C172H265N43O51 · 3751 g/mol · PubChem CID 16134956 ↗
Liraglutide
also known as Saxenda, Victoza
Modified human GLP-1 with C-16 fatty-acid acylation enabling albumin binding and a ~13 hour half-life. FDA-approved 2010 (Victoza, type 2 diabetes) and 2014 (Saxenda, chronic weight management); predecessor to once-weekly semaglutide and tirzepatide. The LEADER trial (Marso et al., NEJM 2016) demonstrated cardiovascular event reduction in T2D with high CV risk. [marso-2016-leader]
- Class
- GLP-1 Receptor Agonist
- Half-life
- ~13 hr [fda-saxenda-label-2014]
- Evidence level
- FDA-approved
- Regulatory status
- FDA-approved (US)
At a glance
SQ · Abdomen / thigh / arm · Once daily
Primary target — GLP-1 receptor (GLP-1R) [fda-saxenda-label-2014].
Pathway — GLP-1R agonism → ↑glucose-dependent insulin, ↓glucagon, ↓gastric emptying, ↓appetite [fda-saxenda-label-2014].
Downstream effect — Glycemic improvement, modest body-weight reduction, cardiovascular event reduction in high-risk T2D [marso-2016-leader].
Origin — Modified GLP-1(7-37) with Lys26 substitution (Arg34) and C-16 palmitoyl-glutamate acylation for albumin binding [fda-saxenda-label-2014].
Feedback intact — Glucose-dependent insulin release preserves physiological feedback.
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Standard dose (T2D, Victoza) | 1.2–1.8 mg / day [fda-saxenda-label-2014] |
| Standard dose (weight, Saxenda) | 3.0 mg / day (after 5-week titration) [fda-saxenda-label-2014] |
| Frequency | Once daily, same time each day |
| Titration schedule | 0.6 → 1.2 → 1.8 → 2.4 → 3.0 mg over 5 weeksMitigates GI side effects. |
| Evidence basis | FDA-approved · Phase 3 RCTs (LEADER, SCALE) [marso-2016-leader][fda-saxenda-label-2014] |
| Duration | Indefinite for chronic indication |
| Reconstitution | Pre-filled commercial pen (no reconstitution) |
| Timing | Any time of day; consistent |
| Half-life | ~13 hr [fda-saxenda-label-2014] |
Reconstitution
A pure mass-to-volume utility. Enter what you have in the vial; the atlas computes the volume per dose. No prescription information.
- — MTC personal or family history; MEN2
- — Pregnancy / breastfeeding
- — Hypersensitivity to liraglutide
- — Severe gastroparesis
- — History of pancreatitis
- — Severe gastrointestinal disease
- 01Reconstitution / device
Commercial pre-filled pen, no reconstitution required.
- 02Injection site
SQ — abdomen, thigh, or upper arm. Rotate sites.
- 03Timing
Once daily, same time each day. Take with or without food.
- 04Storage
Refrigerate 2–8 °C unopened; room temp ≤30 °C up to 30 days after first use.
- 05Needle
Pen-supplied 32G needle.
Frequently asked
What is the half-life of Liraglutide?
The reported half-life of Liraglutide is ~13 hr. [fda-saxenda-label-2014]
How does Liraglutide work?
Liraglutide acts on GLP-1 receptor (GLP-1R), signalling via GLP-1R agonism → ↑glucose-dependent insulin, ↓glucagon, ↓gastric emptying, ↓appetite. [fda-saxenda-label-2014][fda-saxenda-label-2014]
Is Liraglutide FDA-approved?
Yes — Liraglutide is approved by the US FDA.
Sources
of 45 rendered claims carry a resolvable citation.
- [fda-saxenda-label-2014]SAXENDA (liraglutide) injectio 2014 — SAXENDA (liraglutide) injection prescribing information
fda-label, 2014
Liraglutide FDA label for chronic weight management at 3.0 mg/day SC. - [marso-2016-leader]Marso 2016 — Liraglutide and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Type 2 Diabetes
N Engl J Med, 2016
LEADER trial — liraglutide CV outcomes in T2D.