PeptideTreatments
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Liraglutide: Research & Evidence

Established Evidence

Published research, clinical trial data, and evidence grading for Liraglutide across studied indications.

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Research Summary

Liraglutide has one of the most extensive evidence bases of any GLP-1 receptor agonist, with 800+ human studies and 100+ RCTs. The LEADER trial (n=9,340) demonstrated a 13% relative risk reduction in major adverse cardiovascular events. The SCALE program confirmed 8.4% weight loss vs placebo. A pediatric trial (n=251) showed 4.5% weight loss in adolescents. Generic versions became available in December 2024. The main limitation relative to newer agents is its daily injection requirement (vs weekly for semaglutide/tirzepatide) and somewhat lower weight loss efficacy.

Evidence by Indication (4 indications)

Indication Tier Trials Summary
Type 2 diabetes (glycemic control) Tier A 100 Multiple Phase 3 RCTs (LEAD program) demonstrate 1.1-1.4% HbA1c reduction
Chronic weight management Tier A 10 SCALE trial showed 8.4% weight loss; FDA-approved indication
Cardiovascular risk reduction Tier A 1 LEADER CVOT (n=9,340) showed 13% MACE risk reduction
NASH/NAFLD Tier B 5 Moderate RCT evidence for liver fat reduction

Graded using our evidence tier methodology.

Research Gap Score /10

Higher score = larger gap between therapeutic potential and available clinical evidence.

Citations (12 sources)

  1. 1. Liraglutide vs glimepiride monotherapy for type 2 diabetes (LEAD-1) Clinical Trial

    Marre M, Shaw J, Brändle M, et al. (2009), Diabetes Care

  2. 2. A Randomized, Controlled Trial of 3.0 mg of Liraglutide in Weight Management (SCALE) Clinical Trial

    Pi-Sunyer X, Astrup A, Fujioka K, et al. (2015), New England Journal of Medicine

  3. 3. Liraglutide and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Type 2 Diabetes (LEADER) Clinical Trial

    Marso SP, Daniels GH, Tanaka K, et al. (2016), New England Journal of Medicine

  4. 4. A Randomized, Controlled Trial of Liraglutide for Adolescents with Obesity Clinical Trial

    Kelly AS, Auerbach P, Barrientos-Perez M, et al. (2020), New England Journal of Medicine

  5. 5. Liraglutide: a review of the first once-daily GLP-1 receptor agonist. Study

    Bode B (2011), The American journal of managed care

  6. 6. Efficacy of Liraglutide for Weight Loss Among Patients With Type 2 Diabetes: The SCALE Diabetes Randomized Clinical Trial. Study

    Davies MJ, Bergenstal R, Bode B, et al. (2015), JAMA

  7. 7. Liraglutide for weight management: a critical review of the evidence. Study

    Mehta A, Marso SP, Neeland IJ (2017), Obesity science & practice

  8. 8. Efficacy and Safety of Liraglutide 3.0 mg in Patients with Overweight and Obese with or without Diabetes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Study

    Konwar M, Bose D, Jaiswal SK, et al. (2022), International journal of clinical practice

  9. 9. Efficacy and Safety of Liraglutide and Semaglutide on Weight Loss in People with Obesity or Overweight: A Systematic Review. Study

    Xie Z, Yang S, Deng W, et al. (2022), Clinical epidemiology

  10. 10. GLP-1 receptor agonists: A review of glycemic benefits and beyond. Study

    Clark L (2024), JAAPA : official journal of the American Academy of Physician Assistants

  11. 11. Long-term weight outcomes in patients treated with liraglutide 3.0 mg in real-world clinical practice. Study

    Grannell A, Al-Najim W, le Roux C (2024), Clinical obesity

  12. 12. The GLP-1 receptor agonists exenatide and liraglutide activate Glucose transport by an AMPK-dependent mechanism. Study

    Andreozzi F, Raciti GA, Nigro C, et al. (2016), Journal of translational medicine