Victoza is a prescription brand-name medication. It’s approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for:
- Improving blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. For this purpose, Victoza is used in adults as well as children ages 10 years and older.
- Lowering the risk of severe cardiovascular problems, such as heart attack or stroke. For this purpose, Victoza is used in adults with both type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
Victoza is typically used as a long-term treatment.
Here are some fast facts on Victoza:
- Active ingredient: liraglutide
- Drug class: glucagon-like peptide-1 agonists (GLP-1)
- Drug form: liquid solution in a pen, given by subcutaneous injection
Like other drugs, Victoza can cause side effects. Read on to learn about potential common, mild, and serious side effects. For a general overview of Victoza, see this article.
Victoza can cause certain side effects, some of which are more common than others. These side effects are usually temporary, lasting a few days or weeks. If the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
These are just a few of the more common side effects reported by people who took Victoza in clinical trials:
- nausea and vomiting
- constipation
- decreased appetite
- indigestion
- diarrhea
To learn about these and other side effects of Victoza, see the sections below.
Mild side effects can occur with Victoza use. This list doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to the Victoza medication guide.
Mild side effects of Victoza can include:
- nausea and vomiting
- constipation
- decreased appetite
- indigestion
- diarrhea
- headache
- hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), which is more common in children than adults
These side effects are usually temporary, lasting a few days or weeks. If the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. If you develop a side effect while taking Victoza and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch.
Victoza may cause serious side effects. The list below may not include all possible serious side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to the Victoza medication guide.
If you develop serious side effects while taking Victoza, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.
Serious side effects and their symptoms can include:
- Gallbladder disease. Symptoms can include:
- pain in the abdomen (belly)
- jaundice (yellowing of the skin or white of the eyes)
- Kidney problems. Symptoms can include:
- confusion
- drowsiness
- nausea
- shortness of breath
- swelling in the feet or lower legs
- urinating less frequently than normal
- Risk of thyroid tumors (see “Side effect specifics” below).*
- Pancreatitis (see “Side effect specifics” below).
- Allergic reaction (see “Side effect specifics” below).
* Victoza has a
Victoza may cause several side effects. Here are some frequently asked questions about the drug’s side effects and their answers.
Is weight loss a possible side effect of Victoza?
It’s possible that you’ll experience minor weight loss while taking Victoza.
Weight loss wasn’t reported as a side effect in clinical trials of Victoza. However, some people did have decreased appetite, which can lead to weight loss.
The active drug in Victoza, liraglutide, is also the active ingredient in Saxenda, which is a prescription medication. Saxenda is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use as a weight-loss aid. Saxenda and Victoza are prescribed at different doses, so you shouldn’t use Victoza for the purpose of losing weight.
If you have additional questions about weight loss and Victoza, talk with your doctor.
If I take Victoza, will I experience fatigue?
Fatigue wasn’t reported as a side effect in people taking Victoza in clinical trials. Fatigue is when you feel like you have less energy than usual.
However, some people taking Victoza in these trials developed minor infections, such as the common cold. Fatigue can be a symptom of certain infections. It’s important to note that people taking a placebo also had infections in these trials. A placebo is a treatment without an active drug.
Fatigue can also be a symptom of liver problems. Liver problems are a rare side effect that has been reported since Victoza was approved. Because the live problems didn’t occur in clinical trials, it isn’t known for sure whether Victoza or something else was the cause.
If you have additional questions about fatigue and Victoza, talk with your doctor.
Does Victoza cause hair loss?
Hair loss wasn’t a side effect in people taking Victoza in clinical trials. Hair loss also hasn’t been reported in people taking the drug since it was approved.
If you’re concerned about hair loss, talk with your doctor. They can work with you to help find the cause and suggest possible treatments.
Can taking Victoza cause burping?
In clinical trials of Victoza, burping wasn’t a reported side effect in people taking the drug. Burping also hasn’t been reported in people taking Victoza since the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the medication. However, a side effect of Victoza is indigestion, and burping may be a related symptom.
If burping is a concern, talk with your doctor. They can help determine the cause and suggest treatment options.
Is joint pain a side effect of Victoza?
Joint pain wasn’t a side effect in people taking Victoza in clinical trials. Joint pain also hasn’t been reported in people taking the drug since it was approved. However, the FDA has
If you have bothersome joint pain, talk with your doctor. They can recommend treatments that may help.
