Liraglutide

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist

ATC code: A10BJ02

Brand names: Victoza, Saxenda, Xultophy

Updated 14 Jul 2026 · Methodology

Indications

Obesity

Second line

For obesity, liraglutide (Saxenda) is used at 3 mg subcutaneously once daily. The SCALE Obesity and Prediabetes trial showed weight loss of 8% at 56 weeks versus 2.6% on placebo. AACE/ACE 2024 and SEEDO 2024 indicate obesity pharmacotherapy at BMI ≥30 or BMI ≥27 with comorbidities after lifestyle change failure. Semaglutide and tirzepatide produce greater weight loss with less frequent injections.

Saxenda is approved for obesity in patients with BMI ≥30 or BMI ≥27 with comorbidities.

Sources

ICD-10: E66 · ICD-11: 5B81

Type 2 diabetes mellitus

First line

First-line in type 2 diabetes alongside metformin in patients with established cardiovascular disease per / 2024 and SED 2023. Reduces by 1.0–1.5%, lowers weight by 2–4 kg, and cuts cardiovascular events. Start at 0.6 mg subcutaneously once daily and titrate to 1.8 mg over 1–2 weeks. With more convenient and effective analogues (semaglutide, tirzepatide), liraglutide is partly losing its first-choice place.

Sources

ICD-10: E11 · ICD-11: 5A11

Marketing claims without evidence base

The drug is promoted for these uses outside international guidelines. Each entry below is analyzed against AEMPS, FDA, EMA, Cochrane and major RCTs.

Weight loss in patients without obesity or overweight

Not recommended

Liraglutide (Saxenda 3.0 mg) reduces weight, but in people without obesity and without overweight (BMI under 27) and without metabolic indications this use is unwise and not supported by international guidelines. The approved indication is obesity (BMI >=30, or >=27 with comorbidities), covered on a separate card. Liraglutide is less potent for weight loss than semaglutide and tirzepatide and is injected subcutaneously once daily. Cosmetic use carries real risks (nausea and vomiting, acute pancreatitis risk, gallstones, a class warning for medullary thyroid cancer), and the effect is not durable - weight returns after stopping. Weight loss in people without obesity is more safely built on diet, activity, and sleep.

Sources

How to read tiers A–F

AStrong evidence – first or second line in international guidelines
BRecommended in selected cases
CStudy data contradict each other
DBenefit not proven, no documented harm
FDocumented harm, or risk without benefit

Mechanism of action

A human GLP-1 analogue with 97% homology and resistance to DPP-4. Binds GLP-1 receptors on pancreatic β-cells to enhance glucose-dependent insulin secretion and suppress glucagon. Slows gastric emptying and reduces appetite through hypothalamic centers. Affects cardiovascular outcomes – the LEADER trial cut the 3-point MACE (cardiovascular death, non-fatal MI, non-fatal stroke) by 13%. Half-life 13 hours; once-daily subcutaneous dosing.

Safety

Boxed warning

FDA boxed warning: in rodent studies liraglutide induced thyroid C-cell tumors. In humans the association is not confirmed, but the drug is contraindicated with personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or MEN2.

Contraindications

Liraglutide hypersensitivity
Personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma
Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN2)
Type 1 diabetes, diabetic ketoacidosis
Severe hepatic or renal impairment (limited experience)
Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Serious adverse effects

Acute pancreatitis
Cholelithiasis and acute cholecystitis
Acute kidney injury (via dehydration)
Severe allergic reactions, angioedema
Medullary thyroid carcinoma (rodent data; not confirmed in humans)
Diabetic retinopathy (with rapid glycemic improvement)

Common adverse effects

Nausea (especially in the first weeks)
Vomiting, diarrhea
Reduced appetite
Injection site pain and erythema
Headache
Hypoglycemia with sulfonylureas or insulin

Pregnancy: can you take Liraglutide?

Contraindicated in pregnancy. When pregnancy is planned in a T2D patient, discontinue at least 1 month before conception and switch to insulin.

Breastfeeding: can you take Liraglutide?

Limited data. Use during lactation is not recommended.

Calculate RID Full profile on NIH LactMed ↗

Reference information, not a clinical decision. Discuss feeding pauses or changes with your physician or an IBCLC.

Practical notes

Timing and administration

Inject subcutaneously once daily into the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm, any time of day with or without food. Change the needle for each dose. Rotate sites within one anatomical area. Start at 0.6 mg for T2D; for obesity, start at 0.6 mg and increase by 0.6 mg weekly to a target of 3 mg (Saxenda) or 1.8 mg (Victoza). Store refrigerated at +2 to +8 °C; an opened pen can be used for 30 days at up to 30 °C.

