Victoza Use for Weight Loss
Victoza is the brand name used for liraglutide in Europe. This drug is the first human Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 developed to be taken once per day in order to treat type 2 diabetes. It has only just received its approval for all of the states in the European Union for two uses:
Victoza is a new drug used for treating type 2 diabetes and has been found to promote weight loss in overweight and obese patients.
- As a treatment combined with metformin or one of the sulphonylureas among patients who suffer from a lack of glycemic control even after having tried the highest possible dose of metformin or sulphonylurea monotherapies.
- As a treatment combined with metformin and one of the sulphonylureas or metformin and one of the thiazolidinediones among patients who suffer from a lack of glycemic control even after having tried the dual therapy.
Clinical studies with Victoza that involved the participation of over 6,500 people suffering from type 2 diabetes demonstrated a notable decrease in blood glucose levels, allowing for weight loss without the a heightened risk of hypoglycemia. For this reason, it is now considered to be a beneficial type 2 diabetes treatment option and helps to further reduce the risks of the condition by allowing for weight loss.
The drug was first launched by Novo Nordisk – the manufacturer – within Germany, the United Kingdom, and Denmark during the summer of 2009, and throughout the second half of 2009 and throughout the year 2010 the drug will continue to be released throughout the rest of the European Union marketplaces.
The drug functions by only stimulating insulin release when the blood’s glucose levels are high enough to warrant its need. Weight loss is a very common side effect of this drug – one that is often considered very desirable, as one of the things that is most recommended to type 2 diabetes sufferers is weight loss in order to reduce the symptoms of their condition. It is believed that Victoza causes this weight loss because it decreases the speed at which gastric emptying occurs, so that the patient feels more satisfied after meals and for a longer period of time. The body naturally breaks down Victoza and does not need renal excretion for elimination.
Though the drug is not considered to be weight loss medication, it does include this side effect among one of the beneficial reactions that can occur when it is used in order to control type 2 diabetes – especially in cases where weight loss is recommended by the prescribing medical professional.
Just went back to endo after 3 1/2 months being on Vic & met. They told me I was the new poster child for the office! I’ve lost 32 pounds in 3 1/2 months!!! Side effects pretty much gone and feel great! Weight loss has slowed down a lot…some weeks I don’t lose anything, but of course, that has a lot to do with how much I eat. Gotta stay focused, but this stuff WORKS!!!
June, I am encouraged that you are doing so well on this medication! I just began andthe first week took 1.6 and now the second week 2.8, tired feeling and nausea is uncomfortable but not horrible. Did you experience nausea and if so how long did it last? I have noticed decrease in appetite but not sure if it is due to the nausea, and of course all i want to eat are soft carby foods on my tummy :(.
Ally,
I started out taking vic in the morning about would be nauseous about 10 hours later. Lasted for a few hours, then was fine. This went on for 5 weeks. Didn’t actually vomit but just felt bad and didn’t want much to eat. Getting too empty, however, made it worse. After 5 weeks, I switched to taking the med at supper time and so slept thru the sicky feeling. Did that for a few weeks and then weight loss slowed down so I switched back to mornings so the maximum effectiveness would be while I was awake. That’s what I’m doing now. Almost never get nauseous now but just can’t hold much and don’t want to snack like I used to. Have had a few other milder side effects, like more frequent headaches and heartburn, but nothing I can’t live with. Very impressed with this med. Good luck!
June
Hi June, I started Victoza a month ago and I have not lost 1 pound??? I didn’t have any side effects except some diarrhea the first week and that was it. I watch what I eat, the Dr. Told me to give it another month. Am I doing something wrong? can you tell me what your doing that’s helping with the weight loss. The Nurse told me that it might be hard mixing it with the Metphormin. Any advice will be helpful.
Ally,
Oh! My doctor told me to increase from 0.6, to 1.2, to 1.8 weekly. I found I had to do it slower than that. If you still feel sick, back down on the dosage or at least hold steady until you’re not sick anymore.
