Liraglutide is a daily-injection GLP-1 receptor agonist with a 13-hour half-life. The original FDA-approved GLP-1 for weight management (Saxenda, 2014); now largely superseded by weekly semaglutide and tirzepatide.
Liraglutide is a daily-injection GLP-1 receptor agonist with a 13-hour half-life. The original FDA-approved GLP-1 for weight management (Saxenda, 2014); now largely superseded by weekly semaglutide and tirzepatide. Mechanism: GLP-1 receptor agonist. Typical route: Subcutaneous injection. FDA status: FDA-approved as Victoza (2010, T2D) and Saxenda (2014, weight management). Generic liraglutide became available in 2024. Now the third-line GLP-1 choice after weekly semaglutide and tirzepatide for mo
Drug classGLP-1 receptor agonist
Half-life~13 hours (daily dosing)
RouteSubcutaneous injection
Typical maintenance3.0 mg/day (weight)
FDA statusApproved (Saxenda, Victoza)
Compounded availabilityYes (some pharmacies)
Mechanism of action
Liraglutide activates the GLP-1 receptor, slowing gastric emptying, increasing satiety, and improving glucose-dependent insulin secretion. Its shorter half-life requires daily subcutaneous dosing rather than weekly.
Dosing reference
Standard titration: 0.6 mg/day for one week, increased by 0.6 mg/day each week to a maintenance dose of 3.0 mg/day (Saxenda) for weight management or 1.8 mg/day (Victoza) for type 2 diabetes.
Dosing information is provided for educational reference and is not medical advice. Patients should not initiate or modify any peptide regimen without consulting a licensed clinician. See our medical disclaimer.
FDA status & regulatory framework
FDA-approved as Victoza (2010, T2D) and Saxenda (2014, weight management). Generic liraglutide became available in 2024. Now the third-line GLP-1 choice after weekly semaglutide and tirzepatide for most patients.
Editor's Pick · #1 of 10
NexLife — Semaglutide Program
Editor's PickPhysician-led503A pharmacyAll 50 states
Physician-led telehealth platform with Dr. Adam Kennah as Medical Director. Compounded semaglutide from an FDA-registered 503A pharmacy, all-inclusive pricing covering medication, supplies, and prescriber visits.
Trade-offs to know: Compounded medication, not FDA-approved Wegovy or Ozempic. Cash-pay only — not billable to insurance. Async telehealth model (no live video by default).
Editor's Pick · #1 of 10
NexLife — Tirzepatide Program
Editor's PickPhysician-led503A pharmacyAll 50 states
Physician-led tirzepatide program with the same compounding pharmacy, prescriber team, and clinical protocols as the semaglutide program. Methylcobalamin combined formulations available.
Trade-offs to know: Compounded medication, not FDA-approved Zepbound or Mounjaro. Cash-pay only. Tirzepatide is a newer compound with a shorter real-world safety record than semaglutide.
U.S. telehealth providers that work with Liraglutide
Liraglutide may be preferred when generic pricing makes it cheaper than newer agents, when a patient cannot tolerate side effects of semaglutide or tirzepatide, or when daily dosing flexibility is desired.
How does liraglutide compare to semaglutide for weight loss?
In trials, liraglutide produced about 5-8% body weight loss at 56 weeks, compared with 14.9% for semaglutide at 68 weeks. Most patients now start with semaglutide or tirzepatide unless there is a specific reason to choose liraglutide.
SS
Lead Medical Researcher
Dr. Sam Saberian
Doctor of Pharmacy; leads protocol research, peptide pharmacology, and provider evaluation.
AS
Medical Reviewer
Alen A. Schwartz, MD
Board-certified physician; reviews clinical accuracy of every published page.
JE
Edited by
Julliana Edwards
Editorial standards, factual accuracy, and corrections workflow.