Liraglutide
Also known as: Liraglutide, Victoza, Saxenda
Liraglutide is an FDA-approved GLP-1 receptor agonist used for type 2 diabetes and chronic weight management. Its fatty-acid modification gives it a once-daily dosing profile.
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Mechanism of Action
Liraglutide is a long-acting analog of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) with a C16 fatty-acid chain that promotes albumin binding and resistance to DPP-4 degradation. It activates the GLP-1 receptor on pancreatic beta cells, enhancing glucose-dependent insulin secretion while suppressing inappropriate glucagon release. Centrally, it acts on hypothalamic appetite circuits to increase satiety and reduce food intake, and it slows gastric emptying. Together these actions improve glycemic control and promote weight loss.
- Half-life
- Approximately 13 hours, supporting once-daily dosing
- Administration Routes
- subcutaneous
- Research Status
- Clinical
Reported Benefits
- Improves glycemic control in type 2 diabetes
- Promotes meaningful weight loss
- Glucose-dependent insulin secretion with low intrinsic hypoglycemia risk
- Reduces appetite and increases satiety
- Demonstrated cardiovascular benefit in outcome trials
- Slows gastric emptying to blunt post-meal glucose spikes
Potential Side Effects
- Nausea, especially during dose escalation
- Vomiting and diarrhea
- Decreased appetite
- Injection-site reactions
- Risk of pancreatitis (uncommon)
Common Dosing
Approved regimens titrate from 0.6 mg once daily upward (to 1.8 mg for diabetes or 3.0 mg for weight management) by subcutaneous injection. Shared as reference information only and not personal medical advice.
The dosing information above is aggregated from research literature and anecdotal community reports for educational purposes only. It is not a recommendation, prescription, or medical advice. Peptides are sold as research chemicals only and are not intended for human use.
Contraindications
- Personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma
- Multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2
- History of pancreatitis
- Pregnancy
Cagrilintide
Cagrilintide is a long-acting amylin analog developed for weight management, often paired with semaglutide. It slows gastric emptying and increases satiety to reduce food intake.
GLP-3 R
GLP-3 R is an investigational triple agonist that simultaneously activates the GLP-1, GIP, and glucagon receptors, studied for substantial weight loss and improved glycemic control. It is one of the most potent incretin-based agents in late-stage clinical development.
Tesofensine
Tesofensine is a triple monoamine reuptake inhibitor originally developed for neurodegenerative disease and later investigated as an anti-obesity drug. It produces appetite suppression and notable weight loss in clinical trials. Note: Tesofensine is a small-molecule triple monoamine reuptake inhibitor, not a peptide, but is sold alongside metabolic research compounds.
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A Randomized, Controlled Trial of 3.0 mg of Liraglutide in Weight Management
2015
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Liraglutide and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Type 2 Diabetes
2016
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Efficacy of Liraglutide for Weight Loss Among Patients With Type 2 Diabetes: The SCALE Diabetes Randomized Clinical Trial
2015
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The Discovery and Development of Liraglutide and Semaglutide
2019