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Fat LossStrong human clinical evidence FDA-approved label on file

Liraglutide

Daily GLP-1 receptor agonist (Saxenda/Victoza). FDA-approved for chronic weight management and type 2 diabetes. Older sibling of semaglutide with smaller weight-loss effect size.

Educational only — not medical advice. SmartPeptide does not prescribe, diagnose, or treat. Always consult a licensed healthcare provider before using any peptide, supplement, medication, or protocol.

What the research shows

SCALE Obesity (n=3,731, 56 weeks) showed ~8% body-weight reduction on 3mg/day vs ~2.6% placebo. LEADER (n=9,340, type 2 diabetics) demonstrated cardiovascular benefit. FDA-approved 2014 (weight management) and 2010 (T2D).

What's still experimental

Use in adolescents (newer indication, smaller dataset). Combinations with SGLT2 inhibitors for additive weight effect. Long-term durability beyond ~3 years of continuous use.

Anecdotal / community reports

Off-label microdosing, cycling on/off, and direct comparisons with semaglutide are widely discussed in patient communities but lack head-to-head RCT data.

Anecdotal reports are NOT scientific evidence. They reflect personal experience and may not generalize.

FDA approval status

Source: openFDA + DailyMed (NIH/NLM)
22 FDA-approved labels on file
  • Liraglutide
    (LIRAGLUTIDE) · Lupin Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
    Full label on DailyMed
    Indications & usage

    1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE Liraglutide injection is indicated: as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults and pediatric patients aged 10 years and older with type 2 diabetes mellitus Limitations of Use: Liraglutide injection contains liraglutide. Coadministration with other liraglutide-containing products is not recommended. Liraglutide injection is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist indicated: as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults and pediatric patients aged 10 years and older with type 2 diabetes mellitus ( 1 ). Limitations of Use : Coadministration with other liraglutide-containing products is not recommended.

    Dosage & administration

    2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Adult Patients: Initiate at 0.6 mg injected subcutaneously once daily for one week then increase to 1.2 mg daily. If additional glycemic control is required, increase the dose to 1.8 mg daily after one week of treatment with the 1.2 mg daily dose. ( 2.1 ) Pediatric Patients: Initiate at 0.6 mg injected subcutaneously once daily for at least one week. If additional glycemic control is required increase the dose to 1.2 mg daily and if additional glycemic control is still required, increase the dose to 1.8 mg daily after at least one week of treatment with the 1.2 mg daily dose. ( 2.1 ) Inspect visually prior to each injection. Only use if solution is clear, colorless, and contains no particles. ( 2.3 ) Inject liraglutide injection subcutaneously once-daily at any…

    Warnings

    5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Acute Pancreatitis : Has been observed in patients treated with GLP-1 receptor agonists, including liraglutide injection. Discontinue if pancreatitis is suspected. ( 5.2 ) Never Share a liraglutide injection Pen Between Patients, even if the needle is changed. ( 5.3 ) Hypoglycemia : Adult patients taking an insulin secretagogue or insulin may have an increased risk of hypoglycemia, including severe hypoglycemia. In pediatric patients 10 years of age and older, the risk of hypoglycemia was higher with liraglutide injection regardless of insulin and/or metformin use. Reduction in the dose of insulin secretagogues or insulin may be necessary. ( 5.4 ) A cute Kidney Injury Due to Volume Depletion : Monitor renal function in patients reporting adverse reactions that co…

  • Liraglutide
    (LIRAGLUTIDE) · Biocon Pharma Inc.
    Full label on DailyMed
    Indications & usage

    1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE Liraglutide injection is indicated in combination with a reduced calorie diet and increased physical activity to reduce excess body weight and maintain weight reduction long term in: Adults and pediatric patients aged 12 years and older with body weight greater than 60 kg and obesity. Adults with overweight in the presence of at least one weight-related comorbid condition. Limitations of Use Liraglutide injection contains liraglutide. Coadministration with other liraglutide-containing products or with any other glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist is not recommended. The safety and effectiveness of liraglutide injection in pediatric patients with type 2 diabetes have not been established. Liraglutide injection is a glucagon like peptide 1 (GLP-1) recepto…

