GLP-1 agonist
Liraglutide
Liraglutide is FDA-approved as Victoza and Saxenda, and as generics, with a prescription. The evidence grade is strong-human for blood sugar, weight and heart risk in diabetes. It is still on FDA's shortage list. Pharmacy copies are not approved.
This page has not been individually reviewed by a clinician.
Fact sheet · 6 facts
every row cites its source and its date| Fact | Value | Tier | Checked | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Also called | Victoza, Saxenda | primary | dailymed.nlm.nih.gov | |
| Class | glp-1-agonist | primary | dailymed.nlm.nih.gov | |
| Regulatory status | fda-approved | primary | accessdata.fda.gov | |
| Status source read | 2026-10-24 | primary | accessdata.fda.gov | |
| Evidence grade | strong-human | our assessment | peptideindex.ai | |
| Label dosing | From the Victoza label and the Saxenda label. Both are shots under the skin once a day. Victoza starts at 0.6 mg a day for one week, then 1.2 mg a day, and the most is 1.8 mg a day. The Saxenda label says Saxenda starts at 0.6 mg a day and goes up each week until it reaches 3 mg a day. Children who cannot take 3 mg may stay at 2.4 mg a day. The prescriber sets the dose. | primary | dailymed.nlm.nih.gov |
Short answer
Liraglutide is FDA-approved as Victoza and Saxenda, and as generics, with a prescription. The evidence grade is strong-human for blood sugar, weight and heart risk in diabetes. It is still on FDA's shortage list. Pharmacy copies are not approved.
Our assessment, drawn from the sources below.
What it is
Liraglutide is a prescription drug. It is made to act like GLP-1, a hormone the body makes [3]. It helps the body control blood sugar, and it makes people eat less [3] [4]. FDA first approved it in 2010 [1]. One company sells it under two brand names, and FDA has approved generic versions of both [1] [2] [5] [6].
Victoza is a daily shot for type 2 diabetes [3]. Saxenda is a daily shot for weight loss, used with diet and exercise [4]. Both hold the same drug, so the labels say not to use them together [3] [4]. The body clears half of a dose in about 13 hours [3]. That is why it is taken every day.
Some pharmacies make their own copies of it. Those copies are not FDA-approved [10].
Where it stands legally
Liraglutide is FDA-approved: FDA approved it as Victoza in January 2010 and as Saxenda in December 2014 [1] [2]. That covers the brand drugs and their approved generics, with a prescription, for the uses on their labels. It does not make copies from pharmacies approved [10]. Checked 24 October 2026.
Victoza is approved for type 2 diabetes, not for weight loss. Saxenda is the one approved for weight loss [3] [4]. FDA approved the first generic of Victoza in December 2024 [5]. It approved the first generic of Saxenda in August 2025 [6].
Liraglutide has been on FDA's drug shortage list since July 2023, and it is still there [7]. Generic versions are listed as available, and the brands have limited supply [7]. The maker plans to stop making Saxenda in January 2027 [7].
While a drug is on that list, outsourcing facilities may make it from raw powder [8] [9]. In April 2026, FDA proposed keeping liraglutide off the list of raw ingredients those facilities may use. The proposal is not final [8] [12]. If it becomes final, they could not make it from raw powder once the shortage ends [12]. FDA generally treats a drug as available once its shortage ends. A pharmacy then may not make regular copies of it [9]. Every copy must meet the compounding rules in federal law, and a website may not suggest a copy is FDA-approved [10].
What the evidence shows
Evidence grade: strong-human · our assessment
The evidence grade is strong-human: large trials in people agree that it lowers blood sugar and weight [14] [15] [16]. In a heart trial of 9,340 adults with type 2 diabetes and high heart risk, fewer people on it had a heart attack, a stroke or a heart death. Over about 4 years, that was 13.0% on it and 14.9% on a dummy shot [14]. In a 56-week trial of 3,731 adults with obesity and no diabetes, people on it lost about 8.4 kg. People on the dummy shot lost about 2.8 kg [15]. In a trial of 134 children aged 10 to 16 with type 2 diabetes, it lowered blood sugar more than a dummy shot over 52 weeks [16]. In a 56-week trial of 251 teens with obesity, it lowered body size more than a dummy shot [17].
