VICTOZA users

Re: VICTOZA side effects

Hair Loss...

I started Victoza about 10 days ago and in the last 2 days have noticed lots of hair loss. My hair is naturally very thick and wavy so up to a point loosing some hair isn't too big a deal. It does concern me though. The other side effect that I've noticed is lots of gas, especially burping. It tastes really funky, kind of like barbecue (smoked pork or beef) that's just slightly off. My doctor started me out at .6 the first week and then 1.2 after than. The burping started right away and then pretty much went away after a few days so that by the time I was ready to increase the dosage it had gone away almost completely. When I increased the dosage, 3 days ago, it came back. The hair loss didn't start until I started the 1.2 dosage. Hopefully that will stop soon. If not, I won't have any hair left in a few weeks, or will have to go back to Byetta.

Thanks,
Alisa

Re: VICTOZA

Hi Alisa.

Hair loss as far as I am aware is not a known listed side effect of Victoza. Excess gas as you say is and hopefully should go away.

There are other medications and conditions which may cause hair loss. This is something you really need to discuss with your Physician or Nurse.

Ken

VICTOZA

Hello all.
Just a quick update. Went to see Diabetic Nurse at local Hospital this afternoon ( Wakefield) for routine checks. Been on Victoza since 15th January 2010 and HbA1c now down to 6.1. Lost 1st 10 lbs and all is well. I'm a star patient apparently. All is going well and I am delighted.
Whilst there I asked about a Doctors letter to take when travelling abroad re carrying medication and blood testing items in hand luggage. The nurse said I will get you one now. No charge for this letter. I wonder if local GP's would charge for same?
I hope my experience with Victoza will help all new users and anyone thinking of starting this relatively new drug some confidence.
My next appointment with Specialist at Hospital will be in August. Long may the good results continue.
Take care all.
Pat

Re: VICTOZA

Hello all,

I started on victoza 5 weeks ago, I am having nose bleeds, has any one else had this side effect ?


Best wishe to you all

Re: VICTOZA

Nose bleeds is not a known or listed side effect of Victoza.

Are you on any medications which may possibly have that as a side effect. Nose bleeds can be due to many causes, such as weak blood vessels in the nose. If it is a problem please discuss it with your GP.

Ken

VICTOZA QUESTION?

Hi all,

I am a type 2 diabetic, controlled by SR Metformin (Glucofarge) 2 tablets 2 x a day think 1000mg, my Hbiac isnt bad around 6.5.
I am very overweight in the regio of 8st more than I should,
I have been reading with interest about Victoza.

I am really forgetful and often for get to take my tablets and have been praying for a one a day medication.

Is Victoza a replacement for metformin or is it as well as?

What would be the reason for changing from my current medication to Victoza?

thanks
MrsD

Re: VICTOZA

Both by DN and GP insisted Victoza was a complimentary medication and works in conjunction with other meds except insulin.

For me it has brought my BG down where metformin 2000mg in conjunction with pioglitazone 30mg was not producing the desired results.
If you are looking to Victoza for a large weight reduction, then it could possibly disappoint you. With me the initial loss was amazing, but then it slowly tailed off to a slow trickle. What it has done is reduce the amount I can physically eat at one sitting and that in it self is a huge bonus. I did think that this action would mean continued large weight loss, but my GP advised me that the human body quickly adapts to the reduced intake and kind of resets its self to the new level of sustained nutrition. My weight loss is still evident, but now being around the 1 to 2 lbs per month, it is less than I would like although far better than a continual slight gain.

Victoza has also provided me with other benefits such as an increased heart rate from a sluggish average 55 to a healthy 65-75 which has also stopped me getting swollen ankles that I used to suffer by mid evening every day. I also feel better in myself with more energy and my GP has been able to remove 2 other meds from my monthly repeat prescription list.

With your HbA1c of 6.5% I very much doubt if my GP would have considered Victoza for me .. it was a last chance attempt at reducing my constantly climbing HbA1c before switching me to more drastic measures and I am now down to 7.0%

Re: VICTOZA QUESTION?

MRSDUMPLIN said:

Hi all,

I am a type 2 diabetic, controlled by SR Metformin (Glucofarge) 2 tablets 2 x a day think 1000mg, my Hbiac isnt bad around 6.5.
I am very overweight in the regio of 8st more than I should,
I have been reading with interest about Victoza.

I am really forgetful and often for get to take my tablets and have been praying for a one a day medication.

Is Victoza a replacement for metformin or is it as well as?

