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Tuesday, January 14, 2025

Panic

 Jan 14

11,000 steps

Yes, I am in a panic. I am out of Victoza for diabetes. There is none to be had. I only have a pill I take with the shot. For breakfast at noon, I had cheese and enough crackers for 10 mg of carbs. Then when we went out, I told Tommy I wanted one plain hamburger. Then, I decided to get a Whopper, Jr. since it is only fifty cents more than a hamburger. He got me two Whopper, Jrs. because that is cheaper per Whopper than buying one. I got rid of the top and bottom bun of one burger and the top of the other, so not many carbs. I had a tiny yogurt, 10 carbs, I think. 

Doctor does not respond. Pharmacy says nothing helpful. I know I need some carbs, but I can cut down. I have glimepiride and am tempted to take more than prescribed since I am out of Victoza. 

I will use the Ellipse after meals instead of all at once and restrict carbs and take Glimepiride as ordered. This, no doubt will help in weight loss. Tonight, my scales gave up the ghost!

The only reason given to me as to why there is no Victoza is that there is a 'shortage.' I decided to see what that meant.

VICTOZA SHORTAGE  So, this shortage was planned and has been ongoing? 

8 comments:

  1. Linda, you should really start referring to drugs by their actual names, NOT the "trade names". Pharmacists are much more responsive. The name of the drug is the actual chemical name, not the b.s. name they give it for advertising.

    Glimepiride (Amaryl) is for high blood sugar, and can be used alone or combined (with insulin or metformin). It is strictly for type 2. DO NOT take more than prescribed, it has to be increased slowly.

    Victoza (trade name) is like metformin in how it helps with blood sugar (and similiar, but metformin is oral). It is a generic version of liraglutide (aka Saxena). So a pharmacy should just substitute Saxena

    (same drug: liraglutide). The pharmacy should KNOW THIS. The script is for liraglutide... unless your prescription says "no substitutes".

    Vicoza was discontinued last year.

    But, it is nearly the same as all the other "glutide" drugs like semaglutide (Ozempic) tirzepatide (Mounjaro) and linagliptin (Trajenta), etc.

    It was only discontinued because they had too many drugs that were too similar, and they wanted to "consolidate the portfolio" (read: medicare was pushing for them to not offer so many of the exact same kind of drug).

    You should be able to just get a new prescription of one of the other drugs -- and/or just switch to oral metformin.

    The other drug you talked about was? I find nothing under Ellipse.

    Eliquis? (apixaban?) That has nothing to do with blood sugar. It's a blood thinner, like aspirin.

    Call the pharmacy, ask them what they substituting for Victoza, since is a GLP-1 agonists. Same drug (liraglutide) is branded as Saxenda, and that has NOT been discontinued by the manufacturer.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. meetsy,
      I knew none of this. Metformin gave me diarrhea which could occur as I drove, was walking in a store. I hate it.
      Ellipse is my pedal device. Sorry.
      Thanks.

      Delete
    2. I had that problem with Metformin many years ago. I was referred to a gastroenterologist who took one look at my prescription list and told me that I had been prescribed too much Metforman. We adjusted my RX and all was back to normal.

      Delete
    3. Janet,
      Thanks. Maybe that was my problem.

      Delete
  2. Metformin comes in two different kinds. There is a fast realease and a slow realease. My husband had to change to the slow release and now has no problems with diarrhea. Talk to your Dr about the slow release kind.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Barbara,
      Thank you so much for that information. I certainly will. No one ever told me about this. A truck driver said he had the same problem on the road and was not happy at all. Maybe I can get the slow release if I was taking the fast release.

      Delete
  3. I hope they get it all straightened out for you. The other commenters gave you excellent ideas

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    Replies
    1. Ms. Sandie,
      Thanks, I am trying to get it straightened out. I agree that it was good advice.

      Delete

Okay, hoping the annoyances have gone away.