Victoza Legal Information Center
In clinical trials, some patients on the anti-diabetic drug liraglutide—sold under the brand name Victoza—developed pancreatitis, or pancreatic cancer. Victoza’s label does not warn consumers about this risk.
What Is Victoza and What Is It Prescribed For?
Victoza is the brand name for the drug liraglutide. Made and sold by Danish pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk A/S, this prescription medication is used to treat Type 2 diabetes, and is often prescribed in conjunction with other anti-diabetic drugs such as metformin, sulfonylureas, and thiazolidinediones. On January 25, 2010, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Victoza for use in connection with the treatment of diabetes.
Novo Nordisk sells Victoza in the form of an injectable solution at the strength of 18mg/3mL (6mg/mL). Users inject Victoza beneath the skin into the abdomen, upper arm, or thigh once daily.
Potential Side Effects Include Pancreatitis
Like Byetta, , a similar GLP-1 Type II diabetes drug, Victoza can cause pancreatitis.
In clinical trials, seven pancreatitis cases developed. Five were acute (that is, sudden and severe) cases and the other two were chronic (i.e., long-developing). One of the seven Victoza users suffered pancreal necrosis and subsequently died, though the FDA does not know if Victoza was at all responsible.
The Victoza label describes the symptoms of pancreatitis as “persistent severe abdominal pain, sometimes radiating to the back and which may or may not be accompanied by vomiting.”
Victoza can also cause infection, tissue damage, hemorrhaging, and cellular necrosis. If the pancreas hemorrhages, the released fluids can damage nearby internal organs. Acute pancreatitis can also be fatal.
Potential Side Effects Include Thyroid Cancer
On March 14, 2013, the FDA issued a drug safety communication informing the public that it is evaluating unpublished findings by researchers indicating that connected Victoza with pancreatitis and cellular changes called “pancreatic duct metaplasia.” The agency is requesting the researchers provide it with their research methodology and tissue samples they used.
Prior to the FDA’s 2010 approval of Victoza for use in connection with the treatment of diabetes, the agency began questioning whether Victoza causes thyroid cancer because studies showed that Byetta, a similar GLP-1 Type II diabetes drug, might. The FDA found that, at “clinically relevant exposures,” Victoza causes the formation of thyroid C-cell tumors in rodents.
The FDA requires that Victoza packaging bear a “black box” label, the agency’s most serious warning, informing consumers of this risk and stating that Victoza should not be prescribed by those with a family history of MTC or those with Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2.
RLG Will Make Things Easier
The process of demanding compensation for the harm you’ve suffered can be complicated, even if it doesn’t seem fair that you should have to go through even more trouble to be made whole again. The lawyers at the Rottenstein Law Group believe that getting satisfaction shouldn’t be just more hardship. That’s why we do everything we can to streamline the process, and we will file a Victoza lawsuit on your behalf if necessary.
If you have taken Victoza and believe it caused you to develop pancreatic cancer, contact RLG today.
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Previous Comments
Since taking Victoza, I've been diagnosed with chronic urticaria.The hives and other ailments have come from using victoza. It was a prescription from my heart doctor because I was pre-diabetic. I've been to the emergency hospital twice. Thank you
Adverse side effects from using victoza with ER visit, blockage.
Began med 1year ago. Developed 2 goiters in neck. Fine needle aspiration required. Become hypo. Started synthroid. Discontinued due to side effects. Severe blurred vision for 3 weeks. Had to quit job secondary to side effects.
Eye exam revealed blurred vision was result of endocrine dysfunction. Family dr. Ordered complete CBC and prob. Order ct today.
On it for one week. Eyes blurry as can be. 20/20 before.
I may have harm caused by Victoza. I'm soon to be evaluated at Mayo Clinic, FL
I started taking Victoza about 3 months ago. I've read about people losing weight but I'm having the opposite effect. Have been careful as usual with my eating but have steadily gained weight especially in the abdominal area. Also when I eat, I get the feeling that my food is not digesting as fast as it should be and sits in my stomach for long periods of time.
Yes, I have the same "bloated" feeling, and have gained weight, too. My thyroid is enlarged, and I have several "masses" on either side of my thyroid, that are pushing my esophagus to the right. Hoarseness, and problems swallowing.
Has anybody heard of any cases involving axillary nerve plexis neuropathy or nerve damage? Had a nerve test done and Dr said victoza could possibly be a cause for the nerve damage. I have lost muscle in my shoulder because the nerve has quit working.
I was put on Victoza in February 2010. Stayed on it until 11/22/11. It helped control my sugar and I lost 30 lbs. Now that I am off of it - weight coming back fast. MRI for sore neck revealed a nodule on my thyroid. We had it biopsied and it came back suspicious. Doctor stopped Victoza. Having surgery tomorrow to take out 1/2 of thyroid and nodule. It will take about a week to find out if cancer.
Had left lobe of thyroid and nodule removed last Thursday. Found out today - not cancer
Was on Victoza and was taken off by my Doctor. Had a ultrasound done on my Thyroid today. Will know the results soon.
Since last post ultrasound found places on my thyroid, doctor has scheduled a procedure to find out if they are cancerous.
I have been on victoza for over a year now and I just recently found out I have multiple nodules on my thyroid. One is as big as a fifty cent coin. I will have a biopsy in 2 weeks to see if it's cancer, and I never had any thyroid issues till I started this medicine.
I was taken off of Victoza last November 22, 2011 because we found a nodule on my thyroid. Biopsy came back suspicious so I had left lobe of Thyroid removed in December. Turned out not cancer. I have gained 20 lbs since coming off Victoza. I had lost 30 lbs while I was on it. I asked the doctor if I could be back on it and he suggested that we cannot do that. Damn, I am fat. Back up to 230 lbs.
Still gaining weight. I asked my doctor if I could go back on Victoza. She said no. I sure liked the weight loss.
Has anyone had problems with hair loss from taking Victoza???
I have noticed shortness of breath, headaches and worse of all, hair loss. Is the hair loss a permanent effect or will it grow back once I stop taking Victoza. Will be speaking with my doctor tomorrow.
Been on Victoza almost two years now. Have developed Neuropathy (tingling/numbness) in my heels and now into my feet and toes, and hands. Have also developed periodic episodes of Vertigo where the room spins and my vision gets very blurry. Doc says I'm too young yet for the neuropathy yet I have it. Not sure if it's related to Victoza - anyone else have problems with neuropathy and vertigo?
Prior to me taking victoza, I have never had a problem with my thyroid. Now after re-taking my blood work, I've been diagnosed with hypothyroidism.
Doctor and wife let me start back on victoza last week. I sure hope I drop the weight again. I have gained over 30 lbs since coming off of it in November 2011.