Summary
Liraglutide is an FDA approved once daily GLP-1 receptor agonist (a drug that mimics GLP-1, a gut hormone that boosts insulin and curbs appetite) sold as Victoza (type 2 diabetes, 2010) and Saxenda (chronic weight management, 2014), with generic versions approved from December 2024. In the 56 week SCALE trial, adults with obesity lost a mean 8.4 kg (about 8.0% of body weight) on 3.0 mg versus 2.8 kg on placebo, and in the LEADER trial it cut major adverse cardiovascular events (heart attack, stroke, or cardiovascular death) by 13% in people with type 2 diabetes. It is prescription only, and FDA's Drug Shortages database still lists liraglutide injection as in shortage as of September 2026, with Victoza and Saxenda at limited availability.
What is Liraglutide?
Liraglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist (acylated analog of human GLP-1, 97% sequence homology, once daily dosing). It is also known as Victoza, Saxenda, NN2211, generic liraglutide, Xultophy (with insulin degludec), Saxenda pen.
How does it work?
Liraglutide binds and activates the GLP-1 receptor, increasing glucose dependent insulin secretion, suppressing glucagon, slowing gastric emptying, and reducing appetite through hypothalamic and brainstem pathways. A C16 fatty acid side chain binds albumin, extending the half life to about 13 hours, which is why it is injected once daily rather than once weekly like semaglutide.
| Cluster | GLP-1 and incretin agonists |
|---|---|
| Routes | Subcutaneous injection once daily (prefilled pen) |
| Conditions studied | Obesity and chronic weight management; Type 2 diabetes; Cardiovascular risk reduction; Chronic kidney disease; Insulin resistance and prediabetes |
| Record | v3, draft, verified Sep 27, 2026 |
What does the evidence say about Liraglutide?
Large randomized controlled trials in both obesity and type 2 diabetes. SCALE Obesity and Prediabetes (n = 3,731) showed 8.4 kg versus 2.8 kg weight loss at 56 weeks. SCALE Diabetes (n = 846) showed 6.0% versus 2.0% weight loss in people with type 2 diabetes. LEADER (n = 9,340) showed a hazard ratio of 0.87 for major adverse cardiovascular events over a median 3.8 years. In head to head trials it produces less weight loss than semaglutide 2.4 mg and cagrilintide 4.5 mg.
| Evidence type | Indexed studies | Participants (human) |
|---|---|---|
| Human randomized trials | 4 | 14623 |
| Human observational studies | 0 | n/a |
| Animal studies | 0 | n/a |
| All indexed studies | 4 | 14,623 |
Human evidence
SCALE Obesity and Prediabetes: 3,731 adults without diabetes with BMI 30 or higher (or 27 with dyslipidemia or hypertension), 3.0 mg daily for 56 weeks; mean weight loss 8.4 kg versus 2.8 kg on placebo; 63.2% versus 27.1% lost at least 5%, and 33.1% versus 10.6% lost more than 10%. SCALE Diabetes: 846 adults with type 2 diabetes, 56 weeks; weight loss 6.0% on 3.0 mg, 4.7% on 1.8 mg, 2.0% on placebo. LEADER: 9,340 adults with type 2 diabetes at high cardiovascular risk, median 3.8 years; primary composite outcome 13.0% versus 14.9% (hazard ratio 0.87, 95% CI 0.78 to 0.97), cardiovascular death hazard ratio 0.78, all cause death hazard ratio 0.85.
Animal evidence
Rodent and primate pharmacology established GLP-1 receptor mediated reductions in food intake and glucose. Rodent studies showed thyroid C cell tumors at clinically relevant exposures, which is the basis of the boxed warning shared across the class; this finding has not been reproduced in humans.
