Liraglutide
FDA-approved daily GLP-1 agonist — predecessor to semaglutide with strong RCT evidence for weight loss and T2DM.
Research facts
| Half-life | ~13 hours |
|---|---|
| Route | SubQ (daily) |
| Typical dose | 0.6–3 mg/day (Saxenda weight management) |
| Frequency | Once daily |
| Solvent | Pre-filled pen |
| pH | N/A |
| Stability | Refrigerated |
Mechanism of action
Liraglutide is a fatty-acid acylated GLP-1 analogue with 97% amino acid homology to human GLP-1, extended to once-daily dosing via C16 palmitic acid conjugation and albumin binding. It activates GLP-1 receptors in the pancreas, hypothalamus, and brainstem to produce glucose-dependent insulin secretion, glucagon suppression, delayed gastric emptying, and appetite reduction. The SCALE trial programme demonstrated 5–8% body weight loss vs. ~15% for semaglutide — liraglutide is somewhat less potent but has the longest safety track record of the GLP-1 class.
Documented effects (research-model)
- FDA-approved for T2DM (Victoza) and obesity (Saxenda)
- LEADER trial: 13% cardiovascular mortality reduction in T2DM
- Proven paediatric obesity indication (Saxenda from age 12)
- 5–8% weight loss in SCALE trials
- Renal protection data (CREDENCE-adjacent evidence)
- Longest safety track record in GLP-1 class
Research protocols
| Protocol | Dose | Frequency | Cycle | Vial |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saxenda (obesity) | 0.6 → 1.2 → 1.8 → 2.4 → 3 mg/day (weekly titration) | Once daily SubQ | Ongoing | Saxenda pre-filled pen |
Research context only. Not medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before any protocol decision.
Synergies
No documented synergies in the current reference set.
Myths & misconceptions
Evidence gaps
- Head-to-head superiority studies vs. semaglutide in key patient populations beyond glycaemic control.
- Optimal combination with bariatric surgery not fully characterised.
Safety notes
FDA-approved with extensive real-world safety data. Similar GI profile to semaglutide. Pancreatitis and medullary thyroid carcinoma risk (rodent signal). Avoid in MEN2 and personal/family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma.
Biomarkers to monitor
Primary-source citations
- PMID 27295427 — LEADER: Liraglutide and cardiovascular outcomes in type 2 diabetes (N Engl J Med. 2016)
Frequently asked
What is Liraglutide?
Liraglutide (Victoza / Saxenda — First-Generation Daily GLP-1 Agonist) is a research compound classified in our library as Tier A — Reproducible human RCT data.. FDA-approved daily GLP-1 agonist — predecessor to semaglutide with strong RCT evidence for weight loss and T2DM.
What is the evidence tier for Liraglutide?
We classify Liraglutide as Tier A: Reproducible human RCT data. See our full peptide evidence tiers explainer for how we assign S/A/B/C/D.
What is the research dose of Liraglutide?
For Liraglutide, typical research dose is 0.6–3 mg/day (Saxenda weight management), route is SubQ (daily), half-life is ~13 hours. Protocols vary by research goal — see the protocols section on this page for standard and advanced dosing schedules. Research use only, not medical advice.
Is Liraglutide safe?
FDA-approved with extensive real-world safety data. Similar GI profile to semaglutide. Research context only — no compound on this site is approved for human therapeutic use unless explicitly noted.