Health professionals reportedly are receiving letters this week alerting them to an FDA warning just issued about risks of thyroid cancer and pancreatitis associated with the popular type 2 diabetes drug liraglutide (Victoza). Yikes!
According to MSM reports, the evidence was found in mice, and it’s unclear if the 
serious risks translate to humans — but there was enough concern to issue the follow warning:
“Clinical trials have shown more cases of pancreatitis with liraglutide than with other diabetes drugs, so the FDA recommended patient monitoring after starting liraglutide or raising the dosage, for symptoms such as persistent severe abdominal pain. This pain can sometimes radiate to the back and is accompanied by vomiting.
Liraglutide should be immediately stopped if pancreatitis is suspected and not restarted if the disease is confirmed.
The FDA urged a cautious approach in patients with a history of pancreatitis. The agency also highlighted the contraindication for liraglutide in patients with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer or a personal history of multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2.”
Seeing as how the ‘Mine has become home to the unofficial leading chat forum for Victoza users, we thought you all might like to know! We’ll be posting an alert there as well, of course.
too bad. I just read a study showing how it was very helpful for people with t1 diabetes, too. maybe that is old news to you all.
I’m a T1 and I use it. I find if I take too much I do feel stomach pain, but I just keep it in really small doses and I see MAJOR improvement in my care.
What insurance do you have? I have Humana and they will not cover Victoza for Type 1 because it’s not yet approved by the FDA for Type 1 use. I was able to use it for about 3 months via samples and then purchased one Rx ($483.00) and it was a God send for my AIC and my weight. Really made a difference. Since I can’t afford it and don’t qualify for any Rx Assistance, I had to quit. So sad. Again, what insurance provider do you use? Thanks in advance for your response
When I read about the side-effects of all these “miracle” type 2 drugs, it makes my love/hate relationship with insulin slant a little more in the “love” direction!
Its about time the FDA said something! If you read the blog “The Jury’s Still Out” on this site it is really scary how many doctors are automatically increasing patient doses to the maximum within three short weeks. There is no monitoring in many cases! I contacted the company about the .6 lowest dose and they said it is an ineffective dose and just used to get the body started on a new med. .6 works for many of us – me included!!. I don’t plan on increasing doses unless I absolutely have to. There are no follow up studies on people going off Victoza either. And those in the clinical trials were only on it for 6 months and 1 year. This info is straight from the company in writing to me. Its a great drug and does do wonders – but it seems the company cares more for the money than for the long term effects and health of the people using the drug! I for one would love to see more ongoing studies and analysis by the manufacturer – there are so many of us on Victoza now that they have their pick of participants and the opportunity for some fantastic studies.
MED,
I wonder if the drug company has been counselled by their LAWYERS to not undermine the prescribing physician’s role in prescribing their drugs. The drug companies are somewhat (if not completely) bound by the FDA licensing as far as dosing goes.
I’m certain they make more money if people use more of their product, but the person writing you from the drug company is not your doctor. They need to give out the same advice as the literature that ships with the drug. Let’s be fair. If the drug companies are killing people with their drug, can that be good for their bottom line?
I’m not attacking you. In fact I agree with you! A low does of Victoza can be effective– it is for me too. I’m advocating:
1) Talk to your doctor
2) Dose, test, change dose, test
3) Talk to your doctor and tell him/her what has been working for you
4) Post your results in forums like this one.
Power to the Patient! We have the control ultimately and diabetics can do their own testing at home. WIN WIN!
My doctor agrees with me completely on this.
Bottom line: My doctor, the FDA or the drug company doesn’t live in my skin. I know what works for me and I tell my doctor about it all the time. It adds to his experience and he uses that in his practice. Let’s not run to the FDA for everything.
I called the Victoza drug manufacturer to see if Victoza was gluten free and they could not verify that is free of gluten. I was shocked to find out that the FDA approves a drug without knowing what ingredients are contained in the drug. If you are gluten sensitive or allergic, this additive can cause severe illness and side effects. If gluten is contained in the drug, it can be the cause of many of the unpleasant side effects individuals are experiencing.
