Victoza and Headaches: What Users Say (Page 2)

• BJa...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 8, 2020

For Type 2 Diabetes "I had been on Byetta and Metformin for twelve years and had maintained an A1C in the mid-5 range. I had suffered no diabetic-related complications. My treatment was successful. Then, my insurance insisted I change to Victoza. It did not work, and I had severe headaches, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. The diarrhea was so severe I was constantly dehydrated, and then my vision began to change. My A1C jumped to the high 7's. The drug was a disaster for me. I had to move heaven and earth to get back to Byetta, and my A1C is coming down, but the Byetta doesn't seem to be as effective as it was prior to taking the Victoza. I have to wonder if the Victoza has left some residual problems with the pancreas not responding as before."

• Cha...
• November 28, 2016

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "Started this med on 11/18/2016, nausea, headache, and sleepy. I have been on the borderline for over ten years. Annual physical, you must take off 40-60 pounds, diet and exercise I could only remove 25. The first week, down 7 lbs. Appetite is completely gone, have to force myself to eat and drink. Take more naps, drink more smoothies, hard time emptying bladder... Overall, sleep better, feel lighter, and clothing bigger. However, it has only been about two weeks. My personal trainer and I start workout next week."

• Wat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 26, 2017

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "The side effects are everything that has been described. For me, headache, stomach ache (mild), but with each dose increase, they return and then subside as my body adjusts to the dosage. Very tired but can't sleep more than 6 hours. But the real success: 21 lbs in three weeks... amazing. I am also following intermittent fasting (16/8) with this, only a small amount of carbs, 25g in the morning, and then fruits, veggies, and protein for the remainder of the day. Blood sugar better. NOTHING ELSE has worked for me. I love Victoza!!!"

• red...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 4, 2014

For Type 2 Diabetes "Me again! I am now completing my second week of Victoza. My blood sugars are down around 102 after being at 200-250 most of the time! Amazing! I have had some nausea side effects, though. I can barely eat, it's work to put anything into my mouth, and I am a huge foodie. Love to think about, look at, and eat food, but I just can't do it. It's really weird. I have lost 4 pounds from when I started this medicine, and I can tell I will lose more because it is a struggle to eat. There have been 2 days that I have had to go home from work, though. Those 2 days, all I could do was sleep, and I just felt miserable. Yesterday was one of those days, and I had a horrible headache that wouldn't go away with Advil. I'll report again in a few weeks!"

• siv...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 16, 2012

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I need to be put on the list for a lung transplant, and my pulmonologist said that I must lose 10 kg in 3 months to have an evaluation. I have been on Victoza for 1 month and have lost 4 kg. I started on 0.6, then increased to 0.10, and now I'm on 1.2. Only once did I have nausea and a slight headache. I do not feel hungry, and I believe that Victoza works. I was on diabetes medicine tablets and insulin. I am still taking the tablet but have stopped the insulin. And now I'm slowly, very slowly finding the courage to exercise. Keep a positive mind and try to focus and do things that will complement weight loss and a happy life."

• Dob...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 29, 2018

For Type 2 Diabetes "Been on Victoza for 2 weeks. Started with 0.6 mg for 1st week, then up to 1.2 mg now. Some nausea and headaches, but not bad at all. Glucose levels are way down, anywhere from 75-119. Before Victoza, glucose was in the 270s. My only complaint is fatigue. I just want to sleep and lay around. Difficult to go to work every day. I hope this passes soon. I would like to stay on it because of the improvement in blood sugar, and appetite is down. Anyone else have this issue?"

• Lou...
• February 20, 2017

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I'm postmenopausal, so losing weight is almost impossible. On Victoza, I'm down 45 lbs. without any dieting or exercise. I was so sick from side effects for the first month or so, which was when I lost the most weight. At first, it turned me off food completely so that I just couldn't eat. In time, the headaches and nausea subsided, and I could eat normally, except the feeling of fullness made me eat less. Slowly, I've lost weight. I tried to stop taking it to rev up the weight loss again, but I put weight back on, so I'm not stopping until I feel like I've got my weight completely under control. It's a crutch for me, but it slowly works without dieting or exercise. If I can lose another 30 lbs., exercise should be easier, which will help."

• Ama...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 24, 2019

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I started Victoza for weight loss and appetite control. As everyone, I started at 0.6, then 1.2, and I wanted my max to be 1.8. I’ve lost 15 lbs in 3 weeks with the use of the pen and dieting. It does control my cravings and appetite, but not to the point where I have zero appetite. The first week, I had some mild generalized body aches and felt tired, but it didn’t interfere with my day-to-day life. The second week, a couple of episodes of nausea - nothing drastic. The third week, a couple of dull headaches and still slightly tired. At baseline, I have constipation issues, so it's difficult to say if this drug is contributing to that. I will say my nausea is worse when I exercise. I’ll feel fine before, then exercise, and I’m nauseated the rest of the day - again it’s manageable. I take the injections each morning. All in all, it’s working well for me, although I’m always paranoid and on the lookout for further symptoms of more serious issues, but this will not be a long-term drug for me."

