In plain English
Liraglutide copies GLP-1, a gut hormone that tells your brain you are full and helps control blood sugar. It was the first GLP-1 medicine approved for weight loss and is taken once a day. It is an FDA-approved medicine.
What it's used for
- Type 2 diabetes (Victoza, approved)
- Chronic weight management in adults and teens 12 and up (Saxenda, approved)
- Lowering heart attack and stroke risk in type 2 diabetes (Victoza, approved)
Benefits
In human studies, liraglutide 3 mg produced an average weight loss of about 8% over a year (vs about 3% with placebo) and lowered blood sugar and cardiovascular events in people with diabetes.
- Reduced appetite and food cravings
- Better blood-sugar control
- Lower risk of heart attack and stroke in people with diabetes
How it works
In simple terms: liraglutide copies the “I’m full” hormone GLP-1, but lasts a full day.
It activates GLP-1 receptors in the brain, pancreas and gut. This reduces appetite, slows stomach emptying and increases insulin release when blood sugar is high. A fatty-acid chain lets it bind albumin in the blood, extending its life from minutes to about 13 hours.
Development history
- 1990s–2000s: Developed by Novo Nordisk.
- 2010: FDA approves Victoza for type 2 diabetes.
- 2014: FDA approves Saxenda for weight management.
- 2024: Generic versions begin to appear.
Typical protocols
These doses follow the prescribing label.
| Use | Start | Increase | Target |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weight (Saxenda) | 0.6 mg daily | Add 0.6 mg each week | 3.0 mg daily |
| Diabetes (Victoza) | 0.6 mg daily for 1 week | 1.2 mg, then 1.8 mg if needed | 1.2–1.8 mg daily |
Cycling
Used continuously. Weight tends to return after stopping, so most people stay on a maintenance dose.
Administration options
Subcutaneous injection once a day, any time of day, in the belly, thigh or upper arm.
Reconstitution and dosing calculator
Brand pens come ready to use. Vials of powder are mixed with bacteriostatic water: for example, 5 mg with 2 mL gives 2.5 mg per mL.
Draw your syringe to
– units
- Volume to draw
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- Concentration
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- Each unit holds
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- Doses per vial
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Show the math
This tool does arithmetic only. It does not choose a dose or confirm that any substance is right for you. Double-check every result against your syringe and your clinician’s instructions.
Side effects and safety
- Common: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation and reduced appetite, mostly while the dose is being increased.
- Rare but serious: pancreatitis, gallbladder problems and kidney strain from dehydration.
- Not for people with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer or MEN2.
- Avoid during pregnancy and when trying to conceive.
Common stacks
Usually used alone. Some users combine GLP-1 medicines with cagrilintide.
Storage
Unopened pens: refrigerate. In use: up to 30 days at room temperature or in the fridge. Mixed vials: refrigerate and use within about 4 weeks.
Compare with
- Semaglutide: weekly, with roughly twice the weight loss.
- Tirzepatide and retatrutide: weekly, multi-hormone and stronger still.
Frequently asked questions
Liraglutide or semaglutide?
Semaglutide is weekly and produces more weight loss. Liraglutide is daily and now available as a generic.
Can I skip the slow dose increase?
The weekly steps are there to limit nausea; jumping ahead makes stomach side effects much more likely.
References
- Pi-Sunyer X, et al. A randomized, controlled trial of 3.0 mg of liraglutide in weight management. N Engl J Med. 2015;373(1):11-22.
- Marso SP, et al. Liraglutide and cardiovascular outcomes in type 2 diabetes (LEADER). N Engl J Med. 2016;375(4):311-322.