I have been on Victoza since December 2010..I have had 2 episodes of severe vomiting and upper abdominal pain with diarrhea.. I have never vomited so much in my life at one time.. My amylase is elevated some but my lipase is not (2 blood work values that are signs of pancreatitis). I have just been ill.. The gastroenterologist is very much concerned that the symptoms are from the Victoza..I am having test after test to determine the root cause and to make sure it is the Victoza.. I have called my endocrinologist and they are taking me off of the Victoza.. I have been dehydrated twice and had to receive IV fluids. There is no signs of infection or food poisoning.. The symptoms do not coincide with a virus.. People need to be cautious.. If you have had any previous issues with my stomach or intestines please let the md know before you are prescribed this drug…
My endo started me off on Victoza in May 2011 @ .06.June @ 1.2. July 6th he increased it to 1.8. I get the feeling that I am being used by this particular endo as a guinea pig, I.e.,he is getting paid by the pharmacy to do research on human subjects. My original ( he is a government panel) who I have great respect for and confidence in sent me to this present endo because he is supposed to be the authority in the area on Byetta. I stopped going to him because I did not like his attitude and manner and I was getting too many blood tests for him and my orig endo combined. When my orig endo asked me to go back to him, I did.as I said in May he switched me to Victoza and I have exhibited the side effects on the literature: overall devilitated feeling,extreme nausea,raspy throat, difficulty swallowing sometimes. My sugar levels have been somewhat
Contained but is this quality of life worth it?
My internist started me on Victoza the end of November 2010. I had nausea the first week. My A1C went from 8.4 to 6.8 in 6 weeks. I was taking it in conjunction with Janumet. The lowest my A1C has been is 6.1 since then. My Dr. switched me a couple of months ago to Metformin instead of Janumet. I was hoping that my A1C would be lower than 6 by now. I haven’t had any of the adverse symptoms so far, other than the nausea the first week.
I started on Victoza at the lowest dose and had bad nausea. By the third week, I started vomiting so hard I threw up blood and had very sore ribs and muscles for two days. I vomited for hours, plus had diarrhea too. My doctor said to throw this away! It did lower my blood sugar, but I can’t live like that.
Wow these posts need to be balanced out. I had a fantastic endo who started me on Victoza about six months ago. I had all the start up symptoms but thay have mostly gone away…I say mostly because i have to drink more water and increase fiber intake to take care of the constipation. I have slowly lost 28 lbs and my A1c which hovered at 6.4 tp 6.6 has dropped to 5.4. I am happy with the treatment and focused on a goal loss of 50 lbs for now. This drug has been very helpful. I tried the Byetta and could not get over being sick all the time, but that’s my expererience thus far.
Victoza is wildly expensive. I have been on Victoza using the patient assistance plan up until this summer when I enrolled in the pre-existing condition government insurance program. Enrollment automatically disqualifies me for any assistance and now I have to pay a $750 deductible plus $200 for a 9 month supply. If I buy it now, I have to pay the same $950 again in January and I just can’t afford it so I’m having to switch to Byetta. I never experienced any bad side effects from Victoza and I hope the same will be true with Byetta.
I went on Victoza and my blood sugars were excellent, I lost weight and was doing great! Then all of a sudden I started having chest pains like a heart attack. Was taken to hospital by ambulance and admitted twice in a month. They couldn’t figure out the problem. Heart was ruled out. I suggested that it may be Victoza and was removed from it and put on Apridra. My chest pains went away (I’d been having them daily for 2-7 hr spurts). I haven’t had a pain since. This was 9 months ago. Victoza works well, but I’m convinced it caused my chest pains. They also ruled out gallbladder and everything else.
I just started Victoza. Plus I am taking 4 Metformin 2000 plus Novo mix 30/70. Is it ok to mix the insulin?
Rozmin
I have been taking Victoza just before bed for a week now. I am ready to step up my dose to 1.2. I have only had minor nausea and a little stomach pain related to bowl movement need – things work a little different on Victoza. I have added 2 prunes in the AM and 4 in the evening and everything is “working out” just fine now. My nausea is gone by this point and I have lost 7 pounds!
