Liraglutide. GLP-1 receptor agonist, Treatment of type 2 diabetes, Treatment of obesity

Liraglutide (NN-2211), a novel glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) analogue for once-daily s.c. injection, is in advanced clinical phase III development for type 2 diabetes therapy. It is a GLP-1 derivative with two amino acid changes and a fatty acid side-chain. The effects of liraglutide are mediated exclusively by activation of the GLP-1 receptor. It reduces hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), fasting and postprandial glucose by glucose-dependent stimulation of insulin secretion and inhibition of glucagon secretion, both as monotherapy and in combination with oral antidiabetic drugs. Weight loss has also been observed in obese patients and indirect measures show a possible improvement in P-cell function. Liraglutide does not cause hypoglycemia. The main adverse events are nausea and diarrhea at the beginning of treatment, which are mild to moderate and transient. The formation of anti-liraglutide antibodies has not been observed.