Active ingredient
Liraglutide: FDA Status, Uses, Safety and Cost
Single receptor target (GLP-1)
What Liraglutide is
Liraglutide is a once-daily GLP-1 receptor agonist and one of the earliest drugs in the class. It is the active ingredient in Saxenda (approved for chronic weight management) and Victoza (approved for type 2 diabetes). The FDA has approved generic versions of liraglutide — one of the first GLP-1 medications to have generics.
Key facts
| Generic (active ingredient) | Liraglutide |
|---|---|
| Brand names | Saxenda, Victoza |
| Drug class | GLP-1 receptor agonist |
| Manufacturer | Novo Nordisk (generic versions by other manufacturers) |
| FDA status | FDA ApprovedApproved for chronic weight management |
| Administration | Subcutaneous injection |
| Frequency | Once daily |
| Approval date | First liraglutide approval: January 2010 (Victoza). Weight-management approval: December 2014 (Saxenda). |
| Prescription required | Yes |
| Official label | Prescribing information (DailyMed) |
What Liraglutide is approved for
- Chronic weight management (as Saxenda) in adults with obesity or overweight with a weight-related condition, and in pediatric patients aged 12 and older with obesity, as an adjunct to a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity
- Type 2 diabetes (as Victoza) — a different indication from weight management
How Liraglutide works
Like other GLP-1 receptor agonists, liraglutide mimics the GLP-1 hormone, acting on appetite-regulation pathways and slowing gastric emptying, which reduces calorie intake. It requires daily rather than weekly injection.
- 1
Medication binds
A GLP-1 receptor agonist activates the receptor for the natural GLP-1 hormone.
- 2
Signals are sent
Appetite-regulating areas of the brain are affected, increasing fullness.
- 3
Stomach slows
Gastric emptying slows, so food stays in the stomach longer.
- 4
Intake falls
Per FDA labeling, weight reduction happens mainly through eating fewer calories.
Administration
Liraglutide is given by subcutaneous injection, once daily.
We do not publish dosing guidance
Dose selection, titration schedules, and what to do about a missed dose are individual clinical decisions. Follow the instructions from your prescriber and the official prescribing information — never a website.
Important safety information
Boxed Warning — the FDA’s most serious warning
Risk of thyroid C-cell tumors: caused thyroid C-cell tumors in rodents at clinically relevant exposures; it is unknown whether this occurs in humans. Contraindicated in patients with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2).
Summarized from the product’s FDA prescribing information. Read the full label, linked in Sources below.
Contraindications (who should not take it)
- Personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC)
- Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2)
- Pregnancy (per Saxenda labeling)
- Known serious hypersensitivity to liraglutide or product components
Summarized from the FDA prescribing information. This is not the complete list — see the full label.
Common adverse reactions from official labeling
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Vomiting
- Injection site reactions
- Headache
- Dyspepsia (indigestion)
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Abdominal pain
The most common adverse reactions listed in the product’s FDA prescribing information. Frequency and full adverse-reaction data are in the label.
Brand and generic relationships
Liraglutide is the active ingredient in the following FDA-approved brand products.
Cost and access
- Available only by prescription.
- FDA-approved generic liraglutide exists, which can make it a lower-cost GLP-1 option — pharmacy prices vary; verify current pricing with pharmacies.
- Novo Nordisk savings programs may apply to brand products for eligible patients; check current terms.
Why we don't publish a price
List prices, savings-card amounts, and self-pay offers change frequently and vary by pharmacy, plan, and location. Any figure we printed would be wrong for many readers and stale within weeks. See our cost guide for how to get an accurate number for your own situation.
Insurance considerations
- As with other GLP-1 drugs, coverage is indication-specific: Victoza (diabetes) is more commonly covered than Saxenda (weight management).
- Generic availability may affect formulary placement — check your plan documents.
More detail: how insurance coverage works for weight-loss medication.
Frequently asked questions
- Is liraglutide the same as semaglutide?
- No. Both are GLP-1 receptor agonists from Novo Nordisk, but they are different molecules: liraglutide is injected once daily, semaglutide once weekly (injectable forms). Their approved products and labeling differ.
- Is there a generic for Saxenda or Victoza?
- The FDA has approved generic liraglutide products, making liraglutide one of the first GLP-1 medications with generic competition. Availability at a given pharmacy varies — confirm with the pharmacy.
Related guides
Sources
- Liraglutide prescribing information (DailyMed, NIH) — DailyMed/NIH. Link last verified August 12, 2026.
- Drugs@FDA database — FDA. Link last verified August 12, 2026.
Not medical advice. WeightLossDrugsGuide is an independent educational publisher. We are not a pharmacy, a medical provider, or a telehealth clinic, and we do not provide personalized medical recommendations or dosing guidance. Information here summarizes official FDA labeling and other primary sources and may not reflect the most recent changes. Always talk with a licensed clinician about your own situation, and read the full prescribing information for any medication.