Victoza Results: What to Expect at 1, 3, 6 and 12 Months
Most Victoza tests focused on blood sugar. In SCALE Obesity and Prediabetes, which tested Saxenda, the same medicine at a higher dose, people on liraglutide 3.0 mg daily lost 7.4% on average 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
Victoza: key facts
Its half-life is about 13 hours. After 13 h, half is gone, and after five half-lives (2.7 d), about 3% remains.
People with type 2 diabetes took part in LEAD-3 for 52 weeks. Weight loss was 2.5 kg, compared with 1.1 kg on placebo.
Sources: FDA label (DailyMed).
Victoza results: the numbers first
Most Victoza tests focused on blood sugar. These trials looked at Saxenda for weight loss at a higher dose of the same medicine.
| 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 | Adults with obesity or overweight who did not have type 2 diabetes |
Source: SCALE Obesity and Prediabetes (FDA label (DailyMed)).
How to read the average in pounds
Three starting weights had the trial's 7.4% average applied to them. It is arithmetic rather than a prediction about any one person. Some people lose more, others lose less.
| Starting weight | Average loss on liraglutide 3.0 mg daily | Average loss on placebo |
|---|---|---|
| 180 lb | about 13 lb | about 5 lb |
| 220 lb | about 16 lb | about 7 lb |
| 260 lb | about 19 lb | about 8 lb |
Sources: FDA label (DailyMed).
Week by week
- Early on, stomach side effects appear most often when the dose is low and going up. After each dose increase, these effects often come back for a few days.
- At Week 56, the SCALE Obesity and Prediabetes trial ended, and the average loss shown above was measured then.
Sources: health.clevelandclinic.org, PubMed.
What causes it to stall and what helps
- Look at where you stand in the dose steps. Each trial above found less weight loss at lower doses.
- During the past month, count any doses you missed or took late.
- Record what you eat and drink for a few days. Calories from drinks and grazing add up as your portions get smaller.
- Two topics to raise with your prescriber: thyroid or blood sugar testing, and changing medicines if you have been stalled for months.