Side-by-side · Research reference
DihexavsLiraglutide
Side-by-side comparison across mechanism, dosage, evidence, side effects, administration, and stack synergies. Citations on every claim where available.
AAnimal-StrongHUMAN-REVIEWED7/28 cited
BFDA-ApprovedFlagship14/45 cited
Dihexa
Angiotensin IV Analogue · Pre-Clinical
Not established — animal studies only
Liraglutide
Daily GLP-1 RA · FDA-Approved
SQ · Abdomen / thigh / arm · Once daily
01Mechanism of Action
Parameter
Dihexa
Liraglutide
Primary target
c-Met receptor (HGF receptor tyrosine kinase)
GLP-1 receptor (GLP-1R)SAXENDA (liraglutide) injectio 2014
Pathway
HGF/c-Met receptor activation → downstream signaling cascade → synaptogenesis and dendritic arborization
GLP-1R agonism → ↑glucose-dependent insulin, ↓glucagon, ↓gastric emptying, ↓appetiteSAXENDA (liraglutide) injectio 2014Marso 2016
Downstream effect
Induction of dendritic arborization, synapse formation, neurogenesis, and neuroprotection in rodent models
Glycemic improvement, modest body-weight reduction, cardiovascular event reduction in high-risk T2DMarso 2016
Feedback intact?
—
Glucose-dependent insulin release preserves physiological feedback
Origin
Small-molecule angiotensin IV analogue designed to activate HGF/c-Met systemWright 2015
Modified GLP-1(7-37) with Lys26 substitution (Arg34) and C-16 palmitoyl-glutamate acylation for albumin bindingSAXENDA (liraglutide) injectio 2014
Antibody development
—
—
02Dosage Protocols
Parameter
Dihexa
Liraglutide
Human dosing
Not established — no human trials
—
Animal studies
Mouse/rat models only — dosing not translatable to humans
—
Evidence basis
Pre-clinical / Rodent models
FDA-approved · Phase 3 RCTs (LEADER, SCALE)Marso 2016SAXENDA (liraglutide) injectio 2014
Clinical status
No Phase 1, 2, or 3 trials published
—
Standard dose (weight, Saxenda)
—
3.0 mg / day (after 5-week titration)SAXENDA (liraglutide) injectio 2014
Frequency
—
Once daily, same time each day
Titration schedule
—
0.6 → 1.2 → 1.8 → 2.4 → 3.0 mg over 5 weeks
Mitigates GI side effects.
Duration
—
Indefinite for chronic indication
Reconstitution
—
Pre-filled commercial pen (no reconstitution)
Timing
—
Any time of day; consistent
04Side Effects & Safety
Parameter
Dihexa
Liraglutide
Human safety data
None available — no human clinical trials
—
Theoretical c-Met risks
c-Met receptor activation has been implicated in tumorigenesis; unknown cancer risk profile
—
Pre-clinical tolerability
Not systematically reported in available studies
—
GI symptoms
—
Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea (very common during titration)SAXENDA (liraglutide) injectio 2014
Pancreatitis risk
—
Rare; discontinue if suspected
Thyroid C-cell tumours
—
Boxed warning — contraindicated in MEN2 / MTC historySAXENDA (liraglutide) injectio 2014
Hypoglycemia
—
Low risk as monotherapy; elevated with sulfonylureas / insulin
Heart rate
—
Modest ↑ resting HR (~2-3 bpm)
Pregnancy / OB
—
Contraindicated
Absolute Contraindications
Dihexa
- ·Not approved for human use — research compound only
Liraglutide
- ·MTC personal or family history; MEN2
- ·Pregnancy / breastfeeding
- ·Hypersensitivity to liraglutide
Relative Contraindications
Dihexa
- ·Theoretical contraindication: active or history of malignancy (c-Met pathway involvement in cancer)
Liraglutide
- ·Severe gastroparesis
- ·History of pancreatitis
- ·Severe gastrointestinal disease
05Administration Protocol
Parameter
Dihexa
Liraglutide
1. Human administration
No established protocol. Dihexa has not been tested in human subjects. Animal studies used various routes (typically subcutaneous or intraperitoneal in rodents) not translatable to clinical use.
Commercial pre-filled pen, no reconstitution required.
2. Legal status
Pre-clinical research compound. Not approved by FDA or any regulatory authority for human use.
SQ — abdomen, thigh, or upper arm. Rotate sites.
3. Timing
—
Once daily, same time each day. Take with or without food.
4. Storage
—
Refrigerate 2–8 °C unopened; room temp ≤30 °C up to 30 days after first use.
5. Needle
—
Pen-supplied 32G needle.