Victoza Nausea: How Common, How Long It Lasts, What Helps
Yes. In the Victoza trials, 20% of people on 1.8 mg had nausea, against 5% on placebo: about 4 times the placebo rate. It is the 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
- 20%
- On placebo
- 5%
- Rank in the label table
- 1 of 10
Victoza overview
Its half-life is about 13 hours. Half remains after 13 hours, and about 3% is still present after five half-lives (2.7 days).
With type 2 diabetes, the LEAD-3 trial lasted 52 weeks. Weight loss was 2.5 kg, compared with 1.1 kg on placebo.
Sources: FDA label (DailyMed).
How often it appears with Victoza versus placebo
The Victoza label lists Victoza nausea by dose group for its trials. In that same trial, the placebo group serves as the comparison group.
| Medicine and dose | Nausea | Placebo | More than placebo | People in the trials |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Victoza 1.2 mg | 18% | 5% | +13 points | Adults with type 2 diabetes |
| Victoza 1.8 mg | 20% | 5% | +15 points | Adults with type 2 diabetes |
Source: Victoza label (DailyMed).
Nausea with Victoza compared with other GLP-1s
Each label covers its own trials, which include different groups of people. Use it as a rough guide.
You will find the pill forms in the table as well: Rybelsus, Foundayo.
| Medicine | Highest rate in the label | Dose group | Placebo | People in the trials |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Wegovy | 44% | 2.4 mg | 16% | Adults with obesity or overweight (weight management) |
| Byetta | 44% | all doses | 18% | Adults with type 2 diabetes |
 Saxenda | 39.3% | all doses | 13.8% | Adults with obesity or overweight (weight management) |
 Foundayo | 35% | 17.2 mg | 10% | Adults with obesity or overweight (weight management) |
 Zepbound | 29% | 10 mg | 8% | Adults with obesity or overweight (weight management) |
 Trulicity | 21.1% | 1.5 mg | 5.3% | Adults with type 2 diabetes |
 Ozempic | 20.3% | 1 mg | 6.1% | Adults with type 2 diabetes |
 Rybelsus | 20% | 14 mg | 6% | Adults with type 2 diabetes |
| Victoza | 20% | 1.8 mg | 5% | Adults with type 2 diabetes |
 Mounjaro | 18% | 15 mg | 4% | Adults with type 2 diabetes |
Sources: 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 slow the rate at which your stomach empties. Food stays around longer, which can bring on nausea, especially after big or fatty meals.
Source: health.clevelandclinic.org.
What the Victoza label says
Here, the label mentions nausea word for word:
“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).
What helps, step by step
- Sip unsweetened ginger or peppermint tea.
- After eating, stay upright rather than lying down.
- Ask your prescriber about a nausea medicine to keep available.
- Eat smaller meals, then stop once you feel full. These medicines slow down how fast your stomach empties.
- Eat slowly. Your brain needs time to recognize when you are full.
- Go easy on foods that are fatty, greasy and sugary, since they often bring symptoms on.
- Tell your prescriber if the nausea continues. Slowing dose increases or suggesting a different GLP-1 are options your prescriber may choose.
Use the GLP-1 interaction checker to check any drugstore product before you take it.
Source: health.clevelandclinic.org.