• Cyn...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 5, 2016

For Type 2 Diabetes "On Victoza for 16 mo. Prior to Victoza, I suffered severe fatigue, high blood pressure, hypothyroid, depression, Epstein-Barr, and other symptoms. Prior to my endocrinologist, I went to 5 different doctors and they all medicated me without results. After Victoza, nausea and headaches for about 2 weeks, then I felt like a new human being. Energy, no depression, lost 30 pounds. My endocrinologist and I decided to slowly come off the meds. After 1.5 weeks, I began to feel fatigue and began to gain weight. TERRIFIED... that I would go back to my old self again and of all the reports of pancreatitis, thyroid and pancreas cancer. If I go back on, am I taking a risk? Scared..."

• CAI...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 6, 2018

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I started on Victoza a little over 3 weeks ago, at 5'5", 197 lbs. I am at the 1.8 dosage. I've lost ~5 pounds. I am active and am on Weight Watchers but have been unable to lose weight for over 9 months until I started Victoza. I've had some side effects: elevated BP and a bit of a consistent headache (I'm trying to counteract this by eliminating caffeine, increasing water, reducing anti-inflammatory meds) and tiredness. However, the decrease in appetite is a welcome relief!"

• Hou...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 8, 2014

For Type 2 Diabetes "I have been on Victoza for 4 weeks now. I started at 0.6 for a week, then went up to 1.2 on the eighth day. Side effects the first couple weeks included nausea, sore back, headache, sour stomach, etc., though none of them were unbearable, and the results have been worth it. I have lost nearly 20 pounds, and my blood sugar readings have dropped dramatically. I am often in the normal range before meals now. Food cravings are all gone, and I am eating 3 small meals a day. A handful of raw almonds is all I can handle as a snack."

• Cf1...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 12, 2015

For Type 2 Diabetes "I started this medication one week ago. I was apprehensive to start, but I did. I am a 41-year-old female with Type II diabetes. I was diagnosed 7 years ago. I have always had fairly good control, but my fasting levels are always difficult to manage. The first night, I was very nauseous! I could not even smell food, and I ate Sprite and apple sauce for dinner. The next day, I noticed a decrease in appetite, but no nausea. I did wake up with headaches for the first 3 days. My numbers have greatly improved! Even my fasting numbers, which were my toughest to control, are now under 105; this was never possible before. I have lost 1-2 pounds so far. I do not feel hungry and I fill up faster. I do not have the cravings that I had and can turn away dessert."

• tum...
• July 1, 2010

For Type 2 Diabetes "Love this medicine. I recently changed doctors because mine wouldn't listen to me and put me on insulin, which gave me the lowest reading of around 260 and as high as the 400s and piled the pounds on. Started this medicine just about a month ago, the headaches and nausea lasted about two weeks, but it's gone now, and my morning sugars are down to the 120s and even have evening readings of 110! I haven't had readings like this for years! I've lost 15 lbs, and I just feel so much better and would recommend this. I was also on Byetta before insulin, and it didn't work for me."

• juj...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 6, 2017

For Type 2 Diabetes "Started Victoza on June 26, 2017. Didn't really have any of the side effects, it did give me somewhat of a headache. I started out taking 0.6, and now I'm at 1.8. I think you have to start out low so your body gets used to it. So far, I have lost 20 lbs, and my sugar levels are really good. I go back to the doctor in August for my A1C, last time it was 9.2. Can't wait to see what it is this time. I will write another review in August."

• WEE...
• January 5, 2014

For Type 2 Diabetes "Was put on Victoza 5 weeks ago for a high A1C of 7.8 even on metformin 500 mg 3 times a day. At first, I had a few side effects like pressure in the head and not having a bowel movement for 4 days. Some nausea, but not much. I went to 1.2 mg the 2nd week and I have lost 14 pounds. And my sugar is down each morning from 200 to 120 most mornings. I feel very full, so I eat small meals, or I get heartburn from hell. I only take the 500 mg metformin each morning and the Victoza at 1:00 pm each day. I hope it stays this good for me, I didn't realize just how bad I felt with high sugar until it isn't anymore."

• Mar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 9, 2018

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "Approached use with a bit of apprehension following reviews posted here by other users. (Thanks to all who share stories here and to site host drugs.com). Prescribed product for weight loss following an obese diagnosis by Dr. after trying diet and exercise alone unsuccessfully. First 3 days were as described by many users - nausea, headache, constipation, and irregular sleep. Experienced gradual improvement each successive day after that period and now on day 11 with diminishing side effects. Have lost 12 pounds thus far on the journey to lose 75. So far it works for me. Definitely curbs appetite and supports eating less. Using a fiber supplement to help with constipation, and it seems to work. Will post again in 14 days with an update."

