Peptides / Weight and metabolic

Synthetic analog · 31 amino acids · 3,751.2 Da

Liraglutide

ApprovedNot banned in sport

Liraglutide (Victoza, Saxenda) is a GLP-1 receptor agonist given by injection, approved in the US and EU for type 2 diabetes and weight management. Studies in people tested it for blood sugar control, weight and the heart, and tracked stomach side effects. PepBank shows 4,468 results on liraglutide from 876 studies in people, and 273 from animal and lab studies. The strongest evidence is a randomized trial in people. Data as of 2026-10-30.

Also known as NN-2211, NN2211, NNC 90-1170, NNC-90-1170, Ablymico, Liraglutide STADA and 3 more

31 amino acids, from first to last1 changed amino acid

Evidence level: Large trials in people4,468 of 4,766 results come from studies in people, including randomized trials.

Results in people

4,468

94% of 4,766 results

Results in animals

236

5% of 4,766 results

Results in lab cells

under 1% of 4,766 results

From computer models

under 1% of 4,766 results

Overview

Liraglutide at a glance

What it is	Synthetic analog, 31 amino acids
Approval	Approved in the US and EU (Victoza, 2009)
In sport	Not listed as banned by WADA
Studies	1,219 studies with results. 932 of them gave liraglutide, with 4,766 results. 4,468 in people236 in animals37 in lab cells25 from computer models
Best study in people	Randomized controlled trial with 9,340 people (2016)
Clinical trials	469 registered: 30 active or planned, 143 with posted results
Community use	Weight loss; Type 2 diabetes (approved use of Victoza); A cheaper or fallback option when newer GLP-1 drugs are hard to get

The science

What is liraglutide?

Acylated GLP-1 analogue given by injection. Approved in the US and EU for type 2 diabetes and weight management; US generic versions exist.

Amino acids in one chain

The history of liraglutide

Liraglutide structure and chemistry

The key facts about the molecule. Long codes are in the closed section below.

Sequence, 31 amino acidsFrom the first amino acid to the last

H1A−EGT5FTS−DV10SSYL−E15GQAA+K20−EFIAW25LV+RG+R30G

Darker means more water-repelling+ and − show charge in the bodyOutlined: changed amino acid

Structure

Liraglutide is a synthetic analog of 31 amino acids, with no ring, 1 changed amino acid.

Formula

C₁₇₂H₂₆₅N₄₃O₅₁

Molecular weight

3,751.2 g/mol

CAS number

204656-20-2

Target

Glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor (gene GLP1R): agonistEvidence: approved-drug label

Development

Novo Nordisk. Highest phase: past the trial stage (see status).

Identifiers

PubChem 16134956, ChEMBL CHEMBL4084119, UNII 839I73S42A, DrugBank DB06655, KEGG D06404, IUPHAR 1133, PDB 4APD

Full sequence, SMILES and InChIKey

Three-letter sequence
H-His-Ala-Glu-Gly-Thr-Phe-Thr-Ser-Asp-Val-Ser-Ser-Tyr-Leu-Glu-Gly-Gln-Ala-Ala-Lys[N6-(gammaGlu-CO-(CH2)14-CH3)]-Glu-Phe-Ile-Ala-Trp-Leu-Val-Arg-Gly-Arg-Gly-OH

InChIKey
YSDQQAXHVYUZIW-QCIJIYAXSA-N

SMILES
CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC(=O)N[C@@H](CCC(=O)NCCCC[C@@H](C(=O)N[C@@H](CCC(=O)O)C(=O)N[C@@H](CC1=CC=CC=C1)C(=O)N[C@@H]([C@@H](C)CC)C(=O)N[C@@H](C)C(=O)N[C@@H](CC2=CNC3=CC=CC=C32)C(=O)N[C@@H](CC(C)C)C(=O)N[C@@H](C(C)C)C(=O)N[C@@H](CCCNC(=N)N)C(=O)NCC(=O)N[C@@H](CCCNC(=N)N)C(=O)NCC(=O)O)NC(=O)[C@H](C)NC(=O)[C@H](C)NC(=O)[C@H](CCC(=O)N)NC(=O)CNC(=O)[C@H](CCC(=O)O)NC(=O)[C@H](CC(C)C)NC(=O)[C@H](CC4=CC=C(C=C4)O)NC(=O)[C@H](CO)NC(=O)[C@H](CO)NC(=O)[C@H](C(C)C)NC(=O)[C@H](CC(=O)O)NC(=O)[C@H](CO)NC(=O)[C@H]([C@@H](C)O)NC(=O)[C@H](CC5=CC=CC=C5)NC(=O)[C@H]([C@@H](C)O)NC(=O)CNC(=O)[C@H](CCC(=O)O)NC(=O)[C@H](C)NC(=O)[C@H](CC6=CN=CN6)N)C(=O)O

