Liraglutide is an FDA-approved GLP-1 receptor agonist with 97% amino acid sequence homology to endogenous human GLP-1. Developed by Novo Nordisk, it is approved as Victoza for type 2 diabetes and Saxenda for chronic weight management. It was the first GLP-1 agonist approved for obesity. While effective, it has been largely superseded by semaglutide (once-weekly dosing, greater weight loss) — liraglutide requires daily injection and achieves approximately 8% weight loss vs semaglutide's 15%.
Category: Metabolic / GLP-1 Agonist. Evidence rating: A (strong human clinical data).
Clinical status: FDA-approved (Victoza for T2D, Saxenda for obesity)
Liraglutide binds to GLP-1 receptors on pancreatic β-cells, increasing intracellular cAMP and triggering glucose-dependent insulin secretion. It suppresses glucagon release, slows gastric emptying, and acts on hypothalamic appetite centers to reduce food intake and increase satiety. A fatty acid…
Research base: 240 registered clinical trials and 177 indexed publications reference Liraglutide.
Safety considerations: Common: nausea (39%), diarrhea (21%), constipation (19%), vomiting (15%), headache (13%); GI side effects are dose-dependent and typically diminish over weeks; FDA black box warning for thyroid C-cell tumors (rodent data).
Reviewed by the PeptideAtlas Editorial Team. Last reviewed: 2026-08-12.
Related peptides: Semaglutide, Exenatide, Dulaglutide.
Compare: Liraglutide vs Semaglutide, Liraglutide vs Exenatide, Liraglutide vs Dulaglutide.
Liraglutide requires daily injection vs semaglutide's weekly injection. Liraglutide achieves ~8% weight loss (SCALE) vs semaglutide's ~15% (STEP 1). Semaglutide has largely superseded liraglutide for weight management, but liraglutide remains a viable option for patients who cannot tolerate semaglutide or prefer a lower-intensity medication.
Both contain liraglutide by Novo Nordisk. Victoza (max 1.8 mg/day) is for type 2 diabetes. Saxenda (max 3.0 mg/day) is for chronic weight management. The formulations are not interchangeable.
Liraglutide is a first-generation GLP-1 receptor agonist used for weight management (Saxenda) and type 2 diabetes (Victoza). Developed by Novo Nordisk, it requires daily injection and has shown cardiovascular risk reduction benefits.
LIRAGLUTIDE has been studied for: Weight management, Blood sugar regulation, Cardiovascular risk reduction, Appetite suppression. First-generation daily GLP-1 agonist. Marketed as Saxenda (weight loss) and Victoza (diabetes).
GLP-1 receptor agonist that mimics incretin hormones to regulate appetite, slow gastric emptying, and improve blood sugar control.