Liraglutide (Victoza®)

The most common side effects are nausea and diarrhea. Some patients may also experience a decrease in appetite, stomach pain, vomiting, constipation. These side effects often get better in a few days or weeks, hence you are advised to continue taking the medicine. However, please speak to your doctor or pharmacist if the side effects continue or are very serious.

Another common side effect is low blood sugar, especially if Liraglutide is used together with other diabetes medicines like sulfonylureas (e.g. Glipizide, Gliclazide).

Symptoms of low blood sugar are weakness, dizziness, hunger, sweating, trembling, blurred vision, unsteady walk or fast heartbeat.
If you experience any of these low blood sugar symptoms, do the following immediately:
Step 1: Check your blood sugar level with a home blood sugar meter (glucometer) if available. If your blood sugar level is less than 4 mmol/L, take 15 grams of sugar such as:
- 3 glucose tablets or
- Half a glass of fruit juice or
- 3 teaspoons of sugar, honey or syrup
Step 2: You should feel better in about 15 minutes. If you have a home blood sugar meter, you should check your blood sugar level again.
Step 3: If your blood sugar level is still less than 4 mmol/L or you still have symptoms of low blood sugar, you should take another 15 grams of sugar.
If your symptoms still do not get better, see a doctor or go to the hospital immediately.

You may also experience some mild bruising, pain, irritation, itching and rash at the injection site.

Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas) is a rare and serious side effect of this medication.
You should stop taking your medicine and check with your doctor immediately if you have these symptoms:
- Very bad pain in the stomach, abdomen or back area
- Nausea or vomiting that does not go away
- Fever

• This medication should not be used if you have type 1 diabetes (your body does not produce any insulin) or a condition called diabetic ketoacidosis (increase in ketones in blood or urine).
• This medication does not replace insulin.
• Inform your doctor if:
• you are allergic to this medication or any of the other ingredients of this medication.
• you are pregnant, planning to get pregnant
• you are breastfeeding
• you have a heart condition, kidney or liver problem
• you have stomach or intestinal problems, gastroparesis (a condition where there is delayed stomach emptying) or inflammatory bowel disease
• you have thyroid problems

​Avoid taking alcohol with this medicine