Liraglutide (Saxenda) is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist that, in addition to stimulating insulin release and inhibiting glucagon secretion, slows gastric emptying and increases satiety after eating. It is labeled as an adjunct to diet and exercise for weight management in overweight or obese adults. It is a higher-dose version of the same product used to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus.

EFFECTIVENESS

It works by helping the pancreas to release the right amount of insulin when blood sugar levels are high. Insulin helps move sugar from the blood into other body tissues where it is used for energy. Liraglutide injection also slows the emptying of the stomach and may decrease appetite and cause weight loss.

In addition to recommended diet and physical activity, liraglutide consistently resulted in a 4 to 6 kg weight loss, with a greater proportion of patients achieving at least 5 and 10% weight loss compared with placebo.

The half-life of Liraglutide (the active ingredient in Saxenda) is 13 hours. This means that it would take 13 hours for Liraglutide to reduce by half in your body.

Liraglutide has been evaluated in two double-blind studies of more than 3,000 obese or overweight patients with hyperlipidemia, hypertension, or diabetes. 

Liraglutide improves cardiometabolic markers such as blood pressure, waist circumference, body mass index, and A1C, although the clinical relevance of these reductions remains uncertain.

Patients may also report improved physical function, as measured by a validated self-reported measure of obesity-related quality of life. As with other pharmacologic treatments, liraglutide has not been studied to determine its effect on cardiovascular- or diabetes-related morbidity, or overall mortality. It has not been studied when used in conjunction with other obesity treatments.