Key studies
| Study | Design and population | Outcome | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| A randomized, controlled trial of 3.0 mg of liraglutide in weight management (SCALE Obesity and Prediabetes)2015 PMID 26132939 | Randomized, double blind, placebo controlled trial, 56 weeksn = 3,731 Adults without diabetes with BMI 30 or higher, or 27 or higher with dyslipidemia or hypertension | Mean weight loss 8.4 kg with liraglutide 3.0 mg versus 2.8 kg with placebo; 63.2% versus 27.1% lost at least 5% | Evidence: Human RCT evidence |
| Efficacy of liraglutide for weight loss among patients with type 2 diabetes: the SCALE Diabetes randomized clinical trial2015 PMID 26284720 | Randomized, double blind, placebo controlled trial, 56 weeksn = 846 Adults with type 2 diabetes and BMI 27 or higher on 0 to 3 oral agents | Weight loss 6.0% with 3.0 mg, 4.7% with 1.8 mg, 2.0% with placebo | Evidence: Human RCT evidence |
| Liraglutide and cardiovascular outcomes in type 2 diabetes (LEADER)2016 PMID 27295427 | Randomized, double blind, placebo controlled cardiovascular outcomes trial, median 3.8 yearsn = 9,340 Adults with type 2 diabetes at high cardiovascular risk | Major adverse cardiovascular events 13.0% versus 14.9% (hazard ratio 0.87, 95% CI 0.78 to 0.97); cardiovascular death hazard ratio 0.78 | Evidence: Human RCT evidence |
| Once-weekly cagrilintide for weight management in people with overweight and obesity: a phase 2 trial (liraglutide 3.0 mg active comparator)2021 PMID 34798060 | Randomized, double blind, placebo and active controlled dose finding trial, 26 weeksn = 706 Adults without diabetes with BMI 30 or higher, or 27 or higher with a comorbidity | Liraglutide 3.0 mg produced 9.0% weight loss versus 10.8% with cagrilintide 4.5 mg and 3.0% with placebo | Evidence: Human RCT evidence |
Conditions studied
| Condition | Grade | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Obesity and chronic weight management | Evidence: Human RCT evidence | FDA approved as Saxenda; smaller effect than weekly agonists in trials. |
| Type 2 diabetes | Evidence: Human RCT evidence | FDA approved as Victoza with cardiovascular outcome data. |
| Cardiovascular risk reduction | Evidence: Human RCT evidence | LEADER (n = 9,340) found a 13% relative reduction in major adverse cardiovascular events in type 2 diabetes at high cardiovascular risk; Victoza is FDA labeled for this use. |
| Chronic kidney disease | Evidence: Human RCT evidence | Kidney outcomes were a secondary endpoint in LEADER, where fewer nephropathy events occurred, driven mainly by less new onset macroalbuminuria; not labeled for kidney protection. |
| Insulin resistance and prediabetes | Evidence: Human RCT evidence | In SCALE Obesity and Prediabetes (n = 3,731), liraglutide 3.0 mg with lifestyle counseling lowered the share of participants with prediabetes and improved insulin sensitivity measures over 56 weeks. |
Is Liraglutide legal in the United States?
FDA and compounding status
FDA approved products (Victoza January 2010, Saxenda December 2014). FDA approved the first generic liraglutide referencing Victoza in December 2024, and generic products referencing Saxenda followed in 2025, so branded, generic, and authorized generic pens are all on the market. FDA listed liraglutide injection as in shortage in its October 2024 and February 2025 GLP-1 updates, and FDA's Drug Shortages database still lists it as of September 27, 2026 (first posted July 18, 2023; updated September 22, 2026), with Victoza and Saxenda presentations at limited availability and unbranded presentations available. FDA states that a compounded drug may not be identical or nearly identical to an FDA-approved drug unless the approved drug is on FDA's drug shortage list. On April 30, 2026 FDA proposed not to include liraglutide on the 503B bulks list; that proposal was not final as of September 2026. Ask any pharmacy offering compounded liraglutide which FDA rule it relies on.
WADA status
Not WADA prohibited. Not named on the current prohibited list. Athletes should still confirm against the list in force for their season.
