Victoza® Lawsuit

Victoza® is a once-daily injectable medication. It is used to improve glycemic control in adults and children 10 years and older with type 2 diabetes. It is a non-insulin medicine designed to reduce blood sugar and A1C levels. Novo Nordisk launched this drug in January 2010. Novo Nordisk claims Victoza reduces the risk of cardiovascular events, like heart attack, stroke or death, for adults who have type 2 diabetes and known heart disease.

Novo Nordisk specifies using Victoza with changes to diet and exercise. The company claims the drug plus these changes will lower blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Victoza is available in injection dosages of 1.2 mg or 1.8 mg. 

According to Novo Nordisk, people with type 1 diabetes should not use Victoza. Also, it should not be combined with other drugs that contain liraglutide. Additionally, no evidence exists that Victoza is safe for children under 10 years of age.

Is there a generic version of Victoza?

Yes — Victoza’s generic name is liraglutide. A generic version of Victoza received authorization in June 2024, and Teva Pharmaceuticals is offering this generic version. The generic version is available in an injectable 1.8 mg dose.

People are filing Victoza lawsuits against Novo Nordisk because of alleged injuries suffered after taking Victoza. Plaintiffs in multidistrict litigation (MDL) allege Novo Nordisk did not fully disclose the drug's side effects and the limitations of its benefits. Plaintiffs argue that the Victoza label did not adequately warn users about the risks of gastroparesis or intestinal blockages. 

Plaintiffs are seeking financial damages for their injuries. Some injuries plaintiffs have suffered include gastroparesis and intestinal blockages. Compensation from a diabetes lawsuit against Victoza or another diabetes drug may result in payment for pain and suffering, lost wages and medical treatment costs.

Novo Nordisk acknowledges some side effects of taking Victoza on the drug’s label. Among the most common and potentially dangerous side effects are hypoglycemia, pancreatitis, kidney issues and gallbladder problems.

Some other potential  side effects of Victoza include:

• Abdomen pain
• Bladder pain
• Constipation
• Decreased appetite
• Depression
• Diarrhea
• Dizziness
• Fainting
• Heart pounding
• Indigestion
• Jaundice
• Joint pain
• Mood changes
• Nausea
• Stools with a clay color
• Urination that’s frequent or painful
• Vomiting

Potential harm from using Victoza

People who took Victoza and experienced serious side effects may face significant health complications. These health issues could prevent them from working as they did before the Victoza injury.

Some of the most serious side effects and injuries associated with taking Victoza include:

• Allergic reactions: Severe allergic reactions cause symptoms that require immediate medical care. Symptoms include difficulty breathing, difficulty swallowing, rapid heartbeat, a skin rash and swelling in the face. Severe, untreated allergic reactions can result in anaphylaxis, which could result in death.
• Gallbladder problems: Some people suffer problems related to the gallbladder after taking Victoza. Symptoms of gallbladder problems can include abdominal pain, clay-colored stools, fever and jaundice. A common treatment for serious gallbladder problems is surgery to remove the gallbladder.
• Gastroparesis: This injury involves a weakening or paralysis of the stomach muscles. This slows or halts the movement of digested food from the stomach into the small intestine. Other terms for gastroparesis include delayed gastric emptying or stomach paralysis. People with gastroparesis could suffer severe pain, dehydration, difficulty controlling blood glucose and malnutrition.
• Hypoglycemia: People who take Victoza alongside another medicine that could cause hypoglycemia may be at a higher risk of developing hypoglycemia (or low blood sugar). Untreated hypoglycemia may lead to a coma, seizures or death. Signs of severe low blood sugar include blurred vision, confusion, dizziness, drowsiness and fast heartbeat.
• Intestinal blockage: When food is unable to flow normally through the intestines, patients may receive a diagnosis of intestinal blockage or bowel obstruction. When no physical blockage is present, the condition is called ileus, caused by a failure of muscle contractions in the intestine. Victoza can lead to ileus, and if prolonged, this condition may be fatal.
• Kidney failure: People who have kidney problems may experience a worsening of symptoms after taking Victoza, possibly leading to kidney failure. Symptoms of kidney problems include nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, each of which may lead to severe dehydration.

People who suffered these kinds of life-altering injuries and side effects related to taking Victoza can contact Motley Rice to discuss the possibility of filing a Victoza lawsuit or joining the GLP-1 RA MDL.

