Victoza foods to avoid: What not to eat while taking this GLP-1 medication

If you’re taking Victoza® (liraglutide) as part of your weight loss journey, you may be wondering which foods, if any, you should limit. 

While there are no strict foods to avoid while taking Victoza, some foods and drinks can worsen side effects or interfere with how the medication works. 

We’ll dive into how Victoza works for weight loss so you know the foods to avoid and how to minimize potential side effects.

Here’s everything you need to know about Victoza and which foods to avoid. Let’s dive in.

What is Victoza and how does it work?

Victoza is the brand name for the drug liraglutide, manufactured by Novo Nordisk. It belongs to the GLP-1 receptor agonist medication class. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved it to treat type 2 diabetes in 2010. A year before that, European officials approved it for the same treatment.

Liraglutide is FDA-approved for adults and children 10 years and older with type 2 diabetes. Another bonus of liraglutide is that it’s proven to lessen the risk of cardiovascular events like heart attacks and strokes.

Liraglutide comes in a prefilled subcutaneous (under-the-skin) injectable pen. You use the pen once daily, injected into your upper arm, thigh, or abdomen.

As a GLP-1 receptor agonist, Victoza works by mimicking GLP-1, an incretin hormone your body already makes. GLP-1 is involved in regulating the amount of insulin the pancreas produces and helping manage appetite and boost fullness.

If you have type 2 diabetes, you most likely know insulin is a crucial hormone for lowering blood sugar levels. When you have type 2 diabetes, overweight, or obesity, your body may have impaired insulin secretion levels or may not make enough, known as insulin resistance.

So, Victoza works to help reduce blood sugar levels by regulating insulin levels and slowing the rate at which your body digests your meals after you eat—also called gastric emptying. All of this can help you lose weight.

Are there foods to avoid while taking Victoza?

Although there aren’t any Victoza foods to avoid, you may want to eat fewer certain foods to ease possible side effects and ensure the medication works most effectively. These foods include:

1. Greasy and fried foods. Foods like these that are high in fat tend to be the toughest for your body to digest and can cause more gastrointestinal issues, like nausea and diarrhea. Greasy and fried foods could exacerbate the symptoms you may experience while taking Victoza, so eating these foods in moderation may be a good idea.
2. High-sugar foods. Liraglutide works in your body to help lower blood sugar levels. High-sugar foods, like ice cream and milkshakes, can cause a spike in blood glucose levels, making it more challenging for Victoza to work effectively and do its job in your body.
3. Alcohol. Alcoholic drinks such as beer and sweetened mixed drinks are high in carbohydrates, which can raise blood sugar levels. However, drinking alcohol can also lower blood sugar levels, since your liver needs to break down the alcohol when you drink. Victoza  lowers your blood sugar levels as well. When you combine the two, it can cause you to have dangerously low blood sugar levels, which can lead to dizziness and fainting. If you do decide to have an alcoholic beverage, drink in moderation. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), this means no more than two drinks per day for men and no more than one drink per day for women. Even moderate drinking may increase risk, so consider avoiding alcohol entirely.
   

Victoza and weight loss

Liraglutide has been shown to aid in meaningful weight loss results. In fact, the obesity drug, Saxenda®, also made by Novo Nordisk, has a higher dose of liraglutide as its main active ingredient. The FDA has approved Saxenda for chronic weight management in adults with obesity or with overweight in the presence of at least one weight-related condition like high blood pressure. It’s also approved for teens aged 12 to 17 with a weight above 132 pounds and obesity. 

Even though Victoza has a lower dose of liraglutide, doctors prescribe it off-label for weight loss because of its successful weight-management capabilities. For more than 10 years, studies have been performed on the weight-loss efficacy of liraglutide. One clinical trial review published in 2016 in Clinical Pharmacokinetics found after evaluating many studies that adults showed significant weight loss when Victoza was added to metformin.

The same review also mentions that in one study, after about three weeks of taking Victoza, participants' appetite and hunger was significantly reduced as compared to the placebo group, aiding in its ability to help with weight loss. 

Victoza side effects

Victoza has some common side effects similar to other GLP-1 medications. Tell your healthcare provider if you experience them, and always disclose other medications or supplements you take.. 

Here are the most common side effects when taking Victoza:

• nausea
• diarrhea 
• vomiting
• decreased appetite
• indigestion
• constipation

Victoza’s prescribing information also notes rare but serious side effects, including:

• inflammation of your pancreas (pancreatitis)
• low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
• kidney problems (kidney failure)
• serious allergic reactions.
• gallbladder problems
• possible thyroid tumors, including thyroid cancer

Novo Nordisk warns against taking Victoza if “you or any of your family have ever had medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or if you have Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2).” In addition, Victoza isn’t for those who are pregnant,  and should be discussed with a provider for those who are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed

Tips for managing side effects

Experiencing any side effects is no fun, but there are ways to manage them. Novo Nordisk suggests:

• Eat bland foods like crackers, toast, and rice.
• Eat foods that contain water, like soups and gelatin.
• Don't lie down after you eat.
• Get some fresh air outside.

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GLP-1*

GLP-1 prescriptions, filled through your local pharmacy, are now available as part of Found's weight-loss toolkit. While GLP-1s are effective for weight loss, they are not clinically appropriate for everyone. Eligibility for a GLP-1 is based on a thorough evaluation of your medical history, eating behavior, lab work, and insurance coverage. If a GLP-1 is not appropriate for you, our providers will work with you to determine an effective medication for your health profile.

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Disclaimer

The content provided is for informational purposes only and should not be used as a basis for diagnosing or treating any health condition, or for determining actual costs incurred. Always follow your health care provider’s instructions to ensure safe and effective management of your health conditions. Certain medications are only FDA approved to treat conditions other than weight but may be prescribed to help aid in weight loss. For key risk information by drug, visit the Found medication page. Any prescription medications referenced are always subject to individual provider evaluation and clinical eligibility.