Liraglutide Long-Term Side Effects: What Years of Data Show
Victoza has been sold in the US since 2010. The long-term label warnings are thyroid C-cell tumors (seen in rodents), pancreatitis, gallbladder disease and kidney injury from fluid loss.
- Sold in the US since
- 2010
- Most common
- Nausea 20%
- Same on placebo
- 5%
- Trial group
- Adults with type 2 diabetes
Saxenda: a brief overview
About 13 hours is its half-life. At 13 h, half has gone. After five half-lives (2.7 d), about 3% is left.
In SCALE Obesity and Prediabetes, 56 weeks, the result was 7.4% of body weight against 3% for the placebo group
Sources: FDA label (DailyMed).
Serious warnings in plain terms
- A Thyroid C-cell tumor boxed warning In rodents, it caused thyroid C-cell tumors, but whether it causes them in people remains unknown Do not take it if your personal or family history includes medullary thyroid cancer (MTC), or if you have MEN 2.
- Inflammation of the pancreas The pancreas may become inflamed because of it If severe stomach pain continues, stop taking it and get care.
- Low blood sugar. Low blood sugar: Using insulin or a sulfonylurea with it raises the risk, so those doses may need to be reduced.
- Kidney damage due to fluid loss. Vomiting or diarrhea may cause fluid loss that leads to kidney injury. Report any heavy fluid loss; drink fluids.
- Severe stomach and gut reactions. Severe stomach and gut reactions Side effects in these areas are common and may be severe for some people It is not recommended for anyone with severe gastroparesis.
- Serious allergic reactions. Serious allergic reactions Reports include swelling of the face, lips, or throat in some cases If these reactions happen, get help right away and stop taking it
- Gallbladder disease. Gallstones and inflammation of the gallbladder can happen. Report fever, yellow skin or eyes, or upper-right belly pain.
- Food in the lungs can occur during anesthesia or sedation. Food can remain in the stomach longer than usual, and that matters during deep sedation or anesthesia Tell the care team before any procedure.
Source: FDA label (DailyMed).
Source: FDA label (DailyMed).
Liraglutide long term side effects: label rates vs placebo
Liraglutide is sold under names including Victoza and Saxenda Each label has its own table based on a separate group of people.
Victoza
| Side effect | Placebo | Victoza 1.2 mg | Victoza 1.8 mg | More than placebo, 1.8 mg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nausea | 5% | 18% | 20% | +15 points |
| Diarrhea | 4% | 10% | 12% | +8 points |
| Headache | 7% | 11% | 10% | +3 points |
| Nasopharyngitis | 8% | 9% | 10% | +2 points |
| Decreased appetite | 1% | 10% | 9% | +8 points |
| Vomiting | 2% | 6% | 9% | +7 points |
| Dyspepsia | 1% | 4% | 7% | +6 points |
| Upper Respiratory Tract Infection | 6% | 7% | 6% | No more than placebo |
| Constipation | 1% | 5% | 5% | +4 points |
| Back Pain | 3% | 4% | 5% | +2 points |
Source: FDA label (DailyMed).
Saxenda
| Side effect | Placebo | Saxenda Saxenda | More than placebo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nausea | 13.8% | 39.3% | +25.5 points |
| Diarrhea | 9.9% | 20.9% | +11 points |
| Constipation | 8.5% | 19.4% | +10.9 points |
| Vomiting | 3.9% | 15.7% | +11.8 points |
| Injection Site Reaction | 10.5% | 13.9% | +3.4 points |
| Headache | 12.6% | 13.6% | +1 points |
| Hypoglycemia in T2DM | 6.6% | 12.6% | +6 points |
| Dyspepsia | 2.7% | 9.6% | +6.9 points |
| Fatigue | 4.6% | 7.5% | +2.9 points |
| Dizziness | 5% | 6.9% | +1.9 points |
| Abdominal Pain | 3.1% | 5.4% | +2.3 points |
| Increased Lipase | 2.2% | 5.3% | +3.1 points |
| Upper Abdominal Pain | 2.7% | 5.1% | +2.4 points |
| Gastroenteritis | 3.2% | 4.7% | +1.5 points |
| Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease | 1.7% | 4.7% | +3 points |
| Abdominal Distension | 3% | 4.5% | +1.5 points |
| Eructation | 0.2% | 4.5% | +4.3 points |
| Urinary Tract Infection | 3.1% | 4.3% | +1.2 points |
| Flatulence | 2.5% | 4% | +1.5 points |
| Viral Gastroenteritis | 1.6% | 2.8% | +1.2 points |
| Insomnia | 1.7% | 2.4% | +0.7 points |
| Dry Mouth | 1% | 2.3% | +1.3 points |
| Asthenia | 0.8% | 2.1% | +1.3 points |
| Anxiety | 1.6% | 2% | +0.4 points |
Source: FDA label (DailyMed).