    Dosage & administration

    2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Inject liraglutide injection subcutaneously in the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm once daily at any time of day, without regard to the timing of meals. ( 2.1 ) The recommended dose of liraglutide injection is 3 mg daily. ( 2.2 ) Initiate at 0.6 mg per day for one week. In weekly intervals, increase the dose until a dose of 3 mg is reached. ( 2.2 ) If pediatric patients do not tolerate an increased dose during dose escalation, the dose may also be lowered to the previous level. Dose escalation for pediatric patients may take up to 8 weeks. ( 2.2 ) Pediatric patients who do not tolerate 3 mg daily may have their dose reduced to 2.4 mg daily. ( 2.2 ) Adult patients with type 2 diabetes should monitor blood glucose prior to starting liraglutide injection and during li…

    Warnings

    5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Acute Pancreatitis: Has been observed in patients treated with GLP-1 receptor agonists, including liraglutide injection. Discontinue if pancreatitis is suspected. ( 5.2 ) Acute Gallbladder Disease: If cholelithiasis or cholecystitis are suspected, gallbladder studies are indicated. ( 5.3 ) Hypoglycemia: Can occur in adults when liraglutide injection is used with an insulin secretagogue (e.g. a sulfonylurea) or insulin. The risk may be lowered by a reduction in the dose of concomitantly administered insulin secretagogues or insulin. In the pediatric clinical trial, patients did not have type 2 diabetes. Hypoglycemia occurred in liraglutide injection-treated pediatric patients. Inform all patients of the risk of hypoglycemia and educate them on the signs and sympto…

  • Liraglutide
    (LIRAGLUTIDE) · A-S Medication Solutions
    Full label on DailyMed
    Indications & usage

    1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE Liraglutide is indicated: • as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults and pediatric patients aged 10 years and older with type 2 diabetes mellitus, • to reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (cardiovascular death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, or non-fatal stroke) in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus and established cardiovascular disease. Limitations of Use : Liraglutide should not be used in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus. Liraglutide contains liraglutide and should not be coadministered with other liraglutide-containing products. Liraglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist indicated: • as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults and pediatric patients…

    Dosage & administration

    2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION • Adult Patients : Initiate at 0.6 mg injected subcutaneously once daily for one week then increase to 1.2 mg daily. If additional glycemic control is required, increase the dose to 1.8 mg daily after one week of treatment with the 1.2 mg daily dose (2.1) . • Pediatric Patients : Initiate at 0.6 mg injected subcutaneously once daily for at least one week. If additional glycemic control is required increase the dose to 1.2 mg daily and if additional glycemic control is still required, increase the dose to 1.8 mg daily after at least one week of treatment with the 1.2 mg daily dose (2.1) . • Inspect visually prior to each injection. Only use if solution is clear, colorless, and contains no particles (2.3) . • Inject liraglutide subcutaneously once-daily at any tim…

    Warnings

    5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS • Pancreatitis : Postmarketing reports, including fatal and non-fatal hemorrhagic or necrotizing pancreatitis. Discontinue promptly if pancreatitis is suspected. Do not restart if pancreatitis is confirmed (5.2) . • Never share a liraglutide pen between patients, even if the needle is changed (5.3) . • Hypoglycemia: Adult patients taking an insulin secretagogue or insulin may have an increased risk of hypoglycemia, including severe hypoglycemia. In pediatric patients 10 years of age and older, the risk of hypoglycemia was higher with liraglutide regardless of insulin and/or metformin use. Reduction in the dose of insulin secretagogues or insulin may be necessary (5.4) . • Acute Kidney Injury : Postmarketing, usually in association with nausea, vomiting, diarrhea,…

FDA enforcement & recalls

Live · openFDA Drug Enforcement API
Total actions
4
recalls + withdrawals
Ongoing
1
not yet completed
Class I (serious)
1
health hazard / death risk
  • Class IIOngoing· Voluntary: Firm initiated
    FDA record

