Victoza and Constipation: What Users Say (Page 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!"

• gre...
• February 24, 2011

For Type 2 Diabetes "I've been on this medicine since just after Thanksgiving. It is now February 25, so about three months. I love it, but I'm still a little wary about possible side effects and the lack of history. I've never enjoyed being the first to use anything! That being said, I've lost 30 lbs and have to remember to eat. I'd like to lose about 40 more. I have NO appetite. The only real side effect for me has been constipation. No nausea, headaches, or anything else. My blood sugars are great. The dawn effect I used to struggle with is gone - perhaps because I inject myself just before bedtime? (I worried I would have nausea, so that's when I started). My last HbA1c was 6. I do notice that sometimes I have bruises at the injection sites."

• Ann...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 4, 2019

For Type 2 Diabetes "I was on this medicine for 10 days and had all the side effects: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, loss of appetite, was a big one, back pain, upset stomach, painful urination, and difficulties. I was on this medicine 8 years ago and never had a problem with it. This time it was so horrible having a reaction and not knowing what to do to feel better. The doctor told me it had to run its course and get out of my system, and I would feel better. It took about 3 days when I started to feel better."

• Mir...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 1, 2023

For Type 2 Diabetes "This drug is truly a 21st-century miracle for so many people. Like most individuals taking this medication, I am both a Type 2 diabetic and morbidly obese. Whether it's considered a diabetic drug or a weight-loss drug, it fulfills both requirements for me. I restarted this medication about 3.5 months ago because my new insurance covers Victoza at a cost of $20 per month, which is significantly cheaper than the retail price of $1,300. Since restarting, I have lost approximately 30 lbs, and my A1C has dropped an astonishing 4.4 points within a three-month testing period. The results have been absolutely shocking. However, I won't sugarcoat it; the initial side effects were incredibly difficult to endure. The nausea and fluctuation between diarrhea and intense constipation with cramping were almost enough to make me give up. However, something inside me urged me to persevere. By the time I reached the higher dosage of 1.8 mg, which occurred around the 5-week mark (and I even proceeded with the dosage changes at a slower pace than prescribed), the side effects began to diminish. Now, I only experience them when I forget and consume excessive amounts of sugar."

• 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."

• ali...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 14, 2018

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "Victoza. Started at 0.6 for one week, then upped to 1.2 for the last 8 weeks. Combined with metformin and thyroid (NDT). I inject last thing at night. Lost nothing the first week, then 1 lb a day for the first week on the higher dose, then about 1-2 lbs per week (minus a gap of 6 days when I was traveling and forgot to bring it and put on 4 lbs) since then. Lost about 14 lbs in total. Never has this happened to me before, so I am very happy. Seems to have stalled a bit now, so I may need to up the dose. Side effects: craving for orange juice, eating ice cream (neither of which I had before), heartburn (bad), sweating buckets (horrible - dripping down the back of my neck), occasional diarrhea (awful) alternating with constipation (bearable), sleepiness, very mild nausea. All getting better. I'm 65, female, exercise regularly, and eat well (5 years since I have eaten gluten)."

• ajf...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 2, 2013

For Diabetes, Type 1 "Excellent medicine for Type 1's with long-standing disease and insulin resistance. I have been able to cut my basal insulin in half (on a pump) while lowering my A1c and losing weight. The side effects, nausea, mild vertigo at times, and constipation have not been severe enough to discontinue the medicine. I am now up to the 1.8 mg dose-time will tell if I can tolerate it. Much less nausea than with Symlin."

• Ell...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 31, 2023

"I started Victoza 0.6 mg 3 weeks ago. In the first week, the sugar cravings stopped immediately, they are absolutely gone. Bingeing and overeating completely stopped too. I increased it to 1.2 mg the second week, and I had nausea, vomiting, loose stools, constipation, and headaches. In the third week, dosage was increased to 1.8 mg. You feel so full after eating very little that I have cut down portion size by more than half. I have lost 6 lbs so far. I am enduring the side effects, but some days they are intense. I have not done any exercise. I am definitely going to continue taking Victoza. My start weight is 207 lbs, current weight is 200 lbs. I have struggled with diets that give me no results, and this medication is helping me to be healthier."

