Liraglutide and Headaches: What Users Say (Page 2)

• T G...
• August 29, 2010

For Type 2 Diabetes "I've been on Victoza for almost 3 months. Why didn't someone tell me about this sooner. There are some side effects in the beginning: nausea, headaches, loss of appetite, but they only lasted a few weeks. I did experience bad stomach cramps and major nausea when I increased to 1.2, but I called my doctor and she told me to stick with the 0.6 until my next visit, which she kept me on. My sugar levels have been great, 95-115, a far cry from the 200-300's. My A1C went from 7.6 to 6.2 in 2 months, and I have lost 22 lbs so far. I also take metformin 1000mg 2x a day. I have noticed that my blood pressure has increased slightly, so we are watching that and may need to increase my blood pressure medicine. About administering the shot: I was intimidated at first, but it's painless."

• PCa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 5, 2020

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "For obesity, I use Saxenda for the first time Sunday 05/04/20 @ 7 am. In seconds after the shot, I felt dizzy, headaches, body heat like I had a bad fever. My body felt confused. I took water, water, and more water. My boyfriend and I got so scared. Nothing helped. After an hour of feeling so bad, my dizziness was gone, but my headache was not. Around 8 pm, I started feeling the dizziness again. That really scared me because so many hours had passed. I got so scared I called my doctor. He told me to stop it, not use it again. Side effects were super bad."

• New...
• July 30, 2014

For Type 2 Diabetes "I was put on this medicine just 6 days ago and I feel great! Slight headaches and had nausea last night, but my most persistent symptoms are GONE! My fasting blood sugar would always creep overnight to 110 to 120 range. After my first meal, blood sugar would come under control depending on what I ate. Now on Victoza, I have seen a fasting blood sugar in the 85 to 105 range this week. As an added bonus, I lost 6 pounds in six days. Hopefully the long-term prospects are as favorable as the short-term ones have been."

• Pal...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 25, 2019

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I am a 39-year-old 5'6" female and started at 295 pounds on May 30, 2019. Today was my last day of the 2.4 mg dose (starting 3.0 tomorrow) and so far, so good. I am down 9.5 lbs. in 4 weeks, and this is including a 10-day vacation with lots of eating out and drinking. I have noticed that I will suddenly feel full when eating and can just push the rest of the food away. Before, I felt like I was NEVER full. I have experienced some mild sphincter of Oddi spasms and really mild constipation (improved with fluid intake and activity). I have also had a few headaches, which are normally rare for me. The worst side effect has actually been pain at the insertion site and mild bruising. I've tried two types of nano tips and am skilled with injections (hospital RN), so this has surprised me. Overall, I am really pleased and have high hopes for continued progress."

• Hop...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 10, 2014

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "Just finished my first week at 0.6 and was quite ill all week. Headache and nausea being the main symptoms along with mild fever and lack of energy... But I'm down 7 lbs! No wonder though, I hardly ate. I'm a little nervous about upping the dose to 1.2 tomorrow as I'm just starting to feel better, but I'll give it a shot. If I find it's too much too quick, I will go back to 0.6 for a while longer until my body can tolerate it more. Even though I was sick, the 7 lbs lost in that first week was worth it and gave me that boost I needed. I feel motivated now."

• Amb...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 31, 2017

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I started Saxenda in November 2016, the week before Thanksgiving. It is January 31, 2017. I am 5' 1" and when I started Saxenda I weighed 205 lbs. I now weigh 178 lbs. I have been able to come off of my blood pressure meds and I no longer need my CPAP when I sleep at night. I have less joint pain and I no longer get winded walking up a flight of stairs. The only side effects I've experienced are nausea with each titration up of the medication, mild headache the first few weeks, nasty sulfur burps, and diarrhea. I haven't had any constipation. None of the side effects were severe enough to make me consider stopping the medication."

• And...
• July 9, 2014

For Type 2 Diabetes "I have been on Victoza for 3 months now. I am a type 2 diabetic with poor control. Victoza has steadily increased and I am at 1.8. I am slightly overweight but since starting Victoza, I have dropped 15 pounds. I did drop all this weight in the first month and have not lost any weight since. I did find the first month to be a little difficult with nausea and headaches. My fasting blood sugar levels have gone from the 150s down to the 90s, and I'm very happy with this! I am really hoping this will work long term!"

• Jen...
• October 22, 2019

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "Just started taking Saxenda on Sunday, October 14. My start weight was 112.2 kgs (247 pounds). I weighed myself on Sunday, October 20, and the scales really shocked me, it said I was 108.4 kgs (239 pounds). I have been overweight and dieting all my life. I was recently diagnosed with PCOS. Losing weight has been very hard. I track my steps and calories, I have been reducing the size of my meals. I had half a tuna sandwich and had to stop eating. The drug works on suppressing appetite, but the side effects are also very high for me. I have had diarrhea, constipation, lack of energy, headaches, feeling sick, and vomiting. I have dry mouth and am taking Hydralyte to compensate for the lack of fluids I can keep in my system. I am in two minds about this drug, I don't know if I am going to continue it after I finish the 5 pens in my first box. The drug costs so much, $389 Australian, and can't claim anything back on my private health."

