Liraglutide Side Effects

Liraglutide belongs to a class of drugs known as glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RA). GLP-1 RA medications mimic the body’s naturally occurring GLP-1 hormone, triggering the body to:

• Block glucagon secretion. Glucagon is the hormone that raises blood sugar levels when necessary
• Increase satiety (feelings of fullness) after eating
• Slow stomach emptying
• Release insulin from the pancreas

Liraglutide is the active ingredient in Saxenda® and Victoza®. These are two brand-name medications made by Novo Nordisk. The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Saxenda to assist with chronic weight management. The FDA approved Victoza to help patients with type 2 diabetes control their blood sugar.

Are Saxenda and Victoza the same?

No, Saxenda and Victoza are not the same drug, although they have the same active ingredient (liraglutide).

Side effects of Saxenda injections can cause a range of health problems. The drug’s most current FDA label includes the following conditions under Warnings and Precautions:

• Acute pancreatitis
• Acute gallbladder disease
• Heart rate increase
• Hypersensitivity (allergic) reactions
• Hypoglycemia (when Saxenda is used with an insulin secretagogue (sulfonylurea) or insulin)
• Renal (kidney) impairment
• Suicidal behavior and ideation

Saxenda black box warning

Saxenda’s label also includes a boxed warning (also called a black box warning). This is the FDA’s most serious type of warning. The agency uses it only for severe adverse reactions that could cause serious injuries or death. The boxed warning tells users that Saxenda side effects may include the development of thyroid cancer (thyroid C-cell tumors).

The boxed warning also includes a contraindication for patients with specific health conditions. Contraindications inform patients about situations in which diseases, conditions or prior medical history may make the risk of using a drug outweigh its benefits. Saxenda’s black box warning is for patients with the following conditions:

• A family history of MTC (medullary thyroid carcinoma). MTC is a rare type of thyroid cancer.
• MEN 2 (Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2). MEN 2 is a rare, inherited disease. It causes tumors in the thyroid glands, parathyroid glands, adrenal glands, lips, mouth, eyes and digestive tract.

Saxenda side effects added aftermarket release

Many of the potential complications on Saxenda’s most recent label were added after the drug first entered the market. The FDA first approved Saxenda in 2014. The boxed warning for thyroid C-cell tumors was added in September 2016. Suicidal ideation and behavior, pancreatitis and acute gallbladder disease were added to Warnings and Precautions in May 2017.

Other complications were added under Post-Marketing Experiences. Patients self-report these adverse reactions after a drug becomes available to consumers. Users have reported the following alleged Saxenda side effects:

• Cholestasis (slowing or stalling of bile flow through the biliary system)
• Cutaneous amyloidosis (deposits of an abnormal protein called amyloid beneath the skin)
• Dehydration caused by nausea, vomiting and diarrhea
• Elevated liver enzymes
• Hepatitis (liver inflammation)
• Hyperbilirubinemia (a buildup of bilirubin in the blood, leading to jaundice)
• Ileus (a lack of movement in the intestines that prevents food and waste from leaving the body)
• Necrotizing pancreatitis (partial pancreatic death caused by inflammation)
• Rash and itching due to allergic reaction

Some patients have also reported that GLP-1 RA medications may cause gastroparesis (stomach paralysis). This is a severe, permanent and life-altering medical condition. Saxenda’s current label cautions users about delayed gastric emptying under Drug Interactions. However, it doesn’t warn that the medication can cause gastroparesis. 

Complications of gastroparesis include stomach pain, malnutrition, dehydration and lowered quality of life. The condition can also lead to a bezoar forming in the gastrointestinal tract. A bezoar is a hardened mass of undigested food that can cause a potentially fatal blockage. 

Saxenda hasn’t been recalled and is still on the market. In fact, demand for the drug is so high that Novo Nordisk warns that shortages may lead to delays in filling prescriptions.

Because they have the same active ingredient, liraglutide, Victoza has many of the same side effects as Saxenda. Victoza’s label lists the following under Warnings and Precautions:

• Acute gallbladder disease
• Acute kidney injury
• Hypersensitivity (allergic) reactions
• Hypoglycemia (when used with an insulin secretagogue or insulin)
• Pancreatitis

The label about Victoza side effects includes a boxed warning against thyroid C-cell tumors. It also has contraindications for a personal or family history of MTC or MEN 2.

Victoza side effects added aftermarket release

Like Saxenda, many of Victoza’s liraglutide warnings and contraindications were added to the label after its FDA approval in 2010. Thyroid C-cell tumors, pancreatitis, renal (kidney) impairment and serious hypersensitivity reactions were included between 2011 and 2022.

Users also report many of the same post-marketing experiences with both drugs, including necrotizing pancreatitis and ileus.

Victoza’s label also mentions delayed gastric emptying under drug interactions. But like Saxenda, it doesn’t warn against gastroparesis.

Victoza is still available to patients via prescription and has not been recalled. Novo Nordisk released a generic version of the medication in June of 2024.

Injured parties and the families of injured loved ones are suing Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly for harm caused by GLP-1 RAs. These lawsuits include liraglutide drugs Saxenda and Victoza. Cases are being consolidated into multidistrict litigation (MDL) in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

In addition to Saxenda and Victoza, other popular GPL-1 RA drugs involved in litigation include Ozempic®, Rybelsus®, Wegovy®, Mounjaro® and Zepbound®.

Lawsuits against Novo Nordisk allege that as early as 2014, the pharmaceutical company knew about severe and dangerous liraglutide side effects. However, Novo Nordisk failed to adequately warn consumers about some of the severe side effects of GLP-1 RAs, including gastroparesis (stomach paralysis), intestinal blockage, bowel injury and malnutrition. 

You may have a case if you or your loved one suffered a severe, life-altering or fatal injury after taking a GLP-1 RA medication. If a lawsuit is successful, it could help recover compensation for:

• Current and future medical expenses
• Lost income, future lost income and reduced earning capacity
• Physical pain and suffering
• Mental anguish and emotional distress
• Wrongful death of a loved one

Liraglutide can cause serious and potentially fatal side effects, including pancreatitis, acute gallbladder disease, kidney problems, thyroid C-cell tumors and severe gastrointestinal issues. Patients taking diabetes medications or weight loss drugs containing liraglutide may be at risk.

If you currently take Saxenda or Victoza, consult your doctor before you stop taking your medications. Report any new, worsening or severe side effects to your physician immediately. 

Motley Rice has represented thousands of clients injured by dangerous over-the-counter and prescription medications and other medical products. We understand the challenging legal, medical and scientific aspects of these types of cases. We also know how to uncover negligent and harmful practices that hurt patients and consumers. 

We are currently representing plaintiffs injured by liraglutide and other GLP-1 RA medications used to treat diabetes and aid in weight management, including Ozempic, Rybelsus® and Wegovy. 

Read more on our medical drug litigation experience.

Do not stop taking a prescribed medication without first consulting with your doctor. Discontinuing a prescribed medication without your doctor's advice can result in injury or death. Saxenda, Victoza, Ozempic, Rybelsus, Wegovy, Mounjaro and Zepbound remain approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.