I have been on Victoza for 6 weeks and I have been very sick. The first week I vomitted 30 times. The Dr. said just hang on, that this should get better. I have contiued and lowered the dose to the inital amount. The gastro problems are a bit better, but still affecting my life and my job. I am still vomitting. My B/S is much better. After some severe stressers in my life, my sugar reached a dangerous 300-400 level. A few times reaching 550 and my A1C was 12. I have been a type 2 diabetic for 3 years, and have taken 500 mg of metfomin 2x a day. This, along with diet and exercise, kept my blood sugar in the acceptable range for two years, then bam!! The stress attacked my body. With the Victoza and 1000 mg of metformin 2x a day, I lost 15 pounds the first two weeks, but it all came back except 5 pounds. I need to lose the weight, so I am trying to hang on. I waited to take the shot at 9pm last night, and I have been better today. I pray that this workss, because I really hate being fat and feeling like I am doing everything to lose weight and failing. One of the stressers in my life was my father dying due to complications of diabetes. He was only 72. I am 48, married to my good looking high school sweetheart for 29 years, have 3 wonderful sons, and I am successful business woman. I need to be healthy and whole.
Hello,
I am not so sure I want to take this medication. Have any of you been told that it can cause a rare type of cancer that is not curable, only leads to death?
Well I got to 1.6 and the fluid retention is too bad and I have not used v in 2 days now. I have congestive heart failure and I am already on two diuretics. Not sure what to do. I will call my Doc tomorrow. It did well on my blood sugar and I lost 8 or 9 lbs the first 13 days. But none since I started on 7/26. I felt really bad going up from 1.2 to 1.4 and then 1.6 was even worse. I had gotten thru all the side effects at 1.2 but still had edema. I hope I do not have to quit. Thanks Judy
i started victoza 2 months ago and have lost a total of 13 pounds since i started the injections.
Will start victoza tonight, a little worried, so many diabetic meds bother my pancrease, so hope this is not going to be as bad. that is one of the side affects. any one else trobled with this??
Yes, I am troubled with this, in fact I am afraid of taking it. How long as anyone been taking this new drug? How long as it been on the market? Just how safe is it in the long run??
Dr. appt. today - down 6 pounds in 4 week! Yea! Most importantly my sugars is really come down. Backing down to 1.2 dosage due to nausea. Still tired, but Dr. says that should improve when I level out. We will see how it goes from here! Hang in there everyone.
Has anybody experienced increased heartburn while using Victoza?
Yes, but doesn’t last long and a Rolaids takes care of it.
Judy I hope you’re doing better now. What insurance company do you have that won’t pay for the meds? I just started this past Monday - don’t have any side effects yet. My doc gave me free samples that should last about three weeks; if my insurance co won’t pay for the meds, what then?
I started taking Victoza 8 days ago. First day had serious nausea. 2rd day I vomited. 3rd day I changed from ticking my stomach to ticking my thigh area and that took care of the nausea, vomiting. I started o.6 for one week and 2rd week 1.6. I can feel the change at 1.6. My appetite is less, can go longer without eating and fill up on a less amount of food. B/S is lower. Have not weigthed myself yet. Will go to 1.8 next week. Hope all remains well. Will call my Dr. at 4 weeks with update. So far, so good.
Lynda I have medicare part d, I am only 57 but I have chf and need to loose weight badly. It would help me if I could. MY cardio gave me 3 doses of victoza in hopes of helping me loose weight. I am also type 2 and the office did send a special referal to medicare but they refused to pay. They recomended Junuvia,?? I have been able to control my type 2 with metformin for 20 years. I have had the gastric sleeve done about 2 years ago and it did not work for me. I have also tried byetta and it did nothing for me with weight loss. Now my cousin a younger male lost 60 lbs when he went on byetta. Vic is causing me extreme fluid retention and I can not breath well when that happens. I take two fluid pills now. I also am very stiff and my joints hurt. I am taking .6 again , it is controling my blood sugar well but it does not give me any appetite control. At first it was wonderful, I thought I had found the miracle drug, but it did not last long. I am not happy today. Ate everything in site, but my blood sugar is 100 right now at 9 30 pm
Two years ago I was on the Byetta shots and lost about 134lbs in 1 year, but I had to stop due to severe migrains. Know I have been on the Victoza shots 1.2, no real bad headaches, but I do have alot of fatigue and weakness. Does anyone know how to gain back some enery? Will B12 shots do the trick? Will it go away? I’m so tired and weak, can’t even raise my arms to brush my hair….any advice would be greatly appreciated.
