Place in therapy and mechanism of action of liraglutide. For whom is liraglutide the best choice? Review article
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Published:
May 31, 2026
Keywords:
liraglutide, obesity, GLP-1 receptor agonists, gastrointestinal tolerability, weight reduction, pediatric population, metabolic-bariatric surgery
Main Article Content
Abstract
Liraglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist with documented efficacy in treating obesity in adults, as well as in children and adolescents from 6 years of age. It features a favorable safety profile, a gradual dosing schedule, and good gastrointestinal tolerability. This article presents the mechanism of action of liraglutide, its place in therapeutic algorithms, its role in metabolic and bariatric surgery, and the patient profile for whom it is an advantageous choice. Special attention is given to the possibility of gradually increasing the dose up to 3.0 mg per day, which may help reduce undesirable gastrointestinal symptoms. Liraglutide remains a valuable therapeutic option, especially for patients requiring greater gastrointestinal tolerance, in cases of recurrent obesity after bariatric surgery, and in situations where economic considerations are of significant importance.
Article Details
How to Cite
Wyleżoł, M. (2026). Place in therapy and mechanism of action of liraglutide. For whom is liraglutide the best choice?. Medycyna Faktow (J EBM), 19(1(70), 63-67. https://doi.org/10.24292/01.MF.0126.8
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References
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13. Dutta D, Nagendra L, Joshi A et al. Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists in Post-Bariatric Surgery Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Obes Surg. 2024; 34(5): 1653-64.
14. Nie Y, Zhang Y, Liu B et al. GLP-1 Receptor Agonists for the Treatment of Suboptimal Initial Clinical Response and Weight Gain Recurrence After Bariatric Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Obes Surg. 2025; 35(3): 808-22.
15. Esparham A, Mehri A, Dalili A et al. Safety and Efficacy of GLP-1 Receptor Agonists in Patients With Weight Regain or Insufficient Weight Loss After Metabolic Bariatric Surgery. Obes Rev. 2024; 25(11): e13811.
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17. Rubino DM, Greenway FL, Khalid U et al. Effect of Weekly Subcutaneous Semaglutide vs Daily Liraglutide on Body Weight in Adults With Overweight or Obesity Without Diabetes: The STEP 8 Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA. 2022; 327(2): 138-50.
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2. Nadolsky K, Garvey WT, Agarwal M et al. AACE Consensus Statement: Algorithm for the Evaluation and Treatment of Adults With Obesity/ Adiposity-Based Chronic Disease – 2025 Update. Endocr Pract. 2025; 31(11): 1351-94.
3. Rosen CJ, Ingelfinger JR. GLP-1 Receptor Agonists. N Engl J Med. 2026; 394(13): 1313-24.
4. Moiz A, Filion KB, Tsoukas MA et al. Mechanisms of GLP-1 Receptor Agonist-Induced Weight Loss: A Review of Central and Peripheral Pathways in Appetite and Energy Regulation. Am J Med. 2025; 138(6): 934-40.
5. Secher A, Jelsing J, Baquero AF et al. The Arcuate Nucleus Mediates GLP-1 Receptor Agonist Liraglutide-Dependent Weight Loss. J Clin Invest. 2014; 124(10): 4473-88.
6. Marso SP, Daniels GH, Poulter NR et al. Liraglutide and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Type 2 Diabetes. N Engl J Med. 2016; 375(4): 311-22.
7. Verma S, Poulter NR, Bhatt DL et al. Effects of Liraglutide on Cardiovascular Outcomes in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus With or Without History of Myocardial Infarction or Stroke. Circulation. 2018; 138(25): 2884-94.
8. Pi-Sunyer X, Astrup A, Fujioka K et al. A Randomized, Controlled Trial of 3.0 mg of Liraglutide in Weight Management. N Engl J Med. 2015; 373(1): 11-22.
9. le Roux CW, Astrup A, Fujioka K et al. 3 Years of Liraglutide Versus Placebo for Type 2 Diabetes Risk Reduction and Weight Management in Individuals With Prediabetes. Lancet. 2017; 389(10077): 1399-409.
10. Kelly AS, Auerbach P, Barrientos-Perez M et al. A Randomized, Controlled Trial of Liraglutide for Adolescents With Obesity. N Engl J Med. 2020; 382(22): 2117-28.
11. Fox CK, Barrientos-Pérez M, Bomberg EM et al. Liraglutide for Children 6 to 12 Years of Age With Obesity – A Randomized Trial. N Engl J Med. 2025; 392(6): 555-65.
12. Mok J, Adeleke MO, Brown A et al. Safety and Efficacy of Liraglutide, 3.0 mg, Once Daily vs Placebo in Patients With Poor Weight Loss Following Metabolic Surgery: The BARI-OPTIMISE Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Surg. 2023; 158(10): 1003-11.
13. Dutta D, Nagendra L, Joshi A et al. Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists in Post-Bariatric Surgery Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Obes Surg. 2024; 34(5): 1653-64.
14. Nie Y, Zhang Y, Liu B et al. GLP-1 Receptor Agonists for the Treatment of Suboptimal Initial Clinical Response and Weight Gain Recurrence After Bariatric Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Obes Surg. 2025; 35(3): 808-22.
15. Esparham A, Mehri A, Dalili A et al. Safety and Efficacy of GLP-1 Receptor Agonists in Patients With Weight Regain or Insufficient Weight Loss After Metabolic Bariatric Surgery. Obes Rev. 2024; 25(11): e13811.
16. Morton JM. Combining Medications With Bariatric Surgery to Treat Obesity. JAMA. 2026; 335(4): 360-1.
17. Rubino DM, Greenway FL, Khalid U et al. Effect of Weekly Subcutaneous Semaglutide vs Daily Liraglutide on Body Weight in Adults With Overweight or Obesity Without Diabetes: The STEP 8 Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA. 2022; 327(2): 138-50.
18. Meza N, Bracchiglione J, Escobar Liquitay CM et al. Liraglutide for Adults Living With Obesity. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2025; 10: CD016017.