Overview

The first-generation weekly-to-daily GLP-1. Superseded on efficacy by semaglutide and tirzepatide, but it has the longest real-world safety record, daily dosing that is easier to stop quickly, and is now the cheapest option in the class.

FDA ApprovedFDA-approved for type 2 diabetes (2010) and chronic weight management (2014); generic versions now available

At a glance

Regulatory status	FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes (2010) and chronic weight management (2014); generic versions now available
Drug class	GLP-1 receptor agonist — acylated GLP-1 analog
Route	Subcutaneous, once daily
Half-life	~13 hours
Evidence rating	5/5 Very strong Evidence rating 5 out of 5: Very strong Multiple phase 3 randomized trials plus regulatory approval in a major market.
Studied in	LEAD program (diabetes), SCALE program (obesity), LEADER (cardiovascular outcomes).

How it works

Same GLP-1 receptor pharmacology as semaglutide with a shorter C16 fatty-acid chain, giving a daily rather than weekly dosing interval.

Evidence base

Rated 5 of 5 — Very strong. Multiple phase 3 randomized trials plus regulatory approval in a major market.

Over a decade of post-marketing surveillance.
Dedicated cardiovascular outcome trial with positive result.

Benefits & potential uses

Bars indicate how well each claim is supported: three = strong human evidence, two = moderate, one = preliminary or preclinical.

Proven cardiovascular benefit Strong evidence

The LEADER trial demonstrated reduced major adverse cardiovascular events in type 2 diabetes with high cardiovascular risk.
Moderate weight loss Strong evidence

Around 8% mean body-weight reduction at 3.0 mg daily in SCALE — less than newer agents but clinically meaningful.
Approved in adolescents Strong evidence

Has pediatric obesity and pediatric type 2 diabetes indications, giving it a role newer drugs took longer to earn.
Rapid washout Moderate evidence

The short half-life means side effects resolve within days of stopping, useful in fragile or elderly patients.
Now available as a generic Strong evidence

Cost has fallen sharply, making it the most accessible lawful GLP-1 in many markets.

Risks, cons & cautions

Bars indicate seriousness: three = serious or common, two = moderate, one = minor.

Daily injection burden Minor

Adherence is measurably worse than with weekly agents.
GI intolerance Moderate evidence

Nausea and vomiting, particularly during titration.
Thyroid C-cell boxed warning Serious

Same class contraindication for medullary thyroid carcinoma and MEN2.
Pancreatitis and gallbladder disease Serious

Class effects, uncommon but serious.
Lower efficacy than newer agents Minor

If maximal weight loss is the goal, liraglutide is a compromise choice.

Who should avoid it

Medullary thyroid carcinoma or MEN2 history
Pregnancy
Prior pancreatitis (relative)

If used under medical supervision, monitor

HbA1c, weight
Renal function during GI illness

Interactions

Not exhaustive. Always have a pharmacist or physician review your full medication list — including supplements.

Insulin and sulfonylureas — hypoglycemia risk; dose reduction usually needed
Oral medications — delayed gastric emptying affects absorption
Warfarin — monitor INR

Regulatory & legal status

Prescription drug, now including generic formulations.

Infographic

Liraglutide — benefits & risks at a glance Download SVG

Where to read further

We link to live literature searches rather than a frozen citation list, so you always see current results — including anything published after our last review.

weight lossdiabetesGLP-1generic

Related peptides in Metabolic & Weight

Terms used on this page

Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 (GLP-1): Glucagon-like peptide-1 is an incretin hormone released by intestinal L-cells after a meal that stimulates glucose-dependent insulin secretion and suppresses appetite.
Dosing Interval: The dosing interval is the time between successive doses, and its ratio to the half-life determines how far concentrations swing and how much drug accumulates.
Post-Marketing Surveillance: Post-marketing surveillance is the structured collection of safety and effectiveness data after approval, spanning spontaneous reports, mandated registries and phase 4 studies.
Hard Clinical Endpoint: A hard clinical endpoint is an outcome that matters directly to a patient and is objectively ascertainable, such as death, stroke or fracture, rather than a laboratory value standing in for one.
Statistical vs Clinical Significance: Statistical significance says a difference is unlikely to be chance alone, clinical significance says it is large enough to matter to a patient, and a result can satisfy one without the other.
Adverse Drug Reaction (ADR): An adverse drug reaction is a noxious, unintended response to a medicine given at normal doses, and unlike an adverse event the term carries a causal judgement inside it.

This page is educational information, not medical advice. It cannot account for your medical history, medications, or risk factors. Do not start, stop or change any treatment based on it. Speak to a qualified healthcare professional who knows your case.