A 2025 review of 24 trials in adults with obesity found it likely helps more people lose at least 5% of their weight. It rated the size of the loss as very uncertain [18]. A 2023 review of seven trials in children and teens found small drops in weight and blood sugar [19].
The maker paid for these four trials, with government help on the heart trial [14] [15] [16] [17]. They tested the approved drug. They tell us nothing about copies made by pharmacies, which FDA has not approved [10].
Known risks
- In rats and mice, liraglutide caused thyroid tumors. The labels tell people with a rare thyroid cancer, or that cancer in the family, not to use it [3] [4].
- The most common problems are nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, less hunger, upset stomach and constipation [3] [4]. In a teen weight trial, about 1 in 10 on it stopped because of unwanted effects. Nobody on the dummy shot stopped [17].
- The labels warn of a swollen pancreas and gallbladder disease. They also warn of kidney harm from losing fluids, and of bad allergic reactions [3] [4].
- Taken with insulin or some other diabetes drugs, it can push blood sugar too low. Children on Victoza had low blood sugar more often, even without insulin [3].
- Saxenda can raise the heart rate, and its label says to check it often. It may harm an unborn baby, so the label says to stop it in pregnancy [4].
- A 2025 review of 24 trials in adults with obesity found it may raise the chance of serious unwanted effects [18].
What nobody knows yet
- Nobody knows if it can cause thyroid cancer in people. The rodent studies do not tell us [3] [4].
- A 2025 review rated the size of the weight loss as very uncertain. Most of its trials were paid for by the maker [18].
- Teens in a weight trial regained some of the loss once they stopped. The trial does not show what happens years later [17].
- In adults with obesity, the 2025 review could not tell if it changes the risk of death [18].
- Nobody knows how closely pharmacy copies match the approved drug. FDA does not approve them, and their raw powder may come from plants that broke its rules [10] [11].
Legitimate ways to get it
The legal way to get liraglutide is a prescription for Victoza, Saxenda or an approved generic [1] [2] [5] [6]. Each brand label says who it is for and how it is taken [3] [4].
Supply is still tight. Liraglutide is on FDA's shortage list, and the brands have limited supply [7]. Saxenda is due to stop in January 2027 [7]. The approved generic of Saxenda is for the same weight-loss use [6].
While the shortage lasts, outsourcing facilities may make copies from raw powder [8] [9]. FDA does not approve these copies [10]. FDA has proposed ending that path, and the proposal is not final [8].
Approved product
Approved by FDA and sold with a prescription as a daily shot for type 2 diabetes.
Brand names: Victoza
Manufacturer: Novo Nordisk
Indication: Type 2 diabetes in adults and children 10 and older, and lower heart risk in adults with type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
Approved product
Approved by FDA and sold with a prescription as a daily shot for weight loss.
Brand names: Saxenda
Manufacturer: Novo Nordisk
Indication: Weight loss with diet and exercise in adults and children 12 and older with obesity who weigh more than 60 kg, and in adults with overweight and a related health problem.
Lawful compounding
Liraglutide is still on FDA's drug shortage list. While it stays there, outsourcing facilities may make it from raw powder. FDA has proposed keeping it off their list of allowed raw ingredients, so this path would close when the shortage ends. The proposal is not final.
Recruiting trials
A listing is not a recommendation. Trials have strict eligibility rules. Talk to your doctor and read the official record.
