Victoza and Headaches: What Users Say (Page 3)

• 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."

• Anonymous
• April 8, 2010

For Type 2 Diabetes "Unbelievable... Appetite has been cut in half, if not more, however, eating healthy and keeping a food log to ensure calorie intake. Starting the 2nd week, increasing dosage to 1.2. Have experienced no side effects, i.e., nausea, headaches, etc. Career mandates extensive travel, has been easy to maintain overall calories without any 'sugary cravings.'"

• Lis...
• October 25, 2015

For Type 2 Diabetes "I have tried taking Victoza 3 times now, and I get so sick (headache, nausea, and vomiting) that I have to stop after 2 days each time. I have taken a lot of different meds in my 51 years, but nothing has ever made me that sick. I was hoping to lose about 35 lbs, but I can't stand being that sick."

• Car...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 26, 2018

For Type 2 Diabetes "I was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes six years ago. Started on Metformin, and it did not agree. Then on Januvia for 5 years and thought I would be a cripple from it. Dr. put me on Victoza in January on a 1.2 dose daily. I was 268 lbs., 66-year-old woman, 5'4" tall. Since then, I am down to 240 lbs. as of 2 months using this drug. 14 lbs. per month. Lately, I am losing slowly, 1/2 lb. per week recently, and don't know if this will continue. My appetite is decreased and I do not crave sweets. I have a slight headache occasionally, but found it was from eating a few pieces of jerky, which I did not realize was loaded with sugar! I am now aware of what I eat and will be careful with my food intake. I think this drug is wonderful."

• Kat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 10, 2013

For Type 2 Diabetes "Started Victoza .6 mg dose yesterday and have had a headache, have been sleepy, no appetite, and have had vomiting. Is it worth it? We'll see. Blood glucose levels have already improved. Think I'll try dosing at night so the side effects aren't severe at work. Will post again when I know more."

• Mom...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 8, 2017

For Type 2 Diabetes "I absolutely do NOT recommend this medication! I tried it to help with some weight loss along with lowering my blood sugar. I only got through 2 doses. I immediately suffered from nausea and headaches the first day. The second night on Victoza, I awoke with severe stomach pain and began throwing up. Throughout the next day, I felt miserable. Headaches, achy, low energy, and puking everything I tried to put in my body. I ended up in the ER that night dehydrated. Due to the severe stress on my body, I ended up with ketoacidosis. I spent 3 days in the hospital. It was the worst experience I have ever suffered due to a medication. Please do your research before taking this medication."

• Kri...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 9, 2018

For Type 2 Diabetes "Background: I have type 2 and started Victoza today. 0.6. I will up my dose in 7 days to 1.2. Prior to becoming diabetic, I was diagnosed with PCOS around the age of 15 (am 35 now) and was pre-diabetic for years. I have lost weight on my own over many years, but my A1C kept going up and I was diagnosed about 4 years ago with diabetes. I am hoping that I can lose 50 lbs and lower my blood sugar and A1C with Victoza and metformin 750 XR once daily. I have taken metformin for years without success, but my Dr. thinks I need a combination of the two. Side Effects: Today, I have had a dull headache that comes and goes. Nothing that is stopping my daily routine. I will keep updating this with my side effects, weight loss, and A1C (11.5) so that others can determine if they feel that it's an option for them."

• Fer...
• March 30, 2017

For Type 2 Diabetes "My blood sugar was 300 to 400+. Last week, I got a fast pass to the hospital because it went up to 500+. My doctor put me now on Victoza, and my blood sugar is around 166. I know it's the first week, but yeah, nausea, headache, the feeling of fever, and pokes on the stomach are there. What I did was instead of the 1.2 doses I'm supposed to be, I started from about 0.6. Hopefully I'll be on 1.2 by next week. Be ready for pregnancy side effects, 3/30/2017."

• Luc...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 7, 2017

For Type 2 Diabetes "I had a hard time assigning a numerical rating. On one hand, Victoza seemed like magic in that it lowered my sugars so reliably and instantly. It almost seemed like validation that I wasn't doing anything 'wrong'-my body needed help with sugar metabolism. That earns a 10. On the other hand, I have to take into account quality of life. NEVER have I been so sick, for so many days consistently/consecutively. I am not a person who gets sick easily. I do not miss work due to illness. I function through colds, upset stomach, headaches, muscle pain-you name it. Victoza knocked me on my butt. I was sick every day for 3 weeks. All the same sx's as everybody else. There are NOT mild. I stopped it before I even got to the 1.8 dose. Not reasonable. My body said hell no."

