Overview
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In plain language
Liraglutide is an FDA-approved medicine that copies GLP-1, a gut hormone that helps control blood sugar and appetite. It is sold as Victoza for type 2 diabetes and Saxenda for weight management, and generic versions are now available.
It is injected once a day. It was one of the first GLP-1 medicines to show it could also lower the risk of heart attack and stroke in people with type 2 diabetes. Common side effects are nausea and other stomach upset.
For students
Liraglutide is a GLP-1 analogue (about 3,751 Da) with 97% identity to human GLP-1(7–37). Lys34 is replaced by arginine, and a 16-carbon palmitic acid is attached to Lys26 through a glutamic acid spacer.
The fatty acid lets liraglutide bind albumin and form heptamers at the injection site, extending its half-life to about 13 hours, compared with about 2 minutes for native GLP-1. It increases glucose-dependent insulin secretion, suppresses glucagon, slows gastric emptying and acts on brain appetite centers.
For researchers and instructors
Clinical evidence. The LEADER trial showed fewer major adverse cardiovascular events than placebo in high-risk type 2 diabetes. The SCALE program supported the 3.0 mg weight-management dose, with average weight loss of about 5–8%.
Safety. Gastrointestinal effects; gallbladder events; pancreatitis warnings; boxed warning for thyroid C-cell tumors seen in rodents.
Design lineage. Its acylation strategy led directly to semaglutide, which uses a longer fatty diacid and linker for once-weekly dosing.
Status. FDA-approved (Victoza, Saxenda and generics).
Molecular identity
- Amino acids
- 31 (modified)
- Molecular weight
- ~3,751.2 Da
- Formula
- C₁₇₂H₂₆₅N₄₃O₅₁
- Sequence
- GLP-1(7–37) analogue with Arg34 and a palmitoyl chain on Lys26
Origin and history
Liraglutide was the first GLP-1 drug designed for once-daily dosing. Lotte Bjerre Knudsen’s team at Novo Nordisk attached a fatty-acid chain to GLP-1 so it would bind albumin in the blood and last much longer.
It was approved for diabetes as Victoza in 2010 and for weight loss as Saxenda in 2014. The 2016 LEADER trial showed fewer cardiovascular deaths, and generic versions arrived in 2024.
Key people
- Lotte Bjerre KnudsenNovo Nordisk; Lasker Award 2024
Timeline
- 2000
Liraglutide described
- 2010
Victoza approved
- 2014
Saxenda approved for weight
- 2016
LEADER cardiovascular trial
- 2024
Generic versions arrive
See every peptide on one history timeline.
Human evidence
The randomized LEADER trial showed fewer cardiovascular events in people with type 2 diabetes.
Registration and enrollment are not proof of benefit; check study results directly.
Explore original publications and distinguish preclinical findings from controlled human evidence.
Safety and regulatory status
See every compound on the regulatory tracker.
FDA-approved; labels include a boxed warning about thyroid C-cell tumors seen in rodents.
This profile is educational and does not provide treatment, dosing or sourcing guidance.
Sources
- PubMed literature search: Liraglutide
- PubChem compound search: Liraglutide
- DailyMed (FDA label search): Liraglutide
- Knudsen et al. 2000, J Med Chem
- ClinicalTrials.gov search: Liraglutide
Hernandez Gener, E. (2026, November 7). Liraglutide: molecular data, research history and evidence. VALREXA Biosciences. https://valrexa.com/peptides/liraglutide.html
APA style · Last reviewed November 7, 2026 · Our editorial standardsLast reviewed November 7, 2026. Trial and regulatory status can change; confirm in the linked registries. This profile is educational and is not medical advice, a treatment recommendation, or dosing or sourcing guidance. Report an error · Corrections policy