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Liraglutide research

What published studies found for Liraglutide: 8 papers, 8 in humans, with sample sizes and key results, plus 332 registered clinical trials.

Strong human evidence

Why: Many large placebo-controlled RCTs in adults, adolescents and children show consistent moderate weight loss; approved drug.

Liraglutide (a daily GLP-1 receptor agonist) is supported by many placebo-controlled human RCTs in adults, adolescents and children showing moderate weight loss (about 4-6 percentage points more than placebo), delayed onset of type 2 diabetes and improved glucose control; it produces clearly less weight loss than semaglutide, and gastrointestinal side effects are common.

✓ 7 positive~ 1 mixed

Weight/BMI tends to rise again after stopping; one suicide in the adolescent trial was judged unlikely to be drug-related.

US compounding: FDA-approved drug. FDA-approved (Victoza, Saxenda), with generics available. Status for every peptide.

Browse and filter these papers Liraglutide prices and vendors

Reported side effects

commonGastrointestinal events (nausea, diarrhea, constipation) [ref] [ref] [ref] [ref] [ref]
commonLoss of appetite [ref]
commonDiscontinuation due to adverse events [ref] [ref]
commonSerious adverse events (similar to or slightly above placebo) [ref] [ref]
reportedIncreased heart rate [ref]
reportedGallstones (cholelithiasis) [ref]

Registered clinical trials

332 trials of Liraglutide on ClinicalTrials.gov: 18 active, 241 completed, 100 with posted results. Registered trials include ones that haven't published yet.

Trial	Status	Phase	People	Sponsor
Liraglutide Treatment in Obese Infertile PCOS WomenNCT06742710 · started 2025-05-22	Recruiting	Phase 4	890	Peking University Third Hospital
Efficacy and Safety of the Met+SGLT-2i+GLP-1RA in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes With Poor Glycemic ControlNCT07244003 · started 2025-03-29	Recruiting	Phase 4	430	Hangzhou Zhongmei Huadong Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
Liraglutide in Preventing Delirium in Diabetic Elderly After Cardiac SurgeryNCT06361238 · started 2024-11-19	Recruiting	Phase 3	260	The Affiliated Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School
Liraglutide-bolus vs Glargine-bolus Therapy in Overweight/Obese Type 2 Diabetes Patients (LiraGooD)NCT03087032 · started 2019-01-10	Recruiting	Phase 4	164	The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University
HbA1c Variability in Type II DiabetesNCT02879409 · started 2016-11	Active, not recruiting	–	150	Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar
RWS of of Liraglutide Alone and in Combination With Orlistat for Weight Loss in Overweight/Obese Patients.NCT07301437 · started 2026-05-01	Not yet recruiting	Phase 4	120	The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine
Effects of Exercise and GLP-1 Agonism on Muscle Microvascular Perfusion and Insulin Action in Adults With Metabolic SyndromeNCT04575844 · started 2020-11-01	Recruiting	Phase 4	80	University of Virginia
Liraglutide in the Prevention of Type 2 Diabetes After Gestational DiabetesNCT04324229 · started 2020-02-07	Active, not recruiting	–	80	Turku University Hospital
SCALE KIDS: Research Study to Look at How Well a New Medicine is at Lowering Weight in Children With ObesityNCT04775082 · started 2021-03-04	Active, not recruiting	Phase 3	78	Novo Nordisk A/S
Preoperative Use of Liraglutide Additionally to Common Dietological Measures as Opposed to Dietological Measures AloneNCT06865365 · started 2025-05-01	Not yet recruiting	Phase 4	72	Medical University of Vienna
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)NCT07225816 · started 2025-11-07	Recruiting	Phase 1	71	Novo Nordisk A/S
The Effect of Glycemic Control and of GLP-1 Receptor Agonism on Islet GLP-1 in People With Type 1 and Type 2 DiabetesNCT06976619 · started 2025-10-03	Recruiting	Phase 2	60	Mayo Clinic

All 332 Liraglutide trials, with countries and recruiting status

Human studies

✓ Positivehuman RCTLancet · 2017

3 years of liraglutide versus placebo for type 2 diabetes risk reduction and weight management in individuals with prediabetes: a randomised, double-blind trial.

n = 2,254 humansRandomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (SCALE Obesity and Prediabetes, 3-year assessment)160 weeks

In 2254 adults with obesity and prediabetes, 3 years of liraglutide 3.0 mg reduced weight by 6.1% vs 1.9% and lowered diabetes onset (2% vs 6%; HR 0.21), though about half of participants withdrew.

