Victoza and Sick: What Users Say

• T2D...
• February 15, 2015

For Type 2 Diabetes "I'm a 45-year-old woman, diagnosed with type 2 diabetes 4 years ago. I was prescribed Metformin, then added glipizide, which made me gain half a pound a day until I quit taking it 30 days and 15 lbs later. Then I was prescribed Victoza. The first 3 weeks, I was sick to my stomach all day, every day. I had NO energy at all. I would get out of bed, get dressed, and then lay back down - it was really THAT bad. BUT after around the 4th week, I started feeling normal again. My A1C went from 9.2 to 5.4 in just 5 weeks. Now, I am never above 130 - even after having a can of Pepsi. Also, I lost 30 lbs in 45 days. Just amazing! Suffer through the initial sickness, don't give up on it, Victoza is a life-changer! Victoza website for a discount card. I pay $25/month."

• Cur...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 17, 2014

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I've been on Victoza for just over a week, started on 0.6 and today moved onto increased dose of 1.2. I am also on 4 x 500mg of metformin a day. I have had some stomach ache/sickness/fatigue with the Victoza but I'm sure it will get better. I've lost just under 7lb in this first week which is astonishing and I'm very excited to continue to see weight loss. I definitely have seen a big reduction in appetite, I don't want food as often and I don't eat as much so it's a win-win for me. I have not yet built exercise into my routine yet, just because the fatigue is making it difficult for me even to do household chores at the moment but hope I can soon get back in the gym and aid any weight loss Victoza gives me."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• Hay...
• April 25, 2017

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "After reading hundreds of reviews, I was very nervous about the side effects, and I'm gonna be completely honest, they're the worst I've ever known. I've never felt so ill in my life, BUT it did only last 5 days on 0.6 and 2 days when I doubled to 1.2, so stick with it. If it's getting you down, I promise it is worth it!!!! I take my dose at 11 am and find I can eat fairly normally throughout the day until about 6 pm. Then I have a tiny dinner and feel full to the brim. Also, I am finally getting a full night's sleep as I'm not up every hour needing the toilet. Today I had my review, and I'm over the moon. I've lost 16 lb with no effort at all... I highly recommend."

• tro...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 14, 2015

For Type 2 Diabetes "I was on Victoza for 3 months and got really sick. Dr. took blood and my lipase and amylase numbers were off the chart. He told me I had pancreatitis. I will never take this drug again. I have never been that sick ever."

• jay...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 11, 2016

For Type 2 Diabetes "I've been using Victoza for 3 months now. 1.6 for a few weeks then 1.8. I had one night of sickness at the beginning and another recently, but in general, it's more like the thought of eating food that makes me feel sick. My bowel and stomach feel a lot like I need to have an evacuation, but I've not had diarrhea. As for weight loss, I've gone from over 17 stone to 14 st 7 lbs in 3 months without doing anything. My HbA1c has dropped from over 25 to around 7. So everything is pretty amazing. I'm lucky that it's free for me in the UK, but it did take a few years to get it prescribed by my diabetic specialist nurse. I don't know if there are any long-term side effects, but at present, I believe it has changed and saved my life."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• April 22, 2010

For Type 2 Diabetes "I have just started using this medicine yesterday. I felt a little sick yesterday, but wasn't. Second day today and I feel sick again and was sick after my breakfast. I don't feel so hungry as I did before. I do feel a lot fuller. I hope this works as I need to get my life back under my control instead of being controlled. Fingers crossed."

• Gra...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 24, 2020

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "Started using Victoza as I am overweight and managed to lose 2 pounds the first week. I have been sick kind of after the shot, but doing better now. Started at 0.6 and now am on 1.2. This week has been better."

