Liraglutide (Victoza/Saxenda): The Original GLP-1 That Still Has a Role in 2026
Medically Reviewed by
Board Certified Endocrinologist
Published
Nov 5, 2025
Last Reviewed
Mar 17, 2026
Sources
5 peer-reviewed
Standard
YMYL / E-E-A-T
What Is Liraglutide?
Liraglutide is the original GLP-1 receptor agonist for weight management. Marketed as Victoza for type 2 diabetes (max 1.8 mg/day) and Saxenda for obesity (3.0 mg/day), it was the first drug in this class to receive FDA approval for chronic weight management (December 2014). It requires daily subcutaneous injection — a notable difference from the weekly dosing of newer agents like semaglutide and tirzepatide.
Efficacy: Honest Assessment
The SCALE Obesity trial showed average weight loss of approximately 8% of body weight at 56 weeks — meaningful, but substantially less than semaglutide (15%) or tirzepatide (21%). About 63% of patients lost ≥5% body weight, and 33% lost ≥10%. These are solid results, but the newer medications have raised expectations significantly.
When Liraglutide Still Makes Sense
Despite lower efficacy than newer options, liraglutide still has legitimate clinical roles: patients who tried semaglutide or tirzepatide and experienced intolerable side effects may tolerate liraglutide better (different pharmacokinetics). Some insurance plans cover Saxenda but not Wegovy or Zepbound. The daily dosing provides more flexible dose adjustments — if a patient is experiencing side effects, they can reduce the dose slightly without waiting a full week. For adolescents: Saxenda has been FDA-approved for ages 12+ since 2020 with extensive pediatric safety data.
Cardiovascular Evidence
The LEADER trial demonstrated a 13% reduction in major cardiovascular events with liraglutide in type 2 diabetes patients — the first GLP-1 to establish cardiovascular benefit. This 3.8-year trial provides reassuring long-term safety data. Liraglutide's cardiovascular data, while slightly less impressive than semaglutide's SELECT results, remains clinically significant.
Frequently Asked Questions
These answers are for informational purposes only. Always consult your physician for personalized medical advice.
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Scientific References & Further Reading
- Wilding JPH et al. — Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight or Obesity. NEJM 2021.
- Jastreboff AM et al. — Tirzepatide Once Weekly for the Treatment of Obesity. NEJM 2022.
- FDA Drug Approvals Database — GLP-1 Receptor Agonists. U.S. Food & Drug Administration.
- PubMed — GLP-1 Receptor Agonist Research Index. National Library of Medicine.
- Mayo Clinic — Semaglutide (GLP-1 Agonist): Uses, Side Effects, and Dosing. Mayo Clinic Drug Reference.
This content is produced in accordance with GLP-1 Health's editorial standards and is based on peer-reviewed clinical evidence from the sources cited above. It does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting any medication.