I am planning to go up just one “click” per day above .6 and see how it goes. If my appetite control is good, I’m staying at whatever that dose might be. If it’s 1.2, fine. If it’s one click above .6 that’s fine too. The goal is to have maximum benefit on the lowest dose needed. That’s always the best course, eh? Don’t just take the Doctor’s word on dosing. We have complete control with this delivery method. It’s interesting that the pen has such fine increments instead of merely .6, 1.2, 1.8 only. Test, dose change, test, dose change, test.
I am only borderline diabetic. My sugars don’t come down after meals quickly enough, but they do go down. My Doctor said if I lost 25 pounds my levels would be fine. I need to lose 100 pounds. I’m hoping Victoza will the key for me.
So mark me down as a successful Victoza user. I’ll keep posting as time goes by. It can’t be a bad drug for everyone can it?
I am not a doctor. I don’t play one on TV. I do watch TV and some doctor shows as well. So ASK YOUR DOCTOR. That’s my advice!
I have United Healthcare insurance and my copay is $25 for 3 pens and 100 needles were free.
Update: I am up to 1.8 with no side effects beside I am eating 4-6 prunes morning and night. Appetite is fully under control and I have lost 30 pounds so far. I gained a little over Christmas due to junk food intake and being sick and no exercise. I’m just walking the dog 20-30 minutes or 45-60 minutes on the eliptical machine just 3-4 times per week.
No nausea if I eat proper size meals. This is really a dream come true for me.
A friend started Byetta (spelling?) and had to quit after 4 days due to severe nausea and dead tired fatigue.
I have been on victoza for 4 months now love the drug but to expensive my insurance only cover half so for 10 days or 1 pen its 57 dollars I don’t. Qualify for assistants from the company because I make 1k more a year then their limit and I was getting sponsed by my pharmacist. Intelligence a week ago they just ran out so I am forced to stop taking it the drug companies need to realize how much they are forcing their buyers into making hard decisions either pay your morgate or buy the drugs you need to stay alive
Thanks everyone for their comments. I hope everyone continues to post so we can share experiences. I just took my first shot and am sitting here in dread of experiencing the nausea and vomiting mentioned. Also the possibility of pain and issues with the pancreas. My doc is considered oneof the best in the area so I am putting my faith in his knowledge. I was previously taking 1000 mg Metformin, 10 mg Glipizide, 100 mg Januvia. Wasnt doing the job but my diet was crap. A prior doc had me drop Januvia and start Lantus. Lantus was great, was close to 38 units daily, but I put on 15 lbs fast! This new docs partner (missed my appt with new doc) moved me off Lantus, added Glipizide. Bllod sugars werent great although had some good numbers. Finally met new doc, took me off Januvia, added Victoza, doubled Metformin to 1000 mg twice daily. I didnt start Victoza until now, noticed that sugars in last two tests were decent (!) I assume with doubled Metformin.
Doc did explain both Januvia and Glipizide *add* weight but Victoza may lead to weight loss. So I am hoping this works out. Plan is to reach optimal Victoza dose and dropping Glipizide and remain on Metformin and Victoza. Will also sign in often and share my experiences. THANKS EVERYONE WHO MENTIONED PRUNES. My fiber intake has gone up from before with the typical beneficial effects but some slight constipation. Will be getting some prunes toute suite. THANKS ALL.
Having read all the comments, I’m rather confused. I have been on Victoza for 10months I also take Humalog 25mix Insulin and 1000mg Metformin twice daily. Although I had
a wt loss initially I have now began to gain wt, prob due to diet
I am concerned about the side effects and will discuss them with my diabetic doc at my next visit in 2 wks.I have had a chest infection since the beginning of Oct. three courses of antibiotics have helped but have been left with a cough. Any chance it could be the Victoza? Thanks for all comments.
i have been on victoza for over six months, it completely got me off of lantus and the meal insulin. i was at 80 units of lantus and 50 units of meal insulin. i also lost 35 lbs slowly after starting victoza. little nausea in beginning, not anymore. some constipation, but regular tea helps and fiber. i have exercised and eaten healthy for years, got diabetes from my dad and having babies – gestational on my third child. victoza is a miracle drug – getting me off of insulin and letting my body produce its own, letting me lose weight, which insulin pretty much stops you from doing no matter what you do to your diet or exercise.
