First approved by the European Medicines Agency in 2009, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2010 as treatment for type 2 diabetes, liraglutide is sold under the brand name of Victoza. It’s a long-acting glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1), which means it stimulates the secretion of insulin from the pancreas, while at the same time suppressing the secretion of glucagon. Because it is glucose-dependent, when glucose levels are in a normal range, its stimulation of insulin secretion stops. This reduces the risk of hypoglycemia. Liraglutide also lowers blood triglyceride levels. It increases insulin sensitivity, and causes the feeling of “fullness” in the brain, which decreases appetite and can help with weight loss in people with diabetes. Liraglutide, like other oral diabetes drugs, is not without side effects, so patients and their doctors must weigh benefits against risks.

Liraglutide Risks, Side Effects and Warnings

It is important …