Liraglutide
Liraglutide is an injected copy of the gut hormone GLP-1 with a shorter action than newer medicines in its class. It is a prescription medicine approved for type 2 diabetes (Victoza) and for weight management in adults and some children with obesity (Saxenda).
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What it is
Liraglutide is a man-made version of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), a hormone released by the gut after eating. It was developed by Novo Nordisk and is sold as Victoza for type 2 diabetes and Saxenda for weight management. It was one of the first GLP-1 medicines, and the first generic version in the US was approved in 2024 [4]. It is given by injection under the skin and is a prescription-only medicine that should only be used under medical supervision.
How it works
Liraglutide shares 97% of its amino acid sequence with human GLP-1 and activates the GLP-1 receptor [1]. In diabetes, this raises insulin release and lowers glucagon release when blood glucose is high, and delays stomach emptying [2]. For weight, it acts on appetite and calorie intake rather than on energy use [1].
Natural GLP-1 is broken down within minutes [2]. Liraglutide is more than 98% bound to blood proteins, which slows its removal [1]. Its half-life is about 13 hours, and peak levels are reached about 11 hours after injection [1]. This is much shorter than newer GLP-1 medicines such as semaglutide.
Approved medical uses
- Type 2 diabetes: to improve blood glucose control alongside diet and exercise in adults and children aged 10 and over (Victoza and generics) [2, 4].
- Cardiovascular risk reduction: to lower the risk of major cardiovascular events in adults with type 2 diabetes and established cardiovascular disease (Victoza) [2].
- Weight management: alongside diet and exercise in adults with obesity, or overweight with a weight-related condition, and in adolescents aged 12 and over with obesity (Saxenda) [1, 3]. In the EU, Saxenda is also authorised for some children aged 6 to under 12 with obesity [3].
What the research shows
- In a 56-week trial in adults with obesity or overweight, people on liraglutide lost about 7.4% of body weight on average, compared with about 3% on placebo [1].
- In the same trial, about 62% of people on liraglutide lost at least 5% of their weight (34% on placebo), and about 34% lost at least 10% (15% on placebo) [1].
- Victoza's cardiovascular indication is based on the LEADER trial, a large placebo-controlled cardiovascular outcomes study in adults with type 2 diabetes and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease [2].
Known risks and side effects
- Common: nausea, diarrhoea, constipation, vomiting and other stomach and bowel effects. Severe stomach and bowel reactions occurred in 4.8% of people on Saxenda and 1.4% on placebo [1].
- Thyroid tumours: liraglutide caused thyroid C-cell tumours in rodents. It must not be used by people with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer or MEN 2 [1].
- Pancreatitis: acute pancreatitis, including rare severe and fatal cases, has been reported with GLP-1 medicines including liraglutide. The MHRA strengthened this warning in 2026 [5].
- Other serious risks: gallbladder disease, low blood sugar when used with insulin or sulfonylureas, kidney injury from dehydration, allergic reactions including anaphylaxis, and a small rise in resting heart rate [1, 2].
- Pregnancy: it should not be used in pregnancy, and UK guidance advises stopping it before trying to conceive [6].
- Fake products: the MHRA has reported counterfeit Saxenda pens obtained outside legal supply chains and warns that getting prescription-only weight-loss medicines without a prescription is a direct danger to health [7].
Blood tests commonly monitored
- Blood glucose: in people with type 2 diabetes, especially when combined with insulin or sulfonylureas [1, 2].
- Kidney function: in people with vomiting, diarrhoea or dehydration [1].
- Calcitonin: checked if thyroid problems are suspected; routine testing has uncertain value [1].
- Heart rate: not a blood test, but the label advises checking it at regular intervals [1].
If you and your doctor are monitoring treatment, Enhanced Training Studio keeps a private log on your phone: what you take and when, your blood test results over time, and how you feel. How tracking works.
Sources
- US Food and Drug Administration / Novo Nordisk. Saxenda (liraglutide) injection: prescribing information. DailyMed, US National Library of Medicine, revised 2026. DailyMed: Saxenda
- US Food and Drug Administration / Novo Nordisk. Victoza (liraglutide) injection: prescribing information. DailyMed, US National Library of Medicine, revised 2025. DailyMed: Victoza
- European Medicines Agency. Saxenda (liraglutide): EPAR. EMA, updated 2025. EMA: Saxenda
- US Food and Drug Administration. Press announcement on the approval of the first generic liraglutide injection for type 2 diabetes. FDA, 2024. FDA press announcement
- Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency. GLP-1 and dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonists: strengthened warnings on the risk of acute pancreatitis. Drug Safety Update, 2026. MHRA Drug Safety Update
- Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency. GLP-1 medicines for weight loss and diabetes: what you need to know. GOV.UK, updated 2026. GOV.UK: GLP-1 medicines
- Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency. MHRA warns of unsafe fake weight loss pens. GOV.UK, 2023. MHRA: fake weight loss pens
Related
Last reviewed 7 October 2026. General information, not medical advice. Found a mistake? Email [email protected].