PeptideIncretin mimeticInjectable peptideGLP-1 agonist

Liraglutide

Also known as Saxenda · Victoza

Written by enwyReviewed 15 Jul 20262 sources0 comments

Liraglutide is a once-daily GLP-1 receptor agonist approved for type-2 diabetes (Victoza) and, at a higher dose, for chronic weight management (Saxenda). It is one of the most extensively studied incretin drugs, with large cardiovascular outcome trials, though its daily dosing and more modest weight loss have since been eclipsed by weekly agents.

01 Overview

Liraglutide is an acylated GLP-1 analogue with ~97% homology to human GLP-1, modified to resist enzymatic degradation and bind albumin, extending its half-life to permit once-daily dosing. It lowers blood glucose, slows gastric emptying and reduces appetite. It has a mature evidence base including the LEADER cardiovascular outcomes trial, which showed reduced major adverse cardiovascular events in high-risk type-2 diabetes.

For weight management it is titrated to 3.0 mg daily (Saxenda), producing mean weight loss of roughly 5-8%. Newer once-weekly agents (semaglutide, tirzepatide) generally achieve greater weight loss with less frequent injections, but liraglutide remains widely used and very well characterised.

02 Mechanism

GLP-1 receptor agonist. Enhances glucose-dependent insulin secretion, suppresses glucagon, slows gastric emptying and reduces appetite via central GLP-1 signalling.

03 Dosing

Tier	Dose	Route	Notes
Diabetes (Victoza)	0.6–1.8 mg/day	SubQ	Titrated from 0.6 mg; typical maintenance 1.2-1.8 mg.

04 Effects

Effect	Magnitude	Evidence
Weight lossMean weight loss at 3.0 mg daily over 56 weeks in obesity trials.	-5% to -8%	Clinical
Improved glycaemic controlReliable HbA1c reduction in type-2 diabetes.	HbA1c -1.0% to -1.5%	Clinical
Reduced cardiovascular eventsReduced major adverse cardiovascular events in high-risk type-2 diabetes (LEADER trial).	MACE hazard ratio ~0.87	Clinical

05 Side effects

Effect	Severity	Frequency	Evidence
Gastrointestinal upsetNausea, vomiting and diarrhoea, most pronounced during dose escalation and usually attenuating over time.	Moderate	Most users initially	Clinical
Acute pancreatitisUncommon cases of acute pancreatitis reported with GLP-1 agonists.	Severe	Rare	Clinical
Gallbladder diseaseIncreased incidence of cholelithiasis, partly related to rapid weight loss.	Moderate	Uncommon	Clinical

06 Legal status

United States

Prescription drug

FDA-approved (Victoza 2010, Saxenda 2014). · as of Jan 2026

07 References

A Randomized, Controlled Trial of 3.0 mg of Liraglutide in Weight ManagementN Engl J Med, 2015

Liraglutide and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Type 2 Diabetes (LEADER)N Engl J Med, 2016

08 Discussion0 comments

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This page is reference information, not medical advice. Doses and protocols are documented as they appear in the clinical literature and in practice — describing them is not a recommendation to use them. Countermeasures listed here are not a substitute for a physician. Legal status varies by jurisdiction and changes.