What is the brand name for liraglutide (GLP-1 receptor agonist)?

Brand Names for Liraglutide

Liraglutide is marketed under the brand names Victoza and Saxenda, with Victoza being the primary brand name used for diabetes treatment at doses up to 1.8 mg daily. 1, 2

Brand Names by Indication

For Type 2 Diabetes

• Victoza: FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes management at doses of 0.6 mg, 1.2 mg, or 1.8 mg once daily as subcutaneous injection 2, 3
  • Available as pre-filled pens containing 3 mL solution (6 mg/mL), equivalent to 18 mg liraglutide per pen 2
  • Typically initiated at 0.6 mg daily for one week, then increased to 1.2 mg (usual dose) or 1.8 mg (maximum dose) if needed 4

For Weight Management

• Saxenda: FDA-approved for obesity treatment at a higher dose of 3.0 mg once daily 5
  • Indicated for weight management in combination with diet and exercise in adults with:
    • BMI ≥30 kg/m² or
    • BMI ≥27 kg/m² with at least one weight-related comorbidity 5

Clinical Considerations

Formulation Details

• Liraglutide is an analog of human GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) with 97% homology to native human GLP-1 2
• Each 1 mL of solution contains 6 mg of liraglutide with inactive ingredients including disodium phosphate dihydrate, propylene glycol, phenol, and water for injection 2

Administration

• Administered as once-daily subcutaneous injection 6, 3
• For Victoza, treatment is typically initiated at 0.6 mg daily for one week to improve digestive tolerance, then increased to 1.2 mg or 1.8 mg as needed 4

Key Points to Remember

• While both Victoza and Saxenda contain the same active ingredient (liraglutide), they are prescribed at different doses for different indications
• Victoza (liraglutide) has demonstrated cardiovascular benefits in patients with type 2 diabetes, with significant reductions in major adverse cardiovascular events and cardiovascular death 1
• Common side effects include gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, which typically decrease over time 6, 3, 4

When prescribing liraglutide, it's important to specify the brand name (Victoza for diabetes or Saxenda for obesity) to ensure the patient receives the appropriate formulation and dosing for their condition.