• Mrs...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 10, 2017

For Type 2 Diabetes "My doctor gave me Victoza to lower my A1C, which was 8.2. She put me on a low dose of 0.6 injection plus 2000 mg metformin. I started to feel side effects after the second injection: headaches, nausea, and a lot of stomach discomfort. I don't have too much appetite, which is good. My reading dropped from 174 fasting to 120. The only bad thing is that my insurance doesn't cover Victoza, so my doctor switched me to Trulicity, and I hope I don't have new side effects."

• Mel...
• March 27, 2013

For Type 2 Diabetes "I am on my second week of Victoza. I have had only headaches and neck pain, but I increased my water intake, and I am hoping this will help. I have lost 2.5 lbs. I have been eating properly and exercising for about 3 months now along with Weight Watchers. It is my hope to get off all meds. Weight loss will help this, I am sure! My sugar readings have gone from 180-350 to 59-180...59 being the first day. I have decreased my Lantus from 42 units to 15 units. I am hoping that less insulin means better results on the scale."

• Hrt...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 22, 2021

For Type 2 Diabetes "Prescribed Victoza for type 2 diabetes and to aid with weight loss. My A1C was low enough that I didn’t require any medication. During quarantine, I’ve put on 14 pounds, my A1C rose to 8.2. I took Victoza one time, the lowest possible dose. For the next 36 hours, I was violently ill. I’ve honestly never taken a prescription that made me so sick: dizzy, headache, nausea. The urge to vomit was so strong even 30 hours later. I had to take deep breaths to keep from hurling. No thanks. I called the doctor's office today and told them, no way."

• Anonymous
• July 24, 2017

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "Ok, I have only been on it for 5 days. I have metabolic syndrome and am taking it to reduce my insulin (I also take Metformin and Actos), and I have gained 30 lbs I can't get rid of no matter what I do. I have gastroparesis. Prior to this, I take six times the normal dose of a prescription laxative. I have been so sick on the 0.6 mg. I didn't take the shot today. I have been so bloated, had heartburn (I take a prescription for that for the last 18 years), disgusting burps, on the verge of puking but never do. My tummy hurts so bad, and even with my laxative, I can't go to the bathroom. I have a headache, but I suffer from chronic migraines. Food, the thought makes me sick. I feel so crappy I can't even drink fluids. Down 3 lbs in 5 days."

• 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!"

• MBD...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 27, 2017

For Type 2 Diabetes "Just started this med 2 weeks ago. I feel awful: generally ill feeling (like a cold or flu), severe headache, nausea, vomiting, muscle cramping (feels like I've done a massive workout and let the muscles cool down without stretching), muscle weakness (where it's a chore to lift arms and legs... skin pain, too), trouble sleeping, I can feel my heart pounding and hear it in my ears, coughing, and I don't know what else. I have spoken to my doctor and been told this will go away, but I'm concerned. My vision wasn't great before, but seems worse now. Not sure what to do..."

• SWE...
• April 17, 2012

For Type 2 Diabetes "I have been on Victoza since 02/2012 and so far I have lost 24 lbs. I have not experienced any nausea or headaches, and I really don't have an appetite at all. My numbers are really good, and I feel great!"

• kdh...
• April 9, 2011

For Type 2 Diabetes "I've had remarkable results since beginning Victoza in January. Fasting blood sugars have improved, lost 10 pounds, my energy has returned, and the awful eczema that would never heal is gone. I did have moderate nausea and headaches for about 6 weeks and was ready to quit... but that has gone away. After 1 1/2 years of trying different medicines without much success, I told my doctor that I feel like my old self again. I hope for all of us type 2's that it will continue to perform without major side effects!"

• cor...
• November 10, 2010

For Type 2 Diabetes "Started on Victoza 10/10/10 on 0.6 for one week, then 1.2 for the second week, and finally onto 1.8 the third week. Also, whilst taking Victoza, was taking metformin 2x500g twice daily, pioglitazone (Actos) 60g twice daily, gliclazide 160g twice daily. Have found that I have had some weight loss, but not that much, maybe 12-15 lbs, but cannot afford to lose the weight as I am now down to 11 stone or thereabouts. Side effects: not sure if this is just because of the Victoza or because of all the medicine I am taking together: sickness, vomiting, headaches, lots and lots of gas. Burps really stink of eggs, find that this happens mostly at nighttime, waking me up and then eases off during the day. Blood sugar not too bad, but not great."

