Liraglutide
LicensedGLP-1 receptor agonist · also known as Saxenda, Victoza
Last updated 28 October 2026
A once daily GLP-1 receptor agonist, licensed in the UK as Saxenda for weight management and Victoza for type 2 diabetes.
Key points
- Liraglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist, an older medicine in the same family as semaglutide.
- It is licensed in the UK as Saxenda for weight management and Victoza for type 2 diabetes.
- Unlike the weekly medicines, it is a once daily injection under the skin.
- It is a prescription only medicine, so a registered prescriber must assess you first.
- NICE recommends Saxenda for weight management within specialist services for some people.
Quick facts
- UK status
- Licensed prescription only medicine
- Licensed as
- Saxenda (weight management), Victoza (type 2 diabetes)
- Class
- GLP-1 receptor agonist
- Half life
- About 13 hours, so it is given once daily
- Given as
- Once daily injection under the skin
- Legal supply
- NHS services, CQC registered clinics, GPhC registered pharmacies
Dosing: the licensed step up
Saxenda for weight management is a once daily injection, started low and raised each week to a 3 mg maintenance dose to reduce stomach side effects. The schedule below is the licensed step up.
| Stage | Dose |
|---|---|
| Week 1 | 0.6 mg once daily |
| Week 2 | 1.2 mg once daily |
| Week 3 | 1.8 mg once daily |
| Week 4 | 2.4 mg once daily |
| Week 5 onward | 3 mg once daily (maintenance) |
This is the licensed schedule, not a dosing recommendation. Your prescriber sets your dose. Never change the dose yourself.
How it works
Liraglutide copies GLP-1, a hormone the gut releases after eating. It lowers appetite, slows how quickly the stomach empties, and helps control blood sugar. It works on the same pathway as semaglutide but is cleared faster, so it is taken daily.
What the evidence shows
Liraglutide 3 mg (Saxenda) was studied in the SCALE trials for weight management, where people lost more weight on average than on a placebo, though less than with the newer weekly medicines. Victoza has long term diabetes and cardiovascular outcome data.
What it does not settle
- Average weight loss is smaller than with semaglutide or tirzepatide.
- A daily injection suits some people less well than a weekly one.
- Weight tends to return after stopping, as with other GLP-1 medicines.
Side effects
Common
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and constipation, most often early on. These usually ease with time.
- Headache and low energy.
Less common but serious
- Pancreatitis is rare but serious. Seek urgent medical help for severe, lasting stomach pain, especially with vomiting.
- Gallbladder problems, and low blood sugar when combined with certain diabetes medicines.
Report any suspected side effect through the MHRA Yellow Card scheme.
UK legal status and access
Liraglutide is a licensed prescription only medicine. NICE recommends Saxenda for weight management within specialist weight management services for people who meet its criteria, and it is available privately through CQC registered clinics and GPhC registered pharmacies. Victoza is prescribed for type 2 diabetes.
Common questions
Is liraglutide legal in the UK?
Yes. It is a licensed prescription only medicine, supplied through regulated providers after an assessment.
How is Saxenda different from Wegovy?
Both are GLP-1 medicines. Saxenda is liraglutide, given daily, with smaller average weight loss. Wegovy is semaglutide, given weekly.
Is it on the NHS?
NICE recommends Saxenda within specialist weight management services for some people. A specialist service decides.
Find a registered provider
Liraglutide is prescription only. Check a provider against its CQC or GPhC registration before you start. We take no commission.
Factual reference only, not medical advice. We give no dosing for unlicensed compounds.