Liraglutide Dosage

Liraglutide is a polypeptide chain consisting of thirty-one amino acids and a Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 receptor agonist. This natural peptide regulates glucose levels and stimulates insulin production when necessary. As an agonist, Liraglutide mimics its action with certain modifications. It may increase the sensitivity of insulin receptors and slow gastric emptying, increasing the feeling of satiety while not disrupting glucagon secretion. Due to these properties, scientists assume it can treat Type 2 Diabetes and obesity. In addition, this peptide reduces the risk of cardiovascular problems such as myocardial infarction or stroke. It is known under several trade names and has found widespread use in cases of metabolic diseases. Liraglutide may also help regulate gastrointestinal symptoms at a lower dose.

Dosage Chart

Timeline	1 week	Maintenance dose	Maximum dose
Protocol for glycemic control	0.6mg (one subcutaneous injection per day)	1.2 mg (one subcutaneous injection per day)	1.8 mg (one subcutaneous injection per day)

About the Peptide

Glucagon-like peptide 1 is a natural substance secreted by intestinal cells after eating. The only structure difference between GLP-1 and this peptide lies in the substitution of Arginine for Lysine at position 34. This amino acid sequence automatically sends information to the brain about food amount, creating a feeling of satiety. Therefore, it is assumed that Liraglutide, as an agonist, may be used in treating obesity, because the patient has a feeling of fullness and consumes less food, which over time results in weight loss.

Liraglutide could increase insulin secretion and reduce glucagon secretion in response to glucose ingestion. It may also slow gastric emptying, without disrupting glucagon production in a fasting state. Scientists assume that it can increase the sensitivity of insulin receptors, thus allowing more glucose into the cells. This property is considered crucial because it could be useful in treating Type 2 Diabetes, when patients are often very hungry and consume large amounts of food, which is not taken into the cells in sufficient quantity. In this case, all glucose is converted into fats through biochemical pathways, which are eventually stored subcutaneously, so patients gain weight. In addition to potentially regulating glucose metabolism and blood sugar levels, Liraglutide could also solve the problem of obesity caused by insulin resistance, which mostly precedes Type 2 Diabetes.

Metabolic diseases are often accompanied by clogging of blood vessels, atherosclerotic plaques, and other cardiovascular problems. It is believed that Liraglutide can potentially reduce the risk of life-threatening conditions such as myocardial infarction, stroke, or thromboembolism. According to various studies, the peptide is also suitable for children if administered according to regulations and indications. It is suitable for use in cases associated with comorbidities and chronic diseases. Because of binding to Albumin, the peptide remains in the body for a long time, so the dosage is limited to one subcutaneous injection per day.

List of Uses for This Peptide

Potential Treatment for Obesity

Obesity is a chronic condition that arises from various causes and requires multiple approaches, including lifestyle changes (physical activity and diet). Still, in certain cases, medications are also included as part of the recovery process. As a natural substance in our body, GLP-1 is secreted from the intestine cells after a meal, and its function is reflected in sending information to the brain that the filling process in the stomach has begun, thus reducing the feeling of hunger already at the beginning of the meal, even if there is still not much food.
Imitating its function as an agonist, Liraglutide achieves similar effects and additionally helps the weight loss process by slowing down the emptying of the stomach.

Many scientific studies have shown that the peptide could increase satiety by acting on the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus, which is responsible for metabolic stimuli. These properties make this peptide a potential therapy for obesity treatment, regardless of its cause.

Liraglutide as a Possible Antidiabetic Drug

Type 2 Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disease that consists of a triad of symptoms, including insulin resistance, decreased insulin secretion, and increased glucose production in the liver. Insulin is a natural hormone secreted by the beta cells of the pancreas and serves to regulate glucose that we get from food into the cells. This way, the body gets enough energy and macronutrients. In cases of decreased hormone levels, everything we take into the body remains unused, so patients desire to eat more and gain weight. In case of insulin resistance, even when there is a sufficient amount of the hormone, its receptors become insensitive to it and do not recognize it, which again leads to the same consequences.

The peptide can probably increase the sensitivity for insulin and thus ensure normal glucose uptake into the cell. In addition, it may regulate the work of pancreatic beta cells and thus ensure the secretion of sufficient hormone amounts. The property that affects the third symptom of Type 2 Diabetes is the potential ability to regulate glucose secretion from the liver. The crucial part refers to the fact that Liraglutide does not disrupt glucagon levels. That is the hormone opposite to insulin, secreted in states of hunger and increases blood glucose levels.

Research shows that most subjects reported significantly better glucose control and a large percentage of weight loss, indicating that Liraglutide could be a very useful antidiabetic drug in the case of Type 2 Diabetes.

Reducing the Risk of Cardiovascular Diseases

Type 2 diabetes and obesity, connected with other causes, are associated with various risks, mainly cardiovascular. Due to an unhealthy lifestyle (primarily an unhealthy diet), plaques accumulate in the blood vessels, which over time lead to serious consequences such as myocardial infarction or stroke. Some of them are complications that don’t lead to immediate death, such as unstable angina pectoris, heart failure, retinal microvascular disease, or retinopathy.

By acting on these conditions through different mechanisms of action, the possibility of cardiovascular complications is reduced, thereby reducing the chances of death. Studies have shown a significantly lower morbidity percentage caused by cardiovascular complications after the administration of Liraglutide than before its use. The use of this peptide is also associated with normalization of blood pressure and heart function, which indicates a positive cardiological effect, but also reduces the possibility of sudden cardiac death.

Dosage Calculator

The dosage of Liraglutide depends on the indication. If that's a diagnosis of Type 2 Diabetes, and the patient needs glycemic control, the optimal dose is set at 0.6 mg and administered for the first week as a subcutaneous injection once a day. The patient gets used to the peptide, and it doesn't have much effect on the sugar level. It can calm the gastrointestinal symptoms and accustom the body to the presence of the compound. The maintenance dose is set at 1.2mg, and the application method stays the same. The maximum amount of the drug is 1.8mg, and it shouldn't be exceeded for this indication. In the case of obesity, the maximum dose may be slightly higher (2.4mg), but only in certain patients. Any overdose, independent use without consulting a doctor, or use outside the mentioned indications can lead to serious side effects.

Conclusion

Liraglutide is a synthetic glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor analog. Studies show many potentially beneficial properties, and the main one is the regulation of glycemia in patients diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes. In addition, it may be used in treating obesity and reducing the risk of death caused by cardiovascular disorders. This peptide could be extremely helpful if used at the optimal dose and in the right way. Regardless of current knowledge, Liraglutide will certainly be the subject of research in the future.

References:

1. Collins L, Costello RA. Glucagon-like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists. [Updated 2023 Jan 13]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK551568/
2. Collins L, Costello RA. Glucagon-like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists. [Updated 2023 Jan 13]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK551568/
3. Knudsen, L. B., & Lau, J. (2019). The Discovery and Development of Liraglutide and Semaglutide. Frontiers in endocrinology, 10, 155. https://doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2019.00155
4. Knudsen L. B. (2019). Inventing Liraglutide, a Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Analogue, for the Treatment of Diabetes and Obesity. ACS pharmacology & translational science, 2(6), 468–484. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsptsci.9b00048
5. Davis, E. M., & Sandoval, D. A. (2020). Glucagon-Like Peptide-1: Actions and Influence on Pancreatic Hormone Function. Comprehensive Physiology, 10(2), 577–595. https://doi.org/10.1002/cphy.c190025