See charge, composition and 3D structure on the Scientific page

The evidence

What liraglutide studies show

Results grouped by what the studies measured. Each card shows where its results come from.

Large trials in people4,468 of 4,766 results come from studies in people, including randomized trials.

Blood sugar

1,129 results · 1,075 in people · 49 animal · 1 lab

In adults with type 2 diabetes on metformin, blood sugar stayed controlled 44 weeks longer with liraglutide than with an added tablet. Diabetes, obesity & metabolism, 2022

Top results

In adults with type 2 diabetes on metformin, blood sugar stayed controlled 44 weeks longer with liraglutide than with an added tablet. (Diabetes, obesity & metabolism, 2022)
In adults with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes, insulin-making function held steady on liraglutide but fell on placebo over 52 weeks. (Diabetes, obesity & metabolism, 2024)
In adults with type 2 diabetes at high heart risk, liraglutide and placebo gave similar rates of foot ulcers. (Diabetes care, 2018)

Weight and appetite

1,026 results · 992 in people · 34 animal

In adults with obesity or overweight without diabetes, liraglutide lowered body weight more than placebo after 56 weeks. The New England journal of medicine, 2015

Top results

In adults with obesity or overweight without diabetes, liraglutide lowered body weight more than placebo after 56 weeks. (The New England journal of medicine, 2015)
In overweight adults with type 1 diabetes, total energy intake did not differ significantly between liraglutide and placebo. (Diabetes, obesity & metabolism, 2022)
In insulin-treated people with type 2 diabetes, adding liraglutide reduced belly fat at 24 weeks compared with insulin alone. (Endocrine journal, 2017)

Heart and blood vessels

538 results · 514 in people · 21 animal · 2 lab

In patients with a heart attack of the NSTEMI type, liraglutide improved heart pumping function at 3 months more than placebo. Endocrine, 2016

Top results

In patients with a heart attack of the NSTEMI type, liraglutide improved heart pumping function at 3 months more than placebo. (Endocrine, 2016)
In adults with type 2 diabetes and high heart risk, fewer people on liraglutide had a heart attack, stroke or heart death than on placebo. (The New England journal of medicine, 2016)
In adults with hypertension and type 2 diabetes, liraglutide lowered 24-hour systolic blood pressure more than placebo. (Diabetes, obesity & metabolism, 2019)

Cholesterol and blood fats

143 results · 137 in people · 3 animal · 3 lab

In adults with type 2 diabetes, liraglutide lowered blood fat after a fatty meal compared with placebo. Diabetes, obesity & metabolism, 2013

Top results

In adults with type 2 diabetes, liraglutide lowered blood fat after a fatty meal compared with placebo. (Diabetes, obesity & metabolism, 2013)
In adults with type 2 diabetes, liraglutide lowered 21 blood fats more than placebo did. (BMJ open diabetes research & care, 2021)
In adults with type 2 diabetes, new lipid problems were about the same with liraglutide as with the other three drugs. (The New England journal of medicine, 2022)

Liver

136 results · 127 in people · 9 animal

In adults with type 2 diabetes and fatty liver, liver fat fell after 24 weeks in all three treatment groups, including liraglutide. Journal of diabetes, 2017

Top results

In adults with type 2 diabetes and fatty liver, liver fat fell after 24 weeks in all three treatment groups, including liraglutide. (Journal of diabetes, 2017)
In adults with type 2 diabetes, liraglutide did not significantly change a marker of fat burning. (Diabetes, obesity & metabolism, 2019)
In overweight patients with NASH, liraglutide cleared the liver disease in more patients than placebo did over 48 weeks. (Lancet, 2016)