Regulatory timeline
- FDA
FDA proposes to keep semaglutide, tirzepatide and liraglutide off the 503B bulks list
FDA proposed not to include semaglutide, tirzepatide or liraglutide on the 503B bulks list, after tentatively finding no clinical need for outsourcing facilities to compound them from bulk. The notice was published May 1, 2026, and the comment period was extended to July 30, 2026. The proposal was not final as of September 2026. It does not change the 503A rules for patient specific compounding.
- FDA
FDA approves the first generic liraglutide injection
In December 2024 FDA approved the first generic version of once-daily liraglutide injection referencing Victoza, the first generic GLP-1 receptor agonist in the US.
Regulatory: FDA approvedSource: First generic drug approvals - FDA
FDA approves Saxenda (liraglutide 3 mg) for chronic weight management
FDA approved liraglutide 3 mg injection (Saxenda) for chronic weight management in adults with obesity or overweight with at least one weight-related condition, as an adjunct to diet and exercise.
Regulatory: FDA approvedSource: Drugs@FDA: Saxenda (liraglutide) NDA 206321 - FDA
FDA approves Victoza (liraglutide) for type 2 diabetes
FDA approved once-daily liraglutide injection (Victoza) to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes, with a boxed warning about thyroid C-cell tumors seen in rodents.
Regulatory: FDA approvedSource: Drugs@FDA: Victoza (liraglutide) NDA 022341
Liraglutide dosing: FDA label and trial doses
Doses below are quoted from the FDA label for its approved uses, plus the doses used in the pivotal trials where noted. The prescriber sets the dose; PeptideAgent does not recommend doses or protocols.
Weight management (Saxenda label and SCALE): start 0.6 mg subcutaneously once daily, increase by 0.6 mg each week to a maintenance dose of 3.0 mg daily. Type 2 diabetes (Victoza label): 0.6 mg daily for one week, then 1.2 mg daily, with an optional increase to 1.8 mg daily. In SCALE Diabetes both 1.8 mg and 3.0 mg were studied.
Routes reported
| # | Route |
|---|---|
| 1 | Subcutaneous injection once daily (prefilled pen) |
Saxenda and Victoza side effects in trials
Side effects
| # | Reported side effect |
|---|---|
| 1 | Nausea (most common, mild to moderate, peaks during dose escalation) |
| 2 | Diarrhea |
| 3 | Constipation |
| 4 | Vomiting |
| 5 | Hypoglycemia when combined with insulin or sulfonylureas |
| 6 | Gallbladder disease including gallstones |
| 7 | Pancreatitis (rare; incidence was not increased in LEADER) |
| 8 | Increased heart rate of about 2 to 3 beats per minute |
| 9 | Boxed warning for thyroid C cell tumors based on rodent data |
| 10 | Serious adverse events 6.2% versus 5.0% placebo in SCALE |
Interactions
| # | Interaction |
|---|---|
| 1 | Insulin and sulfonylureas: increased hypoglycemia risk, dose reduction of those agents is usually needed |
| 2 | Oral medications: delayed gastric emptying can alter absorption; labels advise monitoring for drugs with a narrow therapeutic window |
| 3 | Other GLP-1 receptor agonists or GIP/GLP-1 agonists: not studied in combination and not recommended |
Contraindications
| # | Contraindication |
|---|---|
| 1 | Personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma |
| 2 | Multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 |
| 3 | Prior serious hypersensitivity to liraglutide |
| 4 | Pregnancy (Saxenda label: discontinue when pregnancy is recognized) |
How do people access Liraglutide legally?
Typical cost: Manufacturer list price is 1,349.02 USD per month for Saxenda and 543.51 to 815.27 USD per month for Victoza depending on the daily dose (checked 2026-09-22). Generic liraglutide pens cost from about 112 USD per month for the diabetes strength and about 372 USD for the 3 mg weight management generic with a discount card, against average retail prices of about 616 to 924 USD. With commercial insurance the Saxenda savings card can bring a covered prescription to 25 USD. Medicare Part D covers liraglutide for type 2 diabetes but generally not for weight loss alone, and the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge does not include it.
