Liraglutide is a medication that belongs to the class of drugs known as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists. Here are some key details about liraglutide:
- Approvals and Indications:
- Type 2 Diabetes: Initially approved in 2010 for the treatment of type 2 diabetes at doses up to 1.8 mg subcutaneously daily.
- Chronic Weight Management: Approved for weight loss at a dose of 3.0 mg subcutaneously daily, which is associated with an 8.0% weight loss compared to 2.6% with placebo after 56 weeks.
- Dosing:
- The typical dosing for type 2 diabetes is up to 1.8 mg subcutaneously daily.
- For weight management, the dose is 3.0 mg subcutaneously daily, with a gradual increase from a starting dose of 0.6 mg daily, increasing by 0.6 mg each week.
- Mechanism of Action:
- Liraglutide is a synthetic analog of GLP-1 with a drug half-life of about one day. It works by enhancing the body’s natural response to GLP-1, which includes lowering blood glucose levels, reducing appetite, and promoting weight loss. It reduces glucagon secretion and stimulates GLP-1 receptors in the hypothalamus and brainstem to reduce appetite.
- Effectiveness:
- For diabetes, it can lower HbA1c levels by about 0.4–0.6%.
- For weight management, it can lead to weight loss of about 8.0%.
- Safety and Tolerability:
- Common side effects include gastrointestinal issues such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. These side effects are usually mild to moderate and tend to decrease over time.
- It is important to monitor for potential pancreatic and thyroid risks, although these are rare.
- Additional Information:
- Liraglutide is produced by Novo Nordisk and has been widely studied in clinical trials for both type 2 diabetes and weight management.
- It is also known as Saxenda when used for weight management.