• Abs...
• February 18, 2017

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I started to take Victoza 0.6 mg for weight loss three weeks ago. After jumping through several hoops with insurance to cover the med, I was hopeful and excited to start this med and get results. First day was awful; headache, fatigue as I have never experienced in my life (shoulders/back/neck), nausea (like at sea), dizziness, blurred vision, constipation, GI issues I've never experienced before, dry mouth/dehydration, nightmares (when able to sleep), night sweats, and insomnia. I tried to stick it out (2 HORRIBLE wks) in the hopes the side effects would subside; they got worse. I ended up passing out; hot/cold clammy sweats as if hypoglycemic, yet was not (140). I was taken by ambulance to the ED, where I was given 2L fluids... BEWARE!"

• Gra...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 29, 2022

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "Our loved one started Victoza to combat weight gain side effects of Clozapine. After 24 hours of the first dose (deciding to give at 4 pm daily), he developed 'acne', but we decided it didn't look like acne. Three spots on his face, one on each side of his temple, and one at the bridge of his nose. The next day, he developed more 'spots' on his chest and upper left back shoulder blade after the second dose. By the third day, he developed a pustule on his upper buttock. After talking with the pharmacist, these are pustules and happen in less than 1% of people trying Victoza. We stopped after the third dose, as the pharmacist said it takes 36 hours for this medication to clear his body. He was slightly uncomfortable as they were itchy. The pustules cleared up, however, his worst on his buttock is still a scab two weeks later. We also noticed it worsened the side effect of constipation from Clozapine and needed to give Mag Cit liquid laxative."

• cha...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 10, 2019

For Type 2 Diabetes "Intermittent constipation for the past four weeks with cramps. I am asking my doctor to reduce the dosage amount to see if that will correct that problem. Otherwise, my glucose has never been better; 86 in the AM and 86-100 before dinner. I continue to lose weight."

• Nik...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 11, 2018

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "Since I've been on Victoza since 2/5/18, my symptoms have been mild. I have experienced constipation, very bad heartburn, tiredness, and mild headaches. I'm not sure if I need to complain, but it's a little irritating. But my appetite has decreased, and my blood sugar numbers are down."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 21, 2012

For Type 2 Diabetes "Love it. Sugar dropped drastically. Slight constipation and heartburn. Not sure about weight loss as I have been on it for 3 weeks. Curbed appetite. Nausea first 2 nights, but took at bedtime, so not bad. A little tired at times, but feel better. Insurance will not pay, so it's expensive. Just completed sample. Still tried Metformin and Januvia."

• Map...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 11, 2019

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "Been taking Victoza for 3 weeks, started at 0.6 first week, 1.2 second week, and 1.8 this week. The first two weeks I didn’t feel too much of anything, maybe thirsty. This week I’ve been nauseated, heartburn, fatigued, constipated, bloated, sweaty, headaches, not sleeping well. I’ve had to get up twice a night to pee. After I eat something sweet, carbs, even my morning joe, all make me sick. My doctor wanted me to lose weight to bring my sugar levels down. I tried to watch what I ate and weighed my food to lose weight. Didn’t do so well in that department. After 3 months of trying to lower my blood sugar levels, my doctor put me on Victoza, and from what I’ve read, it should also help me lose weight and that it needs to be refrigerated. Thanks to all the reviews."

• Yol...
• March 19, 2011

For Type 2 Diabetes "I started using Victoza since 3/25/11, and I have lost 4 lbs. I had nausea and bad burping, but it is subsiding. I started at 0.6 and now I am at 1.2. I have always been afraid of needles, but I am getting used to it. Every time I feel a sore throat or pain, I wonder if it is the medication. Aside from that, my constipation is bad. After all these negatives on my mind, I like the way my numbers have gone down."

• Anonymous
• May 10, 2011

For Type 2 Diabetes "I am very pleased with this medication. Since I started the medications back in March, I have lost 22 lbs, had no side effects the first few months. Now, as of recently, I am experiencing major constipation, eggy burps, etc. My sugars are normal. I do not want to give up this medication, I am just worried I have about 150 lbs to lose still, and my weight loss has stopped due to the constipation. I know I am keeping my calories at about 1200-1500 per day, and there is no way I should not be losing. I am 300 lbs."

