Stopping Victoza: Weight, Appetite
Agree a plan with your prescriber before you stop Victoza. What you are trying to keep: in SCALE Obesity and Prediabetes, people on liraglutide 3.0 mg daily lost 7.4% on average over 56 weeks.
- Average loss, top dose
- 7.4%
- On placebo
- 3%
- Trial length
- 56 weeks
- Trial
- SCALE Obesity and Prediabetes
Victoza in short
Its half-life is about 13 hours. Half of it is gone after 13 h. About 3% is left once five half-lives have passed (2.7 d).
In LEAD-3, people with type 2 diabetes lost 2.5 kg over 52 weeks, against 1.1 kg on placebo.
Sources: FDA label (DailyMed).
Victoza stopping: the numbers first
Victoza was tested mainly for blood sugar. These weight trials belong to Saxenda, which is the same medicine but at a higher dose.
| Trial | Dose group | Average weight lost | Placebo or comparison | Weeks | Who was in it |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SCALE Obesity and Prediabetes | Liraglutide 3.0 mg daily | 7.4% | 3% | 56 | Adults with obesity or overweight and no type 2 diabetes at all |
Source: SCALE Obesity and Prediabetes (FDA label (DailyMed)).
Keeping off the weight you lost
- Start by talking with your prescriber, so your plan includes any other medicines and your follow-up visits.
- Continue the eating habits you built with the drug. Include protein at each meal, eat smaller portions, and have fewer sugary drinks.
- Keep moving. Strength training helps you keep the muscle you already have.
- Choose regular times to weigh yourself, and agree in advance on what change means you call your prescriber.
- If diabetes is the reason you take it, ask how your blood sugar will be handled after you stop.
How many people stopped during the trials?
| Trial | Dose group | What happened | Drug | Placebo |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SCALE Obesity and Prediabetes | All doses, label pool | Stopped for side effects | 9.8% | Not listed |
Source: SCALE Obesity and Prediabetes (FDA label (DailyMed)).