and ensures optimal diabetes management. The calculation is straightforward once you know your prescribed daily dose and understand the pen's capacity.
Step 1: Identify your prescribed dose. Check your prescription or medication label. Your dose will be 0.6 mg, 1.2 mg, or 1.8 mg once daily.
Step 2: Determine doses per pen. Each Victoza pen contains 18 mg total. Divide 18 mg by your daily dose:
0.6 mg dose: 18 ÷ 0.6 = 30 doses per pen
1.2 mg dose: 18 ÷ 1.2 = 15 doses per pen
1.8 mg dose: 18 ÷ 1.8 = 10 doses per pen
Step 3: Calculate pens needed for 30 days. Divide 30 days by the number of doses per pen:
0.6 mg: 30 ÷ 30 = 1 pen
1.2 mg: 30 ÷ 15 = 2 pens
1.8 mg: 30 ÷ 10 = 3 pens
When requesting a prescription, some practices may allow longer repeats (e.g., 56 days) depending on local Integrated Care Board (ICB) policy and clinical stability. For the 1.2 mg dose, this would be four pens; for 1.8 mg, six pens. Follow your practice's repeat prescription processes.
Important considerations: If you miss a dose, take it if within 12 hours of your usual time. If more than 12 hours have passed, skip that dose and take your next dose at the usual time. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed dose. Never ration your medication. If you are transitioning between doses (e.g., from 1.2 mg to 1.8 mg), your GP should provide clear instructions and an appropriate prescription to cover the titration period.
Victoza is available on NHS prescription in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, subject to NICE guidance and local formulary restrictions. NICE recommends GLP-1 receptor agonists like Victoza for adults with type 2 diabetes only when specific criteria are met.
According to NICE guideline NG28, GLP-1 receptor agonists may be considered when:
BMI is ≥35 kg/m² (adjusted for ethnicity) and specific psychological or medical problems associated with obesity are present, or
BMI is <35 kg/m² and insulin therapy would have significant occupational implications, or weight loss would benefit other significant obesity-related comorbidities
Under standard NHS prescription arrangements, most patients receive a 28- or 30-day supply per prescription. For Victoza, this translates to:
Two pens for patients on 1.2 mg daily
Three pens for patients on 1.8 mg daily
Some GP practices and Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) may allow longer repeat prescriptions (e.g., 56 days), which can improve convenience and reduce the administrative burden. Patients should discuss this option with their GP or practice pharmacist.
Prescription charges apply in England (currently £9.90 per prescription item as of May 2024), though many diabetes patients qualify for exemption certificates. In Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, prescriptions are free. In England, charges are per prescription item (per line); multiple pens prescribed on one line usually incur one charge.
For continuation of therapy, NICE recommends that treatment should only be continued if there is a beneficial metabolic response (HbA1c reduction of at least 11 mmol/mol [1%] and weight loss of at least 3% at six months when used as triple therapy). Your diabetes team will monitor your response and adjust treatment accordingly. Always ensure your repeat prescription is up to date and request refills in good time to avoid running out.
Running short of Victoza can disrupt your diabetes management and potentially lead to deteriorating blood glucose control. If you find yourself with insufficient supply, take prompt action to minimise any treatment gap.
Contact your GP practice immediately if you are about to run out of pens. Many practices offer urgent prescription services or can arrange an emergency supply. Explain that you are on a daily injectable medication for diabetes and require an urgent prescription. If your GP surgery is closed, contact NHS 111 for advice—they may be able to arrange an emergency supply through an out-of-hours service or local pharmacy.
Visit your usual pharmacy and speak to the pharmacist. Under certain circumstances, pharmacists can provide an emergency supply of prescription-only medicines if you have previously been prescribed the medication and it is impractical to obtain a prescription immediately. There may be a charge for this service, and the pharmacist will need to be satisfied that the supply is necessary.
Do not stop Victoza abruptly without medical advice. Sudden discontinuation will not cause withdrawal symptoms, but your blood glucose levels may rise, increasing the risk of hyperglycaemia and long-term complications. If you miss a dose, take it if within 12 hours of your usual time. If more than 12 hours have passed, skip that dose and take your next dose at the usual time. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed dose.
Prevent future shortages by:
Setting reminders to request repeat prescriptions 7–10 days before running out
Using your GP practice's online prescription ordering system
Keeping a record of when each pen was started to track usage
Discussing longer repeat prescriptions with your GP if appropriate
Seek urgent medical advice if you experience severe, persistent abdominal pain (with or without vomiting) as this could indicate pancreatitis, a rare but serious side effect.
If you experience recurrent supply issues due to stock shortages at pharmacies, ask your pharmacist to order in advance or consider switching to a different pharmacy. The MHRA and NHS England monitor medicine supply issues, and your healthcare team can advise on alternative GLP-1 agonists if Victoza remains unavailable.
For a 30-day supply at 1.2 mg daily, you need two Victoza pens. Each pen delivers 15 doses at this strength (18 mg ÷ 1.2 mg = 15 doses per pen).
Some GP practices and Integrated Care Boards allow longer repeat prescriptions (e.g., 56 days) depending on local policy and clinical stability. Discuss this option with your GP or practice pharmacist to improve convenience.
Contact your GP practice immediately for an urgent prescription, or call NHS 111 if the surgery is closed. Your pharmacist may also provide an emergency supply under certain circumstances to prevent treatment interruption.
All medical content on this blog is created based on reputable, evidence-based sources and reviewed regularly for accuracy and relevance. While we strive to keep content up to date with the latest research and clinical guidelines, it is intended for general informational purposes only.
DisclaimerThis content is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional with any medical questions or concerns. Use of the information is at your own risk, and we are not responsible for any consequences resulting from its use.
