Liraglutide
Victoza · Saxenda
GLP-1 receptor agonist
A once-daily GLP-1 receptor agonist for type 2 diabetes and chronic weight management.
- Approved for
-
- Type 2 diabetes (Victoza)
- Chronic weight management in adults, and in some adolescents (Saxenda)
- Titration
- Started low and increased weekly to the target dose to limit gastrointestinal side effects. Follow the prescribing information and your clinician.
- Common side effects
-
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Headache
- Injection-site reactions
Liraglutide is a once-daily GLP-1 receptor agonist — an earlier drug in the class and still in use. It is sold as Victoza for type 2 diabetes and Saxenda for chronic weight management.
How it works
Liraglutide mimics GLP-1 to boost glucose-dependent insulin secretion, reduce glucagon, slow gastric emptying, and lower appetite. Unlike semaglutide and tirzepatide, it is injected daily (Saxenda label).
What the evidence shows
In the SCALE trial, adults with obesity taking liraglutide 3.0 mg lost about 8% of body weight over 56 weeks, versus roughly 2.6% with placebo (SCALE, NEJM) — a smaller average effect than the newer once-weekly agents.
Side effects and cautions
Gastrointestinal side effects are most common. As with the rest of the class, it carries a boxed warning regarding thyroid C-cell tumors and is contraindicated with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or MEN 2. The daily injection schedule is a practical difference worth weighing with your clinician.