Key takeaways
Repaglinide (generic name) and Victoza (liraglutide) are both medications used to manage Type 2 diabetes, but they differ in several ways. Repaglinide is a meglitinide taken orally before meals to stimulate the pancreas to produce more insulin, while Victoza is a GLP-1 agonist injected once daily that helps the body release more insulin, reduce sugar production, and slow digestion. Repaglinide is available in an affordable generic form, whereas Victoza is a brand-name medication. Repaglinide works quickly to lower blood sugar but must be taken with each meal, whereas Victoza can be taken at any time of day, with or without food. Victoza also has the added benefit of potentially lowering the risk of heart-related problems and aiding in weight management, which repaglinide does not offer. However, Victoza requires daily injections and can cause side effects like nausea and pancreatitis, while repaglinide's main side effects include low blood sugar and weight gain.
