Liraglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist that regulates blood glucose through glucose-dependent insulin and glucagon effects. The cited Victoza label covers type 2 diabetes and reduction of major cardiovascular events in adults with type 2 diabetes and established cardiovascular disease.[1.1]
One selected study: A randomized, double-blind human trial compared liraglutide with placebo. The primary outcome was time to type 2 diabetes by 160 weeks. 2254 adults with prediabetes and obesity, or overweight with additional conditions, were randomized. Participants received subcutaneous liraglutide 3.0 mg or matched placebo daily, alongside reduced-calorie eating and increased activity. Diabetes was diagnosed during treatment in 2% versus 6%. Weight fell 6.1 versus 1.9 percent at 160 weeks. Serious adverse events occurred in 15% versus 13%. Participants who withdrew were not followed after stopping treatment, limiting interpretation of outcomes beyond continued treatment.[2.1]
Studied methods, not dosing advice. Selected evidence, not a complete literature review or formal quality appraisal. Read the study summary
Source scope is listed with each reference. Prepared by PED Evidence with AI assistance. Independent clinician review has not been completed. Review standards
Evidence summarized on PED Evidence
23 completed summaries
11 human-study reports
11 randomized-trial candidates
7 safety-topic reports
These counts describe completed summaries on this site, not the size of the full literature. Publications can share participants; design labels are discovery metadata, not appraisals.
More about Liraglutide: identity, safety & reference details
PeptideMetabolism
Primary research area
Emerging research
Regulatory status
Research status varies
Evidence level
Evidence level not yet characterized
Primary mechanism
Mechanism not yet characterized
Reference profile available · Coverage varies by section
Also known as Saxenda · Victoza
What has been observed?
Selected source-linked reading notes, not the complete literature or a pooled conclusion.
Human · Abstract reviewed
How did liraglutide perform in STEP 8?
Daily liraglutide 3 mg versus weekly semaglutide 2.4 mg.
Mean weight reduction was 6.4%, versus 15.8% with semaglutide at 68 weeks.
Limits & adverse findings: These results apply to the tested regimens in adults without diabetes. Treatment discontinuation for any reason: 27.6% versus 13.5% with semaglutide.
The cited Victoza label covers type 2 diabetes and reduction of major cardiovascular events in adults with type 2 diabetes and established cardiovascular disease. [1]
Known half-life
Approximately 13 hours after administration under the skin in the Victoza label. [1]
Half-life describes how quickly the measured drug concentration falls by half. It does not set a dosing interval.
Evidence & important limits
Indications vary by product. The Victoza label includes gastrointestinal adverse reactions, pancreatitis warnings and a boxed warning about thyroid C-cell tumors observed in rodents. [1]
Safety & evidence boundaries
Source-specific information, not a personal safety clearance or monitoring plan.
Indications vary by product. The Victoza label includes gastrointestinal adverse reactions, pancreatitis warnings and a boxed warning about thyroid C-cell tumors observed in rodents.
Interactions, rare harms, long-term effects and reversibility require separate evidence. Do not infer they are absent when the sources here do not address them.
Identity, names & formulations
Canonical compound: Liraglutide · liraglutide
Searchable names: Saxenda, Victoza
Names share a parent research page. Different esters, salts, routes and brands are not assumed to have the same half-life, indication or exposure.
Combination evidence stays attached to the studied combination. It is not automatically assigned to each ingredient.
Understand the evidence types
Read the model and design first, then the population, outcome and limitations. These categories describe evidence, not a best-compound ranking.
Randomized human trials
Compare assigned interventions. Randomization does not by itself establish low bias or relevance to every population.
Controlled human studies
Use a comparison group; allocation and confounding still matter.
Prospective human research
Follows participants forward. It may be observational or interventional, so this is not a separate quality grade.
Observational human research
Describes associations. Confounding can explain differences.
Case reports and series
Useful for unusual events and safety signals, not reliable rates or effect sizes.
Animal research
Can test biology and function in a living model. Human exposure, benefit and safety remain separate questions.
Cell and tissue research
Tests responses in a preparation, including human-derived cells. It is not a human participant trial.
Mechanistic and computational evidence
Helps explain or predict a pathway; predictions need experimental and clinical testing.
Anecdotal reports
Self-reported experiences can generate questions. Product identity, selection bias and other interventions may be uncontrolled.
Systematic reviews synthesize studies and depend on their quality. Preprint status and abstract versus full-paper reading are separate labels. Citation popularity measures attention, not reliability. A study summary is not a formal quality appraisal.
Reference facts checked 2026-09-16. Source scope is listed above; this is not a formal quality appraisal. See each label for full prescribing information.