A GLP-1 receptor agonist
Liraglutide
A once-daily injection that lowers blood sugar and reduces appetite, used for type 2 diabetes and, separately, for weight management.
What is Liraglutide?
Liraglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist given as a once-daily injection under the skin. It lowers blood sugar in type 2 diabetes (brand Victoza) and, at a different brand and use, supports weight loss (Saxenda). It works by mimicking a natural gut hormone that boosts insulin, slows the stomach and reduces appetite, though nausea is common early on.
Education and reference only. This is a plain-language guide to Liraglutide — it deliberately contains no doses. Doses depend on the person, the brand and the reason for treatment, and belong with your prescriber. Always check the BNF, the product labelling (SmPC) and follow medical advice.
What it is
Liraglutide is an injectable medicine that copies a natural gut hormone called GLP-1. Under the brand Victoza it is used to help control type 2 diabetes, often added when tablets are not enough; under the brand Saxenda it is used, alongside diet and activity, for weight management. It is given as a once-daily injection under the skin using a pre-filled pen.
How it works
Liraglutide acts like the body's own GLP-1 hormone. It prompts the pancreas to release insulin when blood sugar is high, lowers the amount of glucose the liver makes, and slows how quickly the stomach empties. It also acts on the brain's appetite centres to make you feel fuller for longer. Because its blood-sugar effect is glucose-dependent, it rarely causes hypos on its own.
Company & origin
Originated / developed by: Novo Nordisk.
Developed by Novo Nordisk and first approved around 2009-2010 (Europe and United States).
What it treats
Conditions Liraglutide is used for
Practical use
How to take Liraglutide
General, dose-free guidance — always follow your prescriber's and the leaflet's specific instructions.
- Inject once a day under the skin of the tummy, thigh or upper arm; it can be taken with or without food.
- Rotate the injection site each time to keep the skin healthy.
- Nausea is common at first and usually eases over a few weeks — eating smaller, slower meals can help.
- Note that Victoza is for type 2 diabetes and Saxenda is for weight management — they are not interchangeable.
- On its own it rarely causes hypos, but the risk rises with a sulfonylurea or insulin, which your team may adjust.
- Seek prompt medical advice for severe, persistent tummy pain (rarely a sign of pancreatitis).
Weighing it up
Advantages & disadvantages of Liraglutide
Advantages
- Lowers blood sugar effectively while supporting weight loss.
- Low risk of hypos when used on its own.
- Can offer heart-protection benefits in suitable people with type 2 diabetes.
- Appetite reduction can help with broader weight goals.
Disadvantages
- Given by daily injection rather than a tablet.
- Nausea, and sometimes vomiting, are common early on.
- Rarely linked to pancreatitis and gallbladder problems.
- Carries a class warning about a rare thyroid (C-cell) tumour, so it is not used by people with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer or MEN 2.
- More expensive than many older diabetes medicines.
Practical use
Good to know
Liraglutide is injected once a day, at any time but ideally at a similar time each day. Nausea is common when starting and usually settles over the first few weeks, especially if doses are increased gradually as advised. Injection sites (tummy, thigh or upper arm) should be rotated to protect the skin. It carries a warning about pancreatitis, so severe ongoing tummy pain should be reported promptly.
Who should not take it / use with caution
- People who have had a serious allergic reaction to liraglutide.
- Not used in people with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer or MEN 2 (a rare hormone-gland syndrome), because of a thyroid (C-cell) warning seen with this class.
- Use with caution, and report symptoms, in anyone with a history of pancreatitis or significant gallbladder disease.
- Caution in people with severe gut problems such as gastroparesis (very slow stomach emptying).
Monitoring
- Blood sugar control (including HbA1c) and, where relevant, weight.
- Review of nausea and other gut symptoms, especially early on.
- Prompt review if pancreatitis or gallbladder problems are suspected.
Side effects
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea or constipation, usually worst when starting.
- Reduced appetite and feeling full quickly.
- Injection-site reactions.
- Rarely, pancreatitis (severe tummy pain) or gallstones.
Key interactions
- Hypo risk increases when combined with a sulfonylurea or insulin.
- Slowed stomach emptying can affect how some oral medicines are absorbed.
- Tell your team about all your medicines so the combination can be reviewed.
Available as: Pre-filled injection pen for use under the skin.
Answers
Liraglutide: frequently asked questions
Is liraglutide a daily injection?
Yes. It is injected once a day under the skin, ideally at a similar time each day. It can be taken with or without food, and the injection site should be rotated each time.
Why do I feel sick when I start it?
Nausea is common early on because the medicine slows stomach emptying and reduces appetite. It usually settles over the first few weeks, and eating smaller, slower meals can help.
What is the difference between Victoza and Saxenda?
Both contain liraglutide, but Victoza is used for type 2 diabetes and Saxenda is used for weight management. They are different brands for different purposes and are not interchangeable.
Will it cause hypos?
On its own it rarely causes low blood sugar. The risk increases if it is combined with a sulfonylurea or insulin, so your team may adjust those medicines.
When should I seek urgent help?
Seek prompt medical advice for severe, persistent tummy pain that may spread to your back, as this can rarely signal pancreatitis. Also report symptoms of gallstones such as upper-right tummy pain.
The wider class
About GLP-1 receptor agonists
Liraglutide belongs to the glp-1 receptor agonists class. For how the class as a whole works, its shared safety principles and monitoring, see the full guide.
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Authoritative sources
- BNF
- NICE CKS
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