Started Victoza 4 weeks ago on lowest dose .6 for two weeks because I really want Victoza to work, but was getting severe sour stomach and nausea. After two weeks, increased to 1.2 -- tolerable but still constant nausea. Had to sleep upright at night in the lounge chair. Also, had a doctor visit yesterday after 4 weeks of use and only lost 1.5 lbs.? (Down to 1,000 calories a day if that?) No appetite, feel full all the time - just tend to look at the food. Hardly eating at all-must force myself. Food doesn't look appertizing at all.. Decided to increase dosage yesterday to 1.8 dose, because doctor told me I'll lose on the high dose, but if it's bothering me, go back to the second, but will I lose weight on the low dose I was taking? Must lose 50 lbs. (Presently at 190 lbs.) Today, suffering with cramps and severe, loss of uncontrollable diarrhea? Is this temporary? Or a reaction to this increased dosage? Should I go back to the second dose? I really want this to work, am wondering if there is anything I can take to counteract these horrible side effects - as it is difficult to leave the house to lead a normal life. Afraid of dehydration at this rate? (10++ times today already.) I will try anything if it works to counteract side effects. Thanks.
Victoza - Anyone have uncontrolable diarrhea with sour stomach? Am Diabetic II?
Question posted by lambudd on 3 March 2012
Last updated on 12 August 2019
25 Answers Page 2
This post is from 2012, but I want to make note of it. I started Victoza on 10/15/2014. One week .06, some nausea and mild headache when I should eat. One week later, went to 1.2 stronger nausea, but lack of appetite and lost ten pounds when I went to 1.8. Three days after going up to 1.8, I got the sour stomach, burping eggs. I thought I would pass out on the commode. I had terrible diarrhea all though the night into the next day. I was weak and listless. Finally ate some oatmeal, but no appetite. Did not take Victoza that next day and did some internet research. I first thought I would go back to 1.2, but decided to go back to .06 twice a day. I see the nutritionist tomorrow and diabetes doctor next week. My last A1c was 6.0 and will have blood work tomorrow also. But, I am desperate to lose weight. I went to second doctor in my endocrinologist practice to get a diet pill and she gave me this medication. My sister was on Victoza for six months and lost almost 100 pounds.
I generally have good control with my blood sugars because I count carbs for the most part. I will check back to see if I can stay on the Victoza. But, that episode of diarrhea was terrible.
I'm sorry you are having this trouble on this medicine with what appears to be little benefit. What you are describing sounds very much like what happened for me on Metformin: A1C still high, no weight loss, uncontrollable diarrhea, and constant nausea.
I've been on Victoza for several months, and while I still have the occasional episode of diarrhea (which is a PAIN, but much less frequent on this medicine than it was on Metformin), I have been lucky. My A1C is in the therapeutic range and I can handle my share of calories (1500? that's a guess) per day (I'm a very BAD "diabetes martyr). I'm not sure how tall you are, but at 5' 3", I was 200+ lbs.; I am now stable at 155 lbs. and that will have to do. I'm still overweight, but I am no longer obese.
You certainly can TRY going back to 1.2 mg, but imho, the 1000 cal/day is too low. I too have a loss of appetite and the symptom of food not tasting as good as it used to.
When and if you decide enough is enough, tell your MD that you cannot live your life like this. It isn't worth it. There are alternatives available and you haven't exhausted them all.
Best to you, Kim
I have been on victoza for two months now and lost over a stone/ 9-10kelos in two months. I'm I'm now the second month and now and again I wake up and I'm bursting to go to the toilets to have diarrhoea and its very bad diarrhoea almost a yellow colour! Its hurting my bottom and my tummy yet my bloods r great and I'm losing weight. Will that continue or will it stop still because when it comes on randomly its affecting my life. :(
I looked into whether I can take Immodium for the diarrhea along with Victoza, and it said there is no known interaction there. So maybe try that. I also get a lot of relief from kombucha tea, a probiotic, helps the nausea. Good luck!
Thanks for that answer! I have been on it for over a year now and I am up to the highest dose. I still have stomach issues. I take mine at night and I am going to try doing 1/2 in the morning and 1/2 at night and see if that helps. I have lost over 72 pounds as of this morning on this - I don't even care if I eat anymore.
How long did it take you to lose the weight after starting on victosa?
I have suffered the same thing when the dose was upped to 1.8. At the 1.2 I can handle the side effect to a point. Discuss with your doctor and maybe suggest taking .6 2 or 3 times a day. Taking the medication in the morning helps to keep the symptoms at bay for most of the day. When you take the medication at night then you suffer all day long. Victoza has been a wonder drug for me. I went from 90 units of insulin to 0 units. I have been drinking vitamin water to help with the dehydration as well as getting some vitamin's into my system. Best of luck!