Key resultDiabetes diagnosed in 26 (2%) of 1472 on liraglutide vs 46 (6%) of 738 on placebo; time to onset 2.7 times longer (95% CI 1.9 to 3.9, p<0.0001), hazard ratio 0.21 (0.13-0.34)

Studied: Adults with prediabetes and BMI of at least 30, or at least 27 with comorbidities
Compared with: Matched placebo, with reduced-calorie diet and exercise
Main outcome: Time to onset of type 2 diabetes
Sample: 2254 randomized 2:1 (1505 liraglutide, 749 placebo)
Authors' conclusion: Liraglutide 3.0 mg might provide health benefits in terms of reduced risk of diabetes in individuals with obesity and prediabetes.
Limitations: About half withdrew (50% completed); withdrawn individuals were not followed up after discontinuation.

PubMed 28237263 DOI

~ Mixedhuman RCTJAMA · 2022

Effect of Weekly Subcutaneous Semaglutide vs Daily Liraglutide on Body Weight in Adults With Overweight or Obesity Without Diabetes: The STEP 8 Randomized Clinical Trial.

n = 338 humansRandomized, open-label (active arms double-blinded against placebo), phase 3b trial at 19 US sites68 weeks

In 338 adults with obesity, liraglutide reduced weight by 6.4% at 68 weeks vs 1.9% with placebo but much less than semaglutide (15.8%); 27.6% stopped liraglutide and GI events affected 82.7%.

Key resultWeight change -15.8% with semaglutide vs -6.4% with liraglutide (difference -9.4 percentage points, 95% CI -12.0 to -6.8; P < .001); pooled placebo -1.9%

Studied: Adults with overweight or obesity, without diabetes
Compared with: Once-daily liraglutide 3.0 mg (and pooled placebo)
Main outcome: Percentage change in body weight
Sample: 338 randomized (semaglutide n=126, liraglutide n=127, pooled placebo n=85)
Authors' conclusion: Once-weekly semaglutide 2.4 mg resulted in significantly greater weight loss at 68 weeks than once-daily liraglutide 3.0 mg, added to diet and activity counseling.
Limitations: Semaglutide vs liraglutide comparison was open-label.

PubMed 35015037 DOI Free full text

✓ Positivehuman RCTN Engl J Med · 2021

Healthy Weight Loss Maintenance with Exercise, Liraglutide, or Both Combined.

n = 195 humansRandomized, head-to-head, placebo-controlled trial of exercise, liraglutide, both, or placebo1 year

After an 8-week diet (13.1 kg lost), 195 adults on liraglutide kept off 6.8 kg more than placebo at 1 year, and liraglutide plus exercise did best; increased heart rate and gallstones were seen more with liraglutide alone.

Key resultWeight loss vs placebo: exercise -4.1 kg (P = 0.03), liraglutide -6.8 kg (P<0.001), combination -9.5 kg (P<0.001)

Studied: Adults with obesity (BMI 32 to 43) without diabetes
Compared with: Placebo plus usual activity
Main outcome: Change in body weight (primary), body-fat percentage
Sample: 195 participants after an 8-week low-calorie diet, randomized to four arms
Authors' conclusion: A strategy combining exercise and liraglutide improved healthy weight loss maintenance more than either treatment alone.

PubMed 33951361 DOI

✓ Positivehuman RCTN Engl J Med · 2019

Liraglutide in Children and Adolescents with Type 2 Diabetes.

n = 135 humansRandomized, double-blind 26-week period plus 26-week open-label extension26 weeks double-blind, 52 weeks total

In 134 youths with type 2 diabetes on metformin, liraglutide lowered HbA1c by 1.06 points more than placebo at 26 weeks (1.30 at 52 weeks), with more GI adverse events.

Key resultHbA1c fell 0.64 percentage points with liraglutide and rose 0.42 with placebo (difference -1.06, P<0.001)

Studied: Patients aged 10 to <17 years with type 2 diabetes on metformin (with or without insulin)
Compared with: Placebo (all on metformin)
Main outcome: Change in HbA1c at 26 weeks
Sample: 135 randomized; 134 treated (66 liraglutide, 68 placebo)
Authors' conclusion: Liraglutide up to 1.8 mg/day added to metformin improved glycemic control over 52 weeks, at the cost of more gastrointestinal adverse events.

PubMed 31034184 DOI

✓ Positivehuman RCTN Engl J Med · 2025

Liraglutide for Children 6 to <12 Years of Age with Obesity - A Randomized Trial.

n = 82 humansPhase 3a randomized trial (2:1), SCALE Kids56 weeks plus 26-week follow-up

In 82 children aged 6-11 with obesity, 56 weeks of liraglutide changed BMI by -5.8% vs +1.6% with placebo; GI adverse events 80% vs 54%.

