How does liraglutide work?

Liraglutide activates the GLP-1 receptor to increase glucose-dependent insulin secretion, suppress glucagon, slow gastric emptying, and reduce appetite. Half-life is about 13 hours. Molecular weight is 3,751.2 daltons. It is FDA approved as Victoza for type 2 diabetes and as Saxenda for chronic weight management. LEADER followed 9,340 people with type 2 diabetes at high cardiovascular risk for a median 3.8 years: major events 13.0% on liraglutide versus 14.9% on placebo, a 13% relative reduction. SCALE enrolled 3,731 adults without diabetes: mean weight loss 8.4 kg on 3.0 milligrams versus 2.8 kg on placebo at 56 weeks. Daily dosing is a pharmacokinetic fact, not a protocol this FAQ will write. A research-chemical vial is not Victoza or Saxenda. This FAQ does not invent a dose. Full record at /compounds/liraglutide.

Educational use only. This database summarizes published research and is not medical advice. Where a dose appears it is a record of what a trial or clinic ran, or what people describe doing, with its source attached. Nothing here is a recommendation for personal use.

Part of glp-1 and metabolic peptides. Semaglutide, tirzepatide, retatrutide, and the rest of the incretin and glucagon receptor family.