Efficacy of Liraglutide for Weight Loss Among Patients With Type 2 Diabetes: The SCALE Diabetes Randomized Clinical Trial

In this placebo-controlled RCT of 846 adults with type 2 diabetes and BMI ≥27, liraglutide was associated with weight loss (−4.00% for 3mg and −2.71% for 1.8mg vs placebo); weight loss of 5% or greater occurred in 54.3% and 40.4%, respectively (vs 21.4% with placebo).

 The only liraglutide preparation currently available in the UK (Victoza 6 mg/ml solution for injection in pre-filled pen) is licensed for the treatment of adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus to achieve glycaemic control in combination with oral glucose-lowering medicinal products and/or basal insulin when these, together with diet and exercise, do not provide adequate glycaemic control.

 
A separate product (Saxenda solution for injection in pre-filled pen) has been approved in the EU (not yet launched in the UK) for use in conjunction with diet and exercise to help manage weight in adults who are obese (BMI ≥30) or who are overweight (BMI 27-30) and have weight-related complications. The liraglutide dose for obesity is much higher than for diabetes.