What would be the reason for changing from my current medication to Victoza?

thanks
MrsD

Click to expand...

Hobs has given you good information there.

Not much to add apart from telling you not to get your hopes up about Victoza. This sort of medication is really for those who were on the max doses of Biguanides and Sulphonylureas and have a BMI which is usually above 35. They also would normally have to have Bg levels which were outside normal levels, in effect not well controlled. Your HbA1c of 6.5% would seem to indicate that is not the case for you ?

Discuss it with your GP by all means if you think that it might apply to you, otherwise it is the usual meds and/or Insulin you would probably be offered.

Ken

Type 2 Victoza user

Hi All,

Three and a half years ago my ticker decided to call a halt ended up in hospital having a triple bypass, this was my first real illness apart from colds etc in 62 years so I shouldn't moan

During my stay in hospital it was established that I was also a type 2 diabetes sufferer. I went onto 2x500mg Metformin twice a day plus I had additional tabs on the side to assist.

I found when ever the tablets were changed my sugar levels went mad and I had digestion problems and this was coupled with a weight problem.

I am now taking Victoza 1.2mg per day plus the Metformin, the Victoza dose was upped 12 days ago to the 1.2mg.

I now seem to have most of the common side effects constant sickly feeling, vomiting in the evenings seems to be increasing, a stinking cold set in on Friday, indigestion and yes I am losing weight mainly because I do not feel like eating food and any I do eat makes the return journey :shock:

I try my best to approach this life style with a sense of humour but I will admit things are wearing a bit thin.

Reading through the paper work I see hypoglycaemia could be a side effect so this morning after having my breakfast of shredded wheat and skimmed milk plus a cup of tea at 7am I did a test at 10.30am and had a reading of 5.4.

My question is "Is that to low"

My norm is about 8.5 to 9

I am slightly disturb about this as I was told that this could not happen when being introduced to Victoza.

Has anyone else had similar problems with Victoza?

Re: VICTOZA

Ken Davison said:

I now seem to have most of the common side effects constant sickly feeling, vomiting in the evenings seems to be increasing, a stinking cold set in on Friday, indigestion and yes I am losing weight mainly because I do not feel like eating food and any I do eat makes the return journey :shock:
First of all as you have a cold this can throw your Bg levels all over the place for a while. However, you should discuss the side effects with your GP as there may be something that can be prescribed to limit the effects. If you read through this thread you will find people have various remedies for the sickness/nausea. Sipping fizzy pop (diet) can help, nibbling Ginger biscuits etc.

Reading through the paper work I see hypoglycaemia could be a side effect so this morning after having my breakfast of shredded wheat and skimmed milk plus a cup of tea at 7am I did a test at 10.30am and had a reading of 5.4. My question is "Is that to low" My norm is about 8.5 to 9
I am slightly disturb about this as I was told that this could not happen when being introduced to Victoza.

I would be very happy with a reading of 5.4 mmol/l after Shredded Wheat. That can spike my Bg levels alarmingly ! So, no it isn't too low. As a Type 2 you should aim for Bg levels as follows:
Fasting(waking).........between 4 - 7 mmol/l.
2 Hrs after meals.......no more than 8.5 mmol/l.

As for not getting hypo's with VICTOZA.......don't know where that came from. However you are now on the normal 1.2 dose so it can gave that effect. It IS a hypo inducing drug therefore it is something you need to be aware of.

The low level of 4 mmol/l is the start of hypo territory but you should get some symptoms warning you that you are going too low. Simple to remedy with some fast acting Glucotabs and then maybe a 'carby' snack to stabilise the levels.

Ken

Click to expand...

Re: Type 2 Victoza user

Ken Davison said:

Reading through the paper work I see hypoglycaemia could be a side effect so this morning after having my breakfast of shredded wheat and skimmed milk plus a cup of tea at 7am I did a test at 10.30am and had a reading of 5.4.

My question is "Is that to low"

My norm is about 8.5 to 9

I am slightly disturb about this as I was told that this could not happen when being introduced to Victoza.

Has anyone else had similar problems with Victoza?

Click to expand...

I would say that 5.4 test was a good one for 3&1/2hrs after eating a high carb such as shredded wheat and not low. A reading less that 4 would be on the low side and to me that reading of 5.4 indicated that Victoza is doing its job and doing it well. . . . welcome to the new you on Victoza! :wink:

Re: VICTOZA

Thanks very much for the replies.

Contacted my doctor and he said the same 5.4 is not a problem.

It may be the effects of the cold which made me feel dizzy etc.

