Liraglutide Side Effects: Safety Signals and Warnings
Liraglutide safety concerns are compound-specific. The main listed side effects are Nausea, Vomiting, and Diarrhea. The main warning signals are Boxed warning: thyroid C-cell tumors in rodents, Pancreatitis risk, and Contraindicated with MTC history.
Direct Answer
Liraglutide is FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes (Victoza) and obesity (Saxenda), with Phase 3 RCT data (SCALE trial) showing 8-9% body weight reduction - meaningful but less than semaglutide or tirzepatide. It is well-characterized with a long safety record. For weight management research where once-daily dosing is acceptable, liraglutide is a solid, established reference compound.
- Evidence grade
- Level A
- Research status
- FDA Approved
- Category
- Weight Loss & Metabolic
- Evidence context
- Obesity, type 2 diabetes, weight management research, GLP-1 reference compound
Reported Side Effects
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Headache
- Injection site reactions
Warnings
- Boxed warning: thyroid C-cell tumors in rodents
- Pancreatitis risk
- Contraindicated with MTC history
- Gallbladder events
Known or Plausible Interactions
- Insulin (hypoglycemia risk)
- Sulfonylureas (hypoglycemia risk)
- Oral medications (delayed absorption)
Regulatory Context
FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes (Victoza, 2010) and chronic weight management (Saxenda, 2014). Prescription required. Widely available globally.
Evidence Snapshot
| Evidence grade | Level A |
|---|---|
| Research status | FDA Approved |
| Best supported outcomes | Weight Loss (Level A), Blood Sugar Control (Level A), and Cardiovascular Protection (Level A) |
| Primary citation count | 2 |
| Last reviewed | 2026-08-27 |
Quick Answers
What are the side effects of Liraglutide?
Liraglutide safety concerns are compound-specific. The main listed side effects are Nausea, Vomiting, and Diarrhea. The main warning signals are Boxed warning: thyroid C-cell tumors in rodents, Pancreatitis risk, and Contraindicated with MTC history.
What is the evidence level for Liraglutide?
Liraglutide is rated Level A. Its current research status is FDA Approved.
What is Liraglutide best known for?
Obesity, type 2 diabetes, weight management research, GLP-1 reference compound.
Where can I read the full Liraglutide evidence review?
The full evidence review is available at https://examinepeptides.com/library/liraglutide.
Related Guides
How to Cite This Page
ExaminePeptides. "Liraglutide Side Effects: Safety Signals and Warnings." Last reviewed 2026-08-27. https://examinepeptides.com/answers/liraglutide-side-effects-safety/
This static answer page is built for fast indexing and direct citation. It summarizes the matching full evidence review and links back to primary sources where the source database includes them.