Victoza 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
Victoza in brief
The medicine has a half-life of about 13 hours. After 13 h, half is gone. After five half-lives (2.7 d), about 3% remains.
In the LEAD-3 trial over 52 weeks, people with type 2 diabetes lost 2.5 kg, compared with 1.1 kg on placebo.
This information comes from the FDA label (DailyMed).
Serious warnings in plain language
- A boxed warning covers Thyroid C-cell tumors. Thyroid C-cell tumors were caused by it in rodents. Whether it causes them in people is not known. Avoid this medicine if medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) appears in your personal or family history, or if you have MEN 2.
- Inflammation of the pancreas The medicine may cause the pancreas to become inflamed. If severe stomach pain does not go away, stop it and get care. The pain may sometimes spread to your back.
- Low blood sugar Using it with insulin or a sulfonylurea increases the chance of low blood sugar. Those doses may need to be lowered.
- Kidney injury from fluid loss. Fluid loss can lead to kidney injury. Vomiting or diarrhea can cause fluid loss. Drink fluids and report heavy fluid loss.
- Severe stomach and gut reactions Side effects in the stomach and gut are common and may be severe. For people with severe gastroparesis, this medicine is not recommended.
- Allergic reactions can be severe. Serious allergic reactions have been reported. Some involved swelling affecting your face, lips or throat. If they happen, get help right away and stop it.
- Gallbladder disease You can develop gallstones or have gallbladder inflammation. Report a fever, yellow skin or eyes, or upper right belly pain.
- Food in the lungs during the use of anesthesia or sedation Food may stay in your stomach longer, which matters during anesthesia or deep sedation. Tell your care team before any procedure.
Source: FDA label (DailyMed).
Source: FDA label (DailyMed).
Victoza long term side effects: label rates vs placebo
The FDA label includes 10 common side effects associated with Victoza, based on its placebo-controlled trials. The last column tells you by how much each one came up more often than on placebo.
| 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).