Liraglutide

Information about Liraglutide

Liraglutide uses

Liraglutide is used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. It is used along with diet and exercise to improve blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes.

How liraglutide works

Liraglutide is an anti-diabetic medication. It works by increasing the release of insulin from pancreas, decreases hormones that raise blood sugar levels, slows down digestion, and reduces appetite.

Common side effects of liraglutide

Constipation, Decreased appetite, Diarrhea, Nausea, Vomiting, Hypoglycemia (low blood glucose level), Abdominal pain, Dyspepsia, Flatulence, Nasopharyngitis (inflammation of the throat and nasal passages), Injection site redness, Dryness in mouth, Gallstones, Increased liver enzymes

Available Medicine for Liraglutide

  • ₹1
    Novo Nordisk India Pvt Ltd
    1 variant(s)
  • ₹1855
    Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Ltd
    1 variant(s)

Expert advice for Liraglutide

  • Liraglutide helps to control blood glucose levels and prevents long-term complications of diabetes.
  • Liraglutide should be injected under the skin of your abdomen or thigh at the same time everyday. Do not administer intravenously or intramuscularly.
  • Store the pen in the refrigerator. When refrigeration is not possible, you can also keep your pen at room temperature (less than 30°C) for up to 2 weeks. Do not freeze it.
  • Liraglutide may cause nausea. To avoid it, eat smaller meals, limit fatty food intake and stop eating when you feel full.
  • Notify your doctor immediately if you have severe and/or persistent upper abdominal pain and vomiting.

Frequently asked questions for Liraglutide

Liraglutide

Q. Can Liraglutide be used for weight loss?
Yes, Liraglutide may be used as an add on therapy for weight loss. It may be used along with reduced calorie intake and exercise program for management of weight of obese or overweight patients. However, Liraglutide is approved for the management of patients with type 2 diabetes.
Q. Is it better to take Liraglutide in the morning or at night?
It is advised to take Liraglutide once daily at any time of the day, but preferably at the same time each day. Liraglutide comes as a solution (liquid) in a prefilled dosing pen to inject subcutaneously (under the skin) in your stomach, thigh, or upper arm.
Q. What are the other uses of Liraglutide?
Liraglutide is used along with diet and exercise program to control blood sugar levels in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. It is also used to prevent heart attack, stroke or death in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus, and heart and blood vessel disease.
Show More
Q. What is the most important information I should know about Liraglutide?
You should be aware that Liraglutide may cause serious side effects such as thyroid tumors. Therefore, this medicine is not recommended in patients with personal or family history of thyroid tumors. Immediately inform your doctor if you notice a lump in the neck, hoarseness (abnormal voice change), trouble swallowing, or shortness of breath.
Q. What are the serious side effects of Liraglutide?
The serious side effects of Liraglutide include inflammation (swelling and pain) of pancreas (pancreatitis), severe allergic reactions, low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia), kidney failure, and gall bladder problems.
Q. What things need to be checked before injecting Liraglutide? How should I inject Liraglutide?
Always look at the Liraglutide solution before injecting it. It should be clear, colorless, and free of particles. Do not use Liraglutide if it is colored, cloudy, thickened, or contains solid particles, or expired. You should inject it below the skin (subcutaneously) and not in vein or muscle. It is important to learn the technique before injecting it yourself.
Q. Can I use other anti-diabetic medicines along with Liraglutide?
Yes, you can use other anti-diabetic medicines but the dose needs to be adjusted. Do not mix other insulins with Liraglutide. It is important to know that, other medicines which have similar mechanism of action should not be used like exenatide or lixisenatide with Liraglutide.
Q. What if I forget to inject a dose?
If you forget to inject a dose, immediately inject the forgotten dose. But, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the forgotten dose and continue with your next dose. Remember not to double the dose.

Content on this page was last updated on 31 January, 2023, by Dr. Varun Gupta (MD Pharmacology)