Liraglutide for Type 2 Diabetes: Evidence, Eligibility
Liraglutide is FDA approved for type 2 diabetes as Victoza. In SCALE Obesity and Prediabetes, people on Saxenda lost 7.4% of body weight on average, vs 3% on placebo.
- Brands
- Victoza and Saxenda
- Best result (SCALE Obesity and Prediabetes)
- 7.4% weight loss
Saxenda: a quick look
Its half-life is about 13 hours: after 13 h half is gone, and after five half-lives (2.7 d) about 3% is left.
In SCALE Obesity and Prediabetes, 56 weeks, the result was 7.4% of body weight versus 3% on placebo.
Source for warnings: FDA label (DailyMed).
Who qualifies?
| Medicine | Who qualifies |
|---|---|
 Victoza | Used with diet and exercise, it lowers blood sugar for adults and children 10 and older who have type 2 diabetes. |
| Victoza | For adults with heart disease and type 2 diabetes, it lowers the chance of a heart attack, stroke, or death related to the heart. |
 Saxenda | Children or adults aged 12 and older (over 60 kg) with obesity can use it to lose weight with diet and activity and keep the weight off over time. It also applies to adults who are overweight and also have a weight-related condition. |
Results from type 2 diabetes trials
| Trial | Medicine | Who took part | Length | People | Main result | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SCALE Obesity and Prediabetes | Saxenda | Adults with obesity, or adults who are overweight, as long as they do not have type 2 diabetes | 56 weeks | 3,731 | 7.4% weight loss | 3% on placebo |
Study cited: SCALE Obesity and Prediabetes (FDA label (DailyMed)).
What is different for type 2 diabetes?
| What changes | What the label says | Labels |
|---|---|---|
| Hypoglycemia | When you take it with insulin or a sulfonylurea, low blood sugar becomes more likely, and lowering those doses may be needed. | All of them |
| Taken with insulin or sulfonylureas | If you use this medicine alongside insulin or a sulfonylurea, including glipizide or glimepiride, you are more likely to have low blood sugar. The doctor may reduce the amount of each you take. | All of them |
The source is FDA labels: FDA label (DailyMed).
From the label warnings: FDA DailyMed label.
Coverage for type 2 diabetes
Medicare Part D may cover these medicines when they are prescribed for diabetes or cardiovascular disease.
Sources: humana.com.
- Liraglutide Cost Without Insurance
- Liraglutide Coupon and Savings Card
- Is Liraglutide Covered by Insurance? Criteria, Copay, Appeal
- Does Medicare Cover Liraglutide? Criteria, Copay, How to Appeal
- Does Medicaid Cover Liraglutide? Criteria, Copay, How to Appeal
- Victoza Cost
- Victoza Coupon and Savings Card
- Victoza Cost Without Insurance
- Victoza Cost With Insurance
Alternatives for type 2 diabetes
| Medicine | For type 2 diabetes | How it is taken | Trial result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Victoza | FDA approved | daily injection | Not listed |
 Ozempic | FDA approved | weekly injection | Not listed |
 Rybelsus | FDA approved | daily tablet | Not listed |
 Mounjaro | FDA approved | weekly injection | A1C down 2.3 points |
 Trulicity | FDA approved | weekly injection | A1C down 1.77 points |
| Byetta | FDA approved | twice-daily injection | Not listed |
| Saxenda | Not an approved use | daily injection | 7.4% weight loss |
 Wegovy | Not an approved use | weekly injection or daily tablet | 9.6% weight loss |
 Zepbound | Not an approved use | weekly injection | 14.7% weight loss |
 Foundayo | Not an approved use | daily tablet | 9.6% weight loss |
Sources: FDA label (DailyMed), PubMed.
Questions to ask your prescriber
- Will my other diabetes medicines need changes, especially insulin or a sulfonylurea?
- How often do my eyes need to be checked?
- What A1C level should I aim for?