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Liraglutide

VICTOZA, SAXENDA

Pronunciation: lir-a-GLOO-tide

Liraglutide ballicule: receptor binding, kinetics and half-life diagram
Mechanism of action: Liraglutide ballicule
Liraglutide VICTOZA, SAXENDA mascot mnemonic cartoon
Visual mnemonic: Liraglutide mascot
“Lir’s glue tide is a Sax ender”
Lir is a sea god in Irish mythology; they’re holding his statue victoriously
Tide Pod → GLP-1 agonist

What it isGLP-1 receptor agonist; type 2 diabetes and obesity.

Why this oneDaily dosing allows finer titration than the weekly agents, and it has cardiovascular outcome data.

What limits itGI intolerance drives discontinuation. Delays gastric emptying, which matters before anesthesia.

Liraglutide molecular structure (skeletal formula)
Molecular structure: Liraglutide

FDA-approved for

Off-label

FDA label

BOXED WARNING Risk of thyroid C-cell tumors (incl. medullary thyroid carcinoma) in rodents; contraindicated with personal/family history of MTC or MEN 2.
FDA dosingPopulationStartTargetMax
Type 2 diabetes mellitus (glycemic control)Adults0.6 mg SC QD x1 week1.2 mg SC QD; increase to 1.8 mg QD if needed1.8 mg QD
Type 2 diabetes mellitus (glycemic control)Pediatric >=10 yr0.6 mg SC QDIncrease in 0.6 mg increments after >=1 week per response1.8 mg QD

Titration Increase only after at least 1 week at the current dose (0.6 -> 1.2 -> 1.8 mg; pediatric in 0.6 mg increments).

Renal No adjustment needed

Hepatic No adjustment needed (use with caution; limited experience)

Instructions

Available strengths

Contraindications

Cautions

Adverse reactions

Pregnancy Animal studies show fetal harm (early embryonic deaths, major malformations); use in pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the risk.

Lactation No data on presence in human milk; present in milk of lactating rats.

Cost

Liraglutide (VICTOZA, SAXENDA)
What pharmacies pay · NADAC 9/30/26
Strength#/mogeneric $/unitCostPlus
6 mg/mLinjper unit$31.41/mLoffered

Other forms: Liraglutide (obesity) (SAXENDA)

Generic entry2024

⚠ BOXED WARNING

Classes and tags

Clinical profile

Therapeutic safety burden2 / 4
Overdose danger1 / 4
Weight-gain liability0 / 4
Sedation liability0 / 4
QT / Torsades0 / 4
Direct muscarinic antagonism0 / 4
Embryofetal risk2 / 4

Legacy pregnancy categoryC

Defining liabilityGI intolerance, gallbladder disease and rare pancreatitis; hypoglycemia is uncommon without insulin or sulfonylureas.

Open Liraglutide in the interactive console ↗

Memory aids: interaction avatars

Liraglutide Box: minimal PK interactions avatar mnemonic
Box: minimal PK interactions

Open Liraglutide in the interactive console ↗