Liraglutide

Liraglutide is used to improve blood sugar control in adults and children 10 years and older with type 2 diabetes (alongside dietary changes); to reduce cardiovascular risk in adults with type 2 diabetes; or for weight loss in adults and children 12 and older. Liraglutide comes in 3 FDA-approved forms: Saxenda , Victoza , and generic liraglutide injection. Victoza and generic liraglutide are used to lower blood sugar (glucose) in type 2 diabetes. Only Saxenda is specifically approved for weight loss, although Victoza/ liraglutide injection may cause weight loss as a side effect (see Can liraglutide be used for weight loss? ). Liraglutide's mechanism of action involves mimicking a natural hormone called GLP-1, that your body makes after eating. GLP-1 helps control blood sugar in type 2 diabetes by increasing insulin when needed, reducing glucose production in the liver, slowing digestion, and decreasing appetite. When used in people with excess weight, liraglutide reduces appetite by slowing down digestion which tells your brain you are full, so you eat less. Over time, eating less leads to weight loss. Unlike your body's natural GLP-1 which works for minutes, liraglutide lasts for 24 hours, which means liraglutide injections only need to be given 1 time a day. Liraglutide belongs to the drug class called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists , which includes other medications such as Ozempic , Wegovy , Ryebelsus , Trulicity , and Byetta . Liraglutide first gained FDA approval on January 25, 2010, under Victoza , for type 2 diabetes, and Saxenda for weight loss. A Victoza generic , called liraglutide injection, was FDA-approved on December 23, 2024. This generic is only FDA-approved to improve blood sugar control in people with Type 2 diabetes.

Liraglutide is used to improve blood sugar control in adults and children 10 years and older with type 2 diabetes (alongside dietary changes); to reduce cardiovascular risk in adults with type 2 diabetes; or for weight loss in adults and children 12 and older. Liraglutide comes in 3 FDA-approved forms: Saxenda , Victoza , and generic liraglutide injection. Victoza and generic liraglutide are used to lower blood sugar (glucose) in type 2 diabetes. Only Saxenda is specifically approved for weight loss, although Victoza/ liraglutide injection may cause weight loss as a side effect (see Can liraglutide be used for weight loss? ). Liraglutide's mechanism of action involves mimicking a natural hormone called GLP-1, that your body makes after eating. GLP-1 helps control blood sugar in type 2 diabetes by increasing insulin when needed, reducing glucose production in the liver, slowing digestion, and decreasing appetite. When used in people with excess weight, liraglutide reduces appetite by slowing down digestion which tells your brain you are full, so you eat less. Over time, eating less leads to weight loss. Unlike your body's natural GLP-1 which works for minutes, liraglutide lasts for 24 hours, which means liraglutide injections only need to be given 1 time a day. Liraglutide belongs to the drug class called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists , which includes other medications such as Ozempic , Wegovy , Ryebelsus , Trulicity , and Byetta . Liraglutide first gained FDA approval on January 25, 2010, under Victoza , for type 2 diabetes, and Saxenda for weight loss. A Victoza generic , called liraglutide injection, was FDA-approved on December 23, 2024. This generic is only FDA-approved to improve blood sugar control in people with Type 2 diabetes.

You should not use liraglutide if you are allergic to liraglutide, Saxenda, Victoza, or any of the inactive ingredients in liraglutide. In addition, do not use if you have: multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (tumors in your glands) a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (a type of thyroid cancer). Tell your healthcare provider about all your medical conditions before starting liraglutide, including if you: are taking certain medicines called GLP-1 receptor agonists such as Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus, Trulicity, or Byetta have or have had problems with your pancreas, kidneys, or liver have severe problems with your stomach, such as slowed emptying of your stomach (gastroparesis), problems with digesting food, or severe stomach problems have type 1 diabetes are scheduled to have surgery or other procedures that use anesthesia or deep sedation are pregnant or plan to become pregnant are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Liraglutide is not approved for use by anyone younger than 10 years old with type 2 diabetes (Victoza/ liraglutide injection), or for anyone younger than 12 years for weight loss (Saxenda). For cardiovascular risk reduction, it is only approved for adults 18 years and older with type 2 diabetes (Victoza/ liraglutide injection).

The most common side effects of liraglutide (Victoza/ liraglutide injection) when used in people with type 2 diabetes are: nausea diarrhea vomiting decreased appetite indigestion and constipation. The most common side effects of liraglutide (Saxenda) when used for weight loss are: nausea injection site reaction tiredness (fatigue) diarrhea low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) dizziness constipation headache stomach pain vomiting upset stomach (dyspepsia) changes in enzyme (lipase) levels in your blood. Additional common side effects of liraglutide used for weight loss in children (Saxenda) include fever and gastroenteritis.

