Clinical Studies of Liraglutide, a Novel, Once-Daily Human Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Analog for Improved Management of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Liraglutide, a new glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1)-receptor agonist with 97% homology to human GLP-1, can be administered once/day independent of meals in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Clinical trials have demonstrated its efficacy in controlling hyperglycemia, helping patients achieve hemoglobin A(1c) level goals; in facilitating weight loss, and in improving indexes of beta-cell function when used alone or in combination with metformin, glimepiride, or rosiglitazone. These studies also suggest that liraglutide may be associated with modest improvements in systolic blood pressure. Data from a comparative trial of liraglutide and insulin glargine have suggested that liraglutide provides greater glycemic control with less weight gain, and another study demonstrated that liraglutide provides greater improvements in glycemic control with less hypoglycemia than exenatide and with comparable weight loss. Although liraglutide is well tolerated and is associated with low rates of hypoglycemia, transient and mild nausea can occur when therapy is initiated. However, rates of hypoglycemia appear to be lower and nausea appears to be less persistent with liraglutide than with exenatide. Even though data on the long-term use of liraglutide are still needed, this drug may provide a useful treatment option in patients poorly controlled with dietary modification and exercise and in those whose diabetes is inadequately controlled by oral antidiabetic agents.