Label mentions13 mentions

Verbatim lines from the interaction sections, in the language of the label

From this drug’s label

Moderateinsulinclass named in the label
«Concomitant Use with an Insulin Secretagogue (e.g., Sulfonylurea) or with Insulin: Liraglutide stimulates insulin release in the presence of elevated blood glucose concentrations. Patients receiving…»
FDA, section 7 · Open on DailyMed
ModerateInsulin
«Liraglutida no es un sustituto de la insulina. Se ha notificado cetoacidosis diabética en pacientes insulinodependientes después de una interrupción rápida o reducción de la dosis de insulina (ver…»
AEMPS, section 4.4 · Open on CIMA
Moderateinsulinaclass named in the label
«Liraglutida no es un sustituto de la insulina. Se ha notificado cetoacidosis diabética en pacientes insulinodependientes después de una interrupción rápida o reducción de la dosis de insulina (ver…»
AEMPS, section 4.4 · Open on CIMA
Moderatesulfonilureasclass named in the label
«Hipoglucemia: Los pacientes a los que se les administra liraglutida en combinación con una sulfonilurea o una insulina podrían presentar un riesgo mayor de hipoglucemia (ver sección 4.8). Es posible…»
AEMPS, section 4.4 · Open on CIMA
Moderatesulfonylureasclass named in the label
«Concomitant Use with an Insulin Secretagogue (e.g., Sulfonylurea) or with Insulin: Liraglutide stimulates insulin release in the presence of elevated blood glucose concentrations. Patients receiving…»
FDA, section 7 · Open on DailyMed
MinorDigoxin
«Digoxina: La administración de una única dosis de 1 mg de digoxina con liraglutida produjo una reducción en la AUC de digoxina de un 16%; la C max disminuyó un 31%. Se produjo un retraso en el t max…»
AEMPS, section 4.5 · Open on CIMA
MinorLisinopril
«Lisinopril: La administración de una única dosis de 20 mg de lisinopril con liraglutida mostró una reducción en la AUC de lisinopril de un 15%; la C max disminuyó un 27%. Se produjo un retraso en el…»
AEMPS, section 4.5 · Open on CIMA
MinorParacetamol
«Paracetamol: Liraglutida no modificó la exposición general del paracetamol tras la administración de una dosis única de 1 000 mg. Se produjo una disminución del 31% en la C max de paracetamol y un…»
AEMPS, section 4.5 · Open on CIMA
anticonceptivos hormonalesclass named in the label
«Anticonceptivos orales: Tras la administración de una única dosis de un medicamento anticonceptivo oral, liraglutida disminuyó la C max de etinilestradiol y levonorgestrel un 12% y un 13%…»
AEMPS, section 4.5 · Open on CIMA
Ethinylestradiol
«Anticonceptivos orales: Tras la administración de una única dosis de un medicamento anticonceptivo oral, liraglutida disminuyó la C max de etinilestradiol y levonorgestrel un 12% y un 13%…»
AEMPS, section 4.5 · Open on CIMA
Insulin detemir
«Insulina: No se han observado interacciones farmacocinéticas o farmacodinámicas entre liraglutida e insulina detemir, cuando se administra una dosis única de insulina detemir 0,5 U/kg con liraglutida…»
AEMPS, section 4.5 · Open on CIMA
Levonorgestrel
«Anticonceptivos orales: Tras la administración de una única dosis de un medicamento anticonceptivo oral, liraglutida disminuyó la C max de etinilestradiol y levonorgestrel un 12% y un 13%…»
AEMPS, section 4.5 · Open on CIMA
Warfarin
«Warfarina y otros derivados de la cumarina: No se han realizado estudios de interacciones. No se puede excluir una interacción clínicamente significativa con principios activos con escasa solubilidad…»
AEMPS, section 4.5 · Open on CIMA

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Frequently asked

What is Liraglutide used for?

Liraglutide is evaluated for the following indications with varying evidence strength: Obesity (evidence tier A), Type 2 diabetes mellitus (evidence tier A), Weight loss in patients without obesity or overweight (evidence tier F). See the full indication matrix with dosing and citations above on this page.

What are the side effects of Liraglutide?

Common side effects of Liraglutide (≥ 1 in 100): Nausea (especially in the first weeks), Vomiting, diarrhea, Reduced appetite, Injection site pain and erythema, Headache, Hypoglycemia with sulfonylureas or insulin. See the Safety section for uncommon and serious reactions.

Is Liraglutide safe during pregnancy?

Contraindicated in pregnancy. When pregnancy is planned in a T2D patient, discontinue at least 1 month before conception and switch to insulin.

Is Liraglutide compatible with breastfeeding?

Limited data. Use during lactation is not recommended.

Who should not take Liraglutide?

Liraglutide is contraindicated in: Liraglutide hypersensitivity; Personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma; Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN2); Type 1 diabetes, diabetic ketoacidosis; Severe hepatic or renal impairment (limited experience). Full list in the Safety section.

Does Liraglutide carry an FDA boxed warning?

Official sources

Direct links to regulator labels. Open in a new tab.

AEMPS / CIMALabel dated 08/20/2025
EMALabel dated 06/30/2009
FDA / DailyMedLabel dated 07/27/2026

Other drugs in this group

Metformin, Pioglitazone, Repaglinide, Semaglutide, Vildagliptin + Metformin, Glimepiride, Insulin glargine, Sitagliptin