• lou...
• July 13, 2012

For Type 2 Diabetes "I started Victoza a week ago, and I have lost 10 lbs. I think it's brilliant, but the only thing is the sickness. Every time I eat, I vomit, but hopefully that won't last much longer. I was an insulin taker until I stopped at my own accord after piling on the pounds, which is very dangerous. I think this medicine is the best ever. I have tried everything to lose weight, and this is all that worked, and plus my blood sugars are perfect since I started, which they were all unbelievably high. I would say this is a lifesaver."

• Hea...
• February 8, 2013

For Type 2 Diabetes "I was on insulin but couldn't get my A1C down. It was 8.9, so she put me on Jentadueto and Victoza. The first 2 days, I was really sick. 3rd day (today), I vomited so bad I was about to give up, then decided to try taking the Victoza at bedtime instead of morning. Will see if it works. The first day, I didn't eat a thing. It totally makes you not want to eat ANYTHING. I actually had to force myself to eat a banana this morning, and that's when I vomited. I hope these side effects go away because I think this is the right medicine for weight loss. I'm still taking Novolog once a day if my blood sugar is over 150. Will update soon."

• 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."

• Pho...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 16, 2017

For Type 2 Diabetes "I have been taking Victoza for three weeks and have lost ten pounds, but at the cost of being sick as a dog every day. Cannot eat or stand the smell of food cooking. I am done with this junk as of today."

• Dad...
• March 17, 2018

For Type 2 Diabetes "This review is based on my dad’s experience with Victoza. Definitely a drug that takes adjusting to. My dad’s A1C was at a level where we feared for his life, levels around 15-19, and he would not tell us, but I knew he was not doing well and took him to a specialist. The doctor suggested Victoza, and we started adjusting it as directed. By the time he got to 1.8, the symptoms were unbearable: sick, nausea, no appetite. We decided to bring it down to 1.2. He was still feeling slight discomfort, and I told him to take it right before bed. This change has made his quality of life 100% better! He’s so happy and feeling better than he has in years! He’s only been on it for 2 months, and A1C is down around 6-7. We are afraid of the long-term side effects and will ask the doctor since this drug is supposed to help your body promote insulin. First, can he lower it even more, and how long is he expected to be on this drug? So far, great experience, but we are proceeding with caution and testing regularly."

• Cur...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 4, 2017

For Type 2 Diabetes "I have been taking this medicine since before Christmas, and the side effects are awful: from feeling sick, really eggy belching, and really bad wind that keeps me awake. Has anyone else experienced this, and how long did it last?"

• 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?"

• 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."

• 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..."

• Wei...
• November 1, 2017

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I started this for weight loss, which exacerbated other health problems. In the last six months, I’ve gradually gone up to 3 mg per day. My weight was 155 kg and is now 130.6 kg. I had some sickness at the start and slightly when I increased the dosage. It’s changed my eating habits, as I feel less hungry and the amount I can eat has gone down. To be honest, the beginning was slightly tough but worth persisting with, just keep the faith."

• Lau...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 22, 2018

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I started Victoza, 0.6 mg, only 3 days ago. I immediately felt nauseated, weak, and had no appetite. I did not want to eat, I could scarcely make myself eat. On day 4, before I had taken my 4th dose, I got severe lower abdominal pain and burning diarrhea. I felt very ill and sat on the toilet all day. I took Prilosec, Imodium, sips only of water, and felt really horrible. I will speak with my doctor about this, but I will not take this medication again."

• 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."

• Col...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 28, 2021

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I started Victoza 12 months ago. I felt very sick at first, but I got used to it. I was 72 kgs, I am now 59.4 kgs. I have lost almost 20% of my body weight, my doctor is very pleased with my results, as I am."

• Anonymous
• November 14, 2011

For Type 2 Diabetes "I have been on Victoza for three weeks. I started at 0.6 and after two days felt nauseous, but that passed. Then, on the second week, I was increased to 1.2 and felt slightly ill, can't eat a normal meal. I never feel hungry, just eat minimal amounts because I know I have to. I lost 6 lbs. in three weeks. I have been walking for the last year, 5 miles a night, and could not lose an ounce. Once the nausea lifts, I will love this medication."