Liraglutide: for obesity, not just type 2 diabetes
Obesity
Weight control
Liraglutide was recently TGA approved as an adjunctive therapy for obesity, extending its indications for use beyond treatment of type 2 diabetes. What is its place in helping patients achieve and maintain weight loss?
The chronic nature of obesity has led to renewed interest in pharmacotherapy as an adjunct to lifestyle intervention for achieving and maintaining weight loss. Liraglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist that was previously TGA approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, at a dose of 1.8 mg daily. In December 2015, the TGA approved a liraglutide product with a higher daily dose (3 mg) for the treatment of obesity. The 3 mg product has potential as a long-term obesity therapy, although there are currently limited long-term safety and efficacy data.
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