• Anonymous
• October 6, 2011

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I take this medicine for weight loss only. I am not a diabetic. Lost about 20 lbs in about four months. The first month saw the most weight loss. I now lose about 4-6 lbs a month. I am happy that I am still losing weight. The only side effect I have had is a random headache, but that started when I upped my dosage to 1.8. Yes, the medicine came with some side effects, all drugs do, but you need to take it to see what side effects you may have since everybody is different. Then you need to outweigh the pros and cons. For me, I will put up with the random headache to keep losing the weight."

• Ms ...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 6, 2016

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "Dr. prescribed Victoza 3 mo. ago for weight loss, which was affecting my health. High BP, arthritis in knee, low thyroid, weight was 183 lbs. Loved it, no side effects, lost 40 lbs. But, just recently all at once, got headaches, lightheaded, unbearable pains in stomach, anxiety, fast heart beating, I thought I was going to die. I stayed up until 4:00 am, I felt out of control from all the anxiety. Thank God I had some Xanax! I love the weight loss results, however I don't ever want to experience that terrifying experience of feeling like I was going to die. It was that frightening, I stopped the next day!"

• AND...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 11, 2019

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I started Saxenda 4 weeks ago. I lost 6 pounds in the first two days. To date, I have lost 13 pounds. The side effects are hard. I have large red bumps that get hot and itchy at the injection site, severe fatigue, headaches, and sometimes nausea. I have not been able to increase my dose higher than 1.8 because the side effects are so hard right now. Does anyone else have the red spots on the injection sites?"

• Fay...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 25, 2016

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I have been on Saxenda since September 26, 2016, today is October 25, 2016, and I just started 3 mg. I have lost 20 lbs. I, too, have experienced nausea and headaches after each time I changed the dosage. It takes about two days to calm down. So far, so good, and hopefully, I continue this progress. I started out at 359.8 and as of today, I am 339.6."

• IRe...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 8, 2021

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I’ve been on Saxenda for just over a week. Admittedly, I only injected the 0.6 dosage for two days before I increased it to 1.2 because I wasn’t “feeling” anything. I did 1.2 for the rest of that first week and increased to 1.8 today. I have noticed a significant decrease in appetite over the past few days. I haven’t started working out yet. One night I woke up with a really bad taste in my mouth. I did an internet search and found out it’s a common side effect. I’m also experiencing a bit of constipation and a couple of headaches but no nausea. My goal is to lose 100 lbs, and I’d really like to do it with bariatric surgery. Hoping Saxenda will help me out."

• Hop...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 11, 2016

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I have been on the starting dose for 6 days. Going to 1.2 tomorrow. I have lost 9 pounds, which I am sure some of that was initial water weight. Have not experienced any side effects yet, except a headache the first day. I dose at night based on suggestions of others I read before starting. I agree with many comments that you feel very full so you eat less. I am doing a diabetic diet, watching my carbs and eating lean meat, fresh fruit, and vegetables, and smaller amounts of low-fat dairy. This drug is a tool, and I find it helps me to not overeat or snack. The shots are very easy, and you cannot feel them at all. Just getting started and have a long road ahead as I want to lose 80 pounds. It will help me stick to it!"

• Fai...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 22, 2020

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I started on Victoza 0.6, and initially, the nausea was so bad I could not continue after 1 day. I stopped for about a week and decided to try again. This is now day 3, and I’m actually tolerating it better. I have not drunk any alcohol, and last time I had alcohol the same day I started my injection. Very bad idea... I now also take Pepto or an anti-nausea med right before I do my injection, and I take it at bedtime. This has helped tremendously!!! I still have some belching and a slight headache, but nothing like before. I’m really excited that my body is tolerating it. I’ll post again in a few weeks, and hopefully, I’ll be a few pounds lighter."

• Sid...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 5, 2020

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "Started 0.6 mg then moved to 1.2 mg 1 week later. Horrible bloating, gas, nausea, vomiting. It did take my appetite away completely, but to an unhealthy point. I lost 28 lbs in 2 months (starting weight 240 lbs, female, 36, non-diabetic, binge eating disorder, PCOS). I could only barely tolerate the 1.2 mg dose. I increased my water intake to 80-100 oz, and if I ate more than 600-800 cal during the day, I’d feel like throwing up. I had to stay on a liquid diet of smoothies and protein shakes, as solid food increased the nausea and bloating. I added a probiotic per my doctor, but no help. I tried taking the injection at night to decrease the side effects, it only made sleeping more difficult as I was up during the night with a headache and diarrhea. I experienced extreme lack of energy and shortness of breath in doing simple tasks (such as taking out garbage). My doctor and I decided to stop due to the side effects. It helped start the weight loss, but I’m not convinced it was healthy for me."

