Liraglutide

FDA-approved (prescription) Evidence grade A — regulator-approved with pivotal randomised trials Updated 2026-10-20

This page describes published research and public regulatory records. It is not medical advice. SoluneFit does not sell, supply, or recommend any compound. The SoluneFit app includes a private, on-device tracker for people who want a record of what they and their clinician have already decided — the app neither suggests compounds nor doses.

Also known as: Victoza, Saxenda, NN2211.

Regulatory status

FDA-approved (initial US approval 2010): Victoza for glycaemic control in type 2 diabetes (adults and children 10+) and MACE reduction [1]; Saxenda for chronic weight management in adults and children 12+ over 60 kg [2]. Prescription only.

What it is

GLP-1 receptor agonist (acylated human GLP-1 analogue, 97 % sequence homology to GLP-1(7-37)).

A once-daily injected GLP-1 analogue. Approved in the US for type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular risk reduction (Victoza, ages 10+) and for chronic weight management (Saxenda, adults and ages 12+ over 60 kg).

What the published research shows

Phase 3 programmes in diabetes and weight; SCALE Obesity and Prediabetes randomised 3,731 adults for 56 weeks; LEADER outcomes trial in 9,340 patients.

Published human studies and reports (these describe trial populations, not SoluneFit claims):

Type 2 diabetes (Victoza label): Label: 0.6 mg subcutaneously once daily for one week, then 1.2 mg once daily; may go to a label maximum of 1.8 mg once daily after at least a week on 1.2 mg.
Chronic weight management (Saxenda label): Label: start 0.6 mg daily and add 0.6 mg each week (1.2, 1.8, 2.4 mg) to 3 mg once daily from week 5. Label says to stop if adults have not lost at least 4 % of baseline weight 16 weeks after starting.
Weight loss in adults with obesity (SCALE Obesity and Prediabetes trial): Liraglutide 3.0 mg daily for 56 weeks: mean loss 8.4 kg versus 2.8 kg with placebo; 63.2 % versus 27.1 % lost at least 5 % of body weight.
Cardiovascular outcomes in type 2 diabetes (LEADER trial): 9,340 patients, median follow-up 3.8 years: primary MACE outcome in 13.0 % with liraglutide versus 14.9 % with placebo (hazard ratio 0.87).

Mechanism, as reported

Activates the GLP-1 receptor, increasing glucose-dependent insulin release, lowering glucagon, slowing gastric emptying and reducing appetite. A fatty-acid side chain binds plasma protein and resists DPP-4 breakdown, stretching native GLP-1's 1.5-2 minute half-life to about 13 hours.

Practical record

Elimination half-life: 13.0 h (confidence: high). Labels: elimination half-life approximately 13 h; Tmax 8-12 h; SC bioavailability about 55 %; apparent Vd about 13 L (0.6 mg) or 20-25 L (3 mg, ~100 kg person); IV Vd 0.07 L/kg; >98 % protein bound.
Studied routes: subcutaneous.
Typical supply: Prefilled multi-dose pens, 6 mg/mL in 3 mL (18 mg per pen) (Rx).
Reconstitution: Supplied as a ready solution; not reconstituted.
Storage: Refrigerate 2-8 °C before first use, away from the cooling element; do not freeze. After first use the pen may be kept 30 days at 15-30 °C or refrigerated.

Safety signals on record

Reported adverse events: Mainly gastrointestinal: nausea, diarrhoea, constipation, vomiting, dyspepsia, decreased appetite; also headache, injection-site reactions, fatigue, dizziness, raised lipase and, with insulin or sulfonylureas, hypoglycaemia.
Contraindications: Boxed warning for thyroid C-cell tumours in rodents: contraindicated with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or MEN 2, and after a serious hypersensitivity reaction to liraglutide. Warnings for pancreatitis, gallbladder disease, hypoglycaemia, heart-rate increase (Saxenda), acute kidney injury from dehydration, severe GI reactions and aspiration under anaesthesia.
Interactions: Delays gastric emptying, which may change absorption of oral medicines; insulin or sulfonylurea doses may need lowering.
Notes: Daily dosing means levels fall within a day or two of stopping. Pens must never be shared between people.

Sources

General wellness education, not medical advice. Unapproved compounds have no established dosing, purity standard, or safety profile.

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