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GLP-1 Decoder

Victoza Muscle Loss: How Common, How Long It Lasts

The Victoza label does not list muscle loss as a side effect. What people mean by it: losing muscle along with fat while losing weight.

In the label
Not listed
Most common in the label
Nausea 20%

A quick look at Victoza

Time spent in the body
100%50%25%0%013 h26 h39 h2.2 d2.7 d50%25%12.5%time after the dose

Its half-life is about 13 hours. At 13 h, half is gone; around 3% remains once five half-lives have passed (2.7 d).

Main trial: weight lost
Victoza (LEAD-3)2.5 kgPlacebo1.1 kg

In the 52-week LEAD-3 trial of type 2 diabetes, participants lost 2.5 kg, compared with 1.1 kg on placebo.

Sources: FDA label (DailyMed).

What the Victoza label provides instead

The Victoza label does not list muscle loss. These five side effects are listed most often.

Table 1. With VICTOZA for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, adverse reactions were reported in ≥5% of Adult Patients Treated
Side effectPlaceboVictoza 1.2 mgVictoza 1.8 mgMore than placebo, 1.8 mg
Nausea5%18%20%+15 points
Diarrhea4%10%12%+8 points
Headache7%11%10%+3 points
Nasopharyngitis8%9%10%+2 points
Decreased appetite1%10%9%+8 points

Source: Victoza label (DailyMed).

Source: FDA label (DailyMed).