    Liraglutide Injection, 18 mg/3 mL (6 mg/mL), Rx only, Manufactured for: Lupin Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Naples, FL 34108, Manufactured by: Lupin Limited, Nagpur 441108, INDIA, a) 2 Pens- NDC 70748-346-02…

    Reason: Presence of particulate matter: a white thread-like structure in the cartridge

    Apr 24, 2026·Lupin Pharmaceuticals Inc.
  • Class IITerminated· Voluntary: Firm initiated
    FDA record

    Saxenda (liraglutide) Injection, 18 mg/3 mL (6 mg/mL), 1 x 3 mL Prefilled Pen, Sample. Not for Resale., Rx only, Novo Nordisk Inc., Plainsboro, NJ 08536, Manufactured by: Novo Nordisk A/S, Bagsvaerd,…

    Reason: Temperature Abuse: product samples were stored at temperatures below 32* F which is not in accordance with storage requirements that could cause a lack of efficacy and damage to the cartridge and pen-injectors.

    Mar 22, 2021·Novo Nordisk Inc
  • Class IITerminated· Voluntary: Firm initiated
    FDA record

    ViCTOZA (liraglutide) injection, 18 mg/3 mL (6 mg/mL), contains: 1 Victoza Pen, Sample Not for Resale, Rx only, Manufactured by: Novo Nordisk A/S, Bagesvaerd, Denmark NDC 0169-4060-90 (Pen), 0169-406…

    Reason: Temperature Abuse: product samples were stored at temperatures below 32* F which is not in accordance with storage requirements that could cause a lack of efficacy and damage to the cartridge and pen-injectors.

    Mar 22, 2021·Novo Nordisk Inc
  • Class ITerminated· Voluntary: Firm initiated
    FDA record

    Xultophy 100/3.6 (insulin degludec and liraglutide injection), 100 units/mL and 3.6 mg/mL, 3 mL Prefilled Pen, SAMPLE, Rx only, Manufactured by: Novo Nordisk A/S, Bagsvaerd, Denmark, Distributed by: N…

    Reason: Temperature Abuse: product samples were stored at temperatures below 32* F which is not in accordance with storage requirements that could cause a lack of efficacy and damage to the cartridge and pen-injectors.

    Mar 22, 2021·Novo Nordisk Inc
FDA classifications: Class I = reasonable probability of serious adverse health consequences or death. Class II = temporary or medically reversible adverse consequences. Class III = unlikely to cause adverse health consequences.

Mechanism & targets

ChEMBL · UniProt · Open Targets

Molecule (ChEMBL)

View on ChEMBL
Formula
C172H265N43O51
Known mechanisms of action
  • CHEMBL1784
    agonistGlucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonist

Protein targets (UniProt)

  • Neprilysin
    P08473gene: MMEHomo sapiens· 750 aaReviewed

    Thermolysin-like specificity, but is almost confined on acting on polypeptides of up to 30 amino acids (PubMed:15283675, PubMed:6208535, PubMed:6349683, PubMed:8168535). Biologically important in the destruction of opioid peptides such as Met- and Leu-enkephalins by cleavage of a Gly-Phe bond (PubMed:17101991, PubMed:6349683). Catalyzes cleavage of bradykinin, substance P and neurotensin peptides (PubMed:6208535). Able to cleave angiotensin-1, angiotensin-2 and angiotensin 1-9 (PubMed:15283675,…

  • Glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor
    P43220gene: GLP1RHomo sapiens· 463 aaReviewed

    G-protein coupled receptor for glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) (PubMed:19861722, PubMed:26308095, PubMed:27196125, PubMed:28514449, PubMed:7517895, PubMed:8216285, PubMed:8405712). Ligand binding triggers activation of a signaling cascade that leads to the activation of adenylyl cyclase and increased intracellular cAMP levels (PubMed:19861722, PubMed:26308095, PubMed:27196125, PubMed:28514449, PubMed:7517895, PubMed:8216285, PubMed:8405712). Plays a role in regulating insulin secretion in respon…