People who took Victoza for any length of time and developed an injury or serious side effect may be eligible to file a Victoza lawsuit and seek a claim against Novo Nordisk. To be eligible you must meet certain requirements, including the following:

• You received a prescription order from a doctor to take Victoza for type 2 diabetes or weight loss.
• You received the drug from a retail pharmacy.
• You suffered dangerous injuries or side effects that you believe relate to taking Victoza.
• You experienced pain, incurred medical costs, missed work or faced other hardships related to the injuries or side effects.
• You didn’t receive adequate or any warning about the potential dangers of taking Victoza.

If your loved one experienced debilitating injuries or death that you believe is related to taking Victoza, you and other family members may have the option to file a lawsuit.

Medical drug lawyers can help patients determine whether they are eligible to file a lawsuit against Novo Nordisk over Victoza usage. Motley Rice is currently accepting new cases from individuals who are eligible to file a claim related to injuries caused by Victoza.

If you experience a major adverse health event that you believe is related to taking Victoza, consult with a physician immediately. Only stop taking Victoza if advised by your doctor. Serious side effects of Victoza include gastroparesis, intestinal blockage, allergic reactions, gallbladder problems, hypoglycemia and kidney failure.

Even if the side effects aren't severe, it remains important to consult a doctor. This will help ensure that any effects you're experiencing are properly managed and prevent potential complications.

People who suffered an adverse health event, an injury or harm from taking Victoza may be eligible to file a Victoza lawsuit against Novo Nordisk.

Although some consumer groups asked the FDA to recall Victoza because of potential injuries and dangerous side effects, no recall has been issued. During initial approval of Victoza, the FDA said the benefits of the drug outweigh any potential risks.

Is Victoza still on the market?

Yes — Novo Nordisk has announced no plans to stop manufacturing Victoza. This is despite calls to remove Victoza from the market because of its dangerous side effects. 

In 2012, a consumer group called Public Citizen called for the removal of Victoza from the market because of its potential health risks. At the time, Novo Nordisk rejected Public Citizen’s calls to remove the drug from the market.

In June 2024, the FDA approved a generic version of Victoza. Teva Pharmaceuticals is offering the generic version, called liraglutide.

Is there a Victoza class action lawsuit?

No class action lawsuits related specifically to Victoza exist. However, people who suffered injuries could be part of an MDL related to all GLP-1 RAs, which include Victoza, Ozempic®, Wegovy®, Rybelsus®, Mounjaro®, Trulicity® and Zepbound®. 

The MDL (In re: Glucagon-like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists (GLP-1 RAs) Products Liability Litigation, MDL No. 3094) is filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Motley Rice attorney Jonathan Orent was appointed Co-Lead Counsel for the Plaintiffs’ Executive Committee (PEC) and Motley Rice attorney Sara Couch was appointed Chair of the PEC’s Marketing Discovery Committee, for MDL No. 3094. 

Class actions and MDLs serve different purposes. In a class action lawsuit, one or more plaintiffs represent a "class" of individuals who have been harmed in a similar way. Any judgment in the case affects the entire class. Individual plaintiffs can’t pursue separate lawsuits. Compensation awarded as a resolution is shared among the plaintiffs. 

MDLs allow many lawsuits about similar harms against a defendant to be organized into one group in one court. This consolidation is designed to simplify the legal processes and makes it easier on the legal system. Each plaintiff still has a separate claim and pursues a separate lawsuit. If a plaintiff is successful in winning compensation by a verdict, it is not shared with other plaintiffs.

Are Victoza and Ozempic the same thing?

Victoza and Ozempic are not the same, though they share similarities in treating type 2 diabetes. Victoza is injected daily. Ozempic is injected weekly. Both drugs aim to reduce cardiovascular risk and mimic the effects of GLP-1, a hormone that stimulates insulin secretion. 

Despite their similarities and joint production by Novo Nordisk, they are distinct medications: Ozempic’s generic name is semaglutide; Victoza’s generic name is liraglutide. 

Both Victoza and Ozempic are classified as GLP-1 receptor agonists (RAs). RAs bind to GLP-1 receptors to enhance insulin production and slow gastric emptying.

The medical attorneys at Motley Rice LLC have extensive experience representing patients who suffered injuries from dangerous prescription drugs. We also represent people who suffered injuries from dangerous over-the-counter (OTC) drugs and medical devices. 

If you suspect that a drug you or a family member took is causing your injuries, our medical drug attorneys are ready to discuss the case with you. Whether you were taking Victoza or another potentially dangerous drug, we can help by:

• Identifying potentially harmful medications or medical devices
• Looking for a link between the drug and the injuries you suffered
• Reviewing the manufacturer’s compliance with FDA regulations
• Evaluating whether the drug manufacturer’s warnings about potential side effects and health problems were clear and adequate
• Examining other factors that could impact your potential claim

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. Victoza, Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, Rybelsus and Trulicity remain approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.