Have there been any deaths from Victoza?
In clinical trials, there weren’t deaths due to Victoza reported in people taking the drug.
In one specific case, a person receiving Victoza developed pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), which was ultimately fatal. However, researchers weren’t able to definitively say that the death was caused by Victoza.
Since Victoza was approved, there have been a few reports of acute pancreatitis. This includes hemorrhagic pancreatitis that, in rare cases, was fatal. With this type of pancreatitis, there’s bleeding within or around the pancreas.
It’s important to note that it usually isn’t possible to tell whether a drug was responsible for a side effect reported after the drug was approved.
For information about pancreatitis symptoms to watch for while taking Victoza, see the “Side effect specifics” section below. You can also talk with your doctor if you have any concerns.
Learn more about some of the side effects that Victoza may cause.
Nausea
Nausea is one of the more common side effects of Victoza. Nausea was fairly common in people taking the drug in clinical trials compared with people taking a placebo. A placebo is a treatment without an active drug.
Nausea may also be a symptom of a more serious side effect, such as gallbladder disease or pancreatitis.
What you can do
If you experience nausea while taking Victoza, talk with your doctor. They can show you how to deal with nausea caused by Victoza. Your doctor can also help determine if the nausea is related to a more serious side effect.
Pancreatitis
Pancreatitis is a rare but serious side effect of Victoza.
In one specific case, a person receiving Victoza developed pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), which was ultimately fatal. However, researchers weren’t able to definitively say that the death was caused by Victoza.
Since Victoza was approved, there have been a few reports of acute pancreatitis. This includes hemorrhagic pancreatitis that, in rare cases, was fatal. With this type of pancreatitis, there’s bleeding within or around the pancreas. Another type of acute pancreatitis reported was necrotizing pancreatitis, in which part of your pancreas dies and may become infected.
It’s important to note that it usually isn’t possible to tell whether a drug was responsible for a side effect reported after the drug was approved.
What you can do
While taking Victoza, watch closely for the following symptoms of pancreatitis:
- bloating
- fever
- nausea and vomiting
- persistent, severe abdomen (belly) pain that doesn’t go away
- severe pain wrapping around your upper belly and to the back
If you experience symptoms of pancreatitis, talk with your doctor right away. They’ll typically have you stop taking Victoza. It’s recommended that you don’t restart the drug once you’ve had pancreatitis.
Hypoglycemia
Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) is a potential side effect of Victoza. Low blood sugar wasn’t common in clinical trials, but it occurred more often in people taking Victoza than people taking a placebo. A placebo is a treatment without an active drug.
Most people who developed low blood sugar with Victoza were using the drug in combination with a sulfonylurea, such as glipizide (Glucotrol).
What you can do
Watch for symptoms of low blood sugar while taking Victoza. These may include:
If you notice symptoms of low blood sugar, check your blood sugar level right away. If you’re unable to check your blood sugar, you should still treat yourself for low blood sugar.
Treating low blood sugar
You can treat mild low blood sugar by eating or drinking something with at least 15 grams (g) of carbohydrates in it. Examples include:
- 1 tablespoon of sugar or honey
- ½ cup fruit juice, such as orange or apple juice
- ½ cup of non-diet soda (The soda should contain at least 15 g of sugar.)
- 3 to 4 glucose tablets, which you can purchase at a pharmacy
Keep in mind that a diet soda won’t treat low blood sugar.
After having something to eat or drink, check your blood sugar again in 15 minutes. If it’s still low, you may need more glucose.
If you develop severe low blood sugar, call 911 or your local emergency number, or have someone drive you to an emergency room. You shouldn’t drive a car while your blood sugar is severely low.
Indigestion
Indigestion (upset stomach) is a potential side effect that may occur while taking Victoza. People taking Victoza in clinical trials experienced indigestion more often than people taking a placebo. A placebo is a treatment without an active drug.
What you can do
If you experience indigestion while taking Victoza, talk with your doctor. They may:
- Recommend a medication to help with this side effect. This may be a new prescription drug or an over-the-counter (OTC) product.
- Adjust your Victoza dose.
- Suggest a different medication to treat your condition.
Risk of thyroid tumors
Victoza has a
In animal studies, Victoza has been shown to cause certain types of thyroid tumors, including medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC). Whether the drug can cause the tumors to form in humans isn’t known.
