Peptide Encyclopedia / Liraglutide
EncyclopediaLiraglutide is an FDA-approved GLP-1 receptor agonist sold as Victoza for type 2 diabetes and Saxenda for chronic weight management, made by Novo Nordisk. It carries a boxed warning for thyroid C-cell tumors and rests on extensive trial evidence including LEADER. Below you'll find reported dosing, reconstitution, safety, and legal status. Educational only, not medical advice.
| Also known as | Victoza, Saxenda, NN2211 |
| Half-life | 13 hours after subcutaneous adminis |
| Regulatory status | FDA-approved. |
FDA-approved. Approved as Victoza for type 2 diabetes mellitus (initial U.S. approval 2010) and as Saxenda for chronic weight management. Manufactured by Novo Nordisk. Carries an FDA boxed warning for thyroid C-cell tumors.
Liraglutide is an acylated human GLP-1 analog with approximately 97% amino-acid sequence identity to native human GLP-1 (arginine substituted for lysine at position 34, with a C16 palmitic acid attached via a glutamic acid spacer at lysine 26). It binds and activates the GLP-1 receptor, stimulating glucose-dependent insulin secretion, suppressing glucagon, delaying gastric emptying, and reducing food intake and appetite, leading to weight loss. Pharmacokinetics (half-life Approximately 13 hours after subcutaneous administration, supporting once-daily dosing.): Albumin binding (via the C16 fatty-acid acylation) and resistance to DPP-4 and neutral endopeptidase degradation extend the half-life relative to native GLP-1 (which has a half-life of minutes). Absolute bioavailability after subcutaneous injection is approximately 55%.
Extensively studied. The LEADER cardiovascular outcomes trial (9,340 patients with type 2 diabetes at high cardiovascular risk) showed liraglutide significantly lowered the risk of the composite of cardiovascular death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, or nonfatal stroke versus placebo. The SCALE Obesity and Prediabetes trial (3,731 nondiabetic patients) showed liraglutide 3.0 mg daily plus lifestyle intervention produced clinically significant, sustained weight loss over 56 weeks. Reported use: Per FDA labeling, Victoza is administered once daily by subcutaneous injection, initiated at 0.6 mg/day for one week to reduce GI symptoms, then increased to 1.2 mg, and up to 1.8 mg if needed. Saxenda for weight management is titrated weekly from 0.6 mg up to a maintenance dose of 3.0 mg once daily. These reflect label-directed use and are not prescriptive guidance.
Boxed warning: liraglutide causes thyroid C-cell tumors in rodents; human relevance is undetermined. Common adverse reactions are gastrointestinal (nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, dyspepsia). Labeled risks include acute pancreatitis, acute gallbladder disease, hypoglycemia (especially with insulin or sulfonylureas), acute kidney injury from volume depletion, increased heart rate, and hypersensitivity reactions..
Personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), Multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN2), Known serious hypersensitivity to liraglutide or any product component.
Insulin secretagogues (sulfonylureas) or insulin: increased hypoglycemia risk; consider dose reduction, Oral medications: delayed gastric emptying may affect absorption of concomitant oral drugs
PepWise is an informational and educational tracking tool, not medical advice and not a medical device. Liraglutide may be experimental, restricted, or prescription-only; many research peptides are not FDA-approved. Consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting, changing, or stopping any protocol. Operated by STC Consulting, Inc.
