Reviewed & approved by Dr. Nova Reyes · Last checked 2026-10-25. ← Back to Evidence Library
Liraglutide: what the evidence says
At a glance
What it is: an injectable GLP-1 receptor agonist, sold as Victoza (type 2 diabetes) R6 and Saxenda (weight management). R4 Generic versions and compounded or gray-market products are also sold. UNVERIFIED
What the evidence says: large trials show it works. In 3,731 adults without diabetes, it led to 8.4 kg average weight loss vs 2.8 kg on placebo over 56 weeks. R1 Over 3 years it lowered the rate of new type 2 diabetes in people with prediabetes. R2 In 9,340 people with type 2 diabetes it reduced heart attacks, strokes and cardiovascular deaths (HR 0.87). R3
Biggest risks: boxed warning for thyroid C-cell tumors in rodents; pancreatitis, gallbladder disease, low blood sugar with other diabetes drugs, faster heart rate and kidney injury from dehydration. R4 Stomach side effects are the most common reason to stop. R3
Rating
| Human Human evidence | Strong for weight management and type 2 diabetes outcomes R1–R3; No human data on gray-market products |
| Animal Animal / lab evidence | Rodent thyroid C-cell tumors (label) R4 |
| Regulatory | FDA-approved (Victoza NDA 022341 R6; Saxenda NDA 206321 R4; labels on DailyMed) · generics approved (ANDAs, first Dec 23, 2024) R7 · WADA: not named on the 2026 List R5 |
| Established human dose | For labeled uses: on the FDA label R4. Study details lists what trials used |
Evidence verdict: Type 2 diabetes and weight management (labeled): Strong · Gray-market use: No human data Card verdict: Strong (approved uses: weight management, type 2 diabetes) · Gray-market vials: No human data Card note: Gray-market vials are not the approved product, see page.
This page reports what studies used. It is not dosing advice.
Legend: HUMAN data · ANIMAL / LAB data · UNKNOWN · UNVERIFIED: not yet confirmed against a primary source
About the evidence: the trials below were large, multinational and run by the manufacturer, Novo Nordisk [UNVERIFIED: sponsor not stated in every abstract].
What is it?
Liraglutide mimics GLP-1, a gut hormone that boosts insulin when blood sugar is high, slows stomach emptying and reduces appetite. It is injected once a day. R1, R4 Related pages: Semaglutide, Tirzepatide, CagriSema.
Does it work?
- Human Weight management (SCALE): 3,731 adults, 56 weeks: −8.4 kg vs −2.8 kg; 63% vs 27% lost ≥5%. R1
- Human Prediabetes, 3 years: 2,254 adults: 2% vs 6% diagnosed with type 2 diabetes on treatment; about half dropped out. R2
- Human Heart outcomes in type 2 diabetes (LEADER): 9,340 patients, median 3.8 years: major cardiovascular events 13.0% vs 14.9% (HR 0.87); fewer deaths from any cause. R3
Is it safe?
- Human Boxed warning: thyroid C-cell tumors in rats and mice; human relevance unknown; contraindicated with personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer or MEN 2. R4
- Human Label warnings: acute pancreatitis, gallbladder disease, low blood sugar with insulin or sulfonylureas, increased heart rate, kidney injury from dehydration. R4
- Human In trials: stomach side effects were the most common reason for stopping. R3
Gray-market "research use only" Liraglutide: extra risks
Not the approved product. Gray-market "research" liraglutide is not Victoza, Saxenda or an FDA-approved generic; identity, strength and sterility are unknown. Unknown Compounded versions were made during shortages; current FDA compounding rules for liraglutide have not been checked here UNVERIFIED.
What we don't know
- Unknown Quality of gray-market and compounded products
- Unknown How it compares head-to-head with newer GLP-1 drugs (see linked pages)
Is it legal?
US: FDA-approved as Victoza (NDA 022341) R6 and Saxenda (NDA 206321) R4 for the uses on their labels. FDA-approved generics: Drugs@FDA data list several generic liraglutide applications (ANDAs); the earliest original approval is Hikma, ANDA 215503, Dec 23, 2024, followed by others from 2025–2026. R7 Which brand each generic references: UNVERIFIED. EU, UK and others: UNVERIFIED. WADA: not named on the 2026 Prohibited List. R5
Study details
These are amounts researchers used, not recommendations.
R1 Human RCT: SCALE Obesity and Prediabetes (Pi-Sunyer 2015)
| Study | People / model | Route | Amount used | Follow-up | Reported | Side effects / limitations | Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pi-Sunyer 2015 | 3,731 adults with obesity or overweight plus comorbidity, no diabetes | Subcutaneous | 3.0 mg once daily | 56 weeks | −8.4 vs −2.8 kg | Sponsor-run | PMID 26132939 |
R2 Human RCT: 3-year prediabetes extension (le Roux 2017)
| Study | People / model | Route | Amount used | Follow-up | Reported | Side effects / limitations | Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| le Roux 2017 | 2,254 adults with prediabetes and obesity | Subcutaneous | 3.0 mg once daily | 160 weeks | 2% vs 6% new type 2 diabetes | About half withdrew | PMID 28237263 |
R3 Human RCT: LEADER cardiovascular outcomes (Marso 2016)
| Study | People / model | Route | Amount used | Follow-up | Reported | Side effects / limitations | Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marso 2016 | 9,340 people with type 2 diabetes and high CV risk | Subcutaneous | Not in abstract | Median 3.8 years | MACE HR 0.87; all-cause death HR 0.85 | GI events led to stopping | PMID 27295427 |
Full reference list (PubMed entries checked Oct 25, 2026)
- R1 Pi-Sunyer X, et al. A Randomized, Controlled Trial of 3.0 mg of Liraglutide in Weight Management. N Engl J Med. 2015. PMID 26132939
- R2 le Roux CW, et al. 3 years of liraglutide versus placebo for type 2 diabetes risk reduction and weight management in individuals with prediabetes: a randomised, double-blind trial. Lancet. 2017. PMID 28237263
- R3 Marso SP, et al. Liraglutide and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Type 2 Diabetes. N Engl J Med. 2016. PMID 27295427
- R4 DailyMed. SAXENDA (liraglutide) injection label, Novo Nordisk, published Jun 15, 2026. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/lookup.cfm?setid=3946d389-0926-4f77-a708-0acb8153b143
- R5 WADA. The 2026 Prohibited List (in force 1 January 2026). https://www.wada-ama.org/en/prohibited-list
- R6 DailyMed. VICTOZA (liraglutide) injection label, Novo Nordisk, published Nov 17, 2025. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/lookup.cfm?setid=5a9ef4ea-c76a-4d34-a604-27c5b505f5a4
- R7 FDA. Drugs@FDA data (openFDA drugsfda endpoint), active ingredient liraglutide, checked Oct 25, 2026; e.g. ANDA 215503 (Hikma), original approval 2024-12-23. https://api.fda.gov/drug/drugsfda.json?search=products.active_ingredients.name:liraglutide&limit=20 · https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/daf/index.cfm?event=overview.process&ApplNo=215503
Disclaimer
This page is for education and harm reduction, not medical advice or a recommendation to use Liraglutide. Talk to a clinician you trust before using any drug, and report problems to FDA MedWatch (https://www.fda.gov/safety/medwatch).
Approved for Adam Greene by Dr. Nova Reyes, 2026-10-25.