Verified access options
Step 1
Prescription from a licensed provider (in person or telehealth) filled at a retail pharmacy as Victoza, Saxenda, or generic liraglutide.
Step 2
Compounded liraglutide: FDA's Drug Shortages database lists liraglutide injection as in shortage as of September 27, 2026, and FDA states that the limit on compounding essentially a copy of an approved drug does not apply to drugs on that list. Generic liraglutide is also marketed. Ask any pharmacy offering compounded liraglutide which FDA rule it relies on.
Step 3
FDA's Drug Shortages database lists Saxenda (NDC 0169-2800-15) as To Be Discontinued, posted August 25, 2026.
Step 4
Products labeled research use only are not lawful for human use.
Access paths are verified against public regulatory records and prescriber licensing. We never list unlicensed vendors.
Compare Liraglutide
Frequently asked questions
Is liraglutide (Saxenda, Victoza) FDA approved and legal?
Yes. Liraglutide has been FDA approved since January 2010 as Victoza for type 2 diabetes and since December 2014 as Saxenda for chronic weight management. Generic liraglutide referencing Victoza was approved in December 2024 and generics referencing Saxenda followed in 2025. It is prescription only. FDA listed liraglutide injection as in shortage in its October 2024 and February 2025 GLP-1 updates, and FDA's Drug Shortages database still lists it as of September 2026, with Victoza and Saxenda at limited availability. Brand and generic liraglutide are marketed. On April 30, 2026 FDA proposed not to include liraglutide on the 503B bulks list, the list of raw ingredients large outsourcing pharmacies may compound from. Ask any pharmacy offering compounded (custom-made) liraglutide which FDA rule it relies on. [5] [7] [8] [17] [18] [19]
How much weight do people lose on Saxenda (liraglutide)?
In the SCALE Obesity and Prediabetes trial of 3,731 adults, the 3.0 mg group lost a mean 8.4 kg over 56 weeks versus 2.8 kg on placebo, a difference of 5.6 kg or roughly 5 percentage points of body weight. About 63% lost at least 5% and 33% lost more than 10%. In people with type 2 diabetes (SCALE Diabetes, n = 846) the loss was smaller at 6.0% versus 2.0%. This is roughly half the effect seen with semaglutide 2.4 mg and a third of tirzepatide 15 mg in their own trials. [1] [2]
What are the side effects of Saxenda and Victoza?
Nausea and diarrhea are the most common, usually mild to moderate and worst during dose escalation. Constipation, vomiting, and injection site reactions also occur. Serious risks include gallbladder disease, pancreatitis, and hypoglycemia when used with insulin or sulfonylureas. Heart rate rises by a few beats per minute. The label carries a boxed warning for thyroid C cell tumors seen in rodents. In SCALE, serious adverse events occurred in 6.2% of the liraglutide group versus 5.0% on placebo. [1] [5]
What is the Saxenda and Victoza dose on the FDA label?
Both are once daily injections under the skin of the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm, at any time of day regardless of meals. Saxenda for weight management starts at 0.6 mg daily and rises by 0.6 mg each week to 3 mg daily; it is approved for adults and for children 12 and older with obesity who weigh more than 60 kg. Victoza for type 2 diabetes starts at 0.6 mg daily for one week, then 1.2 mg, with an optional increase to a 1.8 mg maximum. The daily schedule is the main practical difference from once weekly semaglutide, dulaglutide, and tirzepatide. The prescriber sets the dose. [5] [6]
How much do Saxenda, Victoza, and generic liraglutide cost?
Saxenda lists at 1,349.02 USD per month and Victoza at 543.51 to 815.27 USD per month depending on the dose, but generic liraglutide pens approved since December 2024 cost far less. A published discount-card price source checked 2026-09-22 showed generic pens from about 112 USD per month for the diabetes strength and about 372 USD for the 3 mg weight management strength, against average retail prices of about 616 to 924 USD. The Saxenda savings card can bring a covered commercial prescription to 25 USD. Medicare Part D covers the diabetes indication but generally not weight loss, and the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge does not include liraglutide. [7] [10] [11] [12] [13] [14] [15]
Is liraglutide banned by WADA?
