Liraglutide: A Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Agonist for Chronic Weight Management.

OBJECTIVE: To review the efficacy and safety of liraglutide 3.0 mg for weight loss.

DATA SOURCE: A literature search was performed using PubMed and MEDLINE from 2000 to 2016. The following key terms were used alone or in combination: glucagon-like peptide-1 agonist, liraglutide, obesity, overweight, and weight loss. Additional supporting literature was identified utilizing the reference lists of the preceding articles.

STUDY SELECTION: Analyzed studies were published in English and investigated use of liraglutide and its impact on weight loss.

DATA EXTRACTION: Clinical studies with a primary focus of liraglutide use in weight loss were included in this review. Author consensus determined final study inclusion.

DATA SYNTHESIS: Management of obesity centers on behavior modification that includes diet and exercise; however, pharmacologic therapy may be used. Several studies have indicated that GLP-1 receptor agonists promote weight loss in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The efficacy of liraglutide 3.0 mg as a weight-loss agent in patients with and without T2DM was established in three SCALE™ clinical trials. Liraglutide 3.0 mg was generally well tolerated during clinical trials. Common adverse events were typically related to the gastrointestinal system (i.e., nausea, vomiting).

CONCLUSION: Based on available evidence, liraglutide 3.0 mg appears to be a safe and effective addition to the pharmacologic armamentarium available for chronic weight management in the general population. However, there are limited data within the geriatric population. Clinicians should consider liraglutide's cost, route of administration, and concomitant drug therapy when deciding which patients are appropriate candidates for liraglutide therapy.

ABBREVIATIONS: AE = Adverse events, AHA/ACC/TOS = American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology/ The Obesity Society, BMI = Body mass index, CV = Cardiovascular, FDA = Food and Drug Administration, GI = Gastrointestinal, GLP-1 = Glucagon-like peptide-1, HbA1c = Hemoglobin A1c, Kcal = Kilocalorie, LCD = Low-calorie diet, MTC = Medullary thyroid carcinoma, NHLBI = National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, NNH = Number needed to harm, PYE = Patient years of exposure, REMS = Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy, SCALE™ = Satiety and Clinical Adiposity - Liraglutide Evidence in Non-diabetic and Diabetic individuals, T2DM = Type 2 diabetes mellitus.