Snapshot of .clinicaltrials.gov
NCT07787936
GLP-1/GIP Receptor Agonists in Obesity-Related HFpEF: The GLIDE-HF Registry
Phase: Not stated · Sponsor: Miedziowe Centrum Zdrowia SA · Status: Not yet recruiting
Countries: Poland
US states: none listed
NCT07027969
Metabolic Surgery for Atrial Fibrillation Elimination
Phase: Phase 4 · Sponsor: Ali Aminian · Status: Not yet recruiting
Countries: United States
US states: Ohio
NCT07881783
A Real-world Study of Treatment Retention and Adherence to Secukinumab in Patients With Plaque Psoriasis (PsO) With or Without Glucagon-like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonist (GLP-1 RA) Co-therapy
Phase: Not stated · Sponsor: Novartis Pharmaceuticals · Status: Not yet recruiting
Countries: none listed
US states: none listed
NCT07702461
Determination of Resistance Training Status for Patients on Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists
Phase: Not stated · Sponsor: Ohio State University · Status: Recruiting
Countries: United States
US states: Ohio
NCT06726577
TP04HN106 in the Treatment of Patients With Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Phase: Phase 1/Phase 2 · Sponsor: Talengen Institute of Life Sciences, Shenzhen, P.R. China. · Status: Recruiting
Countries: China
US states: none listed
NCT07301437
RWS of of Liraglutide Alone and in Combination With Orlistat for Weight Loss in Overweight/Obese Patients.
Phase: Phase 4 · Sponsor: The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine · Status: Not yet recruiting
Countries: none listed
US states: none listed
NCT07107334
A Study to Estimate Early Clinical Efficacy Signals of GLP-1 Agonist Administration in Conjunction With Levonorgestrel Intrauterine Device in Obese Patients With Endometrioid Intraepithelial Neoplasia
Phase: Phase 2 · Sponsor: University of Florida · Status: Recruiting
Countries: United States
US states: Florida
NCT06836284
The Evira Study: Additional Support During Obesity Treatment
Phase: Not applicable · Sponsor: Karolinska Institutet · Status: Recruiting
Countries: Sweden
US states: none listed
NCT07225816
Examination of How the Duration of Fasting and Temporary Stopping of GLP-1 Medications Affect the Amount of Food Left in the Stomach in People Using Liraglutide (Injected), Semaglutide (Taken by Mouth) or Semaglutide (Injected)
Phase: Phase 1 · Sponsor: Novo Nordisk A/S · Status: Recruiting
Countries: United States
US states: California
NCT06976619
The Effect of Glycemic Control and of GLP-1 Receptor Agonism on Islet GLP-1 in People With Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes
Phase: Phase 2 · Sponsor: Mayo Clinic · Status: Recruiting
Countries: United States
US states: Minnesota
NCT06903923
Bone Metabolism in 12-21 Year Olds Undergoing Glucagon Like Peptide (GLP)-1 Receptor Agonist Therapy
Phase: Phase 2 · Sponsor: University of Virginia · Status: Recruiting
Countries: United States
US states: Virginia
NCT07042672
Behavioral Therapy and GLP-1 Analogue Effects on Binge Eating, Weight, and Coping in Obesity
Phase: Not stated · Sponsor: Haukeland University Hospital · Status: Recruiting
Countries: Norway
US states: none listed
NCT07094568
Tirzepatide vs Liraglutide in Bone
Phase: Not stated · Sponsor: National and Kapodistrian University of Athens · Status: Recruiting
Countries: Greece
US states: none listed
NCT06742710
Liraglutide Treatment in Obese Infertile PCOS Women
Phase: Phase 4 · Sponsor: Peking University Third Hospital · Status: Recruiting
Countries: China
US states: none listed
NCT07029009
Liraglutide Treatment in Patients With Maturity-onset Diabetes of the Young (MODY)
Phase: Phase 2 · Sponsor: Mansa · Status: Recruiting
Countries: United States
US states: Ohio
NCT06865365
Preoperative Use of Liraglutide Additionally to Common Dietological Measures as Opposed to Dietological Measures Alone
Phase: Phase 4 · Sponsor: Medical University of Vienna · Status: Not yet recruiting
Countries: none listed
US states: none listed
NCT07244003
Efficacy and Safety of the Met+SGLT-2i+GLP-1RA in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes With Poor Glycemic Control
Phase: Phase 4 · Sponsor: Hangzhou Zhongmei Huadong Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. · Status: Recruiting
Countries: China
US states: none listed
NCT06361238
