Victoza and Burping: What Users Say

• Num...
• January 28, 2019

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "Started Victoza for weight loss in July 2017. Weight 240 at 5'8'. Female, age 50. No diabetes but borderline A1C of 5.7. Obese and very physically active (long-distance bicycle tours and commutes) since just after college. Initial side effects of nausea, fatigue, and burping subsided after 2 weeks. After 6 months, I had lost 40+ pounds, so I was under 200 lbs for the first time since college. Often had to remind myself to eat. I found that simple carbs in the morning sabotaged the meds. Doctor put me on metformin for additional appetite control. After trying different doses and types, what works for me is 1.8 Victoza in the morning and 500 mg metformin ER with each meal. Lost another 10 lbs. For the past year, my weight has fluctuated from 187-194. It's amazing to not be hungry and not be obese. I'm still 20 lbs overweight, but A1C down consistently to 5.4 and lipids much better (I also take a statin)."

• Rep...
• April 10, 2014

For Type 2 Diabetes "I have been on 0.6 ml of Victoza for 7 days now to control my type 2 diabetes. The first 5 days were hellacious, to say the least! I had debilitating nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and those horrible sulfur burps and gas that ran everyone away from me and sent me to the ER, thinking my insides were deteriorating! LOL! But by day 6, the side effects subsided. I lost 10 lbs within the first 3 days. Tomorrow, I have to increase the dosage, but I'm praying that I won't have to deal with the side effects again. So far, so good."

• Ali...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 27, 2017

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I've been on it for 2 weeks and lost 20 pounds already. I started at 4 click in, now I'm at .6. But you do feel sick and very tired. It's constant and I burp all the time. My doctor said take it before bed because the worst part will be finished by the time you wake up. I don't really like food that much after or anything really, sugar not even my Pepsi :( and I would just eat because I'm bored. Now I don't even feel like it. I was 280, now 260. I hope to be at 170 one day."

• Sar...
• April 25, 2017

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "Victoza is all the things everyone says. Burping, nausea, sleepiness. No food cravings, oh yeah, and you lose your appetite and tons of weight and so much more. That was my goal... I am down 20 lbs in 4 weeks. I will suck it up so I can, for once, take something that will actually help me lose this awful weight and rid me of this diabetes nightmare. One thing I can say is, it is not for wimps."

• 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."

• 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."

• Mel...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 28, 2020

For Type 2 Diabetes "Within 4 days on the 0.6 dose, my fasting blood sugars came down to 114. I'm not hungry. Before I started Victoza, I was taking 20 units of Lantus and 2000 mg of Metformin a day, plus eating a low-carb diet. I am slightly dizzy and get mild, eggy burps and have some bathroom issues along with mild nausea. I plan to titrate up to the 1.2 dose by one click a day to help offset the side effects. Sipping on diet ginger ale seems to help calm the queasy. I hope this medication continues to work for me without bad side effects because this is literally the first time in years that my blood sugar is in a normal range."

• MO-...
• April 22, 2015

For Type 2 Diabetes "I took Victoza for well over a year, and it improved my blood sugar readings tremendously. My A1C had been as high as 9, and it got down to 6.9 with Victoza. However, I was sick SO MUCH! Constant diarrhea, burping (the nasty, boiled egg kind), and extreme nausea and vomiting. I finally started tracking my sick days, and in one month, I was sick 4 days. And by sick, I mean throwing up every few minutes, all day long. I had several tests done, and the only thing discovered was that I digest food slower than normal, which is what Victoza is designed to do. I decided it was probably the Victoza making me so sick. I stopped taking it completely and have not been sick for over a month. Blood sugars are not good now, so waiting to see my doctor."

• Caj...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 11, 2019

For Type 2 Diabetes "The first week was the worst, started at 0.6. The diarrhea was bad. Even worse, the weird belching, the burps were gross. It was like my body was getting rid of actual dirt in it. By the time the second week rolled around and I had to increase my dose to 1.2, most of the 'dirt' was out of my system. The belching still continued, and BMs were better. Lost 4 lbs. I'm at a 1.8 dose now. The adjustment seems to get smoother to the increases of doses. I agree with the other comments that it's strange how I don't think about food or wanting to eat. I'm hoping that prolonged thinking (or lack of thinking) will help change my relationship with food. Plus, I feel better on the inside, physically. If that makes any sense. Hoping for more and continued positive changes. I'm glad I stuck with it through the onset reactions."

