Liraglutide

A daily GLP-1 receptor agonist — marketed as Victoza for type 2 diabetes and as Saxenda for obesity, the predecessor to semaglutide.

Why it matters

Liraglutide is a GLP-1 agonist with a 13-hour half-life requiring daily subcutaneous administration. Weight-loss outcomes are more modest than semaglutide or tirzepatide (~7–8% body weight at the higher dose). Side effect profile is similar to other GLP-1 agonists: nausea, GI upset, rare pancreatitis.

In practice

Liraglutide has largely been displaced by weekly semaglutide in the obesity market but remains in use for some patients. Generic versions have begun to appear as the patent has expired.

Common confusion

Liraglutide and semaglutide are sometimes conflated. The structural similarity is high but the half-life and dose schedule are different.

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