Peptides›Metabolic›Liraglutide

Liraglutide

/ Acylated GLP-1 receptor agonist; predecessor of semaglutide

TIER 1 · ClinicalN = 0 · TESTING PENDINGLAST REVIEW 2026·04·20

ALIAS · Victoza · Saxenda

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Research use onlyAny dose figures below describe what specific cited studies used, reported factually. Nothing on this page is guidance for human use.READ FIRST →

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§ A · Identity

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MW · —CLASS · Acylated GLP-1 receptor agonist; predecessor of semaglutideCATEGORY · Metabolic

FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes (Victoza, 2010) and chronic weight management (Saxenda, 2014). First-generation long-acting GLP-1 analog.

§ B · Mechanism of action

Liraglutide is a once-daily GLP-1 receptor agonist with an Arg-for-Lys substitution at position 34 and a C16 fatty-acid chain at Lys26 that confers albumin binding and a half-life of approximately 13 hours. Mechanistically similar to semaglutide but with a shorter half-life and daily dosing requirement.

§ C · Human clinical evidence

Extensive. LEAD program in type 2 diabetes supported Victoza approval. SCALE program in obesity supported Saxenda approval. LEADER cardiovascular outcomes trial (Marso 2016, NEJM) demonstrated MACE reduction in high-CV-risk T2DM.

§ D · Primary literature

PubMed27295427Marso SP et al. — Liraglutide and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Type 2 Diabetes · The New England Journal of Medicine · human-phase-3-rctOnce-daily liraglutide reduced major adverse cardiovascular events by 13% versus placebo over 3.8 years in 9,340 T2DM patients with high cardiovascular risk.Limitations: T2DM with established cardiovascular disease or risk factors.2016

PubMed26132939Pi-Sunyer X et al. — A Randomized, Controlled Trial of 3.0 mg of Liraglutide in Weight Management · The New England Journal of Medicine · human-phase-3-rctLiraglutide 3.0 mg/day produced 8.4-kg weight loss at 56 weeks versus 2.8 kg on placebo in obesity (BMI ≥30) without diabetes; supported FDA approval as Saxenda.Limitations: Open-label after randomization withdrawal; lifestyle co-intervention.2015

§ F · Safety signal

Class GLP-1 adverse event profile: GI-predominant (nausea, diarrhea, vomiting), titration-related. Boxed warning for thyroid C-cell tumors based on rodent findings. Warnings include pancreatitis, gallbladder disease, hypoglycemia with insulin/sulfonylureas.

§ H · Regulatory status

Regulatory status

FDA status:: FDA-approved
Compounding:: Not eligible for compounding (approved, not in shortage)

§ I · Notable gaps and controversies

Liraglutide has been commercially superseded by semaglutide and tirzepatide for weight management, with head-to-head data showing greater weight loss with newer agents. Generic versions are entering the market as patents expire.