Liraglutide, a once-daily human glucagon-like peptide 1 analogue, provides sustained improvements in glycaemic control and weight for 2 years as monotherapy compared with glimepiride in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Garber A, Henry RR, Ratner R, Hale P, Chang CT, Bode B

Diabetes, obesity & metabolism1 Apr 2011Cited by 153 (Europe PMC)

PMID21205128PMCIDPMC3084519DOI10.1111/j.1463-1326.2010.01356.xPepBankPUB-21205128

Summary

AimsMost treatments for type 2 diabetes fail over time, necessitating combination therapy. We investigated the safety, tolerability and efficacy of liraglutide monotherapy compared with glimepiride monotherapy over 2 years.MethodsParticipants were randomized to receive once-daily liraglutide 1.2 mg, liraglutide 1.8 mg or glimepiride 8 mg. Participants completing the 1-year randomized, double-blind, double-dummy period could continue open-label treatment for an additional year. Safety data were evaluated for the full population exposed to treatment, and efficacy data were evaluated for the full intention-to-treat (ITT) and 2-year completer populations. Outcome measures included change in glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), body weight and frequency of nausea and hypoglycaemia.ResultsFor patients completing 2 years of therapy, HbA1c reductions were -0.6% with glimepiride versus -0.9% with liraglutide 1.2 mg (difference: -0.37, 95% CI: -0.71 to -0.02; p = 0.0376) and -1.1% with liraglutide 1.8 mg (difference: -0.55, 95% CI: -0.88 to -0.21; p = 0.0016). In the ITT population, HbA1c reductions were -0.3% with glimepiride versus -0.6% with liraglutide 1.2 mg (difference: -0.31, 95% CI: -0.54 to -0.08; p = 0.0076) and -0.9% with liraglutide 1.8 mg (difference: -0.60, 95% CI: -0.83 to -0.38; p < 0.0001). For both ITT and completer populations, liraglutide was more effective in reducing HbA1c, FPG and weight. Over 2 years, rates of minor hypoglycaemia [self-treated plasma glucose <3.1 mmol/l (<56 mg/dl)] were significantly lower with liraglutide 1.2 mg and 1.8 mg compared with glimepiride (p < 0.0001).ConclusionLiraglutide monotherapy for 2 years provides significant and sustained improvements in glycaemic control and body weight compared with glimepiride monotherapy, at a lower risk of hypoglycaemia.

CC BYText from Europe PMC. Highlighted sentences are the source of results.

Results from this study7

7 results from studies that gave the peptide. 7 results from people.

01HumanRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome
In patients with type 2 diabetes completing 2 years, liraglutide 1.2 mg reduced HbA1c more than glimepiride (-0.9% versus -0.6%; difference -0.37, 95% CI -0.71 to -0.02).
In plain wordsIn people with type 2 diabetes who completed 2 years, liraglutide 1.2 mg lowered HbA1c more than glimepiride.
Peptide
Liraglutide
Outcome
DecreaseHbA1c reduction at 2 years, completers, liraglutide 1.2 mg
Study
n: not reported in source
Comparator
Glimepiride
Outcome group
Glycemic control · Metabolic and weight
Studied dose
1.2 mg once daily · 2 yearsAs given in this study (human).
Source sentences
Summary
For patients completing 2 years of therapy, HbA1c reductions were -0.6% with glimepiride versus -0.9% with liraglutide 1.2 mg (difference: -0.37, 95% CI: -0.71 to -0.02; p = 0.0376) and -1.1% with liraglutide 1.8 mg (difference: -0.55, 95% CI: -0.88 to -0.21; p = 0.0016).
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Participants were randomized to receive once-daily liraglutide 1.2 mg, liraglutide 1.8 mg or glimepiride 8 mg.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-2120512801
02HumanRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome
In patients with type 2 diabetes completing 2 years, liraglutide 1.8 mg reduced HbA1c more than glimepiride (-1.1% versus -0.6%; difference -0.55, 95% CI -0.88 to -0.21).
In plain wordsIn people with type 2 diabetes who completed 2 years, liraglutide 1.8 mg lowered HbA1c more than glimepiride.
Peptide
Liraglutide
Outcome
DecreaseHbA1c reduction at 2 years, completers, liraglutide 1.8 mg
Study
n: not reported in source
Comparator
Glimepiride
Outcome group
Glycemic control · Metabolic and weight
Studied dose
1.8 mg once daily · 2 yearsAs given in this study (human).
Source sentences
Summary
For patients completing 2 years of therapy, HbA1c reductions were -0.6% with glimepiride versus -0.9% with liraglutide 1.2 mg (difference: -0.37, 95% CI: -0.71 to -0.02; p = 0.0376) and -1.1% with liraglutide 1.8 mg (difference: -0.55, 95% CI: -0.88 to -0.21; p = 0.0016).
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Participants were randomized to receive once-daily liraglutide 1.2 mg, liraglutide 1.8 mg or glimepiride 8 mg.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-2120512802
03HumanRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome
In the intention-to-treat population with type 2 diabetes, liraglutide 1.2 mg reduced HbA1c more than glimepiride (-0.6% versus -0.3%; difference -0.31, 95% CI -0.54 to -0.08).
In plain wordsIn all randomised people with type 2 diabetes, liraglutide 1.2 mg lowered HbA1c more than glimepiride.
Peptide
Liraglutide
Outcome
DecreaseHbA1c reduction at 2 years, ITT population, liraglutide 1.2 mg
Study
n: not reported in source
Comparator
Glimepiride
Outcome group
Glycemic control · Metabolic and weight
Studied dose
1.2 mg once daily · 2 yearsAs given in this study (human).
Source sentences
Summary
In the ITT population, HbA1c reductions were -0.3% with glimepiride versus -0.6% with liraglutide 1.2 mg (difference: -0.31, 95% CI: -0.54 to -0.08; p = 0.0076) and -0.9% with liraglutide 1.8 mg (difference: -0.60, 95% CI: -0.83 to -0.38; p < 0.0001).
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Participants were randomized to receive once-daily liraglutide 1.2 mg, liraglutide 1.8 mg or glimepiride 8 mg.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-2120512803
04HumanRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome
In the intention-to-treat population with type 2 diabetes, liraglutide 1.8 mg reduced HbA1c more than glimepiride (-0.9% versus -0.3%; difference -0.60, 95% CI -0.83 to -0.38).
In plain wordsIn all randomised people with type 2 diabetes, liraglutide 1.8 mg lowered HbA1c more than glimepiride.
Peptide
Liraglutide
Outcome
DecreaseHbA1c reduction at 2 years, ITT population, liraglutide 1.8 mg
Study
n: not reported in source
Comparator
Glimepiride
Outcome group
Glycemic control · Metabolic and weight
Studied dose
1.8 mg once daily · 2 yearsAs given in this study (human).
Source sentences
Summary
In the ITT population, HbA1c reductions were -0.3% with glimepiride versus -0.6% with liraglutide 1.2 mg (difference: -0.31, 95% CI: -0.54 to -0.08; p = 0.0076) and -0.9% with liraglutide 1.8 mg (difference: -0.60, 95% CI: -0.83 to -0.38; p < 0.0001).
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Participants were randomized to receive once-daily liraglutide 1.2 mg, liraglutide 1.8 mg or glimepiride 8 mg.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-2120512804
05HumanRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome
In patients with type 2 diabetes, liraglutide reduced fasting plasma glucose more effectively than glimepiride in both the ITT and completer populations.
In plain wordsIn people with type 2 diabetes, liraglutide lowered fasting blood glucose more than glimepiride.
Peptide
Liraglutide
Outcome
DecreaseFasting plasma glucose reduction
Study
n: not reported in source
Comparator
Glimepiride
Outcome group
Glycemic control · Metabolic and weight
Studied dose
1.2 mg and 1.8 mg once daily · 2 yearsAs given in this study (human).
Source sentences
Summary
For both ITT and completer populations, liraglutide was more effective in reducing HbA1c, FPG and weight.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Participants were randomized to receive once-daily liraglutide 1.2 mg, liraglutide 1.8 mg or glimepiride 8 mg.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-2120512805
06HumanRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome
In patients with type 2 diabetes, liraglutide reduced body weight more effectively than glimepiride in both the ITT and completer populations.
In plain wordsIn people with type 2 diabetes, liraglutide lowered body weight more than glimepiride.
Peptide
Liraglutide
Outcome
DecreaseBody weight change
Study
n: not reported in source
Comparator
Glimepiride
Outcome group
Body weight · Metabolic and weight
Studied dose
1.2 mg and 1.8 mg once daily · 2 yearsAs given in this study (human).
Source sentences
Summary
For both ITT and completer populations, liraglutide was more effective in reducing HbA1c, FPG and weight.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Participants were randomized to receive once-daily liraglutide 1.2 mg, liraglutide 1.8 mg or glimepiride 8 mg.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-2120512806
07HumanRandomized controlled trialSafety outcome
In patients with type 2 diabetes, rates of minor hypoglycaemia over 2 years were significantly lower with liraglutide 1.2 mg and 1.8 mg than with glimepiride (p < 0.0001).
In plain wordsIn people with type 2 diabetes, liraglutide caused fewer mild low blood sugar episodes than glimepiride over 2 years.
Peptide
Liraglutide
Outcome
DecreaseMinor hypoglycaemia rate over 2 years
Study
n: not reported in source
Comparator
Glimepiride
Outcome group
Adverse events · Metabolic and weight
Studied dose
1.2 mg and 1.8 mg once daily · 2 yearsAs given in this study (human).
Source sentences
Summary
Over 2 years, rates of minor hypoglycaemia [self-treated plasma glucose <3.1 mmol/l (<56 mg/dl)] were significantly lower with liraglutide 1.2 mg and 1.8 mg compared with glimepiride (p < 0.0001).
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Participants were randomized to receive once-daily liraglutide 1.2 mg, liraglutide 1.8 mg or glimepiride 8 mg.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-2120512807

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

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Version 2Current
12 Oct 2026, 12:10 UTC
Study results updated
Version 1
9 Oct 2026, 03:05 UTC
First added · source update from Europe PMC

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