Victoza vs. Farxiga
See how Victoza and Farxiga compare on approved uses, dosing, side effects, and cost.
Key Takeaways
Victoza is a once-daily injectable GLP-1 that also lowers cardiovascular risk, while Farxiga is a once-daily pill that also protects the heart and kidneys.
Victoza's most common side effects are gastrointestinal, while Farxiga's are mostly genital and urinary infections.
Both treat type 2 diabetes, but Farxiga has broader FDA approvals covering heart failure and chronic kidney disease on their own.
Victoza vs. Farxiga Drug Summary
Victoza
Victoza (liraglutide) is a GLP-1 receptor agonist used to improve blood sugar control in adults and children 10 and older with type 2 diabetes. It also carries an approval to reduce major cardiovascular events in people with type 2 diabetes and heart disease. It is given as a once-daily injection under the skin, with a dose that increases over the first few weeks.
Farxiga
Farxiga (dapagliflozin) is an SGLT2 inhibitor used to control blood sugar in adults and children 10 and older with type 2 diabetes. It is also approved for heart failure and chronic kidney disease, independent of diabetes status. It comes as a once-daily oral tablet, typically started at a single dose without titration.
Victoza vs. Farxiga Side Effects
Victoza
Farxiga
Victoza vs. Farxiga Dosage
Victoza
Farxiga
| STAGE | DOSE | WHEN |
| Starting dose | 0.6 mg once daily | Week 1 |
| Maximum dose | 1.8 mg once daily | Week 3 onward |
| Dose changes | 2 increases | Every week |
| STAGE | DOSE | WHEN |
| Starting dose | 5 mg once daily | At the start |
| Maximum dose | 10 mg once daily | If needed |
| Dose changes | 1 increase | As tolerated |
Victoza
| STAGE | DOSE | WHEN |
| Starting dose | 0.6 mg once daily | Week 1 |
| Maximum dose | 1.8 mg once daily | Week 3 onward |
| Dose changes | 2 increases | Every week |
Farxiga
| STAGE | DOSE | WHEN |
| Starting dose | 5 mg once daily | At the start |
| Maximum dose | 10 mg once daily | If needed |
| Dose changes | 1 increase | As tolerated |
Victoza vs. Farxiga Indications
Victoza
Victoza is FDA-approved to improve blood sugar control alongside diet and exercise in type 2 diabetes, including in children 10 and older. It also carries a specific approval to lower the risk of heart attack, stroke, and cardiovascular death in adults with type 2 diabetes and existing heart disease. It is not approved for type 1 diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes glycemic control (adults and children 10+)
Reduce risk of major cardiovascular events in established heart disease
Basis for Saxenda, a higher-dose version for weight management
Not approved for type 1 diabetes
Farxiga
Farxiga is FDA-approved for blood sugar control in type 2 diabetes, including children 10 and older, but its approvals extend well beyond diabetes. It is also approved to reduce heart failure hospitalization, treat heart failure directly, and slow chronic kidney disease progression. It is not approved for type 1 diabetes or diabetic ketoacidosis.
Type 2 diabetes glycemic control (adults and children 10+)
Reduce hospitalization risk for heart failure patients
Slow chronic kidney disease progression and failure
Not approved for type 1 diabetes or ketoacidosis
Victoza vs. Farxiga Pros and Cons
Victoza
Victoza has a long track record and proven cardiovascular benefit in people with existing heart disease, but it requires a daily injection and carries a boxed warning for thyroid tumor risk seen in animal studies. Coverage varies and list price runs higher than many oral diabetes options.
Pros
Proven to reduce cardiovascular events in high-risk patients
Often supports modest weight loss alongside glucose control
Approved for pediatric type 2 diabetes down to age 10
Cons
Daily injection, unlike oral alternatives
Boxed warning for thyroid C-cell tumor risk
Higher typical monthly list price, roughly $935 to $1,470 without insurance
GI side effects like nausea and vomiting are common early on
Farxiga
Farxiga is taken as a simple once-daily pill with no titration and has FDA approvals spanning heart failure and chronic kidney disease beyond diabetes. Its main risks are genital and urinary infections rather than gastrointestinal upset, and it is less suitable for people with significant kidney impairment.
Pros
Once-daily oral pill with no dose titration needed
Approved for heart failure and chronic kidney disease independent of diabetes
Lower typical monthly list price, roughly $400 to $785 without insurance
Cons
Risk of genital and urinary tract infections
Rare but serious risk of Fournier's gangrene
Not recommended for glycemic control at low kidney function levels
Risk of ketoacidosis even with near-normal blood sugar
Common Symptoms and Related Diseases You Can Explore
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