Fat Loss & Metabolism

Liraglutide

Saxenda · Victoza · daily GLP-1 agonist

FDA-approvedpopularsubQ injection

What it is

Liraglutide is the first-generation, daily-injection GLP-1 agonist from Novo Nordisk. FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes (Victoza, 2010) and chronic weight management (Saxenda, 2014). Older sibling to semaglutide — produces less weight loss but with faster onset and easier dose flexibility because it's daily, not weekly.

How it works

Identical mechanism to semaglutide: activates GLP-1 receptors to slow gastric emptying, suppress appetite (via brain pathways), improve insulin response, and reduce food cravings. Half-life is ~13 hours, so requires daily injection.

Benefits

~5–8% body weight loss (modest vs. semaglutide's 15%)
Improved blood glucose and HbA1c
Cardiovascular event reduction
Faster onset of appetite suppression
Dose flexibility — can pause without losing weeks of titration

Timeline

Day 1–3: Appetite suppression begins quickly. Common nausea.
Week 4: 2–4% weight loss; reduced food cravings.
Week 12–20: 5–8% weight loss at full dose.
Month 6+: Plateau around 6–8% in most users.

Dosing & titration

Starting dose0.6 mg subQ daily, week 1

Titration (Saxenda)0.6 → 1.2 → 1.8 → 2.4 → 3.0 mg, increasing weekly

Diabetes dose (Victoza)1.2–1.8 mg/day

When to titrate upWeekly if tolerated. Stay at lower dose another week if nausea is rough.

Side effects & risks

Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea (especially during titration)
Headache
Hypoglycemia if combined with insulin/sulfonylureas
Muscle loss without protein & lifting
Rare: pancreatitis, gallstones

Black-box warning for medullary thyroid carcinoma in animals. Contraindicated in MEN-2 history.

Typical price

$1,000–$1,400/moBranded Saxenda retail. Compounded liraglutide is rare. Largely being replaced by semaglutide and tirzepatide.

Studies

Pi-Sunyer X et al. A Randomized, Controlled Trial of 3.0 mg of Liraglutide in Weight Management (SCALE) — Pivotal trial. NEJMNEJM, 2015
Search PubMed for liraglutide — PubMed searchLive PubMed search

Educational reference only. Not medical advice. FDA-approved; requires prescription.