NSTK · 01.2026Independent supplement reference
NutriStack
Edition 1.0Updated July 13, 2026

Liraglutide

Prescription ·Exploratory record · not publication-reviewed ·Updated July 13, 2026

Liraglutide is an FDA-approved once-daily GLP-1 receptor agonist peptide drug available as prescription Victoza for type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular risk reduction in labeled high-risk patients, and Saxenda for chronic weight management in labeled adults and adolescents. This app supports FDA-approved prescription products only; compounded, research-use, vial-based, or non-prescribed liraglutide products are treated as unsupported.

Evidence tier
Strong
Indexed sources
13 2017–2026
Interactions
0
Category
Prescription
Read the sources → Compare profiles
Publication status

Exploratory record, not a reviewed medical publication.

See the editorial and medical-review policies for the publication gate.

This generated database record has not completed a claim-level review by a qualified human medical reviewer. Bibliography links and evidence labels are not approval. The page remains available for reference and is excluded from search indexing.

In short

What the research says.

A quick, data-only summary. The full evidence, dosing, and sources are below.

Liraglutide is an FDA-approved once-daily GLP-1 receptor agonist peptide drug available as prescription Victoza for type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular risk reduction in labeled high-risk patients, and Saxenda for chronic weight management in labeled adults and adolescents. NutriStack rates the supporting evidence as strong. Common adult dosing is Product-specific titration only: Victoza 0.6-1.8 mg once daily; Saxenda titrated to 3 mg once daily for adults, with pediatric maintenance per label and clinician direction (as prescribed by your clinician), though a prescriber sets the actual dose. This profile indexes 13 sources.

What it's good for
  • Improves glycemic control in adults and pediatric patients with type 2 diabetes when prescribed as Victoza3,6
  • Reduces major adverse cardiovascular events in adults with type 2 diabetes and established cardiovascular disease7,11
  • Supports chronic weight management for labeled Saxenda indications with diet and physical activity9,6
  • Once-daily subcutaneous administration independent of meals9
  • Low hypoglycemia risk when not combined with insulin or insulin secretagogues8
What to watch for
  • Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, dyspepsia, abdominal pain, and decreased appetite
  • Injection-site reactions
  • Hypoglycemia risk increases when combined with insulin or insulin secretagogues
  • Personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC)8
  • Multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2)3

The bottom line

Evidence rating strong. Most-documented uses: improves glycemic control in adults and pediatric patients with type 2 diabetes when prescribed as victoza, reduces major adverse cardiovascular events in adults with type 2 diabetes and established cardiovascular disease, supports chronic weight management for labeled saxenda indications with diet and physical activity. 13 sources indexed (2017–2026), with 0 interaction records on file.

The science

How it works, mechanistically.

Core mechanism

A GLP-1 analogue with 97% homology to native human GLP-1, modified with a fatty acid side chain enabling albumin binding and extending the half-life to ~13 hours. Activates the GLP-1 receptor, enhancing glucose-dependent insulin secretion, suppressing glucagon, slowing gastric emptying, and promoting satiety through central appetite regulation.

Class
GLP-1 Receptor Agonist
Dosing

Dosing & protocol.

Common range
Product-specific titration only: Victoza 0.6-1.8 mg once daily; Saxenda titrated to 3 mg once daily for adults, with pediatric maintenance per label and clinician direction (as prescribed by your clinician)
Recommended form
FDA-approved prescription prefilled liraglutide pen selected by the prescriber (Victoza or Saxenda). Do not use compounded, research-use-only, or unverified vial/syringe liraglutide.

Liraglutide is injected subcutaneously once daily without regard to meals. It delays gastric emptying and may affect absorption of concomitant oral medications, so narrow-therapeutic-index oral drugs may need clinical monitoring.

Safety

Full safety detail.

Side effects

  • Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, dyspepsia, abdominal pain, and decreased appetite
  • Injection-site reactions
  • Hypoglycemia risk increases when combined with insulin or insulin secretagogues
  • Acute pancreatitis has been reported with GLP-1 receptor agonists
  • Acute gallbladder disease
  • Acute kidney injury due to volume depletion from severe gastrointestinal adverse reactions
  • Severe gastrointestinal adverse reactions; not recommended in severe gastroparesis
  • Heart rate increase has been reported with Saxenda
  • Serious hypersensitivity reactions including anaphylaxis or angioedema
  • Pulmonary aspiration during general anesthesia or deep sedation has been reported postmarketing with GLP-1 receptor agonists

Contraindications

  • Personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC)8
  • Multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2)3
  • Prior serious hypersensitivity reaction to liraglutide or product excipients8
Sources

Sources, by evidence tier.

Numbered references. Citations throughout the page link here.

Meta-analyses & systematic reviews

4

Randomized controlled trials

3

Reference material

6
FAQ

Common questions.

Quick answers about Liraglutide, drawn from the data on this page.

What is Liraglutide?

Liraglutide is an FDA-approved once-daily GLP-1 receptor agonist peptide drug available as prescription Victoza for type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular risk reduction in labeled high-risk patients, and Saxenda for chronic weight management in labeled adults and adolescents. This app supports FDA-approved prescription products only; compounded, research-use, vial-based, or non-prescribed liraglutide products are treated as unsupported.

What is Liraglutide used for?

Commonly cited benefits of Liraglutide include: Improves glycemic control in adults and pediatric patients with type 2 diabetes when prescribed as Victoza; Reduces major adverse cardiovascular events in adults with type 2 diabetes and established cardiovascular disease; Supports chronic weight management for labeled Saxenda indications with diet and physical activity; Once-daily subcutaneous administration independent of meals; Low hypoglycemia risk when not combined with insulin or insulin secretagogues. NutriStack rates the overall evidence as strong.

What is a typical dose of Liraglutide?

A typical adult dose of Liraglutide is Product-specific titration only: Victoza 0.6-1.8 mg once daily; Saxenda titrated to 3 mg once daily for adults, with pediatric maintenance per label and clinician direction (as prescribed by your clinician). The commonly recommended form is FDA-approved prescription prefilled liraglutide pen selected by the prescriber (Victoza or Saxenda). Do not use compounded, research-use-only, or unverified vial/syringe liraglutide.. These are general ranges, not personalized advice; confirm the right dose with a clinician.

What are the side effects of Liraglutide?

Reported side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, dyspepsia, abdominal pain, and decreased appetite, injection-site reactions, hypoglycemia risk increases when combined with insulin or insulin secretagogues, acute pancreatitis has been reported with glp-1 receptor agonists, acute gallbladder disease, acute kidney injury due to volume depletion from severe gastrointestinal adverse reactions. This is educational information; check with a healthcare professional before use.

How strong is the evidence for Liraglutide?

NutriStack rates this as Strong, meaning multiple high-quality meta-analyses or systematic reviews converge on the same finding. Full tier criteria are at https://nutristackapp.com/methodology/evidence-tiers.

Use this with your stack

Liraglutide in NutriStack.

Add it to your stack, see how it interacts with everything else you take, and get a Stack Score that updates the moment it does.

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NutriStack is an informational and organizational tool, not a medical service, and not a substitute for professional advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting, stopping, or changing any supplement or medication.