• 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."

• Exh...
• May 8, 2014

For Type 2 Diabetes "The nausea, vomiting, and massive diarrhea were so bad that I had to stop after two days. I waited a week and tried again, only to have even worse reactions, including headache, gas, etc. It has been a week, and I still have diarrhea 20 or so times per day, and as others point out, the smell is terrible. My belly is bloated and distended, and my throat hurts from the vomiting. No weight loss, and sugar is higher due to the inability to retain medications."

• DET...
• August 23, 2017

For Type 2 Diabetes "Victoza is an amazing drug, thank you. My insurance only covered Trulicity, it was garbage. At least for me, my doctor gave me a 2-week trial, the difference was day and night. On the first day, Victoza brought my sugar from 169 to 125. Second day, 99. Third day, 98, it's a steady 90. I have been doing .6, not up to the 1.8, I will ask my doctor to see if a higher dosage is necessary. My doctor fought for me against my insurance (like they care), they gave me permission for one year. My diarrhea was mild and is subsiding, no other symptoms. I take my med at night, and it stopped the morning spikes. Some people say headaches, maybe doing the night injections helps. I don't get them. This drug is a miracle, thank you, Denmark. Sad we Americans don't care."

• Ptm...
• May 4, 2016

For Type 2 Diabetes "I began taking this drug at the 1.2 mg level. Within half a day, I began having serious side effects. I thought I had a very bad virus. I had headache, chills, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and insomnia. I missed 3 days of work. I stopped taking the drug. A month later, I tried it again at the 0.6 mg level. The first half day was okay with just no appetite, but then all happened again-vomiting and, this time, cold symptoms. I began having horrible diarrhea last night and called off work today. This is 48 hours after I stopped taking it. I threw the rest away, this drug feels like poison to my body."

• any...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 4, 2017

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "Just started Victoza for weight loss and to lower my A1C and for weight loss. Just upped my dose today to 1.6. So far, so good. First day: diarrhea and a slight headache with a little nausea. I haven't noticed any difference yet in this higher dose as compared to the smallest dose. Still have diarrhea and a little nausea. Surprisingly, I have much more energy than usual. Love that and the fact that on my 5th day, I have already lost 6 pounds! I have no complaints as of now. I hope it stays this way and the weight loss continues. Will post as I get further into it."

• Dea...
• April 6, 2014

For Type 2 Diabetes "I started Victoza about a month ago. Started with 0.6 for a week, then increased to 1.2. I felt nauseous the first week, but just off and on and mild. Each day over the last couple of weeks, I have become more and more ill. My numbers not only did not stay lower as they did when I first started, but they have actually increased. I have a headache non-stop and haven't lost a pound despite not eating much due to being so sick. I stopped taking it a couple of nights ago due to not being able to even sleep. I was waking in the middle of the night feeling like I was going to vomit. I still feel nauseous, but it's getting better."

• Lar...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 26, 2017

For Type 2 Diabetes "I have been on Victoza for about a year now. I started with the small dose. Could never advance to the full dose due to the side effects. My doctor ran an A1C, and my blood sugars had gone from 8.8 to 6.7. We decided to stay at the starter dose. I take the injection in the evening at dinner time. I still get the headache and nausea, but it is mostly during sleep and I wake up to it. I usually will get up, have coffee, and ride it out for about an hour and get ready for work. Nausea gone, headache dull and barely noticeable. It's worth the frustration to me."

• Pre...
• September 9, 2011

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I am taking this medication due to pre-diabetes, insulin resistance. I am taking it with metformin. I am up to the 1.2 dose after two weeks, and I have lost about 3 lbs, however, I feel really sick to my stomach, and I have had headaches every day. I am not hungry, and food does not taste the same, which could be a good thing. I find it hard to figure out what I want to eat, and then I can never finish it because I get full faster. So I can see that this could be a really great way to lose weight, but when I test my sugar, it's still at 160, so I am not sure if it is doing what it's supposed to do. I am also having trouble sleeping, not sure if that is a side effect or not."

• Cad...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 12, 2018

For Type 2 Diabetes "Prescribed in Nov 2017. Additionally, take 2g of metformin at that time. Titrated up from 0.6 to 1.2. During that time, I lost 30 lbs, and my A1C went down to 5.8 (207 to 187). Initially, I was taking it in the morning, but it was making me sick at work, so I started to take it after work, so if I was sick, I was at home. Mostly no appetite, nausea, and occasionally a headache. It went away after 3 weeks. Now I am increasing my dosage from 1.2 to 1.8 to see if I can reduce my metformin and lose more weight to reduce my liver enzyme numbers. While it was difficult at times when I first started taking the drug, I'm still excited to see if I will lose additional weight with the increase in dosage. I'm okay with the temporary side effects because I know they will eventually go away. Additionally, being at my lowest weight since 2003 is totally worth it, not to mention better liver enzyme levels and less arthritis pain due to less weight."