This cold is really heavy could that be due to the Victoza? I see they list colds as a side effect.

Re: VICTOZA

Ken Davison said:

Thanks very much for the replies.

Contacted my doctor and he said the same 5.4 is not a problem.

It may be the effects of the cold which made me feel dizzy etc.

This cold is really heavy could that be due to the Victoza? I see they list colds as a side effect.

Click to expand...

It may well be that, as you are used to running higher, you have suffered ' false hypo' symptoms.

Your body gets used to higher levels and when they drop it thinks you are hypoing.

This wears off once your body gets used to the lower more 'normal' levels.

Re: VICTOZA

angieray said:

Hello all,

I started on victoza 5 weeks ago, I am having nose bleeds, has any one else had this side effect ?


Best wishe to you all

Click to expand...

yes i have had nose blleds and sinus issues alll settles though so dont worry.

Victoza ... anyone on it ???

Is anyone on victoza, and if so ... is it really better than byetta???

I am being guinea pig agan and starting on victoza this week ..... never heard of it before until today and just had a wee look on the web, some scarey reading lol

Re: VICTOZA

ooft what a read lol

I have just sat here for the best part of an hour reading through all of the posts (I had originally started a new thread with the above post but t was moved )

Now I have a query ..... I have read that victoza shouldn't be taken with insulin, but I have been told my insulin will remain the same (almost 500 units daily of Lantus) as will all my other meds. have noted that a small minority that have posted on the threads have also kept insulin but reduced doses ... has this made a difference (still taking insulin i mean )

Next query is .... I have read about the thyroid issues (and forgive me as I may have overlooked this) but I haven't found a post from anyone who already has thyroid issues and then takes victoza. I have an underactive thyroid and take 300 mg levothyroxine daily .... this worries me slightly ...

Any advice/comments gratefully appreciated 8)

Re: VICTOZA

Hello Everyone

I have been on Victoza since Jan 10 initially I was elated to have gone onto this newly lauched product, by Hb1c level is 7.2 although my daily sugars are between 10 and 15 which is not good. I am hypothyroid and am on 150 throyxine, I was told today by my Diabetic consultant that Victoza does have an impact on the thyroid (my TSH is raised since been on Victoza upped my throxine by 25mug) I too stated that I was a worried as I do now feel sluggish and very sleepy. I will however give this drug a futher 6 months to see if my levels improve if not I will have to change to something else which is disappointing.

I was told that Victoza is a progressive medication and the true results appear in 6 to 9 months of continual use.

I hope this helps - however, its not all doom and gloom I feel a lot calmer on Victoza and the fact it is a once a day injection is wonderful I am also on 2000 Metformin.

Would like to know of other peoples experiances on VIctoza especially those who have thyroid issues.

Keep smiling and good luck to all.

Re: VICTOZA

Hi sharman,

I have to admit that your nfo on your thyroid got me a bit worried .... I am currently on 300mg daily and the slightest thing messes up my thyroid and my docs aren't so keen to up my thyroxine too much .......... may need to have a good ole heart to heart with my DSN next week

Re: VICTOZA

Hello xxxleonadxxx

I did not mean to scare you however I think its a good idea to have a heart to heart and to get the facts straight. I feel the thyroid issue is very important although I also am aware that Victoza is a new medication and the knowledge of impact is limited. Please inform us of the out come of your discussions it would be interesting to know and discuss.

Take care and the best of luck.

Re: VICTOZA

I've been on Victoza for 2 weeks. First week at 0.6 second week 1.2. Has anyone had a stiff neck whilst on it?

I'm getting the disturbed sleep pattern (which doesn't help with having depression and anxiety which has been bad this month) and waking up at 5.50 every morning - not being able to sleep, AND with restless legs.

I started getting headaches the first week, which had lead to me having a tiny lump (I can feel it but no one else can) in my neck on the right, achy right shoulder and on my head I've got a point where if I press it, it hurts. Got to see the diabetic nurse this afternoon about it anyway.

Just wondered if anyone else had it? Not had any sickness but a little nausea, and bg down from 24 (cos I had to stop taking the Metformin a while back, then cutting it in half) to a nice 6.9 in 2 weeks. Lost 7lbs on Orlistat before going on Victoza, and over 10 stone overweight after already losting 4 stone on weight watchers (before Orlistat), so hoping when the Victoza weight loss starts it'll all be worth it.

I'm no less chilled with it tbh - it made my anxiety worse the first week, which has calmed a little this second week.

Anyway, will let you know what the nurse says this afternoon.

Jackie x