Liraglutide
Liraglutide
Overview
Liraglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist approved by the FDA for type 2 diabetes (Victoza) and obesity management (Saxenda). It was the first GLP-1 analog to demonstrate cardiovascular risk reduction in a large outcomes trial (LEADER trial), establishing the cardiovascular benefits of this peptide class. Liraglutide has one of the most extensive clinical evidence bases of any metabolic peptide with over a decade of post-market safety data and multiple completed Phase 3 trials across diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular disease.
Compound Data
Molecular Formula
C172H265N43O51
Molecular Weight
3751.00 g/mol
IUPAC Name
(2S)-5-[[(5S)-5-[[(2S)-2-[[(2S)-2-[[(2S)-5-amino-2-[[2-[[(2S)-2-[[(2S)-2-[[(2S)-2-[[(2S)-2-[[(2S)-2-[[(2S)-2-[[(2S)-2-[[(2S)-2-[[(2S,3R)-2-[[(2S)-2-[[(2S,3R)-2-[[2-[[(2S)-2-[[(2S)-2-[[(2S)-2-amino-3-(1H-imidazol-5-yl)propanoyl]amino]propanoyl]amino]-4-carboxybutanoyl]amino]acetyl]amino]-3-hydroxybutanoyl]amino]-3-phenylpropanoyl]amino]-3-hydroxybutanoyl]amino]-3-hydroxypropanoyl]amino]-3-carboxypropanoyl]amino]-3-methylbutanoyl]amino]-3-hydroxypropanoyl]amino]-3-hydroxypropanoyl]amino]-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)propanoyl]amino]-4-methylpentanoyl]amino]-4-carboxybutanoyl]amino]acetyl]amino]-5-oxopentanoyl]amino]propanoyl]amino]propanoyl]amino]-6-[[(2S)-1-[[(2S)-1-[[(2S,3S)-1-[[(2S)-1-[[(2S)-1-[[(2S)-1-[[(2S)-1-[[(2S)-5-carbamimidamido-1-[[2-[[(2S)-5-carbamimidamido-1-(carboxymethylamino)-1-oxopentan-2-yl]amino]-2-oxoethyl]amino]-1-oxopentan-2-yl]amino]-3-methyl-1-oxobutan-2-yl]amino]-4-methyl-1-oxopentan-2-yl]amino]-3-(1H-indol-3-yl)-1-oxopropan-2-yl]amino]-1-oxopropan-2-yl]amino]-3-methyl-1-oxopentan-2-yl]amino]-1-oxo-3-phenylpropan-2-yl]amino]-4-carboxy-1-oxobutan-2-yl]amino]-6-oxohexyl]amino]-2-(hexadecanoylamino)-5-oxopentanoic acid
PubChem CID
16134956Where does Liraglutide sit?
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Mechanism of Action
Liraglutide shares the core GLP-1 receptor agonist mechanism — stimulating insulin secretion, suppressing glucagon, slowing gastric emptying, and reducing appetite through central hypothalamic pathways. Its 97% homology to native GLP-1 and albumin-binding fatty acid chain give it a half-life of approximately 13 hours, enabling once-daily dosing. Liraglutide also has direct effects on pancreatic beta-cell proliferation and survival, potentially preserving insulin secretory capacity over time. Its cardiovascular benefits in the LEADER trial — reducing major adverse cardiovascular events by 13% — appear mediated through direct GLP-1 receptor effects on cardiomyocytes, endothelial cells, and inflammatory pathways.
Dosage Information
Typical Dose
1.2-1.8 mg daily (diabetes), up to 3.0 mg daily (obesity)
Frequency
Once daily
Administration
Subcutaneous injection
Notes
Titrated over 4-5 weeks. Requires medical supervision. Predecessor to semaglutide — semaglutide generally preferred for weight management due to once-weekly dosing and greater efficacy.
Potential Side Effects
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Quick Facts
- Administration
- Subcutaneous injection
- Typical Dose
- 1.2-1.8 mg daily (diabetes), up to 3.0 mg daily (obesity)
- Frequency
- Once daily
- References
- 0 curated + 36 from PubMed
- Clinical Trials
- 33 registered
- Evidence Score
- 74.2 / 100