Liraglutide is a once-daily injectable GLP-1 receptor agonist from Novo Nordisk, marketed as Victoza (type 2 diabetes) and Saxenda (chronic weight management). It is FDA- and EMA-approved and TGA-registered, supported by the LEAD, SCALE, and LEADER trial programs. It is a prescription medicine used under medical supervision.

Is Liraglutide approved for medical use?

Liraglutide is approved for one or more medical uses in at least one major jurisdiction. United States (FDA): Approved. Victoza for type 2 diabetes (2010), with a cardiovascular risk reduction indication added in 2017; Saxenda (liraglutide 3.0 mg) for chronic weight management (2014), later extended to adolescents aged 12 to 17 with obesity (2020). European Union (EMA): Authorized: Victoza (2009) for type 2 diabetes and Saxenda (2015) for weight management. Australia (TGA): Registered on the ARTG: Victoza for type 2 diabetes and Saxenda for weight management, available on prescription.

Is Liraglutide legal in Australia?

Liraglutide in Australia (TGA): Registered on the ARTG: Victoza for type 2 diabetes and Saxenda for weight management, available on prescription.

Is Liraglutide banned in sport?

Liraglutide under the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) code: Not prohibited. GLP-1 receptor agonists are not on the WADA Prohibited List and are not banned substances.

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist (acylated GLP-1 analogue)

Liraglutide

Approvedaka Victoza, Saxenda, NN2211

Liraglutide is an approved GLP-1 therapy used for type 2 diabetes (Victoza) and, at a higher dose, for chronic weight management (Saxenda). Randomized trials show meaningful reductions in HbA1c and body weight, and the LEADER cardiovascular outcomes trial demonstrated a reduction in major adverse cardiovascular events in people with type 2 diabetes at high cardiovascular risk. It is a prescription medicine used under medical supervision.

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Mechanism

In plain terms, liraglutide copies a natural gut hormone that signals fullness and helps control blood sugar. Technically, it is an acylated GLP-1 analogue with high homology to human GLP-1 that agonizes the GLP-1 receptor, stimulating glucose-dependent insulin secretion, suppressing glucagon release, slowing gastric emptying, and acting on appetite-regulating centres to reduce energy intake. A fatty-acid side chain promotes albumin binding that extends its half-life to allow once-daily dosing.

Regulatory Status by Region

United States (FDA)Approved. Victoza for type 2 diabetes (2010), with a cardiovascular risk reduction indication added in 2017; Saxenda (liraglutide 3.0 mg) for chronic weight management (2014), later extended to adolescents aged 12 to 17 with obesity (2020).
Australia (TGA)Registered on the ARTG: Victoza for type 2 diabetes and Saxenda for weight management, available on prescription.
European Union (EMA)Authorized: Victoza (2009) for type 2 diabetes and Saxenda (2015) for weight management.
WADANot prohibited. GLP-1 receptor agonists are not on the WADA Prohibited List and are not banned substances.

See the full regulatory status matrix

Key Studies

Liraglutide and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Type 2 Diabetes (LEADER; Marso et al.) (opens in a new tab) (N Engl J Med 2016;375:311-322; DOI 10.1056/NEJMoa1603827; PMID 27295427)
A Randomized, Controlled Trial of 3.0 mg of Liraglutide in Weight Management (SCALE Obesity and Prediabetes; Pi-Sunyer et al.) (opens in a new tab) (N Engl J Med 2015;373:11-22; DOI 10.1056/NEJMoa1411892; PMID 26132939)
Liraglutide once a day versus exenatide twice a day for type 2 diabetes (LEAD-6; Buse et al.) (opens in a new tab) (Lancet 2009;374:39-47)

Related Clinical Trials

Common Questions

What is Liraglutide?: Liraglutide is a once-daily injectable GLP-1 receptor agonist from Novo Nordisk, marketed as Victoza (type 2 diabetes) and Saxenda (chronic weight management). It is FDA- and EMA-approved and TGA-registered, supported by the LEAD, SCALE, and LEADER trial programs. It is a prescription medicine used under medical supervision.
Is Liraglutide approved for medical use?: Liraglutide is approved for one or more medical uses in at least one major jurisdiction. United States (FDA): Approved. Victoza for type 2 diabetes (2010), with a cardiovascular risk reduction indication added in 2017; Saxenda (liraglutide 3.0 mg) for chronic weight management (2014), later extended to adolescents aged 12 to 17 with obesity (2020). European Union (EMA): Authorized: Victoza (2009) for type 2 diabetes and Saxenda (2015) for weight management. Australia (TGA): Registered on the ARTG: Victoza for type 2 diabetes and Saxenda for weight management, available on prescription.
How does Liraglutide work?: In plain terms, liraglutide copies a natural gut hormone that signals fullness and helps control blood sugar. Technically, it is an acylated GLP-1 analogue with high homology to human GLP-1 that agonizes the GLP-1 receptor, stimulating glucose-dependent insulin secretion, suppressing glucagon release, slowing gastric emptying, and acting on appetite-regulating centres to reduce energy intake.
Is Liraglutide legal in Australia?: Liraglutide in Australia (TGA): Registered on the ARTG: Victoza for type 2 diabetes and Saxenda for weight management, available on prescription.
Is Liraglutide banned in sport?: Liraglutide under the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) code: Not prohibited. GLP-1 receptor agonists are not on the WADA Prohibited List and are not banned substances.