Whether you're sourcing suppliers or finding providers, start your journey with confidence today.
Liraglutide (GLP-1 Receptor Agonist)
Also known as: Saxenda, Victoza
Confidence
Updated 2026-03-18
Liraglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes (Victoza) and chronic weight management (Saxenda). As an acylated GLP-1 analog with 97% homology to native GLP-1, it was one of the first once-daily GLP-1 agonists to gain widespread clinical adoption and paved the way for longer-acting agents like semaglutide.
Class
GLP-1 Receptor Agonist
Routes
Subcutaneous
Half-Life
~13 hours
Liraglutide binds to and activates the GLP-1 receptor, stimulating glucose-dependent insulin secretion, suppressing glucagon release, slowing gastric emptying, and promoting satiety via hypothalamic appetite centers. A C-16 fatty acid chain enables albumin binding, extending its half-life beyond native GLP-1.
Half-Life
~13 hours
Bioavailability
Subcutaneous: ~55%
Type 2 diabetes mellitus, chronic weight management, cardiovascular risk reduction in T2D patients (LEADER trial).
Extensively studied in the LEAD (diabetes) and SCALE (obesity) Phase III programs. SCALE Obesity demonstrated ~8% mean body weight loss vs. 2.6% placebo. LEADER trial showed 13% reduction in MACE events in T2D patients. Well-established long-term safety profile with over a decade of post-marketing data.
Human Studies
150
Animal Studies
120
Common: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation (usually transient during dose escalation). Rare but serious: pancreatitis, gallbladder disease, medullary thyroid carcinoma (black box warning based on rodent studies). Contraindicated in MTC/MEN2 history.
FDA-approved since 2010. EMA-approved. One of the longest post-marketing safety records among GLP-1 agonists. Being gradually supplanted by semaglutide and tirzepatide for new prescriptions.
Drug Interactions: May enhance hypoglycemia with insulin or sulfonylureas. Delays gastric emptying affecting oral drug absorption. Monitoring: A1C, renal function, lipase/amylase. Research Gaps: Direct head-to-head comparison data with newer agents is limited for some endpoints.
Subcutaneous (Saxenda)
Common Range
0.6 mg → 3.0 mg
Timing
Once daily, any time
Frequency
Daily
Cycling
Dose escalation over 4 weeks: 0.6mg (wk 1) → 1.2mg (wk 2) → 1.8mg (wk 3) → 2.4mg (wk 4) → 3.0mg (wk 5+)
Storage
Refrigerated before first use; room temperature up to 30 days after
Important Note
Inject in abdomen, thigh, or upper arm. Rotate injection sites. Discontinue if 4% weight loss not achieved by 16 weeks.
Connect with a verified provider offering Liraglutide therapy near you.
GLP-1 Receptor Agonist
Semaglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist approved for type 2 diabetes and chronic weight management. It represents the leading edge of the incretin-based therapy revolution and has become one of the most widely prescribed peptide therapeutics globally. Available in both injectable (Ozempic, Wegovy) and oral (Rybelsus) formulations.
Dual GIP/GLP-1 Receptor Agonist
Tirzepatide is a dual glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and GLP-1 receptor agonist approved for type 2 diabetes and chronic weight management. It represents a novel dual-incretin approach that has demonstrated superior weight loss and glycemic control compared to selective GLP-1 agonists in multiple Phase III trials.
GLP-1 Receptor Agonist
Exenatide is a synthetic form of exendin-4, a peptide originally isolated from Gila monster venom, and was the first GLP-1 receptor agonist approved by the FDA. Available as twice-daily (Byetta) and once-weekly (Bydureon) formulations, it established the GLP-1 agonist class as a cornerstone of diabetes management.
Disclaimer: This content is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a licensed healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or modifying any peptide therapy. PeptideSupplierMatch does not prescribe, sell, or distribute peptides.
Whether you're sourcing peptides for your business or looking for providers near you, we can help.