Liraglutide Explained

Liraglutide is a well studied treatment that helps with both blood sugar control and weight management. It is the active ingredient in Saxenda and Nevolat (the geenric version of Saxenda) for weight management and Victoza for type 2 diabetes, both made by Novo Nordisk.

While newer medicines like semaglutide and tirzepatide often deliver larger average weight loss, liraglutide remains an important option with a long safety record and daily dosing that some people prefer. This page explains what liraglutide is, how it works, what the evidence shows, who it is suitable for, and what to know before starting.

Liraglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist. In simple terms, it copies the action of a natural hormone called GLP-1 that your body releases after you eat. GLP-1 helps you feel full, slows the movement of food through your stomach, and guides the pancreas to release insulin when needed.

What this means is that liraglutide helps you feel satisfied with less food, reduces cravings, and supports steadier blood sugar. Think of it as turning down the volume of hunger signals and turning up the signals that say you have had enough.

Liraglutide is given as a once daily injection using a small pen device.

You can think of appetite and blood sugar as a conversation between your stomach, brain, and pancreas. GLP-1 is one of the messengers in that conversation. Liraglutide binds to GLP-1 receptors and strengthens that message.

It acts in three main places:

1. Pancreas: helps insulin release when blood sugar rises after meals and reduces glucagon, a hormone that raises blood sugar
2. Stomach and intestines: slows gastric emptying so you feel full sooner and for longer
3. Brain: calms appetite signals and reduces cravings

The upshot is that you eat fewer calories without constant hunger and your blood sugar control improves.

Liraglutide has been tested in large research programs.

Weight management evidence
The SCALE trials showed that people on liraglutide achieved meaningful weight loss when treatment was combined with lifestyle support. In SCALE Obesity and Prediabetes, average weight loss was about 6 percent after 3 years  compared with about 2 percent on placebo. Participants also saw improvements in blood pressure, cholesterol, and progression to diabetes.

Cardiovascular outcomes
The LEADER trial followed people with type 2 diabetes and high cardiovascular risk. Liraglutide reduced major cardiovascular events and improved survival compared with standard care. HbA1c also improved over long term follow up.

What this means in everyday terms is that liraglutide can help with weight, blood sugar, and heart health risk when used in a supervised plan.

In the United Kingdom, liraglutide is approved by the MHRA and recommended by NICE for two main uses:

Type 2 diabetes
Liraglutide, branded as Victoza, is licensed to improve blood-sugar control when diet, activity, and other medicines are not enough or not tolerated.

Chronic weight management
Liraglutide, branded as Saxenda or available as the generic medicine Nevolat, is licensed for adults with a BMI of 30 kg/m² or more, or 27 kg/m² or more with a weight-related condition such as high blood pressure, abnormal lipids, or sleep apnoea. Prescribing is typically done in specialist settings or through regulated private providers in line with NICE guidance (NG248).

Eligibility, dosing, and suitability are confirmed by a clinician after reviewing an individual’s medical history, medications, and treatment goals.

Although all three brands contain the same active molecule (liraglutide), they differ by indication, dose range, and regulatory pathway.

Saxenda

• Form: Daily injection

• Typical dose range: 0.6 mg → 3.0 mg

• Primary use: Chronic weight management

• UK availability: Available privately and via NHS specialist weight-management services

Nevolat

• Form: Daily injection

• Typical dose range: 0.6 mg → 3.0 mg

• Primary use: Chronic weight management (generic equivalent of Saxenda)

• UK availability: Available privately through licensed online providers and regulated pharmacies

Victoza

• Form: Daily injection

• Typical dose range: 0.6 mg → 1.8 mg

• Primary use: Type 2 diabetes

• UK availability: Available on the NHS and privately

All liraglutide-based products are administered once daily by subcutaneous injection, usually in the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm. Dose titration is gradual to minimise gastrointestinal side-effects such as nausea or bloating.

Most side effects appear when starting or increasing the dose and tend to improve as the body adapts.

