Liraglutide

Liraglutide (GLP-1 Receptor Agonist)

Evidence & Status

  • FDA Approved
  • Strong Human Evidence
  • Established

At a Glance

A GLP-1 receptor agonist represented here through the distinct FDA-approved products Victoza and Saxenda; their labels and trial findings must not be interchanged.

Plain English

Liraglutide is studied in specific prescription-product settings. The key evidence in this record concerns defined trial populations and labeled products, not a general recommendation for weight, heart, or metabolic use.

Overview

Liraglutide is a modified GLP-1 receptor agonist. Victoza and Saxenda are distinct FDA-approved subcutaneous products with separate indications, dose-escalation schedules, contraindications, and safety information. LEADER studied cardiovascular outcomes in adults with type 2 diabetes at high cardiovascular risk; SCALE studied weight management in adults with overweight or obesity. Neither trial should be generalized to other GLP-1 medicines, populations, products, or indications.

Research Summary

In LEADER, liraglutide reduced the primary major cardiovascular-event composite versus placebo in the studied adults with type 2 diabetes at high cardiovascular risk. In SCALE, liraglutide 3.0 mg was studied for weight management in adults with overweight or obesity. These are product-, dose-, population-, and endpoint-specific findings, not a general consumer-use or class-wide efficacy claim.

Research Areas

  • Type 2 diabetes
  • Chronic weight management
  • Cardiovascular outcomes in LEADER

Safety & Risks

Serious Risks

  • Risk of thyroid C-cell tumors: product labeling includes a boxed warning and contraindications related to personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or MEN2.
  • Acute pancreatitis and gallbladder disease are listed in product warnings and precautions.
  • Hypoglycemia risk can increase with concomitant insulin or insulin secretagogues.
United States
Prescription products are FDA-approved under product-specific labeling: Victoza for type 2 diabetes and Saxenda for chronic weight management in defined populations.
United Kingdom
Not assessed in this record.
Australia
Not assessed in this record.
Canada
Not assessed in this record.

Citations & Sources