Liraglutide
Also referenced as: Victoza, Saxenda
A daily GLP-1 receptor agonist and the reference point against which newer incretin drugs are measured.
- Evidence grade
- AStrong Clinical Evidence
Strong Clinical Evidence
- Regulatory status
- FDA Approved for Specific Indication
Approved for type 2 diabetes and, at a higher dose, for weight management. Approval for those indications says nothing about unapproved uses.
- Human data
- Yes
Registered clinical trials exist
- Last reviewed
- September 1, 2026
Overview
Liraglutide was among the first GLP-1 analogues to reach wide clinical use. Its evidence base is deep and long, including a dedicated cardiovascular outcome trial.
Because it requires daily injection and produces smaller average weight reductions than weekly agents, clinical use has shifted, but it remains scientifically important.
Why It's Being Studied
- Glycaemic control and cardiovascular risk in type 2 diabetes.
- Weight management, including in adolescents.
Mechanism of Action
A daily version of the same gut-hormone mimicry used by newer weekly injections.
Liraglutide is a GLP-1 analogue with 97% homology to native GLP-1, acylated with a palmitic acid chain via a glutamic acid spacer, giving a half-life of roughly 13 hours through albumin binding and self-association.
The incretin signalling pathway
Tap each stage to see what happens.
Background: Metabolic Health & Weight Management
Metabolic peptide research centres on the gut–brain–pancreas axis: hormones released after meals (incretins such as GLP-1 and GIP) that shape insulin release, stomach emptying and appetite.
This is the most clinically mature corner of peptide science. Several incretin-based medicines have large randomised trials behind them, which makes the gap between approved drugs and unapproved research compounds especially important to understand.
Research Areas & Routes Studied
- Glycaemic control
- Body weight
- Cardiovascular outcomes
- Subcutaneous injection
Evidence Summary
Long-established randomised trial evidence, cardiovascular outcome data and approved labels with years of post-marketing experience.
Higher tiers carry more weight. Filled tiers have evidence for Liraglutide; tap to read it.
- The LEADER trial reported reduced major adverse cardiovascular events in type 2 diabetes.
- SCALE trials reported mean weight reduction of roughly 8% at 56 weeks versus placebo.
2 cited sources spanning 2016–2016.
- Randomised controlled trial1
- Prescribing label1
Human clinical evidence
- The LEADER trial reported reduced major adverse cardiovascular events in type 2 diabetes.
- SCALE trials reported mean weight reduction of roughly 8% at 56 weeks versus placebo.
Observational evidence
- Extensive post-marketing data across large populations.
Reported Adverse Events in Research
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea; gallbladder events.
- Pancreatitis reports; boxed warning for thyroid C-cell tumours in the US.
Limitations of Current Evidence
- Daily dosing reduces adherence relative to weekly agents.
- Average weight effect is smaller than that of newer multi-agonists.
How to Read This Research
- Was weight loss measured against placebo, and over how many weeks?
- How much of the lost weight was lean mass rather than fat?
- What happened after the compound was stopped?
- Were cardiovascular, kidney or liver outcomes measured — or only weight?
- Percentage body-weight change versus placebo is the headline trial metric; absolute kilograms depend on starting weight.
- Gastrointestinal side effects are dose-related and usually reported by escalation phase.
- Compare approved-drug trial data with unapproved compounds carefully — a shared receptor is not shared evidence.
- Incretin
- A gut hormone that increases insulin release after eating.
- HbA1c
- A blood marker of average glucose over roughly three months.
- Agonist
- A molecule that activates a receptor.
Compare With Other Compounds
| Liraglutide | Semaglutide | |
|---|---|---|
| Evidence grade | A — Strong Clinical Evidence | A — Strong Clinical Evidence |
| Regulatory status | FDA Approved for Specific Indication | FDA Approved for Specific Indication |
| Human data | Yes | Yes |
| Clinical trials | Registered trials exist | Registered trials exist |
| Research routes | Subcutaneous injection | Subcutaneous injection, Oral tablet (approved form) |
| Cited sources | 2 | 4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Research References
- Randomised controlled trial2016
Liraglutide and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Type 2 Diabetes (LEADER)
Marso SP, et al. · New England Journal of Medicine- Main finding
- Lower rate of cardiovascular death and major adverse cardiovascular events.
- Prescribing label
Liraglutide prescribing information