I read your post about Victoza. I am also insulin resistant, and I have PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome). The turning point for me, and the point where my endocrinologist put ME on Victoza was when my last glucose tolerance test came back at 180, 20 points away from type 2 diabetes. That was early 2011.

I had similar reactions that you did, lower blood sugar, severe nausea and almost even had some vomiting. But I stayed on it, because at 224 pounds and a very deep family history of diabetes on both my maternal and paternal sides, I was desperate for a way to prevent myself from getting to the dreaded diabetes point. Diet and exercise had previously proven useless…

Victoza has been a godsend for me. I’ve lost nearly 40 pounds on this medication, and as a result I have near perfect A1c readings, much more normal blood sugar readings. I know not every medication works the same for everyone, but barring an interaction with another medication for you or some manner of allergy… I’d try to stick with Victoza, and take it in the morning. Taking it in the morning made it much more manageable for me and I praise God for bringing me the doctor that gave it to me. He was the first doctor to actually tell me that I was overweight because I had medical problems, not that I had medical problems because I was overweight. I’ve had endocrine problems since I hit puberty, and I just hope that you find something that works for you as well as Victoza has for me.

-Jo

One thing which does not show on this blog is the fact that the original post was made in June of 2010. So it’s likely that off-label use has expanded exponentially in the time since I originally had this experience. While I stand by my initial evaluation that this is not a drug for me (for any reason, not just weight loss), the comments on here have shown me that it has worked wonders for others, and for them I am happy. I am one of those unfortunate folks who have not had much luck in general with the modern medical system. I have instead, taught myself a great deal about how to handle my various ailments using supplements and the occasional herbal remedy. I have also managed to lose a considerable amount of weight and bring both my blood sugar and my hyperinsulinemia under control by changing to a low-carb/primal way of eating.

I am very happy to see the discussion that goes on here regarding Victoza. I think folks need to see both sides, and decide for themselves whether or not it’s worth the risk to at least try it. It is entirely possible that my experience would have been different if I had been educated about the drug by a competent physician or diabetes educator prior to trying it. Alas, I was not, and so perhaps my story stands more as a testament to what happens when you let a patient go uneducated, than as a true Victoza horror story.

-Michelle

However, I think that we have to assume that s/he is acting in good faith on the information that they have received and then consult our own endocrinologists for advice on how to proceed. The risk of the Internet is that people will allow partial or bad advice to inform important decisions.

Victoza is now being prescribed by very well-credentialed endocrinologists at major teaching hospitals to assist in weight loss for people who may fit the risk-profile of a future diabetic but who have not yet been technically diagnosed with pre-diabetes or diabetes. So, to say that “Victoza is not for use by non-diabetics for the purpose of weight loss” is not completely accurate. It is quite common for drugs like Victoza to be prescribed “Off label” by physicians who have studied and evaluated not just the drug itself but the condition and risk-profile of an individual patient.

I think that anywhere, but especially in a forum like this, the best advice that any of us who are struggling with diabetes, pre-diabetes or obesity can give others who have similar struggles is that they should consult an endocrinologist who specializes in the treatment and prevention of diabetes as to the wisdom and/or effectiveness of using Victoza or any drug in their battle with these life-threatening conditions.

Thank you, though, for showing concern for the well-being of others based on your experience. Like you, I only speak for myself, but I can say that, as someone who has not been diagnosed with diabetes, I have found Victoza to be extremely effective in weight loss and that the drug has had no adverse affect on my blood sugar levels. I had some minor side-effects (mild nausea and maybe two instances of diarrhea), but they were passing (in my experience, it is important to follow the manufacturer’s and physician’s advice to ratchet up the dosage slowly over several weeks).

I advise anyone, whether diabetic or not, who is interested in taking the drug for this purpose to consult with their endocrinologist and determine if it is the right course of action in their case.

I am sure that the OP is completely sincere in his/her representation of their own experience with this drug and with the disease of diabetes, but the anxiety over what for most are normal blood levels could be viewed as portraying a reaction that is inconsistent with the circumstances leading to that reaction, while the reference to a diabetic coma in the general context of taking Victoza (the specific context intended for that reference in the post is not clear) is a bit alarmist for the less aware.

I hasten to add that none of us can know the specific circumstances of the OP’s own health, but I think it’s fair to say that any one of us should be careful about universalizing our own unique perceptions and conditions to influence the experience of others.

The OP, who reports that s/he is not yet diabetic, clearly pays very close attention to his/her blood levels, monitors very closely any perceived physiological reactions to the measured changes in those levels, gives significant attention to anticipating and preparing for those reactions and feels strongly on the subject of Victoza. I am sorry for his/her experience.