Liraglutide (Saxenda / Victoza)
Liraglutide was the first satiety-hormone copy approved for treating obesity. It is weaker than newer analogs and is given every day, but it has been studied for more than ten years.
26 amino acids, a GLP-1 analog with a Lys34→Arg substitution and a C16 fatty acid. 97% homology. ~3751 Da.
The first GLP-1 agonist approved by the FDA for obesity (Saxenda, 2014). SCALE-Obesity (n=3731): −8% over 56 weeks. Differs from semaglutide: daily administration, smaller effect, but 11 years of safety data.
Identical to semaglutide: GLP-1R agonist → ↓appetite via the hypothalamus (ARC), ↑insulin, ↓glucagon, ↓gastric emptying rate. Shorter T₁/₂ (13 h vs 7 days) — daily administration.
Studies used the LIRAPLUS titration schedule: week 1 — 0.6 mg/day; week 2 — 1.2 mg/day; week 3 — 1.8 mg/day; week 4 — 2.4 mg/day; weeks 5+ — 3.0 mg/day (target). Administration once daily SC.
Level A Human clinical trials. There are randomized controlled trials (RCTs), or the compound has been approved by a regulatory agency. The most reliable level. FDA-approved (Saxenda 2014). 11 years of data. Well studied.
Honest caveat: Smaller effect vs tirzepatide and semaglutide. Nausea 40%, vomiting 15%. The daily regimen reduces treatment adherence. Risk of gallstone disease with rapid weight loss.
Research peptides are laboratory reagents (Research Use Only). They are not medicines and are not intended for use in humans or animals.