Immune system and inflammation

126 results · 108 in people · 15 animal · 3 lab

In brain-dead organ donors, liraglutide lowered the rise in blood IL-6 compared with placebo. Liver transplantation, 2024

Top results

In brain-dead organ donors, liraglutide lowered the rise in blood IL-6 compared with placebo. (Liver transplantation, 2024)
In adults with type 2 diabetes, liraglutide did not reduce inflammation in artery walls more than placebo over 26 weeks. (Circulation. Cardiovascular imaging, 2021)
In adults with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes, liraglutide raised blood levels of adiponectin, a hormone linked to metabolism. (Brazilian journal of medical and biological research = Revista brasileira de pesquisas medicas e biologicas, 2020)

All 1,219 liraglutide studies by area Open the Scientific page

Key liraglutide studies

Studies in people come first, then studies in animals and in the lab.

People
Liraglutide and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Type 2 Diabetes
Marso et al. 2016 · The New England journal of medicine · 9,340 people · cited by 5,535
8 results
People
Effects of Liraglutide Versus Placebo on Cardiovascular Events in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Chronic Kidney Disease
Mann et al. 2018 · Circulation · 7,182 people · cited by 110
13 results
People
Liraglutide and cardiovascular outcomes in adults with overweight or obesity: A post hoc analysis from SCALE randomized controlled trials
Davies et al. 2018 · Diabetes, obesity & metabolism · 5,908 people · cited by 80
2 results
People
Glycemia Reduction in Type 2 Diabetes - Glycemic Outcomes
2022 · The New England journal of medicine · 5,047 people · cited by 168
9 results
People
Comparative Effects of Glucose-Lowering Medications on Kidney Outcomes in Type 2 Diabetes: The GRADE Randomized Clinical Trial
Wexler et al. 2023 · JAMA internal medicine · 5,047 people · cited by 24
4 results

All 1,219 Liraglutide studies

Liraglutide clinical trials

ClinicalTrials.gov lists 469 trials of liraglutide. 30 are active or planned, and 143 have posted results. PepBank does not show trial results.

Solid bars are dates that happened. Hatched bars are planned dates. Data from ClinicalTrials.gov.

Liraglutide Effect and Action in Diabetes: Evaluation of Cardiovascular Outcome Results

Phase 3completed9,341 people

A Comparative Effectiveness Study of Major Glycemia-lowering Medications for Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes

Phase 3completed7,850 people

Effect of Liraglutide on Body Weight in Non-diabetic Obese Subjects or Overweight Subjects With Co-morbidities: SCALE™ - Obesity and Pre-diabetes

Phase 3completed3,731 people

All 262 Liraglutide trials

Status and safety

Is liraglutide approved?

FDA

United States

Approved

Saxenda, Victoza, Xultophy 100/3.6 (insulin degludec + liraglutide), since 2010.

EMA

European Union

Approved

Ablymico (STADA), Liraglutide STADA, Saxenda, Victoza, Xultophy (insulin degludec + liraglutide), since 2009.

WADA

Sport

Not banned

Not on the 2026 Prohibited List.

Yes. Approved in the US and EU (Victoza, 2009). The EMA label for Victoza says: “Adults, adolescents and children 10 years and older with insufficiently controlled type 2 diabetes, as an adjunct to diet and exercise” Not listed as banned by WADA.

Laws and labels change, so check the regulator for the current status.

Liraglutide side effects and safety

PepBank has 805 safety results from studies of liraglutide. 793 of them come from studies in people.

Safety results from studies (805)

