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Liraglutide Side Effects

Liraglutide Side Effects

Liraglutide is prescribed to treat type 2 diabetes and manage obesity., But the drug has been linked to severe and sometimes long-term side effects.

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Case Overview

Liraglutide is sold by Novo Nordisk under the brand names Saxenda® and Victoza®. It is an effective medication to treat diabetes and assist with weight loss. But liraglutide can also cause serious, life-altering and potentially fatal side effects.

Key takeaways about liraglutide side effects

  • Liraglutide medications are approved to treat type 2 diabetes and chronic obesity.
  • Liraglutide can cause severe and potentially fatal side effects, including permanent and life-altering gastrointestinal issues, kidney problems, liver problems, gallbladder disease and hypoglycemia.
  • Hundreds of plaintiffs have filed claims against Novo Nordisk for injuries caused by its diabetes and weight loss medications. Motley Rice is representing injured parties and their families in liraglutide lawsuits.

What is liraglutide?

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).

Saxenda

Victoza

  • The FDA approved Saxenda in 2014.
  • Saxenda is approved to treat obesity in adults and pediatric patients aged 12 and older.
  • Patients take Saxenda, by injecting it every day in the abdomen, thigh or upper arm.
  • The recommended dosage is 3 mg.
  • The FDA approved Victoza in 2010.
  • Victoza is approved for treating type 2 diabetes in adults and pediatric patients aged 10 and older.
  • Patients take Victoza by injecting it every day.
  • The recommended dosage is 1.2 mg.

Saxenda side effects

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.

What are the potential side effects of Saxenda?

Minor side effects:

  • Constipation
  • Diarrhea
  • Dizziness
  • Fatigue
  • Headache
  • Heart rate increase
  • Hypoglycemia
  • Injection-site reactions
  • Itching
  • Nausea
  • Rash
  • Vomiting

Severe side effects:

  • Acute gallbladder disease (added to warning label in 2017)
  • Acute pancreatitis (added to warning label in 2017)
  • Gastroparesis (not on warning label)
  • Hyperbilirubinemia (jaundice) (reported on post-marketing experience)
  • Ileus (reported on post-marketing experience)
  • Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) (on warning label)
  • Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2) (on warning label)
  • Necrotizing pancreatitis (not on warning label)
  • Renal (kidney) impairment (on warning label)
  • Severe allergic reactions (anaphylactic reactions) (on warning label)
  • Suicidal behavior and ideations (on warning label)
  • Thyroid C-cell tumors (on warning label
 

Victoza side effects

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.

What are the potential side effects of Victoza?

Minor side effects:

  • Constipation
  • Decreased appetite
  • Diarrhea
  • Dizziness
  • Dyspepsia (discomfort or pain in the upper abdomen, often after eating or drinking)
  • Hypoglycemia
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting

Severe side effects:

  • Acute kidney injury (added to warning label in 2023)
  • Acute gallbladder disease (added to warning label in 2017)
  • Gastroparesis (not on warning label)
  • Ileus (reported on post-marketing experience)
  • Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) (on warning label)
  • Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2) (on warning label)
  • Pancreatitis (on warning label)
  • Thyroid C-cell tumors (on warning label)
 

Are there liraglutide lawsuits?

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

Contact a liraglutide lawyer at Motley Rice

If you or someone you love suffered an injury or died after taking liraglutide or another GLP-1 RA medication, you may be eligible to file a lawsuit seeking compensation. Email our medical drug attorneys or call 1.800.768.4026 to discuss your case and learn about your options.

Is liraglutide safe?

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. 

Frequently asked questions about liraglutide

Is liraglutide the same as Ozempic?

No, liraglutide is not the same as Ozempic. Ozempic is the brand name for another GLP-1 RA medication made by Novo Nordisk to treat type 2 diabetes. Its active ingredient is semaglutide. Patients inject Ozempic once weekly in dosages ranging from 0.25 mg to 1 mg.

Do liraglutide side effects go away?

Some side effects of liraglutide, like constipation, dizziness, nausea and diarrhea, may go away after a few weeks or months of using Saxenda or Victoza. They may also go away if you stop using the drugs. But you may experience increased appetite, which can cause indigestion and weight gain. Complications caused by some of liraglutide’s more severe side effects, like gastroparesis, can be long-term.

Have there been any liraglutide lawsuit settlements?

Novo Nordisk has already been ordered to pay a significant settlement related to liraglutide. In 2017, plaintiffs accused the pharmaceutical company of deceptive marketing practices. Seven lawsuits alleged that the manufacturer paid kickbacks to doctors. Kickbacks were to encourage them to prescribe Victoza off-label for weight loss even though the medication is not FDA-approved for this use. Novo Nordisk paid $58.7 million to settle these cases.

Our weight loss and diabetes drug experience

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.

What is liraglutide?

Saxenda side effects

Victoza side effects

Are there liraglutide lawsuits?

Is liraglutide safe?

Frequently asked questions about liraglutide

Our weight loss and diabetes drug experience

About the Author

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