GLP-1 & Metabolic Peptides
Liraglutide
Commonly used for
Weight LossDiabetesMetabolic Health
What is it?
A daily GLP-1 receptor agonist that reduces appetite, slows gastric emptying, and supports blood sugar control.
Brand names: Saxenda®, Victoza®
Mechanism of action: GLP-1 receptor agonist; Enhances glucose-dependent insulin secretion; Suppresses glucagon; Slows gastric emptying; Reduces appetite and caloric intake
What do people use it for?
Approved indications: Type 2 diabetes mellitus; Chronic weight management (obesity or overweight with comorbidity); Reduction of cardiovascular risk in adults with type 2 diabetes and established cardiovascular disease (certain formulations)
Proposed indications: Prediabetes; Polycystic ovary syndrome; Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD); Binge eating disorder; Obesity-related sleep apnea
How is it used? / Dosing
Administration: Subcutaneous injection — Daily
How does it compare?
Compare with:
How well does it work? / Evidence
✓ Well-established
Evidence rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Approved) — Large outcome trials and long-term safety data.
Landmark trials: SCALE Obesity and Prediabetes Trial; LEADER Trial — Cardiovascular outcomes
Safety & side effects
Common side effects: Nausea, Vomiting, Diarrhea, Constipation, Dyspepsia, Reduced appetite
Serious risks: Pancreatitis; Gallbladder disease; Acute kidney injury (usually from dehydration); Rare hypersensitivity reactions
Drug interactions: May delay gastric emptying and affect absorption of oral medications; Increased hypoglycemia risk with insulin or sulfonylureas
Monitoring: Weight, HbA1c, Renal function, Gastrointestinal tolerance
Legal & regulatory status
Legal status: Prescription required. This is an FDA-approved medication available only through a licensed prescriber — dosing and titration are determined by your prescriber based on your medical history and are not provided here.
Regulatory status: FDA Approved • EMA Approved
Who should avoid it?
Contraindications: Personal/family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma; MEN2 syndrome; Serious hypersensitivity
Pregnancy & breastfeeding: Not recommended during pregnancy. Insufficient safety data during breastfeeding.
Research & references
Marso SP, et al. (2016). Liraglutide and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Type 2 Diabetes. New England Journal of Medicine, 375, 311–322. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa1603827 Pi-Sunyer X, et al. (2015). A Randomized, Controlled Trial of 3.0 mg of Liraglutide in Weight Management. New England Journal of Medicine, 373, 11–22. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa1411892