What you can do
Due to the risk of thyroid tumors, you shouldn’t use Victoza if you or a family member has a history of MTC.
You also shouldn’t use Victoza if you have multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN2). Like MTC, this is a type of cancer that’s hormone-related.
Your doctor will monitor you for MTC symptoms while you take Victoza. Symptoms they will look for include a hoarse voice, growths in your neck, shortness of breath, and difficulty swallowing. If you notice these symptoms while taking Victoza, talk with your doctor immediately. They may want you to stop taking the drug.
Allergic reaction
As with most drugs, Victoza can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Allergic reactions weren’t reported in clinical studies. There have been a few reports of cases after Victoza was approved, but this wasn’t common. Symptoms of an allergic reaction can be mild or serious and can include:
- rash
- itching
- flushing (warmth, swelling, or redness in your skin)
- swelling under your skin, typically in your lips, eyelids, feet, or hands
- swelling of your mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe
What you can do
For mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, call your doctor right away. If you think you’re having a medical emergency, call 911 or your local emergency number.
Victoza may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. Talk with your doctor about your health history before you take Victoza. Factors to consider include those in the list below.
Boxed warning: Risk of thyroid tumors
This drug has a
In animal studies, Victoza has been shown to cause certain types of thyroid tumors, including medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC). Whether the drug can cause the tumors to form in humans isn’t known. For more information on steps you and your doctor can take, see the “Side effect specifics” section above.
Other precautions
Victoza may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. Talk with your doctor about your health history before you take Victoza. Factors to consider include those in the list below.
Serious allergic reaction. If you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Victoza or any of its ingredients, you shouldn’t take Victoza. Ask your doctor what other medications are better options for you.
Kidney problems. Since Victoza was approved, there have been rare cases of people having acute kidney failure or worsening of existing kidney failure while taking the drug. If you have a history of kidney problems, such as end-stage kidney disease, using Victoza may worsen these problems. Therefore, be sure to talk with your doctor before using Victoza. They can work with you to determine whether the drug is right for you.
Liver problems. It isn’t known if Victoza is safe to use in people with existing liver problems, such as end-stage liver disease. Be sure to talk to your doctor if you have a history of liver problems. They can help determine the best treatment plan for you.
Slow stomach emptying. Victoza slows the speed at which your stomach empties after you eat or drink. If you have gastroparesis, talk with your doctor, because it may not be safe for you to use Victoza. They can help determine the right treatment plan for you.
Alcohol use with Victoza
Drinking alcohol while taking Victoza may increase your risk for hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). When your blood sugar level becomes low, your liver typically releases glucose, which is another name for sugar. Alcohol can block this action from occurring. If alcohol and Victoza are taken together, your risk for severe hypoglycemia increases.
Talk with your doctor about how much, if any, alcohol is safe for you to consume while being treated with Victoza.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding while taking Victoza
Here’s some information on the use of Victoza while pregnant or breastfeeding:
- Pregnancy. It’s not known if Victoza is safe to use during pregnancy. Animal studies have shown that Victoza can harm a fetus when given to a pregnant animal. It isn’t known if this also occurs when the drug is used during pregnancy in humans. Before taking Victoza, talk with your doctor if you’re pregnant or planning on becoming pregnant. They can advise you on the benefits and risks of the drug.
- Breastfeeding. It isn’t known whether Victoza is safe to use while breastfeeding. If you’re breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed, talk with your doctor about whether Victoza is right for you.
Side effects can occur while taking Victoza, but they’re usually mild. Most mild side effects of the drug are temporary and don’t require medical attention.
It’s important to note that Victoza may be used on its own to treat type 2 diabetes. Or it may be used in combination with other diabetes drugs. Some side effects of other diabetes medications and Victoza overlap, but the drugs can cause different side effects as well. Your doctor or pharmacist can help explain similarities and differences in side effects you may expect from each drug.
The most common side effects from Victoza treatment include:
- nausea and vomiting
- constipation
- decreased appetite
- indigestion
- diarrhea
You should talk with your doctor if you experience symptoms of pancreatitis, severe hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), gallbladder disease, or an allergic reaction. These side effects could be serious and require medical attention.
If you’d like to learn more about Victoza, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can help answer any questions you may have about the side effects of the drug.
For more information on type 1 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, see our lists of diabetes articles and cardiovascular/cardiology articles.
Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or other healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.