Liraglutide: What It Is and Its U.S. Regulatory Status

What is liraglutide?

Liraglutide is a synthetic peptide that acts on the GLP-1 receptor. GLP-1 is a hormone the gut releases after eating. Liraglutide was one of the earlier medicines in the GLP-1 receptor agonist class, which now also includes semaglutide.

U.S. regulatory status

Current status: FDA-approved prescription drug (Rx only).

This means the FDA has reviewed and approved at least one product containing liraglutide for specific uses, and it can only be dispensed with a valid prescription. The approval covers the approved product itself. It does not extend to unapproved products sold under the same name.

Brand names

• Victoza: approved for certain people with type 2 diabetes.
• Saxenda: approved for chronic weight management in certain adults and adolescents.
• Generic liraglutide: FDA-approved generic versions are also available.

Liraglutide products carry a boxed warning about thyroid C-cell tumors. It is available only by prescription from a licensed healthcare provider and is dispensed by a licensed pharmacy.

Why Peptide Labs does not sell liraglutide

Peptide Labs does not sell this compound. This page is general information, not medical advice. We are not a pharmacy and do not provide prescription medicines.

If you have questions about liraglutide or a related health concern, talk to a licensed healthcare provider who knows your medical history.

Related reading

See the full list of compound profiles in the Peptide Guide. For background on what the label “FDA-approved prescription drug” means, read what "FDA-approved prescription drug" means.