Liraglutide
Available Suppliers & Pricing
Summary
Liraglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist with substantial clinical and regulatory evidence. It is marketed at diabetes doses for glycemic control in type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular risk reduction in adults with type 2 diabetes and established cardiovascular disease, and at a higher 3.0 mg dose for chronic weight management under a separate labeled product. In the LEADER cardiovascular outcomes trial, liraglutide reduced major adverse cardiovascular events in high-risk patients with type 2 diabetes. In the SCALE obesity trial, liraglutide 3.0 mg plus diet and exercise produced greater weight loss than placebo. Claims should stay within labeled and trial-supported endpoints.
Potential Benefits
Type 2 Diabetes and Cardiovascular Outcomes
Liraglutide is labeled for type 2 diabetes management, and LEADER found reduced major adverse cardiovascular events in adults with type 2 diabetes at high cardiovascular risk [1][3].
Weight-Management Trial Evidence
Liraglutide 3.0 mg produced greater weight loss than placebo when combined with reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity in the SCALE obesity trial [2].
Label Boundary
Saxenda labeling supports chronic weight-management use only in specific populations and with diet and physical activity [4].
Safety Information
Boxed Warning and Contraindications
Liraglutide labels carry a boxed warning for thyroid C-cell tumors observed in rodents and contraindications for personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or MEN2 [3][4].
Important Risks
Serious labeled risks include pancreatitis, hypoglycemia with insulin or insulin secretagogues, acute kidney injury, hypersensitivity reactions, acute gallbladder disease, and gastrointestinal adverse reactions [3][4].