Research Reference
Liraglutide
Daily GLP-1 receptor agonist for type 2 diabetes and weight management
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Liraglutide (Victoza, Saxenda) is an FDA-approved GLP-1 receptor agonist used for type 2 diabetes and chronic weight management. Administered as a daily subcutaneous injection, it improves glycemic control and reduces appetite.
Dosing Reference
Reconstitution
Add 3 mL bacteriostatic water to the 6 mg vial. Resulting concentration: 2 mg/mL.
| Dose | Syringe Units | mL Volume | Schedule |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.6 mg | 30 units | 0.3 mL | SubQ, dailyTitration start dose (FDA) |
| 1.2 mg | 60 units | 0.6 mL | SubQ, dailyMaintenance (FDA) |
| 1.8 mg | 90 units | 0.9 mL | SubQ, dailyMax dose (Victoza/T2D) |
| 3 mg | 150 units | 1.5 mL | SubQ, dailyMax dose (Saxenda/weight) |
Math assumes U-100 insulin syringes (1 mL = 100 units). Verify your syringe matches before use. Round half-units to the nearest visible mark.
Reconstitution
Liraglutide (Victoza / Saxenda) is supplied as a pre-filled pen injector at fixed concentrations — Victoza 6 mg/mL and Saxenda 3 mg/mL — and is not reconstituted by the user. Compounded research-peptide forms (lyophilized 6 mg or 18 mg vials) are not FDA-approved.
For a compounded 6 mg vial reconstituted with 3 mL bacteriostatic water, the concentration is 2 mg/mL; a 1.8 mg dose draws to 90 units (0.9 mL) on a U-100 syringe. For an 18 mg vial reconstituted with 3 mL, the concentration is 6 mg/mL; a 1.8 mg dose draws to 30 units (0.3 mL). Gently swirl — do not shake — and store refrigerated.
Cycling Protocol
FDA-approved liraglutide is titrated weekly: start 0.6 mg daily for one week, increase to 1.2 mg, then to 1.8 mg as tolerated (Victoza); Saxenda titrates 0.6 → 1.2 → 1.8 → 2.4 → 3.0 mg over five weeks, then maintained at 3 mg daily long-term.
No fixed cycle end is defined; it is used as chronic daily therapy. Discontinuation is by clinical decision, not a cycle schedule.
Routes of Administration
Subcutaneous injection (only established route): Administered once daily into the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm. Can be given any time of day, independent of meals.
No oral, intranasal, or intravenous route is established. Compounded forms are not FDA-approved.
Stacking Protocols
| Stack | Components | Purpose | | --- | --- | --- | | GLP-1 + Lifestyle | Liraglutide + diet/exercise | Standard FDA-approved weight/T2D protocol | | Combination Therapy | Liraglutide + metformin / SGLT2i | Studied T2D combinations (under medical supervision) |
Combining multiple GLP-1 agonists is not recommended. Compounded forms are not FDA-approved.
Side Effects & Safety
- Nausea — most common, usually transient with titration
- Vomiting, diarrhea, constipation — common GI effects
- Hypoglycemia — risk, especially combined with insulin/sulfonylureas
- Pancreatitis — rare; discontinue if suspected
- Gallbladder events — rare
- Black-box warning: thyroid C-cell tumors in rodents; contraindicated in personal/family history of MTC or MEN2
Liraglutide (Victoza/Saxenda) is FDA-approved. Compounded research-peptide forms are not FDA-approved.
Research Basis
Liraglutide is a once-daily GLP-1 receptor agonist (97% homology to human GLP-1, with an added fatty-acid side chain extending half-life to ~13 hours).
Mechanism: GLP-1 receptor agonism — increases glucose-dependent insulin secretion, suppresses glucagon, slows gastric emptying, and reduces appetite.
Clinical evidence: FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes (Victoza) and chronic weight management (Saxenda). Large cardiovascular outcomes trials (LEADER) demonstrated CV benefit in T2D. SCALE trials demonstrated weight loss.
FDA-approved for T2D and obesity. Compounded research-peptide forms are not FDA-approved.