I ment to say 3 pens not 3 doses. thanks judy
I started the end of February and had lost about 35 pounds within three months. Then in June I started feeling hungry again. Now I feel hungry all of the time and I’ve gained back about 12 pounds in the past month.
I was on Byetta before I was switched to Victoza. Victoza has given me much better control over my diabetes but I think some of that is because I’ve lost weight, too.
Has anyone tried switching off between Byetta and Victoza to regain their appetite control? I wouldn’t mind doing that every few months if it could help me lose more weight.
The one thing I’ve been able to maintain is my walking program, which is saying a lot when it’s been 100 degrees or over every day this month and I walk between 2-3:00pm!
I took my first dose last night. Because of the side effect of nausea, I decided that if I took it at night that I would be asleep if and when the nausea came on. I do feel a bit nauseated, but nothing that would stop me from going on with my day. Almost immediate was the feeling of no hunger. It is quite unbelievable. Normally I wake up hungry and thinking about food. I am a diabetic and I do take pills and I do have to eat, so I had a light breakfast — nothing much compared to what I would normally eat on a Sunday. I live in Canada and my sugars are pretty much under control with the medication I take, my morning number has been about 5.2, which is perfect. But, my appetite lately has been huge and that’s why the doctor suggested the Victoza. We’ll see how it works!
I started Victoza 6 weeks ago & have been @ 1.8 for almost a month. I have had severe nausea and vomiting (at the start, I was vomitig several times/day). I inject either in the stomach or upper thigh - the latter seems to reduce the nausea a bit. I also inject after dinner to minimize the impact of the nausea - but I still vomit most evenings. The first few weeks I lost 6 1/2 lbs but then I gained back 2 lbs. I feel like I am stuck at that level and while initially I did notice a reduced appetite, I don’t really notice that now. Also, because of the nausea, I am eating more carbs which I’m sure is not helping with weight loss. I, too, have had itching (forearms) and sneezing - but not so much that it is bothersome.
I have been on Victoza since mid June. Slight nausea when I started, but not too bad. I have lost 14 pounds sine then (about 2 months). My appetite is very low, I fill up much faster at mealtime and do not have snack cravings as before. I am now up to 1.8 dosage. Has anyone had experience with waking up with chills so bad you ache and shiver? I have had this experience twice now in the last 10 days.
Sharon - I have been on Vic since mid July. I too have experienced the chills on a few occasions. In looking over my food journal, I realized that the chills and shivering coincided with days that I ate very little all day. My doctor thinks that the chills are from not taking in enough calories those days. My intake on those days was around 4-6 hundred calories for the day, with a full day’s work in a non-sedentary job. Since I am forcing myself to meet at least a thousand calories a day, I haven’t had the chills. Since starting 6 weeks ago, I have lost 15 lbs. Hope this helps. Good luck.
I’ve been on Victoza strictly for weight loss for 3 weeks now. I started at .6 then 1.2 and now 1.8 - I feel awful. I have no energy, I am so bloated and I hate it, I have headaches, reflux and the nausea is awful. I would go back down to the previous level but I felt the same way on them as I do now so I don’t think it will help. On the positive side, I am never hungry but when I do force myself to eat I find myself eating too much and then I feel worse. I’ve done the smaller meals throughout the day and it helped and I am now today going to take the medication at night instead of the morning to see if that helps.
I am not sure if this medication will work for me but I am willing to tough it out until Sept 15 when I go back for my first checkup. The side effects of this medication outweigh my will to lose this weight I can tell you that. It totally drives me crazy what we put our bodies through to be thin. I almost would rather be heavy than feel the way I do right now.
