Liraglutide

approved

Also known as: Victoza, Saxenda, NN2211

**Mechanism of Action** Liraglutide is a once-daily acylated glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist with 97% sequence homology to endogenous GLP-1. Its fatty acid side chain enables non-covalent binding to albumin, extending the half-life to approximately 13 hours and allowing once-daily subcutaneous administration. It activates GLP-1 receptors in pancreatic beta cells, enhancing glucose-dependent insulin secretion, suppressing glucagon release, and slowing gastric emptying. Central GLP-1 receptor activation in the hypothalamus reduces appetite and food intake, contributing to weight loss. **Key Research Findings** The LEAD (Liraglutide Effect and Action in Diabetes) clinical trial program demonstrated significant reductions in HbA1c (0.8–1.5%) and fasting plasma glucose in type 2 diabetes patients, with weight loss of 2–3 kg versus placebo. The SCALE (Satiety and Clinical Adiposity—Liraglutide Evidence) trials in obesity showed mean weight loss of 8.4% of baseline body weight over 56 weeks with 3.0 mg liraglutide, compared to 2.8% with placebo. Cardiovascular outcome trials (LEADER) reported a 13% reduction in major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in high-risk patients. Common adverse effects include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, with rare risks of pancreatitis and gallbladder disease. **Clinical Relevance** Liraglutide is FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes (Victoza, 1.2–1.8 mg/day) and chronic weight management (Saxenda, 3.0 mg/day) in adults with BMI ≥30 kg/m² or ≥27 kg/m² with weight-related comorbidities. It is contraindicated in patients with medullary thyroid carcinoma or multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2. As a first-line GLP-1 receptor agonist, it offers dual glycemic and weight benefits, with cardiovascular protection in high-risk populations. For research purposes only — not medical advice.

Key data

Category
Metabolic & Weight
Molecular weight
3751 g/mol
Molecular formula
C172H265N43O51
CAS number
204656-20-2
Half-life
~13 hours
Administration
subcutaneous
Research status
approved
References
5,582
Tags
glp-1, approved

Research & studies

Liraglutide
2026 · PubMed
Comparison of Clinical Efficacy and Safety of Tirzepatide, Liraglutide and Semaglutide in Patients with Obesity and Without T2D: A Bayesian Network Meta-Analysis of Randomised Controlled Trials
Advances in therapy · 2026 · PubMed

Tirzepatide 10 and 15 mg achieved significantly greater percentage weight reduction than liraglutide (by 4.85% and 6.26%, respectively) and semaglutide (by 4.85% and 6.26%, respectively).; Tirzepatide 10 and 15 mg also significantly reduced waist circumference compared with liraglutide (by 11.79 cm and 12.30 cm) and semaglutide (by 4.81 cm and 5.32 cm).; All tirzepatide doses significantly improved triglycerides and diastolic blood pressure versus liraglutide, with generally comparable effects on other metabolic parameters.; Safety profiles were comparable among tirzepatide, liraglutide, and semaglutide.

Liraglutide
2024 · PubMed
Liraglutide Promotes Diabetic Wound Healing via Myo1c/Dock5
Advanced science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany) · 2024 · PubMed

Liraglutide significantly accelerates wound closure in diabetic mouse models (db/db and streptozotocin-induced).; Improved healing effects are abrogated in Dock5 keratinocyte-specific knockout mice.; Liraglutide directly binds to Myo1c at arginine 93, enhancing Myo1c/Dock5 interaction.; Liraglutide promotes keratinocyte proliferation, migration, and adhesion via the Myo1c/Dock5 pathway.

GLP-1R-positive neurons in the lateral septum mediate the anorectic and weight-lowering effects of liraglutide in mice
The Journal of clinical investigation · 2024 · PubMed

Liraglutide robustly activates GLP-1R-positive neurons in the lateral septum.; Chemogenetic activation of LSGLP-1R neurons dramatically suppresses feeding.; Knockdown of GLP-1 receptors in the LS, but not hypothalamus, attenuates liraglutide's anorectic and weight-lowering effects.; Synaptic inactivation of LSGLP-1R neurons diminishes liraglutide's anorexic effects.

Empagliflozin and liraglutide ameliorate HFpEF in mice via augmenting the Erbb4 signaling pathway
Acta pharmacologica Sinica · 2024 · PubMed

Empagliflozin and liraglutide significantly improved diastolic function, cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, cardiac fibrosis, and exercise tolerance in HFpEF mice.; Combination therapy showed no synergistic benefit over monotherapy.; Both drugs restored Erbb4 expression in a specific myocyte subcluster, as identified by snRNA-seq, and the Erbb4 pathway was essential for their actions.; Beneficial effects diminished after 1 week of drug withdrawal, and in vitro experiments linked Erbb4 to palmitic acid- or high glucose-induced PKC/ERK1/2 phosphorylation changes.

Liraglutide attenuates angiotensin II-induced aortic dissection and aortic aneurysm via inhibiting M1 macrophage polarization in APOE (-/-) mice
Biochemical pharmacology · 2024 · PubMed

Liraglutide significantly decreased AAD incidence and mortality in Ang II-infused APOE (-/-) mice.; Liraglutide inhibited M1 macrophage polarization through GLP-1R activation.; The protective mechanism involved suppression of CXCL3 expression via the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.; M1 macrophage polarization and GLP-1R expression were increased in aortas of AAD patients and mouse models.

Liraglutide attenuates type 2 diabetes mellitus-associated non-alcoholic fatty liver disease by activating AMPK/ACC signaling and inhibiting ferroptosis
Molecular medicine (Cambridge, Mass.) · 2023 · PubMed

Liraglutide improved glucose metabolism and ameliorated liver tissue damage in T2DM-associated NAFLD mice.; Transcriptomic analysis revealed liraglutide regulates lipid metabolism via AMPK and ACC signaling.; Liraglutide suppressed ferroptosis, and a ferroptosis inhibitor rescued liver cell viability under high glucose conditions.; AMPK inhibitor compound C blocked liraglutide's suppression of ferroptosis, confirming the pathway's role.

Frequently asked questions

What is Liraglutide?

**Mechanism of Action** Liraglutide is a once-daily acylated glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist with 97% sequence homology to endogenous GLP-1. Its fatty acid side chain enables non-covalent binding to albumin, extending the half-life to approximately 13 hours and allowing once-daily subcutaneous administ

How does Liraglutide work?

Once-daily acylated GLP-1 receptor agonist for type 2 diabetes and chronic weight management.

What is the research status of Liraglutide?

Liraglutide is currently classified as approved, with 5,582 research references on record. This is for research purposes only and is not medical advice.

What is the half-life of Liraglutide?

The reported half-life of Liraglutide is ~13 hours.

What is the molecular weight of Liraglutide?

Liraglutide has a molecular weight of approximately 3751 g/mol (formula C172H265N43O51).

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