Liraglutide Not Working? The Checklist, in Order
Results vary a lot by person. In SCALE Obesity and Prediabetes, the average loss on liraglutide 3.0 mg daily was 7.4% over 56 weeks, against 3% on placebo. If you have lost little after several months on your full dose, talk to your prescriber.
- Average loss, top dose
- 7.4%
- On placebo
- 3%
- Trial length
- 56 weeks
- Trial
- SCALE Obesity and Prediabetes
A quick look at Saxenda
Its half-life is about 13 hours: after 13 h, half is gone, and after five half-lives (2.7 d), about 3% remains.
The SCALE Obesity and Prediabetes, 56 weeks figures: 7.4% of body weight, and 3% on placebo.
Sources: FDA label (DailyMed).
Liraglutide not working: the numbers first
| Trial | Dose group | Average weight lost | Placebo or comparison | Weeks | Who was in it |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SCALE Obesity and Prediabetes | Liraglutide 3.0 mg daily | 7.4% | 3% | 56 | Adults living with obesity or overweight, without type 2 diabetes |
Source: SCALE Obesity and Prediabetes (FDA label (DailyMed)).
What causes it to stall, and what helps
- Check where you stand on the dose steps. In all the trials above, the lower doses went with less weight loss.
- Missed doses and late doses: count them over the past month.
- For a few days, write down what you eat and drink. As portions shrink, liquid calories and grazing add up.
- Eat protein with each meal, and keep up your strength exercise so that most of the weight you lose is fat.
- Check your sleep and stress, because both of them change your appetite.
- Ask your pharmacist whether any of your other medicines can cause weight gain.
- Has your progress stalled for months? Then ask your prescriber about a thyroid or blood sugar check, and about switching medicines.
How many people stopped in the trials?
| Trial | Dose group | What happened | Drug | Placebo |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SCALE Obesity and Prediabetes | All doses, label pool | Stopped for side effects | 9.8% | Not listed |
Source: SCALE Obesity and Prediabetes (FDA label (DailyMed)).