• Car...
• April 20, 2018

For Type 2 Diabetes "I have been on this medicine for 5 weeks. At first, 0.6 for the week, 1.2 the 2nd week, and 1.8 the 3rd week. The first few weeks, I was nauseated, weak, just felt yucky. I had a bad headache one day and really bad diarrhea. I do not have a big appetite, eating 1/2 of what I used to eat. Lost 7 lb, I was 201 lb, now 194 lb. I do still get bad heartburn, but other than that, no more stomach issues. I found if I take the medicine at night instead of in the morning, I get no symptoms other than loss of appetite. This is the best medicine I have been on since I was diagnosed in 2009. For years, I was only on pills, and over the last few years, I have been on several different meds. My doctor wanted me to go on Victoza, but I could not afford it. So, I was on once a week Tanzium (stopped working), Levemir insulin, but as soon as my insurance dropped the cost to $80 for 3 months, I was able to get off the insulin and start Victoza. I was gaining weight on the insulin but losing weight now on Victoza. I hope I keep losing."

• Kar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 27, 2021

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "Started Victoza 0.6 last night 11/26/21. An hour afterward, I became nauseated, and here I am, 4 pm the next day, still nauseated and have a small headache. I can't eat or drink, I feel so sick. My beginning weight is 215. Hoping it all passes soon and I feel better."

• jor...
• August 6, 2010

For Type 2 Diabetes "I started my first dose 4 days ago at the 0.6 dose. This morning I took 1.2. I am having quite a bit of nausea and a very 'full' feeling in my stomach, as well as have had a headache since several hours after the first dose. On the positive side, my sugar levels have dropped dramatically, and I barely have an appetite at all. Went out to eat with the family, fixed my usual 'first' plate, and wasn't able to even finish it. Normally, I would have gone for a second plate too. I am really hoping the side effects of nausea and headaches do subside because I am feeling a bit sick. Most food right now... just the smells make me feel sick to my stomach. The headaches are the worst part though. Hoping I see quite a bit of weight loss at my appointment."

• djk...
• December 9, 2010

For Type 2 Diabetes "I have been on Victoza since 11/19/10 after trying unsuccessfully to take both Metformin and the extended release version; and Glipzide. The side effects for these were terrible headaches, gastric upset, i.e., nausea and diarrhea. So far, Victoza is working really well. I am still on 0.6 mg once a day, and my fasting blood sugars are down from 165 to 185 to between 95 and 120. At my next appointment, we will be talking about increasing the dosage, and best of all, I have lost 14 pounds and I feel so much better than I did."

• Nos...
• February 4, 2018

For Type 2 Diabetes "Was prescribed Victoza after Onglyza failed to work. Dr. said to start at 0.6 for two weeks. Decided to use half that a few days to test for an allergic reaction. Thank God I started lower than prescribed. I feel sort of dizzy and off balance, nauseous, headache. 0.6 is the starting dose. That is 10 clicks on the pen dial. 5 clicks (0.3) knocked me off my feet. I went down to 2 clicks (0.15) to start. Did OK. Then a week later, up to 4 clicks (0.25). Doing OK. Slight headache. It takes about a week to get used to each level. I think lowering blood sugar may be as responsible for feeling bad as the medicine. When I started the first time, blood glucose went from 200 to 80 in the morning. Too fast to lower it. I recommend you take the shot in the evening after work so you can be sick all evening and feel OK by morning. Needles (prescribed separately, not in the box) very fine. Injecting medicine actually hurts less than testing blood sugar."

• Nos...
• February 4, 2018

For Type 2 Diabetes "Was prescribed Victoza after Onglyza failed to work. Dr. said to start at 0.6 for two weeks. Decided to use half that a few days to test for an allergic reaction. Thank God I started lower than prescribed. I feel sort of dizzy and off balance, nauseous, headache. 0.6 is the starting dose. That is 10 clicks on the pen dial. 5 clicks (0.3) knocked me off my feet. I went down to 2 clicks (0.15) to start. Did OK. Then a week later, up to 4 clicks (0.25). Doing OK. Slight headache. It takes about a week to get used to each level. I think lowering blood sugar may be as responsible for feeling bad as the medicine. When I started the first time, blood glucose went from 200 to 80 in the morning. Too fast to lower it. I recommend you take the shot in the evening after work so you can be sick all evening and feel OK by morning. Needles (prescribed separately, not in the box) very fine. Injecting medicine actually hurts less than testing blood sugar."