Oh my! I had alot of diarhea, so much, but I bought some gas pills and it got rid of those horrible burps and farts. Second, I took a mulitiviatmin, the gelatin kind, and that stopped the diarhea. Carbs any time that day, will determine your diarhea, anything with sugar. Eat yogurt in the morning, that did the trick for me. I am not loosing any weight, actually gained five pounds. I had to start drinking a gallon of water a day, so I bought a lot of crystal light. My appetitie is increased but nausea went away thanks to gas pills. Although all that diarhea caused rectal bleeding, bright red blood. Internal hemoriods, so I had to quit the carbs. It is hard, otherwise I am gonna have to have internal hemoroid surgery. Don't want that. I recommend no carbs otherwise rectal bleeding wil occure
i started victoza 0.6 starting dose x 7 days. before i could go to the next dose i had to stop on day 8. i was continually having egg burps like every 10 minutes. along with severe cramping and gas. and i was having uncontrollable diarrhea. going atleast 6 times an hour. and i'm a light sleeper and i woke up 4 of 7 nights and had diarrhea all over me and on the bed. so i stopped using it. took me 3 days so far to get back to any normalcy. i take a herbal remedy that usually works with 1 dose and i had to take it 3 x for 2 days to controll diarrheah. you take the cooking herb nutmeg, about 1/4 tsp. and drink water after or mix water. its not the best tasting but it will work. if after 30 min. to an hour you still have diarrhea repeat dose. my x mother-in-law was half cherokee and knew all kinds of remedies. thank you mom. going to call dr. in the morning and see if i should try again.
on 1000mg metformin twice daily and glipizide 10 mg twice daily and my a1c is 9.7 and my blood sugars are topping over 400 to 580 and my eyesight is blurry as hell. so i really need this to work. will let you know what my dr. says. good luck
For the sour stomach try eating a good yogurt. Either the greek or one of the ones with the probiotics. Give it 24- 48 hours and it should take care of it. Whenever I get nausea from the Victoza, I drink very cold water slowly. It seems to do the trick. Also when I do eat, I try to make sure I am not eating much in the way of carbs. Wheat, rice & potatoes are off limits. I find that those things make me very sick.
I lost 13 lbs the first 2 weeks on Victoza. It does curb your appetite. Are you taking it just to lose weight or also for diabetes? I use it for both and have found it to be very effective. Stick with it and dial back your dosage if it bothers you too much. I take a lower dosage during the work week and a higher dosage on the weekends when I am able to lie down and relax. Nothing is worse than being sick at work. Hope this helps.
Thank you so much, (thatgirl2). Your answer to my question is exactly what I've been doing and needed to hear. I went thru trial and error with certain foods. The probiotic was needed to balance the flora -- it helped ease some of the irregular bowel discomforts. I also noticed drinking something cold helps at night with the sour stomach. It was so bad, it hurt to lie down causing me to take Pepto & Malanta. I am diabetic and need to lose 45 lbs. and determined to stick it out. I do sometimes take the lower dose when it's violent. But, I must say, it has balanced my diabetic testing during the day, and my appetite just isn't there. Sure hope I lose weight. Thanks again for your reassurance -- as it's nice to know, I haven't been doing anything not acceptable while on the medication. Am grateful to you. Wasn't sure I could adjust the dosages. (lambudd)
I used Victoria for 8 months without any side effects, I lost weight as well and my A1c was normal. After 8 months I started having side effects such as sour stomach and a sulfur taste and a lot of burping. Fast forward 2 yrs and my doctor wants me to try it again. What does anyone out there think my chances of a bad reaction will be the second time around
I had nausea but it passed as many suggest after two weeks. I experienced constipation but we are all different. Of course talk to your doc but give it some time. This weight loss battle is a slow process.
you need to talk asap with dr... i am bipolar and take 1000 grams of metform 2 times daily for my diabetic... at first I got real sick from 3 diffent kinds of meds... i was on the pen but lost weight and just take metform... i take others meds for bi polar... i had heartburn so bad i had to sit up to sleep... the dr set me out to have my throat scoped and yes i have a small problem but the dr gave pantane i do know how to spell and now i sleep with the one pillow itake it 1am and 1 pm its great now
Related topics
diarrhea, diabetes, type 2, nausea/vomiting, victoza, diabetic
Further information
- Victoza uses and safety info
- Victoza prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Victoza (detailed)
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