Victoza Diarrhea: How Common, How Long It Lasts, What Helps
Yes. In the Victoza trials, 12% of people on 1.8 mg had diarrhea, against 4% on placebo: about 3 times the placebo rate. It is the second most common side effect in that table. Smaller, slower meals help most.
- In the Victoza label
- Yes, with a rate
- On Victoza 1.8 mg
- 12%
- On placebo
- 4%
- Rank in the label table
- 2 of 10
A quick look at Victoza
Its half-life is about 13 hours: after 13 h, half is gone, and after five half-lives (2.7 d) about 3% is left.
LEAD-3 ran 52 weeks in people with type 2 diabetes: 2.5 kg was lost against 1.1 kg on placebo.
Sources: FDA label (DailyMed).
How common it is on Victoza compared with placebo
In the label trials, Victoza diarrhea is listed for each dose group. The placebo is the comparison group from that same trial.
| Medicine and dose | Diarrhea | Placebo | More than placebo | People in the trials |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Victoza 1.2 mg | 10% | 4% | +6 points | Adults with type 2 diabetes |
| Victoza 1.8 mg | 12% | 4% | +8 points | Adults with type 2 diabetes |
Source: Victoza label (DailyMed).
Diarrhea with Victoza compared with other GLP-1s
Every label covers its own trials, and the groups of people differ. Treat it as a rough guide.
The table also lists the pill forms: Rybelsus, Foundayo.
| Medicine | Highest rate in the label | Dose group | Placebo | People in the trials |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Wegovy | 30% | 2.4 mg | 16% | Adults with obesity or overweight (weight management) |
 Foundayo | 25% | 17.2 mg | 11% | Adults with obesity or overweight (weight management) |
 Zepbound | 23% | 15 mg | 8% | Adults with obesity or overweight (weight management) |
 Saxenda | 20.9% | all doses | 9.9% | Adults with obesity or overweight (weight management) |
 Mounjaro | 17% | 15 mg | 9% | Adults with type 2 diabetes |
| Byetta | 13% | all doses | 6% | Adults with type 2 diabetes |
 Trulicity | 12.6% | 1.5 mg | 6.7% | Adults with type 2 diabetes |
| Victoza | 12% | 1.8 mg | 4% | Adults with type 2 diabetes |
 Rybelsus | 10% | 14 mg | 4% | Adults with type 2 diabetes |
 Ozempic | 8.8% | 1 mg | 1.9% | Adults with type 2 diabetes |
Source labels: Ozempic label (DailyMed), Wegovy label (DailyMed), Rybelsus label (DailyMed), Mounjaro label (DailyMed), Zepbound label (DailyMed), Foundayo label (DailyMed), Trulicity label (DailyMed), Saxenda label (DailyMed), Victoza label (DailyMed), Byetta label (DailyMed).
Source: FDA label (DailyMed).
Why it happens with Victoza
These medicines make the stomach empty more slowly. Food stays longer, which can cause diarrhea, especially after meals that are big or fatty.
Source: health.clevelandclinic.org.
Information from the Victoza label
The label describes diarrhea in these exact words:
“majority of the reported events occurred in patients who experienced gastrointestinal reactions leading to dehydration such as nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea [see Adverse Reactions (6.1)].”
Source: FDA label (DailyMed).
Steps that can help
- Use water and an electrolyte drink to replace fluids and salts.
- For a while, stick with soft, bland, low-fiber foods.
- Have less caffeine, alcohol and milk drinks.
- Check with your prescriber about an anti-diarrhea medicine from the drugstore.
- Eat smaller meals, and stop eating when you feel full. On these medicines, the stomach empties more slowly.
- Take your time when you eat. Your brain takes time to notice that you are full.
- Tell your prescriber if the diarrhea does not ease. They may suggest another GLP-1 or slow the dose increases.
Check anything from the drugstore in the GLP-1 interactions tool before you take it.
Source: health.clevelandclinic.org.