Victoza Plateau: Why Weight Loss Stalls
Results vary a lot by person. In SCALE Obesity and Prediabetes, the average loss on liraglutide 3.0 mg daily was 7.4% over 56 weeks, against 3% on placebo.
- Average loss, top dose
- 7.4%
- On placebo
- 3%
- Trial length
- 56 weeks
- Trial
- SCALE Obesity and Prediabetes
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.
For people with type 2 diabetes, the LEAD-3 trial ran for 52 weeks. Weight loss was 2.5 kg, compared with 1.1 kg for placebo.
as listed in the FDA label (DailyMed)
Victoza plateau: the numbers first
Victoza was tested mainly for blood sugar. The weight trials here come from Saxenda, which is that same medicine at a higher dose.
| Trial | Dose group | Average weight lost | Placebo or comparison | Weeks | Who was in it |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SCALE Obesity and Prediabetes | Liraglutide 3.0 mg daily | 7.4% | 3% | 56 | Participants were adults who had obesity or were overweight and did not have type 2 diabetes |
Source: SCALE Obesity and Prediabetes (FDA label (DailyMed)).
What makes it stall and what helps
- See which dose step you are on. Across all the trials above, lower doses produced less weight loss.
- Count the doses you missed or took late over the past month.
- Record what you eat and drink for a few days. When portions shrink, liquid calories and grazing add up.
- At every meal, eat some protein and continue strength training so most weight you lose comes from fat.
- Sleep and stress change appetite, so look at both.
- Ask your pharmacist if any of the other medicines you take might lead to weight gain.
- Talk to your prescriber about testing your thyroid or your blood sugar. If months have passed with no change in your weight, ask about changing medicines.