liraglutide

Liraglutide is a synthetic analog of human glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and acts as an agonist of the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor. It is used for the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus, prevention of cardiovascular complications associated with diabetes, and for weight management in obesity. Liraglutide increases insulin secretion and decreases glucagon secretion in response to glucose, slows gastric emptying, and reduces appetite. Its prolonged action is achieved by attaching a fatty acid molecule to the GLP-1 structure, allowing reversible binding to albumin and slower degradation compared to endogenous GLP-1. Liraglutide was developed by Novo Nordisk.

Brand names

VictozaSaxenda

Other names

Arg34Lys26-(N-ε-(γ-Glu(N-α-hexadecanoyl)))-GLP-1[7-37]LiraglutidaLiraglutidumN²⁶-(hexadecanoyl-gamma-glutamyle)-[34-arginine]GLP-1-(7-37)-peptideN²⁶-(N-Hexadecanoyl-L-gamma-glutamyl)-[34-L-arginine]glucagon-like peptide 1-(7-37)-peptide