Liraglutide Dosage Guide
90/100 confidenceComplete guide to Liraglutide dosing protocols, administration methods, and safety considerations for research purposes.
Dosage Overview
Dose per Injection
600 mcg – 3 mg
Frequency
Once per day
Route
subcutaneous
Cycle Length
16–52 weeks
Detailed Dosage Information
For weight management (Saxenda)
start at 0.6 mg daily for 1 week.
Increase by 0.6 mg weekly until reaching 3.0 mg daily maintenance dose.
For type 2 diabetes (Victoza)
start at 0.6 mg daily for 1 week, increase to 1.2 mg.
May increase to 1.8 mg if additional glycemic control is needed.
Administration Method
Subcutaneous injection in the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm. Rotate injection sites. Administer once daily at any time, independent of meals. Store pens refrigerated before first use; after first use, store at room temperature or refrigerated for up to 30 days.
Research Backing
LEADER trial (cardiovascular outcomes), SCALE trials (weight management). 15+ years of real-world safety data. First GLP-1 approved for obesity (2014).
Side Effects to Monitor
Very common (>10%): nausea (up to 40%), diarrhea, constipation, vomiting, decreased appetite, dyspepsia, abdominal pain. Higher rate of daily GI symptoms compared to weekly GLP-1s due to daily dosing peaks. Common (1-10%): headache, dizziness, fatigue, injection site reactions, increased heart rate.
Safety Considerations & Risks
Black box warning: thyroid C-cell tumors in rodents. Contraindicated in MTC/MEN 2 history. Pancreatitis risk, gallbladder events, acute kidney injury (from dehydration due to GI side effects). Generally considered the lowest-risk GLP-1 agonist due to longest track record (approved since 2010).