Liraglutide in Preventing Delirium in Diabetic Elderly After Cardiac Surgery
Phase: Phase 3 · Sponsor: The Affiliated Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School · Status: Recruiting
Countries: China
US states: none listed
NCT06374875
Fibrosis Lessens After Metabolic Surgery
Phase: Phase 4 · Sponsor: The Cleveland Clinic · Status: Recruiting
Countries: United States, Brazil, Canada, Finland, India, Ireland, Italy, Kuwait, Mexico, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom
US states: Arizona, Indiana, Minnesota, Ohio
NCT06686134
Comprehensive Clinical Evaluation Study of GLP-1RA
Phase: Not stated · Sponsor: LI YAN · Status: Recruiting
Countries: China
US states: none listed
NCT06720246
Impact of Bariatric Surgery and Liraglutide on Cognitive-Behavioral Markers of Long-Term Weight Loss in Obesity
Phase: Not stated · Sponsor: I.R.C.C.S Ospedale Galeazzi-Sant'Ambrogio · Status: Recruiting
Countries: Italy
US states: none listed
NCT07309094
Clinical, Morphometric and Biochemical Effects on Adiposopathy Associated With the Use of GLP-1RA in CKD
Phase: Not stated · Sponsor: Cardenal Herrera University · Status: Recruiting
Countries: Spain
US states: none listed
NCT05925959
Preoperative Weight Loss for Open Abdominal Wall Reconstruction
Phase: Not applicable · Sponsor: Benjamin T. Miller · Status: Recruiting
Countries: United States
US states: Illinois, Ohio
NCT05681299
Effects of GH and Lirglutide on AgRP
Phase: Phase 4 · Sponsor: Columbia University · Status: Recruiting
Countries: United States
US states: New York
NCT05268237
Safety, Tolerability and Preliminary Efficacy of Sublingual Liraglutide in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Phase: Phase 1/Phase 2 · Sponsor: Biolingus · Status: Recruiting
Countries: Hong Kong
US states: none listed
NCT05390892
PREvention of CardIovascular and DiabEtic kidNey Disease in Type 2 Diabetes
Phase: Phase 4 · Sponsor: Brigham and Women's Hospital · Status: Recruiting
Countries: United States
US states: Alabama, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Wisconsin
NCT04575844
Effects of Exercise and GLP-1 Agonism on Muscle Microvascular Perfusion and Insulin Action in Adults With Metabolic Syndrome
Phase: Phase 4 · Sponsor: University of Virginia · Status: Recruiting
Countries: United States
US states: Virginia
NCT03883412
Effect of Exercise and/or Liraglutide on Vascular Dysfunction and Insulin Sensitivity in Type 2 Diabetes ( ZQL007)
Phase: Phase 4 · Sponsor: University of Virginia · Status: Recruiting
Countries: United States
US states: Virginia
NCT03087032
Liraglutide-bolus vs Glargine-bolus Therapy in Overweight/Obese Type 2 Diabetes Patients (LiraGooD)
Phase: Phase 4 · Sponsor: The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University · Status: Recruiting
Countries: China
US states: none listed
NCT03878706
The Cardiovascular Effect of GLP-1 Agonist, SGLT2 Inhibitor and Their Combination
Phase: Not stated · Sponsor: University of Athens · Status: Recruiting
Countries: Greece
US states: none listed
How people are getting it anyway
This section describes what happens and is not a recommendation.
Liraglutide reaches people outside the approved brands and generics in three main ways [10] [11]. The first is copies made by pharmacies and outsourcing facilities. Pharmacies that make copies for one patient do not have to meet factory quality rules. So a problem in the raw powder may not be caught [11]. The second is websites that offer these copies. In February 2026, FDA warned a website whose claims suggested its liraglutide copies were approved. Its pictured label also named a business that did not make the drug [10]. In June 2026, FDA sent 25 more such letters, one of them about liraglutide [13]. The third is raw powder shipped from other countries. FDA checked 48 sites that make raw GLP-1 powder. It found 21% broke its rules or did not answer its requests in time [11]. Its border staff may hold such shipments without testing them [11].
FDA has not checked any of these copies for safety or whether they work [10]. No FDA page we found names fake liraglutide, so this page does not describe that channel.
Compounding outside the rules
Copies of liraglutide made by pharmacies and outsourcing facilities, often from raw powder made abroad.
