Liraglutide Side Effects: How Common, How Long They Last

In the Victoza label (liraglutide), nausea is the most common side effect: 20% on 1.8 mg vs 5% on placebo. Next come diarrhea and headache.

Saxenda facts at a glance

Time in the body

Its half-life is about 13 hours: after 13 h, half is gone, while five half-lives (2.7 d) leave about 3%.

Body weight lost in the main trial

In the SCALE Obesity and Prediabetes, 56 weeks trial, participants lost 7.4% of body weight, compared with 3% on placebo.

Liraglutide is sold as Victoza and as Saxenda. Each label has its own tables, which come from different groups of people.

Table 1. Adverse reactions reported in ≥5% of Adult Patients Treated with VICTOZA for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
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

Table 2. Seen in ≥2% of SAXENDA-treated Adult Patients, Adverse Reactions Occurring More Frequently than Placebo
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

Thyroid C-cell tumors: boxed warning. In rodents, it caused thyroid C-cell tumors; whether it has the same effect in people is unknown. It should not be used by anyone with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer (MTC), or by anyone with MEN 2.
Pancreatitis. It may inflame the pancreas. Severe stomach pain that continues means you must get care and stop taking it.
Low blood sugar. Low blood sugar becomes more likely when you use it with insulin or a sulfonylurea. Lowering those doses may be needed.
Kidney injury from fluid loss. Kidney injury may result from fluid loss caused by vomiting or diarrhea. Drink fluids and report heavy fluid loss.
Severe stomach and gut reactions. Stomach and gut effects often occur and can be severe. It is not recommended if you have severe gastroparesis.
Serious allergic reactions. Reports describe serious allergic reactions, including swelling of the face, lips or throat. If this happens, stop taking it and get help at once.
Gallbladder disease. Gallstones and inflammation of the gallbladder can develop. Pain in your upper right belly, yellow skin or eyes, or fever should be reported.
Food in the lungs while receiving anesthesia or sedation. Food can remain in your stomach longer, which is important during anesthesia or deep sedation. Tell your care team before any procedure.