Liraglutide

Victoza contains liraglutide, a synthetic analog of human glucagon-like peptide-1(GLP-1) and acts as a GLP-1 receptor agonist. Liraglutide is 97% similar to native human GLP-1, differing primarily by substituting arginine for lysine at position 34. Liraglutide is made by attaching a C-16 fatty acid (palmitic acid) with a glutamic acid spacer on the remaining lysine residue at position 26 of the peptide precursor. Liraglutide was granted FDA approval on January 25, 2010.

Saxenda, a formulation of liraglutide intended for weight loss, is indicated as an adjunct to diet and exercise for chronic weight management in adult patients who are obese (BMI≥30 kg/m), or who are overweight (BMI≥27 kg/m) and have at least one weight-related comorbidity. It is also indicated for chronic weight management in pediatric patients ≥12 years old who weigh ≥60 kg and have an initial BMI corresponding to obesity based on international cut-offs.

Victoza, a formulation of liraglutide used in diabetes, is indicated as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in patients ≥10 years old with type 2 diabetes mellitus. It is also indicated to reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events in adult patients with type 2 diabetes and established cardiovascular disease.

Liraglutide is also available in combination with insulin degludec as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adult patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.