Victoza and Loss Of Appetite: What Users Say

• Sin...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 22, 2019

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I’ve been on Victoza since May 2019 and to date I have lost 34 lbs! Yeah, it does take a bit to get used to, and you will lose your appetite, but stick with it. I find that I do get constipated, and I’m not sure what to do about it right now since I’ve always had issues with bowel movements. One other thing that drives me crazy is that I will be starving and then when I finally eat, I take 3 bites and then...full! My husband teases me about it because I will be ready to hurt someone, then get full almost from just looking at food. I’ve not exercised at all with this medication, but I definitely feel well enough to do so. 6 more lbs until I’m out of my 200’s.... so onward!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 1, 2014

"I was prescribed Victoza after developing insulin resistance after having my son. I consistently gained 10 pounds per year, despite increased activity levels. I was 5'7' and 246 pounds. I want to lose 60 pounds. When I first began Victoza, it made me incredibly sick. I had to dial my dose back to 0.1 and increase by one point every week. Even at that low dose, I experienced decreased appetite and weight loss. I have also noticed that my constant cravings have mostly disappeared. After 6 months, I'm down 45 pounds and feeling great. My blood sugars are in the normal range for the first time in FOUR years. This medicine has changed my life."

• 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."

• Sea...
• July 12, 2016

For Type 2 Diabetes "I'm one week in with Victoza and my appetite has decreased significantly, having gastroenteritis symptoms in the evening and really bad flatulence! I am eating small meals of bland food to compensate. I started on the 0.6 dose and will increase to 1.2 in a couple of days. Good news, I am losing weight! No sugar cravings! Will keep you all posted on how it progresses."

• tin...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 24, 2019

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I have been on Victoza for 42 days, and I've lost 19 lbs. This was my last hope by my doctor because nothing else was working. I was at my heaviest, 206 lbs. My doctor also recommended I take the pill Alli (over the counter-you can find at Walmart). So with this, I feel really good. Not like diet pills where you are good all day and then hungry all night. I do count my calories and do not eat after 6 p.m. This is the best thing with no side effects besides loss of appetite."

• RN...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 29, 2016

For Type 2 Diabetes "Was on Victoza 4 years ago and lost about 48 pounds. Had an A1C of 6.8-7.1. Switched insurances to one that didn't cover Victoza. Had to go on insulin instead, 70/30 55 units before breakfast and dinner. So I gained back 40 pounds in about 10 months. A1C has been as high as 11.2 and as low as 8.0. Have had to deal with hypoglycemia several times. Just got new insurance this month, began Victoza last Thursday, and took my insulin that day, too. Glucose dropped from high 200s average to having a 104 and a 118 that day. I haven't seen numbers like that in a couple of years! Friday, I skipped my insulin dose. Glucoses are staying in the 100s, appetite is much less, and I am INSULIN FREE, which will help in so many ways!"

• Bjm...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 14, 2021

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I suffer from thyroid, fibromyalgia, arthritis, and respiratory issues like asthma and bronchial issues, which makes it extremely hard to lose even 1 lb. I took 1.8 Victoza, and it really made me sick. No hunger whatsoever, thirsty, coughing, really cold, and the tiredness at the end of the day is terrible. I cannot sleep. So that whole week I didn't take it. I was 210 pounds, and from one day of taking it, that whole week managed to drop 9 lbs. Incredible and amazing is this. I'll suffer through awful side effects because physically the weight loss is wonderful."

• Kay...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 28, 2018

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I am 37 years old, 5'5'. My starting weight on September 20, 2018, was 233.7 lbs. I have had 3 femoral and tibial osteotomies over the last 3 years. This has made exercise very difficult and extremely painful. Hence the recommendation of Victoza by my physician and surgeon. Since starting 8 days ago at 0.6 mg, I have lost 11.5 lbs, bringing me to 222.2 lbs. I increased to 1.2 mg yesterday. I feel very successful. Symptoms-They haven't been unmanageable but sometimes more noticeable than others. Dry mouth, weird feeling tongue, nausea, heartburn, and lack of appetite. But, I've found peppermint tea helps with all of the symptoms. I'm going to keep going to reach my goal of 80 lbs lost."