Common effects
Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea or constipation, early fullness, bloating, mild headache, fatigue

Less common
Injection site redness, dizziness, heartburn, changes in taste, kidney problems

Serious but rare
Pancreatitis, gallbladder inflammation, and thyroid problems. There is a higher chance of getting DKA (a complication of diabetes) when used with insulin. 

Who should not use liraglutide
People with a, a history of pancreatitis, severe gastrointestinal disease, DKA or an eating disorder should not use liraglutide. It should not be used during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. It should also not be used with any other weight loss medication. 

If you notice persistent abdominal pain, vomiting, yellowing of the skin or eyes, or signs of dehydration, contact your prescriber promptly.

Liraglutide was the first GLP-1 approved for both diabetes and obesity and helped pave the way for weekly options.

Compared with semaglutide
Liraglutide is taken daily and generally produces more modest average weight loss. Semaglutide is weekly and often produces larger reductions. Both improve blood sugar and cardiometabolic risk factors.

Compared with tirzepatide
Tirzepatide targets both GLP-1 and GIP receptors, which can lead to greater average weight loss and similar or better HbA1c reduction. Liraglutide remains a valid option when daily dosing is preferred, when step wise escalation is desired, or when a long safety record is important for the patient.

Results vary from person to person, but clinical studies and real world data show:

• Average 5 to 8 percent weight reduction at one year with lifestyle support
• Lower waist circumference and visceral fat
• Improved blood pressure and lipids
• Reduced progression to type 2 diabetes in people with prediabetes
• Reported improvements in quality of life as weight reduces

In simple terms, liraglutide can deliver meaningful and sustainable changes, particularly when combined with supportive habits.

Researchers continue to study liraglutide for:

• Prevention of type 2 diabetes in high risk individuals
• Use in adolescents with obesity
• Combination regimens with other anti obesity medicines
• Long term cardiovascular and kidney outcomes

Even as newer drugs emerge, liraglutide remains a key reference point with a large body and history  of long term safety data.

Liraglutide is a prescription only medicine in the UK. It is available on the NHS for diabetes and in specialist pathways for weight management. Private providers may also prescribe it after a medical assessment that confirms eligibility and safety.

Medicspot can support access through a supervised clinical pathway that follows NICE guidance. Your prescriber will review your health history, medicines, and goals, then agree a plan and follow up schedule.

A few simple habits can reduce side effects and improve results:

• Eat slowly and stop when comfortably full
• Start with lighter meals during dose increases
• Prioritise protein and vegetables before starches and sweets
• Drink water regularly through the day
• Limit very rich or greasy foods until your stomach adapts
• Keep gentle activity in your routine and aim for regular sleep

Think of liraglutide as a supportive tool. It works best when paired with habits that reinforce your new appetite rhythm.

1. Astrup A et al. NEJM 2009
2. Pi Sunyer X et al. NEJM 2015, SCALE Obesity
3. Marso SP et al. NEJM 2016, LEADER trial
4. Davies MJ et al. Diabetes Care 2015
5. NICE NG248 and TA664
6. EMA product information for Saxenda and Victoza

Dr Adam Abbs is a GP and Medical Lead for Europe and UK for biomarker company Hurdle. An NHS-trained GP, he graduated from Hull York Medical School in 2010 with an MBBS, then worked across a range of specialties in Newcastle and Manchester. Dr Adam Abbs is SCOPE certified (the international gold standard for obesity management) and has a keen focus on personalised medicine and weight loss. He authored Medicspot’s Behaviour Change Course.

Dr Abby Hyams completed her medical training in Bristol and has been a GP for 19 years, spending many of those as a partner in an NHS practice in Hemel Hempstead. She has a particular passion for supporting patients with weight loss and promoting positive behaviour change, helping individuals build sustainable habits that improve their long-term health and wellbeing.

This article is for general information only and should not be used for the diagnosis or treatment of medical conditions. Medic Spot Limited has used all reasonable care in compiling the information but makes no warranty as to its accuracy. Consult a doctor or other healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions. In the event of an emergency, please call 999 for immediate assistance.

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