• Deb...
• May 9, 2010

For Type 2 Diabetes "Started on Victoza just 2 weeks ago, and I was amazed. I lost 7 lbs in the first week - only problem is for the last two days I have been having 'eggy' burps, but apparently this is common due to undigested food in the stomach. Victoza gets the thumbs up from me, as Byetta made me feel ill."

• Ski...
• May 14, 2013

For Type 2 Diabetes "I've been taking Victoza for 2 months, up to full dose. Side effects, gas and sulfur burps and acid reflux. What I have realized is that this medicine actually makes your stomach empty slower into the small intestine. Imagine you have a chemically induced lap band. You cannot eat what you were used to, your stomach is half full to begin with. So with a lot of trial and error, you will figure out the eating habits to prevent the reflux and such. I am planning on eliminating dinner, just a Nestlé Boost and maybe cheese and grapes later, but want to do just the Boost. So I hope major weight loss comes soon. I will let you know."

• Zel...
• May 21, 2017

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I'm going on my second week now. I had some burping and an overfull bloated feeling that seems to have subsided. I also had a little nausea at times, but not bad. I had to force myself to eat the first week as well. Nothing sounded good. This coming Tuesday, I go up to a 1.8 dose. I thought I was just imagining not being hungry because I like to eat, but the fullness and overall lack of interest in food is awesome. Haven't weighed myself yet because I don't want to be discouraged, it's only been 2 weeks. Going to stick it out, here's a tip, I bought Gas-X for the belching and tummy gas, it helped a lot. Also, don't eat late at night because what you eat is really slow to digest, and it will keep you up at night. I do my shot at around 2 pm daily."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 5, 2025

For Type 2 Diabetes "My doctor has me on Victoza to lower my A1C, but also to lose weight. I just finished my first week at the 0.6 dose, and I begin the 1.2 dose starting tomorrow. My only side effects have been burping and some acid reflux. I definitely have noticed a difference in my appetite. I do not eat as much, or I will feel sick to my stomach. I lost 2.2 pounds in the first week. I'm looking forward to seeing how I will react to the 1.2 dose this next week."

• Xro...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 25, 2015

For Type 2 Diabetes "I have taken Victoza for about 6 weeks. Between the nausea, upper GI disturbances, including reflux and heartburn, the extreme flatulence and belching, and the resulting loss of sleep, I do not know how much longer I can stay on this medication. I had already begun losing weight prior to starting this, but the subsequent loss is quite dramatic, and glucose levels have remained stable. I would love to stay on this medication for the results, but the side effects have to improve."

• too...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 21, 2016

For Type 2 Diabetes "I have been on Victoza for many months now. I reached the highest dose, tried that for a few weeks, and developed severe gastroenteritis, abdominal pain, flatulence, and severe belching, so I had to go on the lowest dose again. Now I have been taking 1.2 for two weeks, and the symptoms have started again. Last evening, night, and today have been miserable and painful. I am ready to stop taking Victoza completely, the discomfort is just not worth it for some weight loss and a bit better blood sugar control. I will just have to have an increase in the amount of Lantus and Novolog that I have been taking. Discouraged with this med."

• Too...
• April 9, 2013

For Type 2 Diabetes "I have been a Type 2 diabetic for 10 years. Have tried different medications but have never really controlled my sugar levels. My A1C was 8.5 three months ago, and the doctor said I might have to be put on insulin if I didn't get it controlled. Went to a new doctor (endocrinologist), and she put me on Victoza. I have only been on it for 10 days. I have experienced some weight loss (4 lbs the first 5 days). Some of the side effects are nausea, loss of appetite, weakness in my legs, slight headache, light stomach cramps, and the eggy burps with indigestion. I didn't start having the eggy burps and indigestion until I increased my dosage to 1.2. So I went back to the 0.6 for a couple more days, and it went away. I have increased the dosage back to 1.2."

• Nau...
• October 3, 2016

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I started taking the sister medicine of Victoza, which is Saxenda. OMG, for the first week at 0.6, I was very nauseated, had diarrhea, constipation, and abdominal pain. I stopped taking it. Then, 3 weeks later, she prescribed Victoza. The first week was fine, no signs and symptoms. The second week, everything hit me at once: nausea, pain, diarrhea, and constipation. I stopped taking it. It has been 5 days, and I'm still ill. The constipation is horrible, along with still being nauseated. When will this go away? Oh, the belching will not let me sleep! I will not recommend this medication to anyone. I will never take it again!"