• Tay...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 28, 2014

For Type 2 Diabetes "I started taking Victoza on 10/18/2014, and the first four days I was fine. I had a slight headache, on the fifth day, I was dizzy and vomiting. I couldn't keep water down. I skipped a day of Victoza, and started back the following day with no problems. I'm down 7 lbs."

• Anonymous
• May 29, 2010

For Type 2 Diabetes "So far, I have been on Victoza for three weeks now. At first, being on the 1.2 dose was very nauseating. So, I went back to 0.6, and that reduced the nausea. However, that was not the solution to the blood sugar highs. Now, being back on the 1.2 dosage, the nausea is not bad, and my hunger is so reduced that I now have to force myself to eat. My only main side effect so far has been the headaches. I love the fact that I only have to take this once a day. Insurance companies and the government need to take note of the successes some are having and start including this on all medical/prescription plans."

• Dyn...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 30, 2014

For Type 2 Diabetes "I'm 64 yrs old, 5'2" female with an A1C of 8.1 and an average 3-month glucose of 185. My morning sugars are 160. Evenings from 170 to 290. I'm on 2000 mg of Metformin and 100 mg of Januvia. My new doctor suggested Victoza. First week had 1 day of nausea, 4 days of loose stools, and 1 day with a minor headache. All was gone by day 6. Have lost 10 pounds in 10 days. Sugars now run in the 140's in the morning and 120's - 140's in the evening. Not as hungry. Have not specifically exercised but have tried to eat at least 2x a day and -0- after 8 pm. Less thirsty too. Now to get my thyroid levels back under control, which I was just informed were off and need a higher dose (0.150 mcg) of Synthroid. But I'm THRILLED with this medicine after 10 days of use."

• Anonymous
• March 21, 2016

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "Started Saxenda on February 28th. I've lost 17 pounds, and I'm still shocked about how well this is working for me. My side effects have been headaches on a daily basis, some nausea in the beginning, and dry mouth that has also passed. I am never hungry. The little side effects are worth it. My insurance does cover it."

• mov...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 20, 2017

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I tried Victoza 0.6 a few months ago, had severe dizziness 24/7; stopped. Wanted to try it again, as I have to lose weight and am insulin resistant. This time started at 0.3 (5 clicks). Had the headaches (head, neck), burping, and some nausea, but stuck with it for 3+ weeks before moving up to 0.6. After 2+ weeks of 0.6, I'm now at 0.9, largely without side effects except constipation. My endocrinologist says the best weight loss is at 3.0, but at 0.9, I'm absolutely seeing weight loss (6 lbs in a month) and noticing a distinct lack of hunger. I'm cautiously giving it a rating of 8 because it still beats amphetamine-like appetite suppressants. If you have trouble, start very low and take your time moving up; so far, I believe it's worth it."

• Lat...
• January 16, 2012

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I am pre-diabetic and overweight. I needed to lose 65 pounds and failed after every single diet I tried. My doctor put me on Victoza and started me on 10 clicks a day and increased my dose every week until I reached 50 clicks on my FlexPen (3 mg). At first, I experienced constant headaches and nausea in the morning when I took my dose at 9 pm. I changed my dosing time to 5 pm, and the nausea subsided after 8 weeks. My eating habits have changed (I'm less hungry and eat less), and for the last 4 months, I lost 15 pounds. Look, this medication works, but you can make small changes week by week to the way you eat (I cut soda out altogether by week 9). Victoza has changed my life."

• Anonymous
• December 11, 2010

For Type 2 Diabetes "I've been on Victoza since July 2010. As of December 2010 (5 months later), I have lost 50 lbs. My appetite has still not been much since I've been on Victoza. My blood sugars have been in the average of 140s, 2 hours after I eat, and I feel great! I hope this keeps up because it does help me with the weight loss issue as well as my type 2 diabetes! When I first was on Victoza, I had really bad headaches, nausea, and some diarrhea. But that lasted about a month to a month and a half, and since then, I have not had any issues with side effects. I highly recommend this prescription for those who have tried everything under the sun to keep their sugar in control, and the only possible next step was going to be insulin. I would recommend giving this medicine a try."

• Mon...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 21, 2016

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "Follow up to my 2-month post, went to the doctor this week and down 51 lbs in 4 months, the nausea has subsided for the most part, just once in a while. Love it!! I am still losing weight and have started to work out 4 times a week. This medication makes it easier for me to make healthier choices. Constipation is still a bit of an issue, but better, headaches are also gone. Not much more to go!! Will update in another 2 months. Highly recommend! Good luck!"

• Anonymous
• May 18, 2010

For Type 2 Diabetes "I have been on Victoza for approximately 3 months. It has brought my A1C down from 11.7 to 5.8. I had headaches and nausea the first couple of weeks - that has passed. I used to wake up with sugars in the 300s (dawn phenomenon) - now my sugars are stable at 100-115. I also lost 17 pounds in 2 months so far. This drug works, but unfortunately, my insurance refuses to pay for it because it is too 'new.' I am using up my last sample pen, and then I will probably go back to using Symlin."