Abstract

Management of Type 2 diabetes with liraglutide

Author(s): Mette Bohl, Ann Overgaard, Anna Pietraszek & Kjeld Hermansen

Liraglutide is a once daily subcutaneously administered GLP-1 receptor agonist approved for Type 2 diabetes treatment. The standard treatment dose is 1.2 mg/day, but dose titration up to 1.8 mg/day is approved. Liraglutide lowers HbA1c by 0.8–1.6% and causes sustained glucose lowering for up to 2 years. Its effect on glycemic control is superior to that of placebo and several comparator drugs. Liraglutide causes a weight reduction of up to 3.6 kg. Its main adverse effects are transient gastrointestinal symptoms. The risk of onset of hypoglycemia in response to liraglutide is very low. An association with acute pancreatitis cannot be entirely excluded. We await data on its impact on cardiovascular disease. GLP-1 receptor agonists are accepted as a second-line treatment in Type 2 diabetes.