In adults with overweight or obesity, 8 people on liraglutide and 10 on placebo or orlistat had heart events; the gap was not statistically clear. (Diabetes, obesity & metabolism, 2018)
In people with heart failure, liraglutide showed a trend toward more hospital stays or deaths than placebo, but this was not statistically significant. (Diabetes, obesity & metabolism, 2023)
In adults with type 2 diabetes, liraglutide did not change bone density differently from glimepiride over two years. (Endocrine practice, 2016)
In healthy people, liraglutide did not lengthen the heart QTc interval compared with placebo. (Journal of clinical pharmacology, 2009)
In children with obesity, side effects were reported by a similar share of children on liraglutide and on placebo. (Pediatric obesity, 2019)
In adolescents with obesity, all on liraglutide had at least one side effect, compared with 4 of 7 on placebo. (The Journal of pediatrics, 2017)
In healthy men with overweight or obesity, one placebo-plus-liraglutide recipient had a drug-related side effect, reported as 11.1%. (Diabetes, obesity & metabolism, 2025)
In Japanese adults with type 2 diabetes on an alpha-glucosidase inhibitor, liraglutide and an extra pill had similar adverse event rates. (Journal of diabetes investigation, 2018)
In Chinese adults with type 2 diabetes on basal insulin, insulin degludec/liraglutide caused fewer low blood sugar episodes than insulin degludec alone. (Diabetes, obesity & metabolism, 2021)
In adults with type 2 diabetes leaving hospital, mild low blood sugar happened less often with liraglutide than with insulin glargine. (Diabetes, obesity & metabolism, 2021)
In Alzheimer disease without diabetes, liraglutide was generally safe and well tolerated in this 52-week trial. (Nature medicine, 2026)
In overweight adults with type 1 diabetes, liraglutide raised heart rate more than placebo. (The lancet. Diabetes & endocrinology, 2016)
In adults with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes on high-dose insulin, low blood sugar was more frequent in the first month of liraglutide than of placebo. (JAMA internal medicine, 2016)
In overweight or obese Japanese adults with type 2 diabetes, low blood sugar events were not significantly different between liraglutide and metformin. (Endocrine journal, 2015)
In overweight adults with type 1 diabetes using an insulin pump, liraglutide did not change the risk of low blood sugar compared with placebo. (Diabetes, obesity & metabolism, 2020)
In healthy volunteers, the safety profile of the liraglutide copy was similar to the original product. (Clinical pharmacology in drug development, 2023)
In obese adults with psoriasis, no serious side effects occurred during 8 weeks. (Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 2015)
In adults with type 1 diabetes, liraglutide raised the heart rate from 69 to 80 beats per minute. (Diabetes, obesity & metabolism, 2017)
In young people with Prader-Willi syndrome, the most common side effects of liraglutide were stomach and bowel problems. (The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism, 2022)
In adults with type 2 diabetes on metformin, minor blood sugar events were more frequent with glimepiride than with liraglutide. (Postgraduate medicine, 2009)
In overweight people with type 2 diabetes, liraglutide did not raise the pancreatic enzyme lipase after 12 weeks. (Diabetes care, 2017)
In adults with type 2 diabetes, the safety profile of the biosimilar was similar to that of the reference liraglutide. (Diabetes research and clinical practice, 2024)
In adults with type 2 diabetes and high heart risk, tumours were not significantly more common with liraglutide than with placebo. (Diabetes care, 2018)
In Japanese adults with overweight or obesity and type 2 diabetes, liraglutide modestly raised blood amylase, a pancreatic enzyme. (Clinical drug investigation, 2015)

See every safety result on the Scientific page

Doses studied (40 shown)

The doses that these studies used. They are not recommendations.