Key resultMean BMI change -5.8% with liraglutide vs 1.6% with placebo (difference -7.4 percentage points, 95% CI -11.6 to -3.2; P<0.001)

Studied: Children aged 6 to <12 years with obesity
Compared with: Placebo plus lifestyle interventions
Main outcome: Percentage change in BMI
Sample: 82 randomized (56 liraglutide, 26 placebo)
Authors' conclusion: Liraglutide for 56 weeks plus lifestyle interventions produced a greater BMI reduction than placebo in children with obesity. GI adverse events were more common with liraglutide.
Limitations: Small trial (82 children); GI adverse events more common (80% vs 54%).

PubMed 39258838 DOI

✓ Positivehuman RCTN Engl J Med · 2020

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

125 assigned to liraglutide and 126 to placeboRandomized, double-blind trial with 56-week treatment and 26-week follow-up56 weeks treatment plus 26 weeks follow-up

In 251 adolescents with obesity, 56 weeks of liraglutide lowered BMI SD score vs placebo (-0.22) and body weight by about 5 percentage points; GI events 64.8% vs 36.5% and BMI rose again after stopping.

Key resultBMI SD score difference -0.22 (95% CI -0.37 to -0.08; P = 0.002) favoring liraglutide; BMI reduction of at least 5% in 43.3% vs 18.7%

Studied: Adolescents (12 to <18 years) with obesity and poor response to lifestyle therapy
Compared with: Placebo plus lifestyle therapy
Main outcome: Change in BMI standard-deviation score at week 56
Authors' conclusion: In adolescents with obesity, liraglutide 3.0 mg plus lifestyle therapy led to a significantly greater reduction in BMI SD score than placebo. GI adverse events were more frequent with liraglutide.
Limitations: BMI SD score rose more after discontinuation; more GI adverse events and discontinuations with liraglutide.

PubMed 32233338 DOI

✓ Positivehuman RCTInt J Obes (Lond) · 2016

Effect of liraglutide 3.0 mg in individuals with obesity and moderate or severe obstructive sleep apnea: the SCALE Sleep Apnea randomized clinical trial.

359 not stated; 180 liraglutide, 179 placeboRandomized, double-blind trial (SCALE Sleep Apnea)32 weeks

In 359 adults with obesity and moderate-severe sleep apnea, 32 weeks of liraglutide reduced the apnea-hypopnea index by 12.2 vs 6.1 events/hour and weight by 5.7% vs 1.6%.

Key resultAHI fell -12.2 vs -6.1 events/h; estimated difference -6.1 (95% CI -11.0 to -1.2), P=0.0150; weight -5.7% vs -1.6%

Studied: Non-diabetic adults with obesity and moderate or severe obstructive sleep apnea unwilling/unable to use CPAP
Compared with: Placebo, with diet and exercise
Main outcome: Change in apnea-hypopnea index (AHI)
Authors' conclusion: Liraglutide 3.0 mg was generally well tolerated and produced significantly greater reductions than placebo in AHI, body weight, systolic BP and HbA1c; weight loss improves OSA-related parameters.
Limitations: Association of weight loss with OSA improvement was post hoc.

PubMed 27005405 DOI Free full text

✓ Positivehuman RCTLancet · 2016

Liraglutide safety and efficacy in patients with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (LEAN): a multicentre, double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled phase 2 study.

52 not stated; 26 per arm randomized, 45 biopsied (23 liraglutide, 22 placebo)Multicentre, double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled phase 2 trial (LEAN)48 weeks

In 52 patients with NASH, 48 weeks of liraglutide resolved NASH in 39% vs 9% with placebo, with less fibrosis progression (9% vs 36%); diarrhea, constipation and appetite loss were more frequent.

Key resultNASH resolved in 9 (39%) of 23 on liraglutide vs 2 (9%) of 22 on placebo (relative risk 4.3, 95% CI 1.0-17.7; p=0.019)

Studied: Overweight patients with clinical evidence of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis
Compared with: Placebo
Main outcome: Resolution of definite NASH without worsening fibrosis
Authors' conclusion: Liraglutide was safe, well tolerated and led to histological resolution of NASH, warranting extensive longer-term studies.
Limitations: Small phase 2 trial in four UK centres; GI side effects more common with liraglutide.

PubMed 26608256 DOI

Verdicts are judged on each paper's own main outcome; grades run from A (strong human evidence) to D (little or none). Details are read from the abstracts, and figures are reproduced only from openly licensed full texts. Not medical advice.