Liraglutide carries a Boxed Warning for thyroid C-cell tumors in rats and mice, but it is unknown whether liraglutide would cause this type of cancer in humans. Possible thyroid tumors, including cancer . Liraglutide and medicines that work like liraglutide caused thyroid tumors, including thyroid cancer. It is not known if liraglutide will cause thyroid tumors or a type of thyroid cancer called medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) in people. Do not use liraglutide if you or any of your family have ever had a type of thyroid cancer called medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), or if you have an endocrine system condition called Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2). Call your doctor at once if you have signs of a thyroid tumor , such as swelling or a lump in your neck, trouble swallowing, a hoarse voice, or shortness of breath. These may be symptoms of thyroid cancer. Liraglutide may also cause the following serious side effects: Inflammation of your pancreas (pancreatitis). Pancreatitis associated with liraglutide has been reported in post-marketing reports. Stop taking liraglutide and talk to your healthcare provider immediately if you experience symptoms such as pain in your upper abdomen that spreads to your back, a swollen or tender abdomen, fever, or nausea and vomiting. Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Your risk of getting low blood sugar may be higher if you use liraglutide with another medicine that can cause low blood sugar, such as a sulfonylurea or insulin. Signs and symptoms of low blood sugar may include: dizziness or light-headedness sweating confusion or drowsiness headache blurred vision slurred speech shakiness fast heartbeat anxiety, irritability, or mood changes hunger weakness feeling jittery. Serious allergic reactions . Stop using liraglutide and get medical help right away if you have any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat problems breathing or swallowing severe rash or itching fainting or feeling dizzy very rapid heartbeat. Kidney problems (kidney failure). In people who have kidney problems, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting may cause a loss of fluids (dehydration), which may cause kidney problems to get worse. Gallbladder problems . Gallbladder problems, including gallstones, have happened in some people who take liraglutide. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get symptoms of gallbladder problems, which may include: pain in your upper stomach (abdomen) fever yellowing of skin or eyes (jaundice) clay-colored stools. Food or liquid getting into the lungs during surgery or other procedures that use anesthesia or deep sedation. Liraglutide may increase the chance of food getting into your lungs during surgery or other procedures. Tell all your healthcare providers that you are taking liraglutide before you are scheduled to have surgery or other procedures. Depression or thoughts of suicide . You should pay attention to any mental changes, especially sudden changes, in your mood, behaviors, thoughts, or feelings. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any mental changes that are new, worse, or worry you. Victoza is not for type 1 diabetes . Do not use Saxenda and Victoza/ liraglutide injection together. Do not use liraglutide with other GLP-1 agonists, such as Ozempic , Wegovy , Ryebelsus , Trulicity , or Byetta . These are not all the possible side effects of liraglutide. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effect that bothers you or do not go away. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Liraglutide carries a Boxed Warning for thyroid C-cell tumors in rats and mice, but it is unknown whether liraglutide would cause this type of cancer in humans. Possible thyroid tumors, including cancer . Liraglutide and medicines that work like liraglutide caused thyroid tumors, including thyroid cancer. It is not known if liraglutide will cause thyroid tumors or a type of thyroid cancer called medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) in people. Do not use liraglutide if you or any of your family have ever had a type of thyroid cancer called medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), or if you have an endocrine system condition called Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2). Call your doctor at once if you have signs of a thyroid tumor , such as swelling or a lump in your neck, trouble swallowing, a hoarse voice, or shortness of breath. These may be symptoms of thyroid cancer. Liraglutide may also cause the following serious side effects: Inflammation of your pancreas (pancreatitis). Pancreatitis associated with liraglutide has been reported in post-marketing reports. Stop taking liraglutide and talk to your healthcare provider immediately if you experience symptoms such as pain in your upper abdomen that spreads to your back, a swollen or tender abdomen, fever, or nausea and vomiting. Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Your risk of getting low blood sugar may be higher if you use liraglutide with another medicine that can cause low blood sugar, such as a sulfonylurea or insulin. Signs and symptoms of low blood sugar may include: dizziness or light-headedness sweating confusion or drowsiness headache blurred vision slurred speech shakiness fast heartbeat anxiety, irritability, or mood changes hunger weakness feeling jittery. Serious allergic reactions . Stop using liraglutide and get medical help right away if you have any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat problems breathing or swallowing severe rash or itching fainting or feeling dizzy very rapid heartbeat. Kidney problems (kidney failure). In people who have kidney problems, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting may cause a loss of fluids (dehydration), which may cause kidney problems to get worse. Gallbladder problems . Gallbladder problems, including gallstones, have happened in some people who take liraglutide. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get symptoms of gallbladder problems, which may include: pain in your upper stomach (abdomen) fever yellowing of skin or eyes (jaundice) clay-colored stools. Food or liquid getting into the lungs during surgery or other procedures that use anesthesia or deep sedation. Liraglutide may increase the chance of food getting into your lungs during surgery or other procedures. Tell all your healthcare providers that you are taking liraglutide before you are scheduled to have surgery or other procedures. Depression or thoughts of suicide . You should pay attention to any mental changes, especially sudden changes, in your mood, behaviors, thoughts, or feelings. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any mental changes that are new, worse, or worry you. Victoza is not for type 1 diabetes . Do not use Saxenda and Victoza/ liraglutide injection together. Do not use liraglutide with other GLP-1 agonists, such as Ozempic , Wegovy , Ryebelsus , Trulicity , or Byetta . These are not all the possible side effects of liraglutide. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effect that bothers you or do not go away. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

0.6 to 1.8 mg/ml (1.2 (1.2)) 1 hourly SC — initiate at 0.6 mg/ day for 1 week .

No child dosage information is recorded for this medicine yet.

No neonatal dosage information is recorded for this medicine yet.

Other drugs may interact with liraglutide, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins , and herbal products . Know the medicines you take. Keep a list to show your healthcare provider and pharmacist when you get a new medicine. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any you start or stop using, especially: insulin oral diabetes medicine - Glucotrol, Metaglip, Amaryl, Avandaryl, Duetact, DiaBeta, Micronase, Glucovance, and others. Liraglutide can slow your digestion, and it may take longer for your body to absorb any medicines you take by mouth. This is not a full list of drug interactions. See the Liraglutide Prescribing Information for a full list.

No storage information is recorded for this medicine yet.