Dose as reported	Class	Species	Route	Duration	Design	Source
3.0 mg	Human	human	Not reported	Not reported	Randomized trial in people · n = 5,908	Davies 2018
3.0 mg once daily	Human	human	subcutaneous	56 weeks	Randomized trial in people · n = 3,731	Pi-Sunyer 2015
1.8 mg or maximum tolerated dose	Human	human	Not reported	median follow-up 3.8 years	Randomized trial in people · n = 3,692	Verma 2018
up to 1.8 mg/d	Human	human	Not reported	up to 104 weeks	Randomized trial in people · n = 1,991	Unger 2022
1.8 mg once daily	Human	human	injection	26 weeks	Randomized trial in people · n = 776	Buse 2013
0.6 mg for the first week, increased to 1.2 mg in the second week and 1.8 mg until day 90	Human	human	Not reported	90 days	Randomized trial in people · n = 636	Zhu 2026
1.8 mg once daily	Human	human	Not reported	26 weeks	Randomized trial in people · n = 466	Seino 2022
1.8 mg once a day	Human	human	Not reported	26 weeks	Randomized trial in people · n = 464	Buse 2009
1.8 mg once daily	Human	human	Not reported	26 weeks	Randomized trial in people · n = 462	Russell-Jones 2009
IDegLira max. 50 U degludec/1.8 mg liraglutide	Human	human	Not reported	26 weeks	Randomized trial in people · n = 453	Pei 2021
1.8 mg once daily	Human	human	Not reported	26 weeks	Randomized trial in people · n = 451	Ahmann 2015
up to 1.8 mg liraglutide (50 dose steps of IDegLira)	Human	human	Not reported	26 weeks	Randomized trial in people · n = 413	Buse 2014
1.8 mg/d	Human	human	Not reported	26 weeks	Randomized trial in people · n = 407	Bailey 2016
1.8 mg	Human	human	Not reported	26 weeks	Randomized trial in people · n = 404	Nauck 2016
3.0 mg	Human	human	Not reported	56 weeks	Randomized trial in people · n = 396	Garvey 2020
1.8 mg	Human	human	subcutaneous	26 weeks	Randomized trial in people · n = 368	Zang 2016
3.0 mg	Human	human	Not reported	32 weeks	Randomized trial in people · n = 359	Blackman 2016
1.8 mg/day	Human	human	Not reported	26 weeks	Randomized trial in people · n = 302	Blonde 2020
up to 1.8 mg/d	Human	human	subcutaneous	180 days	Randomized trial in people · n = 300	Margulies 2016
0.6 mg the evening before surgery and 1.2 mg after induction of anaesthesia	Human	human	subcutaneous	Not reported	Randomized trial in people · n = 261	Hulst 2020
0.9 mg/day	Human	human	Not reported	36 weeks	Randomized trial in people · n = 257	Seino 2016
0.6 mg/day, up-titrated to 1.2 mg/day after 1 week, and to 1.8 mg/day if needed after 12 weeks	Human	human	injectable	26 weeks	Randomized trial in people · n = 253	Charbonnel 2013
3.0 mg	Human	human	subcutaneous	56 weeks	Randomized trial in people · n = 251	Kelly 2020
1.8 mg	Human	human	Not reported	Not reported	Randomized trial in people · n = 210	Chen 2016
IDegLira up to 50 dose steps	Human	human	Not reported	26 weeks	Randomized trial in people · n = 210	Watada 2019
up to 1.8 mg per day	Human	human	subcutaneous	26 weeks	Randomized trial in people · n = 134	Tamborlane 2019
3.0 mg once daily	Human	human	subcutaneous	68 weeks	Randomized trial in people · n = 127	Rubino 2022
up to 1.8 mg	Human	human	Not reported	26 weeks	Randomized trial in people · n = 102	Ripa 2021
0·6 mg per day escalated to 1·8 mg per day	Human	human	subcutaneous	24 weeks	Randomized trial in people · n = 100	Dejgaard 2016
0.6 mg for 2 days, 1.2 mg for 2 days, then 1.8 mg for 3 days	Human	human	Not reported	7 days	Randomized trial in people · n = 90	Chen 2016
1.8 mg 30 minutes before intervention, then 0.6 mg for 2 days, 1.2 mg for 2 days, 1.8 mg for 3 days	Human	human	Not reported	7 days	Randomized trial in people · n = 85	Chen 2015
3 mg once daily	Human	human	Not reported	32 weeks	Randomized trial in people · n = 82	Elkind-Hirsch 2022
3.0 mg or maximum tolerated dose once daily	Human	human	subcutaneous	56 weeks	Randomized trial in people · n = 82	Fox 2025
1.8 mg before intervention, then 0.6 mg for 2 days, 1.2 mg for 2 days, 1.8 mg for 3 days	Human	human	subcutaneous	7 days after the procedure	Randomized trial in people · n = 77	Chen 2016
0.6 mg week 1, 1.2 mg week 2, then 1.8 mg once daily	Human	human	subcutaneous	28 days	Randomized trial in people · n = 71	Kapitza 2013
1.8 mg once daily	Human	human	subcutaneous	26 weeks	Randomized trial in people · n = 71	Miras 2019
1.8 mg/d	Human	human	subcutaneous	6 months	Randomized trial in people · n = 71	Vanderheiden 2016
1.8 mg once daily	Human	human	Not reported	52 weeks	Randomized trial in people · n = 68	Dejgaard 2024
titrated to 1.8 mg	Human	human	Not reported	3 months	Randomized trial in people · n = 62	Bechlioulis 2023
0.6 mg daily, titrated to 1.2 mg after the first week	Human	human	Not reported	5 weeks	Randomized trial in people · n = 62	Liakos 2019

From the community

How people use it

What people report online. It comes from forums and guides, not from studies.