• Hou...
• February 26, 2014

For Type 2 Diabetes "I love Victoza! In just 8 weeks my A1c has gone from 8.2 to 6.4. I can't wait to see what it is after the full 90 days. For the most part, the side effects pretty much subsided after the first month. As long as I eat properly, I feel really good. If I eat something I shouldn't, especially something fatty, it makes me nauseous. Processed foods do not taste good at all. I find myself actually craving healthier foods like plain chicken and vegetables and steering clear of things with sauces or heavily flavored foods. I am seldom hungry and now eat approximately half of what I used to eat. Blood sugar levels have improved, and in ten weeks, I have lost 30 pounds."

• Snw...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 11, 2017

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "So I was 290 when starting this. About 4 weeks later, I have lost 20 pounds. Everybody is different, I was fine the first week, then when increased to 1.2, I was very nauseous and had absolutely no appetite. When increased to 1.8, I could not handle it, was continuously vomiting, so I went back down to 1.2 for now. Still, my appetite is nonexistent, and I have to eat very small 'meals.' It is basically trial by error, you have to see which foods your body can tolerate while on this med. I am happy so far with results, as I feel this is exactly what I need to get out of some unhealthy eating habits."

• Bob...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 23, 2016

For Type 2 Diabetes "Started with .6 about 6 months ago. Nausea, dizziness, heartburn, and loss of appetite. Not pleasant. Blood sugars did not seem to improve - questioned if stress due to symptoms was counteracting each other. (Stress raises glucose). Decided to give the drug its best shot, so after two weeks, increased the dosing to maximum (1.8). Slowly, symptoms subsided, and post-meal glucose came down. Down substantially. Fasting still remains around 130 to 140, but that also is improved. Post-meal about 140 if I eat a proper diet. While I would have preferred a greater reduction in numbers, the drug is beneficial. Side effects are now all gone. I'm 64."

• Div...
• September 8, 2017

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "Started taking Victoza on March 25th, weighing 318 lbs. Experienced mild side effects - loss of appetite, upset stomach, constipation. I have now lost 30 lbs, and this drug has drastically changed the way I eat and view food, and I no longer have any day-to-day side effects. I am eating much less at meals, no snacking, and it has changed my cravings for junk food and sugar. Most peculiar of all is the fact that I am unable to drink beer anymore! I love beer, but after 1, my stomach turns inside out and I feel sick - not good for my love of beer, great for the health benefits of not drinking beer. :) I have hit a few plateaus, but then the weight loss begins again. I have gone down 2 pant sizes - this is a miracle drug for me!!"

• Mad...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 30, 2016

For Type 2 Diabetes "I lost 8 lbs in 7 days, but by the time I upped the pen to the middle dose, I had no appetite, and even when I tried to eat, I gagged. I had to drink Boost to get something in me and was very weak, shaky, and my heart was racing. I waited about a month and tried again, planning to stick just to the lowest dose. By day 7, I had lost another 5 lbs and again was weak and could hardly eat. Started having stomach cramping as well. I will not take this no matter how bad I want to lose weight or control my type 2 diabetes."

• ms ...
• February 28, 2020

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I’ve been on Victoza for 2 years. The first 2 months I lost approximately 8 lbs. I started at a 1.2 dosage, then 1.8. I don’t understand. For the past 15 months, I have maintained my same weight, fluctuating 4-5 lbs. up then down. I don't bother my doctor because it still suppresses my appetite. Overall, I guess it’s good. 75%"

• Kyr...
• February 22, 2013

For Type 2 Diabetes "Started Victoza last week, minimum dosage. It took a couple of days, but my blood sugar went from the 180s to 140 and below, all the way down to 90. I have zero appetite, I will eat a few bites of food and feel like I just ate a four-course meal. I have also been feeling like I can't get enough sleep. Hopefully, the sleep thing goes away, but the smaller meals I can live with."

• Sch...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 19, 2015

For Type 2 Diabetes "I started Victoza approximately 6 weeks ago. No real side effects. At first, I couldn't eat at all. No appetite whatsoever. I dropped about 5 pounds in the first 5-8 days, but then the weight came back. I wasn't eating much and still am not, but my body seems to have gone into starvation mode and is holding on to every pound. I also have felt very down and depressed. Don't know if it is from the Victoza or not. I also took Invokana."