• Ta2...
• March 7, 2015

For Type 2 Diabetes "I started Victoza later in 2013. I am on Medicare since I am a senior citizen, and in Nov. of 2014, I was told I would have to pay $249 a month for it until January. Not wanting to pay that much, I just quit using it for the last two months of 2014. Initially, I had no side effects from the Victoza and had lost weight, and the A1C went down to 6.8. But now, after starting the Victoza again since January, I am having those awful burps, to the point that I nearly get sick to my stomach. Would it help if I took the shot at night instead of during the day?"

• Emm...
• April 29, 2017

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "My doctor was giving me samples of Saxenda. I had it for 2 months and lost ten pounds and felt better than I have in years. She ran out of Saxenda and switched me to Victoza that she did have, and I feel like garbage. Nausea, gas, belching, acid reflux, trapped gas under my shoulder blades. I can barely function. I just want back my Saxenda. Anyone else have this issue? I wish my insurance would just pay for the damn Saxenda."

• lis...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 9, 2013

For Type 2 Diabetes "I began taking Victoza on December 6th, 2013. Later that day, I started experiencing some stomach cramping. Saturday, DAY 2, I was experiencing weakness, a terrible headache, nausea, and sulfur burps. All of these symptoms occurred on the starter dose. Day 3, Sunday, was a little better as far as side effects. Still suffering from the terrible headache and sulfur burps. Was unable to move bowels for those first three days. Day 4, Monday, I woke to terrible stomach cramps. I was able to move my bowels. Started dry heaving, turning into throwing up bile and almost passing out. Terrible sweating and racing heartbeat. After all that, I did feel better. Contacted Dr. He advised trying half the dose and prescribed Zofran. I currently take Victoza at 1 p.m."

• cin...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 26, 2017

For Type 2 Diabetes "My doctor suggested Victoza. The biggest side effects are constipation and upset stomach. I burp and have gas a lot. My appetite is gone, and I can't eat as much. I fill up quickly. I have only lost a few pounds, but I am only 17 pounds overweight. I will stick with it. My fasting sugar numbers have been between 100 and 115. I will stick with it."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 8, 2012

For Type 2 Diabetes "I have been taking Victoza 1.2 mg for about a year along with 1000 mg Metformin 2x per day. When I first started it, I was on the 0.6 mg dose, and I had zero side effects, but since upping to 1.2 mg, I have had constant nausea and very little appetite. I occasionally will get powerful sulfur burps followed by vomiting. The medicine does keep my sugar under control, my last A1C was 6.0."

• Hop...
• June 11, 2017

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "Started Victoza about 6 weeks ago after increasing weekly to 1.2. Oh boy, was I belching, and it smelled like eggs! Couldn't eat much and was okay with that, but I've tried skipping meals in the past, and that didn't help my weight loss journey, so I've tried to eat at least 2 meals daily. I eat a low sugar, 2 carb daily limit and attend cardio classes at the gym twice weekly. My blood sugar levels are good, but I've not lost much weight -- down about 8 pounds. Was hoping for more, but will keep at it! Going to slowly increase to the last dose to see if that helps! Fingers crossed!"

• 1li...
• September 28, 2010

For Type 2 Diabetes "I have been on Victoza for 3 months. I have lost about 15 pounds so far. I had major nausea and the eggy burps for the first month or so. They did go away for a while, but it seems as if it is all coming back. I am not sure if I want to continue this medicine."

• Anonymous
• October 16, 2015

For Type 2 Diabetes "My husband took Victoza and metformin together as recommended by his diabetic nurse. He had always been on metformin, but as soon as he started taking Victoza, my husband started feeling sick, stomach cramps, and getting eggy burps. This would happen once a month for the whole year he took it. He'd take time off work being sick because of the sickly symptoms. I'm so convinced that this is what gave my husband cancer of the upper stomach and esophagus. His life was taken away from him too soon (42 years old), leaving behind a broken and devastated wife, a 2-year-old, and at the time, a 6-month-old baby. Did anyone else have experience anything like this?"