Community-reported. Not tested in trials.

Liraglutide is a daily GLP-1 injection sold as Saxenda for weight loss and Victoza for diabetes. The wiki lists the Saxenda steps as the popular pattern. Some people use compounded vials, and some stay at a lower dose.

Reported routines and cautions

What people use it for

Weight lossS3S1
Type 2 diabetes (approved use of Victoza)S2
A cheaper or fallback option when newer GLP-1 drugs are hard to getS3

Reported regimens

Regimens that community sources report for Liraglutide. Community-reported, not tested in trials.
Context	Route	Amount	How often	How long	Agreement	Sources
Saxenda, chronic weight management (US label)Official label dosing of an approved product	subcutaneous injectionabdomen, thigh or upper arm	0.6 to 3 mg per dose	once daily	0.6 mg in week 1, then weekly steps to 3 mg from week 5	Label dosing (single official source)	S1
Victoza, type 2 diabetes (US label)Official label dosing of an approved product	subcutaneous injection	0.6 to 1.8 mg per dose	once daily	0.6 mg for one week, then 1.2 mg; 1.8 mg only if more glycemic control is needed	Label dosing (single official source)	S2
Weight loss with compounded or generic liraglutide	subcutaneous injectioncompounded multi-dose vials need syringe measuring	0.6 to 3 mg per dose	once daily	ongoing	single source; the source carries seller links	S3
Staying at a lower dose to limit side effects and cost	subcutaneous injection	1.2 to 1.8 mg per dose	once daily	ongoing	single source; the source carries seller links	S3

Reported side effects

nausea, mostly in the first 2 to 4 weeksS3
redness or discomfort at the injection siteS3

Reported benefits (claims, not shown in trials)

noticeable but milder appetite suppression than semaglutide or tirzepatideS3

Cautions

Daily injection is described as a drawback compared with weekly drugs.S3
Saxenda label: if more than 3 days have passed since the last dose, the label says to restart at 0.6 mg daily and follow the escalation steps again.S1

Status notes

A news article dated 2025-08-29 says Teva announced FDA approval and US launch of a generic version of Saxenda. It calls this the first generic GLP-1 product indicated for weight loss.S4

Community sources

S1Saxenda (liraglutide) prescribing information (opens in a new tab)DailyMed (NLM)
S2Victoza (liraglutide) prescribing information (opens in a new tab)DailyMed (NLM)
S3Liraglutide: Community Protocols & Reportspeptideprotocolwiki.comcarries seller links, not linked
S4FDA approves Teva Pharmaceuticals' first GLP-1 obesity drug (opens in a new tab)indianpharmapost.com

Gaps

Only one community source (a wiki that summarizes Reddit) was found. No public forum posts were found. The wiki says liraglutide stays on an FDA shortage list. That claim was not confirmed, and it is not used here. No compounding status note for liraglutide was verified. Victoza label dosing for children is not recorded.

Questions and more

Ask a question about liraglutide

The answer links to every study it uses.

What does the evidence say about liraglutide?Is liraglutide tested in people?Compare with Semaglutide Compare with Exenatide (exendin-4)

Sources

Database: PepBank data for liraglutide (data version 308560)
Regulator: WADA status record
Trial registry: ClinicalTrials.gov
Community: community sources (forums and guides), as summarized in the PepBank community file

AI wrote and checked these results. AI can make mistakes, so check important results against the source.

PepBank is a research reference. Talk to a doctor before you use any peptide.