As for the weight loss - I’ve lost nothing yet. I weigh 287 and I’ve struggled with weight all my life. Even without the medication I didn’t eat a lot, just the wrong things. I have a family history of diabetes and that is the last thing I want to deal with. My doctor is just as frustrated since he says I am his healthiest patient - just overweight. My blood work comes back positively each and every time with no negative results or even close to negative. Its just understandable and I think I am destined to be a heavy person - even though I hate it and I fight it tooth and nail - each and every day.
I’ve read this entire board looking for ways to make this work (hence the switching to an evening shot, taking an acid reducer, eating more yogurt etc) to help ease some of the side effects - but it seems one gets replaced with another. I need my energy back!! Please help me.
I posted a message for you….but I didn’t realize I could just rely to yours!
Started Vitoza 2 wks ago and lost 10 lbs. A little neausa at first and a loss of appetite. I get hungry but I also get full faster. Need to lose a total of 60 lbs. Blood sugar is down to 120.
severe heartburn
I’ve been on vic since the beginning of May and I’ve noticed ore heartburn, as well, but it responds well to antacids.
Mary I think heartburn is one of the side affects. I have been using tums more often.
Mary- Have you ever heard of a diet called New Direction? Look it up and talk to your doctor about it. I had a friend that was pushing 260 and was borderlins diabetic and she lost 60lbs. It is a liquid diet ( I KNOW IT SOUNDS CRAZY) but in order to get her body to process food right she had to take it out. The program has to be under doctor supervision and you weigh once a week. She had to take an appitite supporsent with it.
As for me I am on day 4 of Victoza for weight loss. I don’t know if I have lost but I think 3lbs (different scales) I started taking water pills for the bloating and I feel much better. I was sick and felt really weird the first 2 days but yesterday and today I am just really tired. I heard that you can be tired for like the first 2 weeks….so I hope that is true. I do get hungry but I do get full quick. I am also trying to slowly cut carbs back and watch sugar. I have been overweight my whole life so I feel like….Here we go again! Good Luck everybody!
I just got my perscription today, I am a little nervous about starting the medicine. I have insuline resistance and my glucose level is 98, its borderline, but I am only 33. I took Byetta for 6 weeks and only lost 3 pounds. I am hoping the medicine can help me loose the 40 pounds that I have lost and gained so many times. I am 5′9 and 185. Any suggestions?????
I am on my first week of Victoza at 0.6, so far so good, no nausea or other symptems as yet, I have been on Metformin for nearly 10 years but have reached the situation where it no longer kept my BS to an acceptable level.
Today, makes 3 months on Victoza. I’ve lost about 15 pounds total. But, I’ve noticed I’ve lost more inches. And still loving the medication!
I have been using Victoza for a little over 2 months now,I have had signifigant weight loss,and the blood sugar is down to 0.5-0.7 I take it in the afternoon daily 1.2.with 1 500 metformin & 1/2 glimapride in the Am and 2×500 met.at my super meal.No serious side effect yet,I do notice if i eat more than I need I get an uncomfortable pain in my belly.I rotate the shots from my thigh to my belly.I haven’t bee weighed for awhile but I no I’ve lost over 30 lbs.(I was over 300)I hope this works I am 57 and have already had both knees replaced due to arthritis and years of obesity. Good Luck!
I have been on Victoza about a week now, haveen’t lost any weight and I haven’t been eating much,and the good thing is my Blood Sugar has being really good for once, the only side effects so far is being tired and I’ve noticed frequent urination does anyone notice the frequent urination or is it only me?
I am 51 and have had type 2 for 6 years. I used Victoza for 6 weeks in conjunction with Actoplusmet. Began with a .6mg dose and went upto 1.8mg. The side effects I had were nausea, belching, flatulence and heartburn. On the upside my vision greatly improved, I lost 20 pounds and sugar level went from 380 to 125. I stopped taking it for 2 months and gained back 25 pounds but my A1C is still very impressive. I started on it again 1 week ago have lost 2 pounds so far. The nausea has already subsided but heartburn is still there.
I’ve been on Victoza 1.2 for 7 weeks…weight loss 28 lbs, blood sugars down from 120’s to 90’s, and only other side effect is constipation. I feel very lucky after reading the side effects some have had.
Am thrilled with this drug and hope the appetite loss will continue, as I have 100+ to lose. I do the shot at bedtime, stomache area, 1000 metformin with lunch or dinner.
