Claimed effect · Liraglutide

Does Liraglutide help with blood glucose?

A
Grade A — established in humansLEAD programme, 6 RCTs · effect size: moderate
Short answerEstablished in humans. LEAD programme, 6 RCTs point the same way: a moderate effect. The original approval basis (Victoza, 2009–2010): HbA1c reductions of roughly 1–1.5 percentage points across the LEAD trials.

What the studies show

The original approval basis (Victoza, 2009–2010): HbA1c reductions of roughly 1–1.5 percentage points across the LEAD trials.

Several well-run randomised trials in people, pointing the same way. You can plan around this. It still says nothing about whether the effect is worth the side effects for you.

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In context

Liraglutide is a once-daily GLP-1 receptor agonist and the drug that proved the class. In the 3,731-person SCALE trial it produced 8.0% weight loss at 56 weeks against 2.6% on placebo, and in the 9,340-person LEADER trial it cut major cardiovascular events by 13% and cardiovascular death by 22% in people with type 2 diabetes. It is approved almost everywhere, now generic, and less effective than the weekly drugs that followed it.

Liraglutide is approved (saxenda, victoza). Legal status differs by country — see the regulation section or the jurisdiction pages.

Questions

Is Liraglutide proven to help with blood glucose?
Yes, as far as human trials can show it: LEAD programme, 6 RCTs. LYO grades this outcome A.
What studies are behind the grade?
The original approval basis (Victoza, 2009–2010): HbA1c reductions of roughly 1–1.5 percentage points across the LEAD trials.
Is Liraglutide approved for this?
Liraglutide is an approved medicine (Approved (Saxenda, Victoza)); whether this particular outcome is a licensed indication is stated on the compound page's regulation section.

Other outcomes for Liraglutide

Reviewed 3 September 2026. Grades count human evidence only; see how LYO grades. Not medical advice. Correct this page →