New Drug Approved

My diabetes nurse educator mentioned this drug at our most recent meeting. I use Byetta with good results, but she encouraged me to look into Victoza because it seemed to be better tollerated and in particular due to the weight loss association.

It would be interesting to hear from anyone who’s been on Victoza, even if just for a couple of weeks.

I am interested in this new drug. My doctor took me off Metformin because I have Stage III kidney disease. I still take Glyburide and Levimer insulin pen. I wonder if I could benefit?

What about the long term effects of drugs that stimulate the pancreas to release more insulin. does this not eventually cause a burn out of the beta cells and they just quit entirely?

Interesting. I am also taking Metformin and insulin as well as Byetta. When I first started taking Byetta I was told it would help me lose weight but haven’t seen where it’s been helpful. I hope this new drug does. Would like to know.

I started taking Victoza last week, 5th dose , still on the entry level dose .6 day 8 move to .12.

2000 Mg of Met ER is not managing the sugar level, even with 30 min of cardio a day. at age 50 could stand to loose 10 to 15 lbs. may be 20 still very active. stressed from work but play in a band at night to de-stress. but still need to work on the stress and diet part, can always do better. used to live to eat now eat to live.

six months ago so the doc offered me two choices byetta and actos. opted to go the exercise route, did not work.

So last week was offered it again, I had heard that victoza was under consideration for approval, and prior to going to the doctor did some research as to status. Stuck between a rock and a hard-place, no interest in Actos because of water retention, Junevia was not recomended, my issue is fasting sugar levels.

Because I travel, two shots a day linked to meals was not going to work. really never know when I am going to eat.

Not initially offered, So I asked about Victoza, we discussed the risks thought about it for 15 mins. (Do your home work prior to going to the doctor) and left with a sample pen.

I was offered to participate in a study 6 months ago but opted out and Victoza was one of the drugs being evaluated against Junvieva and Actos.

So Day 5 of victoza yields the following:

nausea not a bad as day 1 near none. No headache,
still getting some stomach distress after meals. you really need to limit your intake, this is what contributes to the weight loss.
Getting better at the injection, need to use a very light touch.
I does not hurt going in key pull it out straight keep you hand steady. (Maybe if I drink less coffee)

Morning levels down to 117 today have not seen this number in 8 years. Woke up 201 the day I started, and I had the needle for a day still fooling my self there was another way. Early evening numbers are 99 vs. 154.

A little tired at the end of the day, probably due to the lower blood sugar but does not effect my exercise

Does come with some hefty warnings but humans are not made the up the same as mice and look at the warnings on your diet drinks.

Once a day is better than than twice a day and is not linked to meals. so I can take the shot, go for a run and eat breakfast after.

The alternative of not regulating blood sugar are far worse and could lead to the same result.

Being treated by the Joslin Center in CT. looking for other comments on the drug.

Since insulin levels are already high in insulin resistance, drugs whose mechanism is to push insulin even higher risk increasing the side effects of hyperinsulinemia: water retention and prevention of fat loss. This problem may be slightly mitigated if the drug works in response to glucose levels, but I feel more clinicians should be aware that although losing excess body weight is a priority for diabetics, high insulin levels and water weight can be powerful obstacles.
Linda Lazarides