Liraglutide
VictozaRCSB PDB 4APD · 3D model
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A lab-made copy of a natural gut hormone that tells your pancreas to release more insulin after meals and helps you feel full sooner.
How it works
Your gut normally releases a hormone called GLP-1 after you eat, which nudges your pancreas to make insulin. Liraglutide is a durable, engineered version of that hormone that sticks around in the body much longer than the natural version. It ramps up insulin release specifically when your blood sugar is high, and dials back down once sugar levels are back to normal. It also tells your liver to stop dumping extra sugar into the blood and slows down how fast food leaves your stomach.
What it’s used for
Used alongside a healthy diet and exercise to help control blood sugar in people 10 and older with type 2 diabetes. Also approved to lower the risk of serious heart problems in adults who have type 2 diabetes and existing heart disease.
- Mechanism
- GLP-1 receptor agonist (peptide analog)
- Drug class
- Peptide analog
- Therapeutic area
- Metabolic / Diabetes