Liraglutide

At a Glance

Liraglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1RA). It is an FDA-approved prescription medication used in type 2 diabetes and weight management under different brand names.

Mechanism of Action (High Level)

GLP-1 receptor agonism is associated with:

• Reduced appetite and increased satiety (central signaling)
• Slower gastric emptying (especially early in treatment)
• Glucose-dependent insulin secretion and reduced glucagon secretion

Evidence Summary (Weight Management)

One landmark RCT in weight management evaluated liraglutide for adults with overweight/obesity and reported significantly greater weight loss versus placebo. [PMID: 26132939]

Safety & Unknowns (High Level)

• Gastrointestinal adverse events are common with GLP-1RAs, especially during dose escalation.
• Class warnings/precautions may include gallbladder disease, pancreatitis (rare), and thyroid C-cell tumor warnings (based on rodent findings).

Key Studies

📚 See linked items in the Literature section.