liraglutide at a glance
Medicine class
GLP-1 receptor agonist
Selected product role
Weight management with dietary changes and increased physical activity
Form
Solution given under the skin using a pre-filled multidose pen
Food
Administration is independent of meals
What is liraglutide used for?
Selected products are licensed alongside nutrition and physical-activity measures for:
Adults with obesity, or overweight with at least one weight-related condition.
Adolescents aged 12 years and over with obesity who meet product-specific body-weight criteria.
How does liraglutide work?
Liraglutide activates GLP-1 receptors, strengthening fullness signals and reducing hunger. It also increases insulin release and reduces glucagon when glucose is raised, and slightly slows stomach emptying.
liraglutide preparations and strengths
Injection
Route: Parenteral
Strengths: 6 mg/mL
How to take liraglutide
Use the prescribed pen only after training and follow its leaflet, as pen instructions and storage conditions can differ by product.
Inject under the skin of the abdomen, thigh or upper arm; do not inject into a vein or muscle.
Rotate injection sites and use a separate site from insulin injections.
Use a new compatible needle for each injection, remove it afterwards and store the pen without a needle attached.
Do not use solution that is frozen or is not clear and colourless or almost colourless.
liraglutide side effects
Common or expected effects
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhoea or constipation
- Headache
- Indigestion, reflux, wind or abdominal discomfort
- Tiredness or weakness
- Mild injection-site reactions
- Low blood glucose, particularly with insulin or a sulfonylurea
Get urgent medical advice
- Persistent severe abdominal pain suggesting pancreatitis
- Severe allergic reaction with swelling or breathing difficulty
- Gallstones or gallbladder inflammation causing severe abdominal pain
- Dehydration, kidney impairment or markedly reduced urine
- Bowel obstruction with severe constipation, pain, bloating or vomiting
- Clinically significant persistent increase in resting heart rate
liraglutide in pregnancy
Liraglutide should not be used during pregnancy. Contact the prescriber promptly if planning pregnancy or if pregnancy occurs. Early accidental exposure does not currently appear to require extra monitoring for major birth defects beyond usual antenatal care, but evidence remains limited.
liraglutide while breastfeeding
Selected products should not be used while breastfeeding because human milk data and clinical experience are lacking.
liraglutide interactions
Tell the prescriber and pharmacist about all medicines. Important considerations include:
Insulin or sulfonylureas
May increase hypoglycaemia risk; glucose monitoring and review of diabetes treatment may be needed.
Other GLP-1 receptor agonists
Selected products should not be combined with another GLP-1 receptor agonist.
Common questions about liraglutide
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Is liraglutide insulin?
No. It is a GLP-1 receptor agonist that affects appetite and glucose-dependent hormone release. It must not replace insulin.
Where should liraglutide be injected?
Under the skin of the abdomen, thigh or upper arm, rotating sites. It must not be injected into a vein or muscle.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.