About Liraglutide
GLP-1 receptor agonist; slows gastric emptying, increases satiety, reduces glucagon secretion
Liraglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist approved for chronic weight management and type 2 diabetes, formulated as a daily subcutaneous injection that reduces appetite by activating GLP-1 receptors in the hypothalamus and brainstem. It mimics endogenous incretin hormone action — slowing gastric emptying, increasing satiety signaling, and reducing caloric intake through central and peripheral GLP-1 receptor pathways. The landmark SCALE Obesity trial, a large multicenter randomized controlled trial published in the New England Journal of Medicine, demonstrated significant weight loss of approximately 8% at 56 weeks with 3.0 mg liraglutide (Saxenda) compared to placebo. Liraglutide is an FDA-approved prescription medication available as Victoza (type 2 diabetes, 1.8 mg) and Saxenda (chronic weight management, 3.0 mg); it requires physician supervision and is contraindicated in patients with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma. Liraglutide vs semaglutide: key distinctions Liraglutide is a daily subcutaneous injection; semaglutide is weekly. The dosing frequency difference reflects half-life: liraglutide's plasma half-life is approximately 13 hours, requiring daily administration to maintain therapeutic levels; semaglutide's albumin-binding modification extends its half-life to approximately 7 days. For weight management outcomes, semaglutide significantly outperforms liraglutide: STEP 1 reported ~15% mean weight reduction vs ~8% with liraglutide in SCALE. The practical implication is that liraglutide is generally appropriate for patients who have contraindications to once-weekly GLP-1 therapy, who are already established on liraglutide for T2D (Victoza), or who are in a jurisdiction where semaglutide is less accessible. Liraglutide has a longer post-approval safety record — it was approved in 2010 for T2D and 2014 for obesity management — while semaglutide's obesity indication was approved in 2021. The LEADER trial established cardiovascular risk reduction for liraglutide in T2D patients, adding an outcomes benefit beyond glucose control. Liraglutide cost and access: As a branded pharmaceutical (Victoza, Saxenda), liraglutide requires a prescription from a licensed provider. Saxenda (3.0mg/day for obesity) has an approximate monthly list price of $1,300–$1,500 USD; actual cost varies by insurance coverage and assistance programs. Generic or biosimilar liraglutide is not yet widely available in the US market. Compounding pharmacies do not commonly produce liraglutide formulations given the availability of approved branded products. Providers offering GLP-1 agonist programs that include liraglutide are searchable in the PeptideBase provider directory.
Liraglutide Benefits & Research Areas
Research Signals
Commonly researched in the context of
Population research notes
These signals reflect research interest areas, not treatment indications.
Regulatory & Evidence
Risk Profile
Moderate risk profile in research contexts. Review contraindications and administration guidelines before use.
Regulatory Status
- Availability Status
- Prescription
- FDA Status
- FDA Approved
- Effective Date
- January 25, 2010
- Source
- View FDA source →
FDA-approved GLP-1 agonist. Victoza (NDA 022341, Jan 2010) for T2D; Saxenda (NDA 206321, Dec 2014) for weight management. Prescription only.
Regulatory status reflects publicly available information and may change. This is not legal or medical advice.
Research Sources
7 sources cited · 2 strong · 5 moderate
2 RCTs · 4 Cohorts · 1 Review
Semaglutide vs liraglutide for weight loss in adults with overweight or obesity
JAMA · 2022
The STEP 8 trial found that once-weekly subcutaneous semaglutide 2.4 mg reduced mean body weight by 15.8% compared with 6.4% for once-daily liraglutide 3.0 mg over 68 weeks in adults with overweight or obesity, providing direct comparative evidence for GLP-1 receptor agonist weight loss efficacy.
A randomized, controlled trial of 3.0 mg of liraglutide in weight management
New England Journal of Medicine · 2015
The SCALE Obesity and Prediabetes trial found that once-daily liraglutide 3.0 mg reduced mean body weight by 8.4 kg compared with 2.8 kg for placebo over 56 weeks in adults with overweight or obesity, with 63.2% of participants achieving at least 5% weight loss.
Comparative Effects of Individual Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonist-Based Medications on Direct Measurement of Body Composition Among Adults With Overweight or Obesity With or Without Type 2 Diabetes: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis of Randomised Controlled Trials.