The lawOutsourcing facilities may make it from raw powder only while it is on FDA's shortage list or on their list of allowed ingredients. FDA has proposed keeping it off that list.fda.gov
Documented riskFDA found that 21% of 48 sites making raw GLP-1 powder broke its manufacturing rules or did not answer its records requests in time.accessdata.fda.gov
Documented riskPharmacies compounding for one patient are exempt from factory quality rules, so FDA says a problem in the raw powder may not be caught.accessdata.fda.gov
Enforcement FDA proposed keeping liraglutide off the list of raw ingredients outsourcing facilities may use. The proposal is not final.fda.gov
Telehealth
Websites that offer compounded liraglutide straight to consumers.
The lawFDA says a site may not suggest a compounded copy is FDA-approved, or show a label naming a business that did not make it.fda.gov
Documented riskFDA found a site whose pictured label named a business that did not make the drug, so buyers could not tell who made it.fda.gov
Documented riskFDA says compounded copies are not approved and have not been checked for safety or whether they work.fda.gov
Enforcement FDA warning letter to a website offering compounded liraglutide and semaglutide, for claims that suggested the copies were approved.fda.gov
Overseas or import
Raw liraglutide powder shipped into the US from makers in other countries.
The lawFDA lets its border staff hold shipments of raw GLP-1 powder without testing them, unless the maker is on its list of plants that meet its rules.accessdata.fda.gov
Documented riskFDA has seen sites register as GLP-1 powder makers, refuse its records requests, and then drop their registration within a short time.accessdata.fda.gov
Enforcement FDA revised Import Alert 66-80, which covers raw liraglutide and other GLP-1 powders made abroad.accessdata.fda.gov
Sources
- [1]Drugs@FDA: Victoza injection, application 022341Regulatory · primary
- [2]Drugs@FDA: Saxenda injection, application 206321Regulatory · primary
- [3]DailyMed: Victoza injection prescribing information, revised October 2025Label · primary
- [4]DailyMed: Saxenda injection prescribing information, revised June 2026Label · primary
- [5]FDA: first generic referencing Victoza approved, 23 December 2024Regulatory · primary
- [6]FDA: 2025 first generic drug approvals, including liraglutide referencing SaxendaRegulatory · primary
- [7]FDA drug shortages: liraglutide injection, currently in shortageRegulatory · primary
- [8]FDA: proposal to exclude liraglutide from the 503B bulks list, 30 April 2026Regulatory · primary
- [9]FDA: policies for compounders as GLP-1 supply stabilizes, updated 1 April 2026Regulatory · primary
- [10]FDA warning letter to a website offering compounded liraglutide, 20 February 2026Regulatory · primary
- [11]FDA Import Alert 66-80: GLP-1 bulk drug substances, revised 9 October 2026Regulatory · primary
- [12]Orrick: FDA moves to end large-scale compounding of GLP-1 drugsLegal analysis · legal-analysis
- [13]McDermott Will & Schulte, on Mondaq: FDA takes aim at online claims for compounded GLP-1 drugsLegal analysis · legal-analysis
- [14]LEADER: liraglutide and heart outcomes in type 2 diabetes, 2016Rct · peer-reviewed
- [15]SCALE: liraglutide 3.0 mg for weight management, 2015Rct · peer-reviewed
- [16]Ellipse: liraglutide in children and teens with type 2 diabetes, 2019Rct · peer-reviewed
- [17]Liraglutide for teens with obesity, 2020Rct · peer-reviewed
- [18]Cochrane review: liraglutide for adults living with obesity, 2025Systematic review · peer-reviewed
- [19]Review and meta-analysis: liraglutide for weight in children and teens, 2023Systematic review · peer-reviewed
- [20]BioSpace: first generic of Saxenda approved, August 2025Reference · established-news
- [21]Healio: FDA approves a generic form of liraglutide for type 2 diabetesReference · established-news
Last verified · 6 facts · 9 sources
- clinicaltrials.gov
- dailymed.nlm.nih.gov
- dailymed.nlm.nih.gov
- peptideindex.ai
- peptideindex.ai
- pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- accessdata.fda.gov
- accessdata.fda.gov
- accessdata.fda.gov
Primary source: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/daf/index.cfm?event=overview.process&ApplNo=206321
Machine readers: JSON · Markdown · Status history: Change log
Information, not medical advice.
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