Ask your AI about liraglutide

Liraglutide

ApprovedNot banned in sport

Also known as NN-2211, NN2211, NNC 90-1170, NNC-90-1170, Ablymico, Liraglutide STADA and 3 more

What it is

Synthetic analog, 31 amino acids

Approval

Approved in the US and EU (Victoza, 2009)

In sport

Not listed as banned by WADA

Studies

1,219 studies with results. 932 of them gave liraglutide, with 4,766 results.
4,468 in people236 in animals37 in lab cells25 from computer models

Best study in people

Randomized controlled trial with 9,340 people (2016)

Clinical trials

469 registered: 30 active or planned, 143 with posted results

Community use

Weight loss; Type 2 diabetes (approved use of Victoza); A cheaper or fallback option when newer GLP-1 drugs are hard to get

Dose as reported

Class

Species

Route

Duration

Design

Source

3.0 mg

Human

human

Not reported

Randomized trial in people · n = 5,908

Davies 2018

3.0 mg once daily

Human

human

subcutaneous

56 weeks

Randomized trial in people · n = 3,731

Pi-Sunyer 2015

1.8 mg or maximum tolerated dose

Human

human

Not reported

median follow-up 3.8 years

Randomized trial in people · n = 3,692

Verma 2018

up to 1.8 mg/d

Human

human

Not reported

up to 104 weeks

Randomized trial in people · n = 1,991

Unger 2022

1.8 mg once daily

Human

human

injection

26 weeks

Randomized trial in people · n = 776

Buse 2013

0.6 mg for the first week, increased to 1.2 mg in the second week and 1.8 mg until day 90

Human

human

Not reported

90 days

Randomized trial in people · n = 636

Zhu 2026

1.8 mg once daily

Human

human

Not reported

26 weeks

Randomized trial in people · n = 466

Seino 2022

1.8 mg once a day

Human

human

Not reported

26 weeks

Randomized trial in people · n = 464

Buse 2009

1.8 mg once daily

Human

human

Not reported

26 weeks

Randomized trial in people · n = 462

Russell-Jones 2009

IDegLira max. 50 U degludec/1.8 mg liraglutide

Human

human

Not reported

26 weeks

Randomized trial in people · n = 453

Pei 2021

1.8 mg once daily

Human

human

Not reported

26 weeks

Randomized trial in people · n = 451

Ahmann 2015

up to 1.8 mg liraglutide (50 dose steps of IDegLira)

Human

human

Not reported

26 weeks

Randomized trial in people · n = 413

Buse 2014

1.8 mg/d

Human

human

Not reported

26 weeks

Randomized trial in people · n = 407

Bailey 2016

1.8 mg

Human

human

Not reported

26 weeks

Randomized trial in people · n = 404

Nauck 2016

3.0 mg

Human

human

Not reported

56 weeks

Randomized trial in people · n = 396

Garvey 2020

1.8 mg

Human

human

subcutaneous

26 weeks

Randomized trial in people · n = 368

Zang 2016

3.0 mg

Human

human

Not reported

32 weeks

Randomized trial in people · n = 359

Blackman 2016

1.8 mg/day

Human

human

Not reported

26 weeks

Randomized trial in people · n = 302

Blonde 2020

up to 1.8 mg/d

Human

human

subcutaneous

180 days

Randomized trial in people · n = 300

Margulies 2016

0.6 mg the evening before surgery and 1.2 mg after induction of anaesthesia

Human

human

subcutaneous

Not reported

Randomized trial in people · n = 261

Hulst 2020

0.9 mg/day

Human

human

Not reported

36 weeks

Randomized trial in people · n = 257

Seino 2016

0.6 mg/day, up-titrated to 1.2 mg/day after 1 week, and to 1.8 mg/day if needed after 12 weeks

Human

human

injectable

26 weeks

Randomized trial in people · n = 253

Charbonnel 2013

3.0 mg

Human

human

subcutaneous

56 weeks

Randomized trial in people · n = 251

Kelly 2020

1.8 mg

Human

human

Not reported

Randomized trial in people · n = 210

Chen 2016

IDegLira up to 50 dose steps

Human

human

Not reported

26 weeks

Randomized trial in people · n = 210

Watada 2019

up to 1.8 mg per day

Human

human

subcutaneous

26 weeks

Randomized trial in people · n = 134

Tamborlane 2019

3.0 mg once daily

Human

human

subcutaneous

68 weeks

Randomized trial in people · n = 127

Rubino 2022

up to 1.8 mg

Human

human

Not reported

26 weeks

Randomized trial in people · n = 102

Ripa 2021

0·6 mg per day escalated to 1·8 mg per day

Human

human

subcutaneous

24 weeks

Randomized trial in people · n = 100

Dejgaard 2016

0.6 mg for 2 days, 1.2 mg for 2 days, then 1.8 mg for 3 days

Human

human

Not reported

7 days

Randomized trial in people · n = 90

Chen 2016

1.8 mg 30 minutes before intervention, then 0.6 mg for 2 days, 1.2 mg for 2 days, 1.8 mg for 3 days

