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Liraglutide

  • Drugs
  • Updated November 20, 2024

Liraglutide is a prescription drug used to treat type 2 diabetes and obesity, both of which are risk factors for Alzheimer's disease. Preclinical, observational, and preliminary clinical evidence suggest that liraglutide may reduce risk of dementia in people with type 2 diabetes. Little evidence exists on the effects of liraglutide on brain health in people without diabetes or obesity. The most common side effects are gastrointestinal in nature; there are also disease and drug interactions that should be discussed with your doctor.

Evidence

Many clinical trials and meta-analyses of liraglutide and other medications in the same class (GLP-1 receptor agonists) have been carried out, but the effects of liraglutide on cognition and brain health are still not understood. Our search identified:

  • 9 systematic reviews and/or meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials in patients with type 2 diabetes and/or obesity
  • Two professional clinical practice guidelines
  • One study of dementia incidence from pooled data from randomized controlled trials of GLP-1 receptor agonists in patients with type 2 diabetes
  • One randomized controlled trial assessing the effects of liraglutide on cognitive function in cognitively intact adults with obesity
  • Two preliminary randomized controlled trials in patients with Alzheimer's disease
  • Two observational studies of dementia incidence in patients with type 2 diabetes treated with GLP-1 receptor agonists or other anti-diabetic drugs
  • Multiple preclinical studies in aging and Alzheimer's disease

Potential Benefit

Liraglutide is a recommended treatment for type 2 diabetes and obesity, both of which are risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease [1; 2; 3]. Research has suggested that in people with type 2 diabetes, liraglutide may help reduce the risk of dementia. When researchers examined data from randomized controlled trials and health care records, they found that patients who received liraglutide or another GLP-1 receptor agonist had lower rates of dementia diagnosis than patients who received other anti-diabetic medication [4; 5]. A small study in patients with obesity also found that patients who received liraglutide had improved cognitive function compared to patients who received another anti-diabetic drug and lifestyle counseling [6]. As much of this data is from observational studies or from small clinical trials, larger longer clinical trials are needed to see whether liraglutide can reduce the risk for dementia. No clinical trials have evaluated whether liraglutide can reduce the risk of dementia in healthy adults without type 2 diabetes or obesity. 

For Dementia Patients

A small randomized controlled trial in patients with Alzheimer's disease reported that a 26-week treatment with liraglutide did not improve cognition or reduce amyloid plaques, though it did prevent a decline in brain metabolism, which could allow brain cells to function better. However, another randomized controlled trial in patients with Alzheimer’s disease reported that treatment with liraglutide for one year did not find any differences in brain metabolism between patients who received liraglutide compared to those who received a placebo [7]. 

Safety

The most common side effects of liraglutide are gastrointestinal symptoms, such as nausea and diarrhea [8]. While these events are typically transient and mild, they are common and can be more severe in some patients. There is also an increased risk of gallstones while taking liraglutide [9; 10]. There are other potential risks that have been observed in preclinical work or observational studies, including certain kinds of cancer [11; 12] and pancreatitis [9; 13; 14].

Liraglutide should not be taken with gatifloxacin (which can seriously affect blood sugar levels) or bexarotene (which can increase the risk of pancreatitis). Liraglutide should be used with caution with other drugs that can affect blood sugar levels. Liraglutide is not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women. Patients who need anesthesia while taking liraglutide should discuss their liraglutide use with their doctor during the planning process [15].

NOTE: This is not a comprehensive safety evaluation or complete list of potentially harmful drug interactions. It is important to discuss safety issues with your physician before taking any new supplement or medication.

How to Use

Liraglutide is available by prescription only to treat type 2 diabetes and obesity. It can be administered at home with a subcutaneous injection. Typical doses start at 0.6 mg per day and are titrated up as required; for diabetes, the maximum dose is 1.8 mg per day, and for weight management, the dose is titrated up to 3 mg per day.

Learn More

For additional safety and drug interactions, see Drugs.com.

References

  1. American Diabetes Association Professional Practice C (2024) 9. Pharmacologic Approaches to Glycemic Treatment: Standards of Care in Diabetes-2024. Diabetes Care 47, S158-S178.
  2. Joseph JJ, Deedwania P, Acharya T et al. (2022) Comprehensive Management of Cardiovascular Risk Factors for Adults With Type 2 Diabetes: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association. Circulation 145, e722-e759.
  3. Livingston G, Huntley J, Liu KY et al. (2024) Dementia prevention, intervention, and care: 2024 report of the Lancet standing Commission. Lancet 404, 572-628.
  4. Norgaard CH, Friedrich S, Hansen CT et al. (2022) Treatment with glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists and incidence of dementia: Data from pooled double-blind randomized controlled trials and nationwide disease and prescription registers. Alzheimers Dement (N Y) 8, e12268.
  5. Wium-Andersen IK, Osler M, Jorgensen MB et al. (2019) Antidiabetic medication and risk of dementia in patients with type 2 diabetes: a nested case-control study. Eur J Endocrinol 181, 499-507.
  6. Vadini F, Simeone PG, Boccatonda A et al. (2020) Liraglutide improves memory in obese patients with prediabetes or early type 2 diabetes: a randomized, controlled study. Int J Obes (Lond) 44, 1254-1263.
  7. Edison P, Femminella GD, Ritchie CW et al. (2021) Evaluation of liraglutide in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimer's & Dementia 17, e057848.
  8. Drucker DJ (2024) Efficacy and Safety of GLP-1 Medicines for Type 2 Diabetes and Obesity. Diabetes Care.
  9. Monami M, Nreu B, Scatena A et al. (2017) Safety issues with glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer and cholelithiasis): Data from randomized controlled trials. Diabetes Obes Metab 19, 1233-1241.
  10. He L, Wang J, Ping F et al. (2022) Association of Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonist Use With Risk of Gallbladder and Biliary Diseases: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials. JAMA Intern Med 182, 513-519.
  11. Bezin J, Gouverneur A, Penichon M et al. (2023) GLP-1 Receptor Agonists and the Risk of Thyroid Cancer. Diabetes Care 46, 384-390.
  12. Pasternak B, Wintzell V, Hviid A et al. (2024) Glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonist use and risk of thyroid cancer: Scandinavian cohort study. BMJ 385, e078225.
  13. Zhang X, Wang M, Wang X et al. (2022) Comparison of New Glucose-Lowering Drugs on the Risk of Pancreatitis in Type 2 Diabetes: A Network Meta-Analysis. Endocr Pract 28, 333-341.
  14. Hidayat K, Zhou YY, Du HZ et al. (2023) A systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies of the association between the use of incretin-based therapies and the risk of pancreatic cancer. Pharmacoepidemiol Drug Saf 32, 107-125.
  15. Joshi G, Abdelmalak B, Weigel W et al. (2023) American Society of Anesthesiologists Consensus-Based Guidance on Preoperative Management of Patients (Adults and Children) on Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 (GLP-1) Receptor Agonists.