Diabetes Obes Metab · 2026
# Summary Research found that among adults with overweight or obesity, subcutaneous GLP-1 receptor agonists—including liraglutide at higher doses—effectively reduced body fat and fat deposits while also producing reductions in lean mass that were most pronounced at higher treatment doses. This study demonstrated that while these medications substantially improve excess adiposity measures, their use is associated with unfavorable effects on lean tissue, particularly at elevated dosing levels.
Show 4 more sources ↓
GLP-1 receptor agonists for weight management and potential thromboembolic risk reduction in high risk population with cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease: A systematic review.
Dis Mon · 2026
# Summary This systematic review found that GLP-1 receptor agonists, including liraglutide, demonstrated substantial weight loss and significant cardiovascular risk reduction in high-risk populations with obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. However, researchers observed that direct evidence regarding thromboembolic event reduction remains limited, though available data suggest potential benefits that require confirmation through larger future studies.
Evaluation of the safety profile of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists: a focus on thyroid cancer-related adverse events by using the European pharmacovigilance database.
Pharmacol Rep · 2026
# Summary Research found that among glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists analyzed in European pharmacovigilance reports, semaglutide showed a lower reporting rate of thyroid cancer-related adverse events compared to tirzepatide, though the study's authors emphasized that these findings require cautious interpretation and further investigation to establish any causal relationship. This study demonstrated that gastrointestinal and general disorders were the most commonly reported adverse events across these medications, with the majority of cases occurring in adult and elderly female patients.
Beyond weight loss: multisystem benefits of obesity medications.
Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol · 2026
# Summary I appreciate you sharing this source, but I'm unable to provide the summary you've requested. The text provided contains only the title and a conflicts of interest disclosure statement—the actual abstract with research findings and methodology is not included. To summarize the primary findings about liraglutide, I would need access to the complete abstract or the full research paper. If you can share the abstract section (which typically begins after the conflict of interest statement), I'd be happy to provide a 1-2 sentence educational summary of the study's primary findings.
GLPs Significantly Decrease the Risk of Postoperative Surgical Complications: A TriNetX Retrospective Cohort Study.
Dermatol Surg · 2026
# Summary Research found that patients taking GLP receptor agonists experienced significantly reduced rates of postoperative inflammatory complications within one month following dermatologic surgery, compared to those not using these medications. This study demonstrated that among the GLP medications examined, semaglutide and tirzepatide showed the greatest reductions in complications such as infection, wound disruption, and hematoma.
Liraglutide Side Effects & Safety Considerations
Moderate risk profile. Review all reported considerations carefully before use.
Reported contraindications & considerations
Consult a qualified healthcare professional before making any health decisions. This information is educational only and does not constitute medical advice.
Where to Buy Liraglutide — Providers & Availability
46 providersTelehealth Platforms
1 providerClinics
9 providersFunctional Medicine Partners
United StatesView →Medical Health Institute
United StatesView →OMNI SCULPT MD
United StatesView →Optimal Hormone Health
United StatesView →Slim Weight Loss Clinic
United KingdomView →Austin Regenerative Therapy
Austin, United StatesView →Newcastle Weight Loss Injections from £23/week
United KingdomView →Optimal Hormones Medical
United StatesView →Premier TRT
United StatesView →
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Questions to Ask Your Provider
Frequently Asked Questions — Liraglutide
Liraglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist approved for chronic weight management and type 2 diabetes, formulated as a daily subcutaneous injection that reduces appetite by activating GLP-1 receptors in the hypothalamus and brainstem. It mimics endogenous incretin hormone action — slowing gastric emptying, increasing satiety signaling, and reducing caloric intake through central and peripheral GLP-1 receptor pathways.
appetite suppression, weight loss, blood sugar regulation.
Research on Liraglutide primarily documents effects related to appetite suppression and weight loss and blood sugar regulation. These are areas covered in preclinical and clinical literature — individual response varies and effects depend on context of use.
Reported contraindications and considerations for Liraglutide include thyroid cancer history, MEN 2 syndrome, pancreatitis history. 1 additional consideration are noted in the safety profile above. This is educational information only — consult a qualified healthcare professional before use.
46 providers in the directory currently offer Liraglutide.
The STEP 8 trial found that once-weekly subcutaneous semaglutide 2.4 mg reduced mean body weight by 15.8% compared with 6.4% for once-daily liraglutide 3.0 mg over 68 weeks in adults with overweight or obesity, providing direct comparative evidence for GLP-1 receptor agonist weight loss efficacy.