  • Dipeptidyl peptidase 4
    P27487gene: DPP4Homo sapiens· 766 aaReviewed

    Cell surface glycoprotein receptor involved in the costimulatory signal essential for T-cell receptor (TCR)-mediated T-cell activation (PubMed:10900005, PubMed:10951221, PubMed:11772392, PubMed:17287217). Acts as a positive regulator of T-cell coactivation, by binding at least ADA, CAV1, IGF2R, and PTPRC (PubMed:10900005, PubMed:10951221, PubMed:11772392, PubMed:14691230). Its binding to CAV1 and CARD11 induces T-cell proliferation and NF-kappa-B activation in a T-cell receptor/CD3-dependent man…

Live research

PubMed · ClinicalTrials.gov · Europe PMC · OpenAlex
PubMed papers
5,700
total
Human studies
0
MeSH: humans
Clinical trials
0
published
Active trials
34
539 total registered

Europe PMC — 20,334 additional records

Includes EU/UK studies and PubMed Central full-text articles. Often surfaces research weeks before PubMed indexes it.

Research volume (OpenAlex topic graph)

Total works
36,235
all years
Last 5 years
22,981
recent activity
Open access
30,634
freely readable
OA share
85%
of all works

Human clinical evidence

Semantic Scholar · AI TLDRs · influence-ranked
Semantic Scholar API is currently rate-limited.

Human-study summaries for “liraglutide” are available on Semantic Scholar but the shared free-tier API quota is exhausted right now. Try refreshing in a few minutes, or check the PubMed and Europe PMC panels above for the same literature.

Research funding & verification

NIH RePORTER · CrossRef DOI registry

NIH-funded research

U.S. National Institutes of Health
Funded projects
330
all years
Top award sum
$268.6M
aggregate USD
Years covered
14
research span
Largest active / recent grants

Publication landscape

CrossRef · DOI registry
Indexed works (CrossRef)
4,746
all DOIs registered
Retracted papers
0
no retractions on record
Top funders of indexed research
  • Novo Nordisk209 works
  • National Natural Science Foundation of China119 works
  • National Institutes of Health21 works
  • Eli Lilly and Company21 works
  • Novo Nordisk A/S19 works
  • Boehringer Ingelheim18 works

Funder diversity is a credibility signal. Research concentrated in a single drug company's funding warrants more scrutiny than research funded across NIH, charities, and academic grants.

Preprints — cutting edge

bioRxiv · medRxiv · via Europe PMC

Preprints have NOT been peer-reviewed. They are early research shared by authors before formal validation. Treat findings as preliminary.

Showing 6 of 232 preprints indexed by Europe PMC.

Known risks

Pancreatitis (rare), gallbladder events, thyroid C-cell tumor signal in rodents (warning in label), hypoglycemia when combined with insulin or sulfonylureas. Not recommended in personal/family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or MEN-2.

Reported side effects

Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, injection-site reactions. GI effects usually peak in first weeks then taper.

FDA adverse event reports (FAERS)

Updated quarterly by FDA
Reports filed
52,777
FAERS, all years
Serious reports
25,540
48% of reports
Top reporting countries
  • US28,120
  • FR1,474
  • CA1,286
  • GB1,115

Most-reported reactions

  • Nausea
    7,710
  • Blood Glucose Increased
    4,349
  • Vomiting
    3,716
  • Diarrhoea
    3,622
  • Pancreatitis
    2,510
  • Decreased Appetite
    2,309
  • Weight Decreased
    2,222
  • Headache
    2,147
  • Off Label Use
    1,857
  • Fatigue
    1,733

Counts from FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Voluntary reports — they show what was reported, not whether the drug caused the event. Many reports lack confirmation. FAERS docs

What requires medical supervision

Prescription medication. Requires baseline labs and ongoing monitoring for pancreatitis, thyroid concerns, and glycemic management.

Questions for your clinician

  • Why liraglutide vs semaglutide for my situation?
  • What baseline + follow-up labs do you recommend?
  • How do we handle GI side effects during titration?

Editorially curated references

Discussions about Liraglutide

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