Liraglutide

What it is and how it works

Mechanism of Action Liraglutide is an acylated human GLP-1 receptor agonist with 97% amino acid sequence homology to endogenous human GLP-1 (7-37). Like endogenous GLP-1, liraglutide binds to and activates the GLP-1 receptor, a cell-surface receptor coupled to adenylyl cyclase activation through the stimulatory G-protein, Gs. Endogenous GLP-1 has a half-life of 1.5 to 2 minutes due to degradation by the ubiquitous endogenous enzymes, dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP-4) and neutral endopeptidases (NEP). Unlike native GLP-1, liraglutide is stable against metabolic degradation by both peptidases and has a plasma half-life of 13 hours after subcutaneous administration.

Mechanism class: Glucagon-like Peptide-1 (GLP-1) Agonists

Indications

Liraglutide injection is indicated in combination with a reduced calorie diet and increased physical activity to reduce excess body weight and maintain weight reduction long term in: Adults and pediatric patients aged 12 years and older with body weight greater than 60 kg and obesity. Adults with overweight in the presence of at least one weight-related comorbid condition. Limitations of Use Liraglutide injection contains liraglutide. Coadministration with other liraglutide-containing products or with any other glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist is not recommended. The safety and effectiveness of liraglutide injection in pediatric patients with type 2 diabetes have not been established. Liraglutide injection is a glucagon like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist indicated in combination with a reduced calorie diet and increased physical activity to reduce excess body weight and maintain weight reduction long term in: Adults and pediatric patients aged 12 years and older with body weight greater than 60 kg and obesity.

Dosage and administration (summary)

Inject liraglutide injection subcutaneously in the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm once daily at any time of day, without regard to the timing of meals. The recommended dose of liraglutide injection is 3 mg daily. Initiate at 0.6 mg per day for one week. In weekly intervals, increase the dose until a dose of 3 mg is reached. If pediatric patients do not tolerate an increased dose during dose escalation, the dose may also be lowered to the previous level. Dose escalation for pediatric patients may take up to 8 weeks. Pediatric patients who do not tolerate 3 mg daily may have their dose reduced to 2.4 mg daily.

Contraindications

Liraglutide injection is contraindicated in: Patients with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or patients with Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2) . Patients with a serious hypersensitivity reaction to liraglutide or to any of the excipients in liraglutide injection. Serious hypersensitivity reactions including anaphylactic reactions and angioedema have been reported with liraglutide injection .

Warnings and precautions

Acute Pancreatitis: Has been observed in patients treated with GLP-1 receptor agonists, including liraglutide injection. Discontinue if pancreatitis is suspected. Acute Gallbladder Disease: If cholelithiasis or cholecystitis are suspected, gallbladder studies are indicated. Hypoglycemia: Can occur in adults when liraglutide injection is used with an insulin secretagogue (e.g. a sulfonylurea) or insulin. The risk may be lowered by a reduction in the dose of concomitantly administered insulin secretagogues or insulin. In the pediatric clinical trial, patients did not have type 2 diabetes.

Pregnancy

Pregnancy Risk Summary Based on animal reproduction studies, there may be risks to the fetus from exposure to liraglutide during pregnancy. Liraglutide should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus. Additionally, weight loss offers no benefit to a pregnant patient and may cause fetal harm.

Storage and supply

How Supplied Liraglutide Injection: 6 mg/mL clear, colorless solution in a 3 mL single-patient-use prefilled pen that delivers doses of 0.6 mg, 1.2 mg, 1.8 mg, 2.4 mg or 3 mg is available in the following package sizes: Carton NDC Pack Description Pen NDC 70377-095-52 3 X Liraglutide injection pens in a carton 70377-095-51 70377-095-53 5 X Liraglut…

Source: Liraglutide (Liraglutide) — US FDA prescribing information, 2025-10-16, DailyMed. Summarised and shortened; the full label governs. Iranian registration, indications and labelling may differ.