What is the recommended dose of liraglutide (Victoza) for weight loss?

From the Guidelines

For weight loss, the recommended dose of liraglutide (brand name Saxenda) is 3.0 mg injected subcutaneously once daily, with a gradual dose titration starting at 0.6 mg daily for the first 7 days, followed by doses of 1.2 mg, 1.8 mg, and 2.4 mg daily every 7 days at each dose until the maintenance dose of 3.0 mg is reached after 4 weeks 1.

Key Considerations

• The dose titration schedule can be adjusted based on individual patient response, tolerance, and adverse effects, with clinical judgment guiding decisions on subsequent dosing if doses are missed 1.
• Liraglutide works by mimicking GLP-1, a hormone that regulates appetite and food intake, helping patients feel fuller longer and eat less.
• Treatment effectiveness should be evaluated after 16 weeks; if less than 4% of body weight is lost, the medication should be discontinued as benefits may not outweigh risks.

Administration and Side Effects

• The medication should be injected in the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm at approximately the same time each day.
• Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation, which typically improve over time.

Comparison to Other Treatments

• It's essential to note that the dose for weight loss (3.0 mg) is different from the diabetes treatment dose (Victoza), which maxes out at 1.8 mg.
• Liraglutide is one of several medications approved for weight loss, including phentermine, orlistat, phentermine/topiramate, lorcaserin, and bupropion/naltrexone, each with its own recommended dosage and administration schedule 1.

From the FDA Drug Label

2.1 Recommended Dosage Adult Patients • The recommended starting dosage of VICTOZA is 0.6 mg injected subcutaneously once daily for one week. • After one week at the 0.6 mg once daily dosage, increase the dosage to 1.2 mg injected subcutaneously once daily. • If additional glycemic control is required, increase the dosage to the maximum recommended dosage of 1.8 mg injected subcutaneously once daily after at least one week of treatment with the 1.2 mg once daily dosage.

The dose of liraglutide for weight loss is not explicitly stated in the provided drug label, as the label primarily discusses the use of liraglutide for glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. However, the maximum recommended dosage of 1.8 mg injected subcutaneously once daily is mentioned for glycemic control. Key points:

• The label does not provide a specific dose for weight loss.
• The maximum dose for glycemic control is 1.8 mg once daily. 2

From the Research

Liraglutide Dosage for Weight Loss

• The recommended dose of liraglutide for weight loss is 3 mg per day, as stated in studies 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.
• This dose is higher than the dose used for diabetes treatment, which is 1.2 to 1.8 mg per day 3.
• The 3 mg per day dose has been shown to result in significant weight loss, with a mean weight loss of 5% or more beyond the placebo effect 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.

Efficacy of Liraglutide for Weight Loss

• Liraglutide has been shown to be effective for weight loss in overweight and obese adults, with or without diabetes 4, 5, 6, 7.
• The efficacy of liraglutide for weight loss has been demonstrated in several randomized controlled trials, with significant reductions in body weight, waist circumference, and BMI 4, 5, 6, 7.
• Liraglutide has also been shown to improve weight control and reduce the risk of weight-related comorbidities 4, 5, 6, 7.

Safety of Liraglutide for Weight Loss

• The safety of liraglutide for weight loss has been evaluated in several studies, with common adverse events including gastrointestinal disorders, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.
• Serious adverse events, such as severe pancreatitis and gallstones, have also been reported, although these are rare 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.
• The overall safety profile of liraglutide for weight loss is considered reasonable, with the benefits of treatment outweighing the risks for most patients 4, 5, 6, 7.