No. GLP-1 receptor agonists including liraglutide are not on the WADA Prohibited List as of the 2026 list or the 2027 list published in September 2026. Athletes should still confirm any therapeutic use exemption requirements with their anti-doping organization, and the list is updated every January. [9] [16]
Saxenda vs Wegovy: which is better?
Semaglutide produces more weight loss and needs only weekly injections. Liraglutide 3.0 mg produced about 8% weight loss at 56 weeks in SCALE, versus about 15% for semaglutide 2.4 mg at 68 weeks in STEP 1, and in the cagrilintide phase 2 trial liraglutide 3.0 mg (9.0%) was also beaten by cagrilintide 4.5 mg (10.8%). Liraglutide's advantages are that it is now generic and cheaper, has the longest safety record in the class, and its daily dosing lets a provider stop it quickly if side effects appear. Both have cardiovascular outcome data (LEADER for liraglutide). [1] [3] [4]
Does Victoza (liraglutide) protect the heart?
Yes, in people with type 2 diabetes. In LEADER, 9,340 adults with type 2 diabetes at high cardiovascular risk were followed for a median of 3.8 years; the composite of cardiovascular death, nonfatal heart attack, or nonfatal stroke occurred in 13.0% on liraglutide versus 14.9% on placebo (hazard ratio 0.87). Cardiovascular death (hazard ratio 0.78) and all cause death (hazard ratio 0.85) were also lower. Victoza carries an indication to reduce major adverse cardiovascular events in adults with type 2 diabetes and established cardiovascular disease. [3] [6]
Decisions about starting, stopping, or combining any treatment belong with a licensed clinician who knows your history.
From the blog
- Peptides for weight loss, ranked by human evidence
Tirzepatide, semaglutide, and liraglutide lead on human trials. Retatrutide is trial-only, and AOD-9604 and 5-amino-1MQ are animal-only. Ranking, legal status, and dated prices.
Sources
Numbered citations above point to these primary sources. PubMed entries link to the indexed abstract.
- [1]Pi-Sunyer X et al. A randomized, controlled trial of 3.0 mg of liraglutide in weight management. N Engl J Med 2015 (SCALE Obesity and Prediabetes)PubMed 26132939, 2015
- [2]Davies MJ et al. Efficacy of liraglutide for weight loss among patients with type 2 diabetes: the SCALE Diabetes randomized clinical trial. JAMA 2015PubMed 26284720, 2015
- [3]Marso SP et al. Liraglutide and cardiovascular outcomes in type 2 diabetes. N Engl J Med 2016 (LEADER)PubMed 27295427, 2016
- [4]Lau DCW et al. Once-weekly cagrilintide for weight management in people with overweight and obesity: a phase 2 trial. Lancet 2021PubMed 34798060, 2021
- [5]FDA prescribing information for Saxenda (liraglutide) injection, via DailyMedFDA, 2025
- [6]FDA prescribing information for Victoza (liraglutide) injection, via DailyMedFDA, 2025
- [7]FDA: First generic drug approvals (includes liraglutide injection, December 2024)FDA, 2025
- [8]FDA: concerns with unapproved GLP-1 drugs used for weight loss, including shortage resolution and compounding deadlinesFDA, 2025
- [9]WADA Prohibited ListWADA, 2026
- [10]Manufacturer list price (wholesale acquisition cost) page for liraglutide for type 2 diabetes, 2-pen and 3-pen packs, accessed 2026-09-222026
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PeptideAgent. (2026, September 27). Liraglutide: evidence, legality, and access. https://peptideagent.ai/peptides/liraglutide- HTML link
<a href="https://peptideagent.ai/peptides/liraglutide">Liraglutide: evidence, legality, and access</a>, PeptideAgent, updated September 27, 2026.