Liraglutide

GLP-1, injection

Liraglutide mimics a gut hormone called GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1). When you eat, GLP-1 slows digestion and helps you feel full. It also:

Reduces appetite

Regulates insulin

Balances blood sugar

Get started

Learn more

Everything you need to know about
Liraglutide

What is

Liraglutide

Benefits How it works How to use it

What is
Liraglutide
?

Liraglutide is a drug sold under the brand names Victoza® and Saxenda®. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Victoza to treat type 2 diabetes and to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke among people who have type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Saxenda is FDA-approved to treat excess weight in those with at least one weight-related medical problem or obesity. Clinicians prescribe Victoza off-label for weight loss because clinical evidence shows it also helps people lose weight.

More on off-label prescribing

Liraglutide mimics the gut hormone glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). When blood sugar levels are high after a meal, liraglutide helps the pancreas release the right amount of insulin and slows how quickly the food moves through the digestive system.

Liraglutide is available as an injection. Currently, there is no generic version of liraglutide that has been approved by the FDA.

‍

Benefits of
Liraglutide

Expected weight loss depends on the dosage. In a double-blind clinical trial, people on the daily dose of 3 mg of liraglutide lost an average of 15.87 pounds in 20 weeks while those taking the placebo lost 6.17 pounds. (Safe weight loss is one to two pounds per week.)

During the study, funded by Novo Nordisk, liraglutide’s manufacturer, researchers found that liraglutide also reduced blood pressure at all doses. In addition, it reduced the prevalence of prediabetes among those who took between 1.8 mg and 3.0 mg of liraglutide each day.

It’s significant to note that patients have also reported better appetite control and sense of fullness, along with reduced cravings and “food noise” while using liraglutide.

How does
Liraglutide
work?

When you eat, the food stimulates your gut to release the GLP-1 hormone. GLP-1 helps lower blood glucose (blood sugar) by triggering insulin release. Insulin helps blood glucose enter your body’s cells for later energy use.

In some people, the gut doesn't make enough natural GLP-1, or the brain isn't sensitive to it.

Liraglutide is a synthetic GLP-1 RA (receptor agonist). A drug that works as an agonist activates the same cell receptors as the body’s natural hormones. So, liraglutide works in the gut like the body’s natural GLP-1. Because liraglutide slows digestion, it helps curb hunger and signal fullness to the brain. As a result, some people with overweight or obesity have lost weight while taking it.

Because liraglutide supports a process the body isn’t doing well on its own, it may require long-term use.

It’s important to note that liraglutide doesn’t work for everyone. There are many biological reasons why people struggle to lose weight. Found’s clinicians, trained in obesity medicine, can help patients identify the root cause of their weight gain and personalize a prescription to target it. All prescriptions are up to a medical provider’s discretion.‍

More on personalized treatment with Found

‍

How to use it

Read the pharmaceutical packaging and follow your care provider’s instructions for using liraglutide.

Liraglutide is an injection typically taken once a day. Novo Nordisk recommends injecting the medicine under the skin in the upper arm, upper thigh, or stomach, rotating the injection for each dose. Store the prefilled liraglutide pens in a refrigerator.

‍

Dosing

Dosing depends on your specific prescription schedule and your care provider’s instructions. Please also read the pharmaceutical packaging.

Side effects

Rapid or significant weight loss can lead to too much muscle loss. To protect your muscles, it’s important to start a strength training program and exercise regularly while taking liraglutide.

Tell your health care provider if you have severe stomach problems that won’t go away, including abdominal bloating or pain, acid reflux, a feeling of fullness after eating just a few bites of food, nausea, and vomiting, including vomiting undigested food eaten a few hours earlier. These may be symptoms of gastroparesis (stomach paralysis).

Use an effective contraceptive while taking this medication. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant, do not take liraglutide.

Liraglutide is not used to treat insulin-dependent diabetes or diabetic ketoacidosis. So, if this is you, liraglutide isn’t the right fit.

‍

Black Box Warning

Although rare, liraglutide caused thyroid C-cell tumors in animal studies. All brand names of liraglutide have a “black box” warning of the risk of these tumors. If you have trouble swallowing, develop hoarseness, or feel swelling or a lump in your neck, contact your health care provider immediately.

The FDA also warns not to take liraglutide if you have a personal or family history of multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2, or medullary thyroid cancer.

Precautions

Rapid or significant weight loss can lead to too much muscle loss. To protect your muscles, it’s important to start a strength training program and exercise regularly while taking liraglutide.

Use an effective contraceptive while taking this medication. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant, do not take liraglutide.

Liraglutide is not used to treat insulin-dependent diabetes or diabetic ketoacidosis. So, if this is you, liraglutide isn’t the right fit.

‍

Interactions

Some drugs can also interact with liraglutide, including:

Insulin
Sulfonylureas (when combined, these can cause blood sugar levels to drop dangerously low)
Some birth control pills
Other GLP-1 or GLP-1/GIP receptor agonist medications such as semaglutide, dulaglutide, or tirzepatide

You should not drink alcohol while taking this drug because it can lower blood sugar. Combining alcohol with liraglutide may cause blood sugars to fall too fast, leading to fainting and dizziness.

‍

about
found

Found is an online weight loss program offering personalized care for every member. Some of the nation’s top obesity medicine specialists helped design our program. Our approach is based on science, and we’re committed to clinical excellence.

Members get access to: Clinicians trained in obesity medicine 1:1 health coaching Self-paced lifestyle change program designed by doctors, psychologists, and behavioral scientists Exclusive in-app community.

Found’s comprehensive program is designed to work with your body—so you can achieve lasting results and enjoy better health.

Alternative medications

Depending on your health history, weight history, and MetabolicPrint^TM assessment, your Found health care provider may consider other alternatives to help you lose weight. Some are FDA-approved for weight loss. Others are used off-label and have strong clinical evidence supporting their use for weight loss.

Unfortunately, there are no generic versions of Ozempic currently on the market.
However, your health care provider might consider alternatives such as Wegovy, Mounjaro, or Saxenda, all of which are GLP-1 medications but not all are FDA-approved for weight loss specifically.

Liraglutide