Human

human

Not reported

7 days

Randomized trial in people · n = 85

Chen 2015

3 mg once daily

Human

human

Not reported

32 weeks

Randomized trial in people · n = 82

Elkind-Hirsch 2022

3.0 mg or maximum tolerated dose once daily

Human

human

subcutaneous

56 weeks

Randomized trial in people · n = 82

Fox 2025

1.8 mg before intervention, then 0.6 mg for 2 days, 1.2 mg for 2 days, 1.8 mg for 3 days

Human

human

subcutaneous

7 days after the procedure

Randomized trial in people · n = 77

Chen 2016

0.6 mg week 1, 1.2 mg week 2, then 1.8 mg once daily

Human

human

subcutaneous

28 days

Randomized trial in people · n = 71

Kapitza 2013

1.8 mg once daily

Human

human

subcutaneous

26 weeks

Randomized trial in people · n = 71

Miras 2019

1.8 mg/d

Human

human

subcutaneous

6 months

Randomized trial in people · n = 71

Vanderheiden 2016

1.8 mg once daily

Human

human

Not reported

52 weeks

Randomized trial in people · n = 68

Dejgaard 2024

titrated to 1.8 mg

Human

human

Not reported

3 months

Randomized trial in people · n = 62

Bechlioulis 2023

0.6 mg daily, titrated to 1.2 mg after the first week

Human

human

Not reported

5 weeks

Randomized trial in people · n = 62

Liakos 2019

Context

Route

Amount

How often

How long

Agreement

Sources

Saxenda, chronic weight management (US label)Official label dosing of an approved product

subcutaneous injectionabdomen, thigh or upper arm

0.6 to 3 mg per dose

once daily

0.6 mg in week 1, then weekly steps to 3 mg from week 5

Label dosing (single official source)

Victoza, type 2 diabetes (US label)Official label dosing of an approved product

subcutaneous injection

0.6 to 1.8 mg per dose

once daily

0.6 mg for one week, then 1.2 mg; 1.8 mg only if more glycemic control is needed

Label dosing (single official source)

Weight loss with compounded or generic liraglutide

subcutaneous injectioncompounded multi-dose vials need syringe measuring

0.6 to 3 mg per dose

once daily

ongoing

single source; the source carries seller links

Staying at a lower dose to limit side effects and cost

subcutaneous injection

1.2 to 1.8 mg per dose

once daily

ongoing

single source; the source carries seller links

Liraglutide

Liraglutide at a glance

What is liraglutide?

The history of liraglutide

Liraglutide structure and chemistry

What liraglutide studies show

Blood sugar

Weight and appetite

Heart and blood vessels

Cholesterol and blood fats

Liver

Immune system and inflammation

Key liraglutide studies

Liraglutide clinical trials

Is liraglutide approved?

Liraglutide side effects and safety

How people use it

What people use it for

Reported regimens

Reported side effects

Reported benefits (claims, not shown in trials)

Cautions

Status notes

Community sources

Ask a question about liraglutide

Related peptides

Liraglutide vs semaglutide

Sources

Liraglutide

Liraglutide at a glance

What is liraglutide?

The history of liraglutide

Liraglutide structure and chemistry

What liraglutide studies show

Blood sugar

Weight and appetite

Heart and blood vessels

Cholesterol and blood fats

Liver

Immune system and inflammation

Key liraglutide studies

Liraglutide clinical trials

Is liraglutide approved?

Liraglutide side effects and safety

How people use it

What people use it for

Reported regimens

Reported side effects

Reported benefits (claims, not shown in trials)

Cautions

Status notes

Community sources

Ask a question about liraglutide

Related peptides

Liraglutide vs semaglutide

Sources