• Rig...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 27, 2014

For Type 2 Diabetes "Went to first endo Feb 3, 2014, wanting better control and weight loss. He gave me samples of Victoza, changed my oral Janumet to straight Metformin, and reduced my Lantus from 30 u per day to 10-12. The first week I had the expected nausea and loss of appetite on .6 mg. No headaches. The second week I was directed to go to 1.2 mg. Still nausea, but towards the end of the second week seemed to wane away. I was not as hungry, and other than occasional nausea, felt fine. The blood sugars began to lower for a time, then leveled off for a while, running around 125-135. The next office visit with endo was 1 month after seeing him the first time. Weight loss was 10 lbs in the month without serious exercise. 90-day average blood glucose is 116."

• Hai...
• July 26, 2015

For Type 2 Diabetes "I have been on Victoza for 10 days at 0.6, and the side effects have been minimal - just a bit of abdominal disturbance late morning and a feeling of tiredness in the afternoon. I have been injecting before breakfast but am thinking of moving that to last thing at night to see if it makes a difference. Blood sugar readings first thing in the morning are definitely lower. Did feel a loss of appetite in the first few days and ended up missing out on lunch, but found I was then eating a lot for supper, so have tried to stick to three meals a day and just keep the portion sizes small. Will no doubt be moved up to a higher dose after the first month but hope this does not cause any additional side effects. Also take 2500 mg Metformin daily."

• Pen...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 9, 2020

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I am pre-diabetic, have A-Fib, and need to lose weight. I’ve easily lost 50 lbs in 8 months with Metformin 500 mg 2x/day. I did find that I plateaued at 1.8 mg, and my physician let me go ahead and increase eventually up to 3.6 mg. My appetite is very low, and hunger is not a problem. I am nervous if my insurance will cover this dose and also concerned it may plateau again."

• Mim...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 23, 2023

For Type 2 Diabetes "I took Victoza for about 2 months in 2020. I did lose weight but started feeling so bad. No appetite, and weakness like I never felt before, so I stopped. I feel that it did something to my stomach because I have not felt really well since. Really poisoned my body, I think!!!"

• 2mo...
• December 27, 2016

For Type 2 Diabetes "I started November 18, 2016. The first three weeks were super hard, fatigue, and loss of appetite. The doctor gave me my first pen in the office. I took the shot and went straight to work to vomit. Today is December 27, 2016, and I am down 22 pounds. The insurance company notified me they will stop paying for the medication effective 01/01/2017."

• Jay...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 18, 2023

For Type 2 Diabetes "Today is 15 days on Victoza. I have lost 8 lbs. Starting weight 207 and I am 5'6. I started the first week feeling very tired and nauseous, but after a few days, it went away. Once I upped the dose, it started again. The first week I took 0.6 mg, and now I am on 1.2 mg. I am still feeling very tired, and I have no appetite, food doesn't taste the same anymore. I have to force myself to eat. Sadly, I don't enjoy food anymore. I am happy with the weight loss, and I do feel lighter. I will continue to take it since I've read the symptoms will go away after a while. My main goal is to improve my A1C."

• 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."

• Den...
• September 8, 2017

For Type 2 Diabetes "I just recently started taking Victoza in August 2017. I am on my 2nd pen. I like that my sugars are no longer 495 or higher, I am actually in the mid-100s. I started out on the 1.8 dose, not the lower, like I have read everyone did, but I started out taking Trulicity, but my insurance wouldn't pay for it. Yes, I have had the bloating, cramps, god-awful smelling and tasting burps, no appetite, and I have had weight loss. I cannot stand the sight or smell of food half the time and have to force myself to eat. I lost 6 lbs in the 1st week and a half. But I am happy with what it is doing for my sugars, just wish there was a way to get rid of the burps. P.S. Tums help a little bit. Thank you all for your comments, they have made me a little less nervous."

• Tut...
• July 2, 2017

For Type 2 Diabetes "Started Victoza on April 21, 2017, weighing 305 lb. Started taking 0.06, and the first week had gas and insomnia, light nausea, and loss of appetite totally. BP went from 135/80 to 120/70. Week 2, increased medication to 1.2, lost 8 lbs in 2 wks. At week 4, no more side effects, weighing 288 lb. Take peppermint gel caps for nausea, and it helps with gas. I hope to get weight down to 200 lbs. No fried foods, no pizza, no soda, just fruits, meat, vegetables, steamed chicken, tuna fish, salads, smoothies, and less dairy products. Will you post? My blood sugars dropped by 50/100 points now. Can't really say too much bad about this drug, but it helped me to stay full, less eating, plenty of water."