Your pharmacy is out of Victoza — now what?

If you've been told your Victoza prescription can't be filled, you're probably wondering what to do next. Going without your diabetes medication isn't an option, and your doctor likely agrees.

The good news: there are several effective alternatives in the same drug class. In this post, we'll walk through what Victoza does, how it works, and which medications your doctor might consider as a replacement.

What is Victoza and how does it work?

Victoza (Liraglutide) is a GLP-1 receptor agonist — a type of injectable medication that mimics a natural gut hormone called GLP-1. Here's what it does in your body:

• Stimulates insulin release when blood sugar is high (glucose-dependent)
• Reduces glucagon secretion, which lowers the amount of sugar your liver produces
• Slows gastric emptying, so you feel full longer after meals
• Reduces appetite, which can lead to modest weight loss

Victoza is taken as a once-daily injection at doses of 0.6 mg, 1.2 mg, or 1.8 mg. For more details, see How does Victoza work? Mechanism of action explained.

Why might you need an alternative?

The most common reason right now is simple: supply issues. The entire GLP-1 class has faced shortages due to skyrocketing demand. Read more about why Victoza is hard to find in 2026.

Other reasons to switch include:

• Side effects that aren't manageable
• Wanting a less frequent injection schedule (weekly vs. daily)
• Insurance or cost changes
• Your doctor recommends a medication with additional benefits

Alternatives to Victoza for type 2 diabetes

All of the medications below are GLP-1 receptor agonists (or related) and work in similar ways. However, they differ in dosing, frequency, and specific benefits. Always talk to your doctor before switching medications.

1. Ozempic (Semaglutide)

Ozempic is a once-weekly injectable GLP-1 receptor agonist, also made by Novo Nordisk. It's one of the most commonly prescribed alternatives to Victoza.

• Dosing: 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1 mg, or 2 mg once weekly
• Key benefit: Weekly dosing is more convenient than daily injections. Ozempic has also shown strong cardiovascular benefits in clinical trials.
• Consideration: Ozempic is also facing supply challenges due to high demand.

2. Trulicity (Dulaglutide)

Trulicity is a once-weekly GLP-1 receptor agonist made by Eli Lilly. It's another popular alternative with a user-friendly pen design.

• Dosing: 0.75 mg, 1.5 mg, 3 mg, or 4.5 mg once weekly
• Key benefit: The auto-injector pen is easy to use and doesn't require handling a needle. It also has proven cardiovascular benefits.
• Consideration: May cause similar GI side effects (nausea, diarrhea) as Victoza.

3. Mounjaro (Tirzepatide)

Mounjaro is a newer medication that targets both GLP-1 and GIP receptors — a dual-action approach. It's made by Eli Lilly and given as a once-weekly injection.

• Dosing: 2.5 mg up to 15 mg once weekly
• Key benefit: Clinical trials have shown significant blood sugar reduction and weight loss — often more than other GLP-1 medications alone.
• Consideration: Mounjaro is newer to the market and may require prior authorization from your insurance.

4. Rybelsus (Oral Semaglutide)

If you'd rather not inject at all, Rybelsus is an oral tablet form of Semaglutide — the same active ingredient in Ozempic.

• Dosing: 3 mg, 7 mg, or 14 mg taken once daily on an empty stomach
• Key benefit: No injections required. Taken as a pill with a small sip of water.
• Consideration: Must be taken 30 minutes before eating, drinking, or taking other oral medications. Some patients find the dietary restrictions inconvenient.

How to talk to your doctor about switching

When discussing alternatives, bring up:

• Your current Victoza dose and how long you've been on it
• Any side effects you've experienced
• Your insurance coverage and what's on your plan's formulary
• Your preference for injection frequency (daily vs. weekly) or oral medication

Your doctor can help choose the best fit based on your A1C levels, other medications, and overall health goals.

Final thoughts

Not being able to fill your Victoza prescription is stressful — but it doesn't mean you're out of options. Ozempic, Trulicity, Mounjaro, and Rybelsus all offer effective blood sugar control with similar mechanisms of action.

Before switching, check if Victoza might be available near you using Medfinder. And for more on the current supply situation, see our Victoza shortage update for 2026.