Victoza Headache: How Common, How Long It Lasts, What Helps
Yes. In the Victoza trials, 11% of people on 1.2 mg had headache, against 7% on placebo: a little above placebo. It is the third most common side effect in that table.
- In the Victoza label
- Yes, with a rate
- On Victoza 1.2 mg
- 11%
- On placebo
- 7%
- Rank in the label table
- 3 of 10
Victoza in brief
The half-life is about 13 hours. After 13 h, half is gone, and after five half-lives (2.7 d), about 3% remains.
In the 52-week LEAD-3 trial for type 2 diabetes, weight loss was 2.5 kg, compared with 1.1 kg on placebo.
Sources: FDA label (DailyMed).
How often does it show up with Victoza vs placebo
The label trials show Victoza headache by dose group. That trial included a placebo comparison group.
| Medicine and dose | Headache | Placebo | More than placebo | People in the trials |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Victoza 1.2 mg | 11% | 7% | +4 points | Adults with type 2 diabetes |
| Victoza 1.8 mg | 10% | 7% | +3 points | Adults with type 2 diabetes |
Source: Victoza label (DailyMed).
Other GLP-1s compared with Victoza for Headache
Each label covers its own trials, and those trials used different groups of people. Treat this as a rough guide.
The table also covers pill forms, including Foundayo.
| Medicine | Highest rate in the label | Dose group | Placebo | People in the trials |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Wegovy | 14% | 2.4 mg | 10% | Adults with obesity or overweight (weight management) |
 Saxenda | 13.6% | all doses | 12.6% | Adults with obesity or overweight (weight management) |
| Victoza | 11% | 1.2 mg | 7% | Adults with type 2 diabetes |
 Foundayo | 9% | 9 mg | 7% | Adults with obesity or overweight (weight management) |
| Byetta | 9% | all doses | 6% | Adults with type 2 diabetes |
 Ozempic | Not listed | – | – | – |
 Rybelsus | Not listed | – | – | – |
 Mounjaro | Not listed | – | – | – |
 Zepbound | Not listed | – | – | – |
 Trulicity | Not listed | – | – | – |
Sources: Wegovy label (DailyMed), Foundayo label (DailyMed), Saxenda label (DailyMed), Victoza label (DailyMed), Byetta label (DailyMed).
Source: FDA label (DailyMed).