Liraglutide, an analog with 97% homology to human glucagon-like peptide (GLP-1) and acts as a GLP-1 receptor agonist, has been approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. This 97% homology was achieved by substituting arginine for lysine at position 34 of endogenous GLP-1. GLP-1 mimetics improve glycemic control through multiple mechanisms similar to the endogenous incretin hormone GLP-1. Liraglutide is the second in class of glucagon like peptide-1 (GLP-1) mimetics now available for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.  >> Read More

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Liraglutide helps to induce and sustain weight loss in patients with obesity. Its efficacy is comparable to other available agents but it offers the unique benefit of improved glycemic control. Additional studies are needed to determine its long term efficacy and safety profile.

Mehta, A., Marso, S. P., & Neeland, I. J. (2017). Liraglutide for weight management: a critical review of the evidence. Obesity science & practice, 3(1), 3-14.

Subcutaneous liraglutide (Victoza(®), Novo Nordisk) was approved for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in Europe in 2009 and in the USA in 2010. In December 2014, liraglutide 3.0 mg was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and in March 2015 by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) for the treatment of chronic weight management under the brand name Saxenda(®) Novo Nordisk. Liraglutide causes a glucose-dependent increase in insulin secretion, decreases glucagon secretion and promotes weight loss by inhibiting appetite. Liraglutide probably induces satiety through activation of different areas in the hind brain and possibly by preserving free leptin levels. Recently, liraglutide has been suggested to protect against prediabetes and seems to prevent bone loss by increasing bone formation following diet-induced weight loss in obesity. This article not only covers the major clinical trials evaluating the effects of liraglutide in obesity and T2DM but also provides novel insights into the pharmacological mechanisms of liraglutide.

Iepsen, E. W., Torekov, S. S., & Holst, J. J. (2015). Liraglutide for type 2 diabetes and obesity: a 2015 update. Expert review of cardiovascular therapy, 13(7), 753-767.