Liraglutide
Liraglutide is an FDA-approved, once-daily injectable GLP-1 receptor agonist sold as Victoza for type 2 diabetes and Saxenda for chronic weight management, with FDA-approved generic versions of both now available (generic Victoza approved December 2024; generic Saxenda approved August 2025).
This page is a research-orientation summary, not a dosing guide. For anything beyond general background, read the primary literature or talk to a qualified clinician — specifics like amount, frequency, or administration aren't something we publish here.
What it does & how it works
Liraglutide is a GLP-1 analog modified with a C16 fatty-acid side chain that promotes reversible albumin binding, slowing degradation by dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) and extending its half-life relative to native GLP-1. It activates GLP-1 receptors on pancreatic beta cells to enhance glucose-dependent insulin secretion and suppress glucagon, and acts on hypothalamic appetite centers and vagal afferents to reduce hunger and slow gastric emptying. Its shorter half-life compared with newer agents such as semaglutide necessitates more frequent dosing.
Typical results seen in research
In the SCALE Obesity and Prediabetes trial, participants receiving the weight-management formulation lost an average of about 8% of body weight over 56 weeks, compared with roughly 2.6% with placebo, and were more likely to achieve at least 5% or 10% weight loss. As a diabetes therapy (Victoza), liraglutide improves glycemic control and has demonstrated cardiovascular benefit in the LEADER outcomes trial.
How it’s commonly used
Liraglutide is self-administered via subcutaneous injection into the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm using a prefilled pen, and is intended for use alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity under prescriber-guided dose titration.
- New England Journal of Medicine · 2015 A Randomized, Controlled Trial of 3.0 mg of Liraglutide in Weight Management
- The Lancet · 2017 3 years of liraglutide versus placebo for type 2 diabetes risk reduction and weight management in individuals with prediabetes: a randomised, double-blind trial
Curated from published literature for research orientation. Not an exhaustive review, and not a substitute for reading primary sources.