Hi, Kathy,
It has been my observation that it’s NOT insulin that prevents you from losing weight, it’s STILL your diet. The diets that you see so commonly advertised are not very effective for weight loss, because they tell you to fill up on fruits and vegetables and whole grains, and those things DON’T make you full and DON’T satisfy your hunger. They just stretch your stomach, and in 2 hours, your stomach feels empty and you want more to eat. And fruits and grains are full of carbohydrates, which in themselves have no nutritional value except to put on fat. There ARE other nutrients in them, but nothing that can’t be gotten from low-carb vegetables and protein foods.
I have been using insulin for 18 years, and have never been obese, but I WAS overweight, and didn’t lose it (although I didn’t gain, either) until I got serious about limiting carbs. And then the weight slowly melted off with no other particular effort. Admittedly, I didn’t need to lose all that much, but still, I was using insulin, keeping good control, and losing weight. So I think that it’s important for those with carb-sensitive metabolisms to concentrate on limiting carbs, not on whether they need insulin or not. Only you and your doc can decide whether you need insulin or not, but don’t be scared of it because of weight gain — insulin is NOT the cause.
with all due respect, the side effects listed with insulin is weight gain, and my experience is that insulin prevents weight loss and causes weight gain. i have lots of stats over 17 yrs, and clearly consistent with what the drug companies state. only once being off of insulin was the weight to be lost. while you may be different, that does not mean that i am incorrect. i have exercised and eaten healthy for years, clear less calories and carbs and more exercise, yet no weight loss, until the decrease of insulin. i have been under excellent medical care. i was only able to come off of insulin after using victoza.
Hi I am back with more comments. Am starting my third week and at 1.8. I am so far pretty much over the initial nausea. Slight constipation but have started adding prunes to morning cereal. Have found myself unable to eat as much meat as i used to, not a bad thing. Interestingly am finding myself craving seafood and fruits more often than in the past. I have been waking up to blood sugars of around 120 very comsistently even at the initial supposedly ineffective dose as noted by another comment. Makes total sense to stay at lowest effective dose. Miving to 1.2 did not make a more noticeable drop. Will post again after two weeks and will speak to doc about ramping back to 1.2 if higher dose doesnt add any observable benefit.
I just started taking Victoza on Friday (3/16). Have not had issues with nausea, a few headaches… but today, I noticed when I swallow, my throat feels a bit swollen. Have noticed a VAST IMPROVEMENT in my BS #’s, and it’s only been 3 days on the drug. Will see if this throat issue improves. I am on the lowest does .06 and take Amaryl in the PM.
I am a type 2. I have been on 1.8 dose on Victoza for 18 months together with Metphormin 1000mg twice a day and Glimaperide 2.5 mg twice a day. My A1C has been at 6.1 over last two years. Prior to Victoza I was on Byetta. Initially after moving to Victoza I lost weight and my hunger was suppressed. About a year ago my endo stopped me from taking Gliburide and started me on Glimaperide. Since then I stated gaining weight. I exercise as before but I get cravings and have gained all the weight I lost and then some. My diet is the same. Not sure if my metabolic rate has changed. Any one else with similar experience?
I added Victosa to my drug regimen (metformin and actos)almost 2 years ago. I started with the lowest dosage and increased over a few months. Everytime I increased the dosage I vomited that night. I found that there were some foods I could not eat at night as long as I was taken this drug, like peanuts and salads. I vomited for 3 months as I increased the dosage and lost 10 pounds. Since then I have gained all the weight back and added another 15 pounds to it. I still curbs my appetite, so I eat alot less, but it does not matter I am still gaining weight. I have told my doctor about this, he still tells me to eat less and exercise more. If I eat any less I would be fasting. I don’t know what to do about this. I am thinking about not taking the victosa, but my blood sugar has dropped so much I would be stupid to do so. Anyone have any suggestions? Also I was on Byetta at first and it did work for the first year than stopped working for me.
Try going off of actos, which is in the group especially for women that causes wt gain. It is also not good for the heart. I like glynase, safe for a long time n no wt gain. I use it w meteor in n victoza