Has anyone tried using a little ginger for the nausea or some peppermint. When I’m nauseous this is what I use for some relief. You can get ginger in capsules and ginger candy chews at the health food stores
I’ve been on Victoza for about 3 months and lost about 10 pounds, with no symptoms. However I’ve read several of the postings that talk about fluid retention. I’ve noticed over the past couple weeks that I’m running to the bathroom a lot more than usual, and wondered if this is happening to others on this medication. Also found out at my last doctor’s appointment that I’m severely deficient in Vitamin D.
I just started victoza 0.6 once daily today, recently was on Byetta and couldn’t take it because of really bad pain in my stomach
and sorethroat …Really worried about the cancer risk but willing to give it a try to help me get a handle on my weight ,and blood sugar
since ive been diabetic for almost 17 years so i dont want to take the risk of damaging my body any worser. Good Luck and God Bless Everyone…
I started victoza 2.5 weeks ago. Up to 1.8 my sinuses are bothering me more. vomited yesterday morning. I’ve lost 8 pds. Numbers are great. Just don’t like the sinus drainage, headaches, no energy. Started out at 222. So far
so good.
August 28th 2010
I started the Victoza 0.6 on Aug.24th My doctor weighed me on Aug.27th and i had lost 5 lbs.I could not believe it.The side effects I’m having are slight nausea,and slight headaches however the muscle spasms and the weakness is horrible. Does anyone know about how long this will last? appreciate any info.
Angela…I too have been on Victoza almost one week. I have frequent urination also. I guess it helps with water retention so thats a good thing. I have noticed a slight headache the last 2 days. Hope that is the only side affects I have. I inject in my thigh. Haven’t worked up the nerve to put in my stomach. I increase my doasage Tuesday. I wonder if I need to because my sugar level is running very good. I am going to call my doctor to see what he says.
I have been on Victoza for 6 weeks and have lost 22 pounds.I have bouts of nausea, at times stomach cramping and about every 3 days have diarrhea. I do eat less and the nausea isn’t quite so bad and I am on 1.8 dose. I feel better when I eat fruits or vegs. instead of carbs-although I have a little bit of carbs a day. I am no saint to dieting. Good luck everyone.
I have been on Vic for 1 week and 1 day. I probably am close to pre-diabetes. My blood sugar and HgbA1C are high normal. I am taking this drug with Metformin to loose weight. I do have Poly Cystic Ovarain Syndrome as well.This is my second day on 1.2mg. The first few days I was very queasy, and it has gotten progressively less. I feel a little dizzy shortly after the injection. I was afraid I would notice increased side effects when doubling the dose, so far not much. I have been urinating more on the higher dose, and I am constipated. No head aches to speak of. I don’t have much of an appetite, and I eat much smaller portions. I feel satisfied quickly and food isn’t as appealing. No cravings. I suspect I will loose weight from my decreaed coloric intake, although I do not plan to weigh myself until I have been on the drug for 2weeks.
Also, as far as the cancer risks goes, I have been told by my doctor that it did occur in lab rabs, but only when they received 8x the human dose. It has only occurred in a few people. He did not feel that the risk was very significant. Hope this helps.
I have now been on Victoza at 0.6 for 1 week, and today had my first at 1.2
The only side effect I have experienced is constipation, there is no sign of weight loss as yet, with some improvement in blood sugar levels.
I have been on Victoza 0.6mg dose for over a week. Had to miss two doses due to severe abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhea. I took a dose today and we will see what happens tonight. Definitely decreased my appetite. I am very nervous just because of the cancer risk. Has anyone had these symptoms and they went away completely?
I have been on the Victoza 0.6 for a week and start the 1.2 tonight. I too worry about the cancer risk. Would like to know more about it. I had lost 8 pounds before starting the shot and in this last week have lost another 3 pounds.
You know there are higher risks in obesity and cancers. Many situations(being around 2nd hand smoke)or eating pesticide infected foods are risks too. We cannot worry about every thing that could cause cancer, be aware and I think it is in such a small dose that our risk is lower than a lab rats.