Liraglutide

Saxenda, Victoza

Grade A: Approved and proven

TL;DR: Liraglutide is an FDA-approved GLP-1 receptor agonist with a well-established evidence base across type 2 diabetes and obesity management. The SCALE trial program demonstrated meaningful weight loss with liraglutide 3.0 mg (Saxenda) in adults with obesity, including those with or without type 2 diabetes; the SCALE Obesity and Prediabetes trial also demonstrated reduced progression to type 2 diabetes over three years. In type 2 diabetes, the LEADER cardiovascular outcomes trial showed a significant reduction in major adverse cardiovascular events in patients with type 2 diabetes and high cardiovascular risk, supporting the labeled cardiovascular mortality benefit. Head-to-head comparative trials consistently show semaglutide produces greater weight loss than liraglutide, and liraglutide has lost significant market share; it was substantially outsold by newer agents as of mid-2026. Evidence is robust but the drug is an older agent in a highly competitive class.

Key Takeaways

Grade A: Approved and proven
FDA approved: Approved as Victoza (1.2 mg or 1.8 mg subcutaneous injection, type 2 diabetes with cardiovascular risk reduction) and Saxenda (3.0 mg subcutaneous injection, chronic weight management in adults and adolescents aged 12 and older with obesity).
Compounding: FDA-approved; generic liraglutide injection has been approved by FDA (first generic approval announced 2024). Liraglutide injection remained on the FDA drug shortage list as of early 2026, permitting 503B compounding under the shortage exemption. However, FDA proposed in April 2026 to exclude liraglutide from the 503B Bulks List, citing no clinical need for bulk compounding; this proposal was open for public comment through June 29, 2026. Status may change once the shortage is formally resolved.

Liraglutide chemical structure — Structure via PubChem CID 16134956

Mechanism

Liraglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist that stimulates glucose-dependent insulin secretion, suppresses glucagon, delays gastric emptying, and reduces appetite through central GLP-1 receptor activation.

Evidence

Liraglutide is an FDA-approved GLP-1 receptor agonist with a well-established evidence base across type 2 diabetes and obesity management. The SCALE trial program demonstrated meaningful weight loss with liraglutide 3.0 mg (Saxenda) in adults with obesity, including those with or without type 2 diabetes; the SCALE Obesity and Prediabetes trial also demonstrated reduced progression to type 2 diabetes over three years. In type 2 diabetes, the LEADER cardiovascular outcomes trial showed a significant reduction in major adverse cardiovascular events in patients with type 2 diabetes and high cardiovascular risk, supporting the labeled cardiovascular mortality benefit. Head-to-head comparative trials consistently show semaglutide produces greater weight loss than liraglutide, and liraglutide has lost significant market share; it was substantially outsold by newer agents as of mid-2026. Evidence is robust but the drug is an older agent in a highly competitive class.

Safety and risks

Boxed warning: liraglutide causes thyroid C-cell tumors in rodents at clinically relevant exposures; it is unknown whether it causes medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) in humans. Liraglutide is contraindicated in patients with a personal or family history of MTC or Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2). Acute pancreatitis, including fatal and non-fatal hemorrhagic or necrotizing pancreatitis, has been reported; discontinue if suspected. Gallbladder disease, including cholelithiasis (at approximately three times the rate of placebo per Saxenda prescribing information, documented as 2.2% vs. 0.8%) and cholecystitis, frequently required cholecystectomy in clinical trial participants. Elevated resting heart rate of 2 to 3 beats per minute on average has been observed; sustained clinically relevant increases warrant reassessment. Acute kidney injury has been reported in postmarketing experience, primarily in the context of gastrointestinal-driven dehydration. Hypoglycemia risk increases when combined with insulin secretagogues or insulin.

Interactions

Increased hypoglycemia risk when combined with insulin or sulfonylureas; dose adjustment may be required. Delayed gastric emptying can affect the absorption kinetics of other oral medications.

Federal compounding status

FDA-approved drug as of 2026-06-02.

An FDA-approved drug that should be obtained as the licensed product. It is not a 503A bulk-substance candidate; compounding from bulk is limited under federal rules and generally permitted only during a declared shortage.

Federal status only, from public FDA records. State pharmacy-board rules vary and are not covered here. This is regulatory reporting, not legal advice. All compounds.

Compounding legality

FDA-approved; generic liraglutide injection has been approved by FDA (first generic approval announced 2024). Liraglutide injection remained on the FDA drug shortage list as of early 2026, permitting 503B compounding under the shortage exemption. However, FDA proposed in April 2026 to exclude liraglutide from the 503B Bulks List, citing no clinical need for bulk compounding; this proposal was open for public comment through June 29, 2026. Status may change once the shortage is formally resolved.

Sources

Liraglutide is FDA approved. PeptideGrids presents evidence and regulatory status for informational purposes only. We do not sell, supply, source, or help anyone obtain this compound, and we provide no dosing or administration guidance. This is not medical advice; consult a licensed clinician. Full disclaimer.

Last reviewed June 1, 2026 by PeptideGrids editorial team (independently audited).