• Anonymous
• May 3, 2010

For Type 2 Diabetes "I am on my second week of Victoza. Started taking the 1.2 dose today. Made me a little nauseated the first week. Today, not so much. I am a little constipated with the medicine, though. No other side effects. So far, I'm liking it. One shot a day instead of a pill twice a day works for me!"

• tra...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 17, 2018

For Type 2 Diabetes "My 1-year adventure. Feb 2017 started. 330 pounds. 50 years old. On metformin 2000 mg dose. Just started Jardiance. At 1.2, felt tired and had digestive issues. Made it to 1.8. First 3-month check was down 25 pounds, blood sugars in good range, still with tired and digestive side effects. Second 3-month check, no change, and decided to up it to 3.0 to see if weight might come off and reduce metformin. Third 3-month check, no change other than digestive issues worse, decided to go back to 1.8 and started intermittent fasting. The one-year check-up, and no change. No change to weight or blood sugar levels or anything else. Putting away the needle and off of this I go. I just wonder what the withdrawal effects are? The digestive issues ranged from normal once a day bowel movement to three times a day to once every three days with constipation and diarrhea on the same day. Good luck everyone on your journey."

• Coo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 5, 2017

For Type 2 Diabetes "Been on Victoza 0.6 mg for a week. Was on a flozin before, which was wonderful, lost a stone and had tons of energy. Then I was forced to go onto Victoza. Felt sick with a headache since, stomach pain, constipation, always but thirsty. In fact, so thirsty I can't sleep, no matter how much water I drink. Sore throat, which puts me off solid food. Hungry all the time but cut down on carbs, so can't fill up. Plus, my blood sugar has shot up from 9 to 14 on this rubbish. Wondering whether the higher 1.2 dose would work, but scared of feeling even more ill. The energy I gained on the flozin has gone, I just want to sleep all the time. I am forced to use this as it was prescribed, they said they want to keep me on it for 6 months. Can't wait to get back on t."

• Anonymous
• November 29, 2010

For Type 2 Diabetes "I've been on Victoza for 13 days and have lost 8 lbs. I've also been following a low-carb diet, maintaining 50 g of carbs on a daily basis. I've also worked out only mildly, at 2-3 times a week so far. Feeling great, lots of energy. Only side effects were nausea the first 2 days and some mild constipation."

• Lar...
• October 30, 2011

For Type 2 Diabetes "On Victoza for one week. Have noticed a drop in sugars from 150 to 120 most of the time. Still have to take 35 units of fast-acting at night to get sugars down to 88 at 3:00 a.m. Take 25 Lantus at night and 50 in the morning. Some burping, constipation. Weight 300 lbs now. Will monitor it. Only side effect is an increase in heart rate of about 20 at rest and when exercising (from 70 to 90 at night) from 95 to 115 when at the gym. They are still okay. I take Coreg and lisinopril for heart medication. Blood pressure is good as usual, 130/75. A1C - 7.7. Will test in 3 months. Had bypass surgery last year."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 28, 2021

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "My husband has stage 4 liver cirrhosis, and they gave him this crap to get his weight down fast. And yes, he has lost 22 pounds, which is nice, however, he feels tired all the time, sleeps most of the day, and every few days or so, gets the 'shakes,' chills, or whatever you want to call them, that last about 5 minutes. No fever, just shakes. He also gets cramps in his abdomen and has no diarrhea but constipation. He is not enjoying this med, except for the weight loss help."

• It...
• March 24, 2016

For Type 2 Diabetes "Rapid heart rate, persistent nausea, respiratory issues, loss of voice, dry skin/throat, abdominal pain, back pain, constipation, and bloating or frequent gas... it has really messed me up!"

• Rea...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 7, 2021

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I started this 7/2/2021 with side effects of constipation, a little nausea, and gas. Hopeful that this will work. Starting weight 300. Be back to update."

• Anonymous
• September 24, 2011

For Type 2 Diabetes "Been on Victoza for 2 weeks at 0.6 dose, but will have to stop taking it. The nausea is terrible, and also the constipation. I can't face food and have lost about 7 lbs."