Liraglutide

Liraglutide is a medication used to help manage type 2 diabetes and assist with weight loss. It belongs to a class of drugs called GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) receptor agonists, which help control blood sugar levels by increasing insulin production, slowing digestion, and reducing appetite. 

Liraglutide is approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) under the brand names Victoza^® for type 2 diabetes and Saxenda^® for weight management. For type 2 diabetes, liraglutide can help lower blood sugar and may also reduce the risk of heart-related complications. When used for weight loss, it helps people feel fuller longer, making it easier to eat less and lose weight. 

Liraglutide is given as a once-daily injection under the skin, typically in the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm. 

It is not recommended for people with a personal or family history of certain thyroid cancers. It may also interact with other medications, especially those that affect blood sugar or digestion.

The information below is focused on brand-name medication Saxenda. According to the FDA, “Generic medicines use the same active ingredients as brand-name medicines and work the same way, so they have the same risks and benefits as the brand-name medicines.”

Saxenda (liraglutide) is indicated:

• As an adjunct to a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity for chronic weight management in:

  • Adult patients with an initial body mass index (BMI) of:

    • 30 kg/m² or greater (obese), or

    • 27 kg/m² or greater (overweight) in the presence of at least one weight-related comorbid condition (e.g., hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, or dyslipidemia)

  • Pediatric patients aged 12 years and older with:

    • Body weight above 60 kg and

An initial BMI corresponding to 30 kg/m² for adults (obese) by international cut-offs

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist

Most common adverse reactions, reported in greater than or equal to 5% are:

• Nausea

• Diarrhea

• Constipation

• Vomiting

• Injection site reactions

• Headache

• Low blood sugar

• Indigestion

• Fatigue

• Dizziness

• Abdominal pain

• Increased lipase

• Upper abdominal pain

• Fever

• Inflammation of the digestive system

The cost of liraglutide varies depending on your insurance plan, which pharmacy you use, the dosage, the quantity, and whether you buy a brand-name or generic form of the medication. 

Without insurance, the cost of generic liraglutide can be about $615 for a month’s supply of 18 milligram (mg) doses, while Victoza is about $1,400 and Saxenda is about $1,700. Coupons or discount cards may be available to bring down the price, and Victoza’s Patient Assistance Program provides free medication to those who qualify. Health insurance plans may cover all or some of the cost of these medications.

• Personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2

• Hypersensitivity to liraglutide or any excipients in Saxenda

• Pregnancy

• Drug interactions: Saxenda delays gastric emptying. May impact absorption of concomitantly administered oral medications

• Thyroid C-cell tumors

• Acute pancreatitis

• Acute gallbladder disease

• Low blood sugar: Can occur in adults when Saxenda is used with an insulin secretagogue (e.g., a sulfonylurea) or insulin

• Heart rate increase

• Renal impairment

• Hypersensitivity reactions

• Suicidal behavior and ideation

WARNING: RISK OF THYROID C-CELL TUMORS

Liraglutide causes thyroid C-cell tumors at clinically relevant exposures in both genders of rats and mice. It is unknown whether Saxenda causes thyroid C-cell tumors, including medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), in humans, as the human relevance of liraglutide-induced rodent thyroid C-cell tumors has not been determined.

Saxenda is contraindicated in patients with a personal or family history of MTC or in patients with multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2). Counsel patients regarding the potential risk of MTC and the symptoms of thyroid tumors.

*This information is from the label for brand name Saxenda^®. See the Full Prescribing Information for more complete information. Liraglutide, the active ingredient in Saxenda, may also be the active ingredient in other medications, and this information may not be accurate for all medications that include the active ingredient liraglutide.