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By Monte Bogue


Victoza is the brand name of a generic drug called Liraglutide. It was initially marketed as a medication that would improve the blood glucose levels of diabetics. A beneficial side effect of Victoza is weight loss. Weight loss also helps diabetics better utilize insulin. Some doctors now prescribe Victoza specifically for weight loss, although this is considered an off-label use. And added benefit of Victoza is appetite suppression which naturally leads to weight loss over time.

How much a person can lose with Victoza is not clear. It varies between people just as it has varied between different research studies. Most doctors' attitude appears to be 'try it and see.' Victoza is not a miracle diet pill. There is no such thing. However, it can help. Some research shows that a loss of 5 pounds over a 26 week period is reasonable.

While some studies show that patients can expect to lose six percent of body weight if they take Victoza, perhaps a better indication of what to expect can be found in the online forums. There are many first person accounts mentioned in the forums of people losing large amounts of weight because of Victoza. This is not surprising considering that Victoza is an appetite suppressant.

Speak with your doctor before taking Victoza for weight loss. It may help, but there are also risks to think about too. Remember, Victoza is not considered a weight loss medication although it has helped many people lose weight.

There are side effects, some of which may be serious such as the possibility of thyroid cancer. Victoza is also linked to an increase risk of an inflamed pancreas. You should also understand that unless you establish healthy habits such as exercise and healthy food choices, the weight may return once you stop taking Victoza.

Victoza is designed to help manage Type II Diabetes. Victoza is not insulin but it does share some chemical properties with insulin because it is an incretin mimetic. In the body, Victoza acts in a way that is similar to the hormone GLP-1.

By imitating the hormone GLP-1, Victoza helps the body incorporate insulin most effectively. At the same time, Victoza suppresses the appetite through a separate mechanism. This may be the greatest benefit Victoza has for the non-diabetic.

Demonstrated to help people lose weight, Victoza and its generic Liraglutide have a lot to offer both diabetics and non-diabetics. However, the benefits must be weighed against the risks. Prescribing Victoza specifically for weight loss is said to be an off-label use; yet, thousands of people have proven this to be an effective weight loss strategy. Remember, in order to keep the weight off, it is essential that healthy lifestyle habits such as regular exercise, healthy food choices and adequate rest are established.




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