GLP-1s have taken the world by storm.
Synonymous with weight management success, therapies like semaglutide and tirzepatide continue to make headlines as prescribers across the country scramble to meet the insatiable demand.
What’s often forgotten in the frenzy is how long some of these medications have been around. GLP-1s weren’t always raging against the dangers of obesity. Some had humble beginnings. Like, liraglutide.
You may be thinking lira-who? And that’s understandable. Who notices a parent when a grandchild is around?
In truth, your patients may be missing out. Liraglutide boasts extensive long-term data, having been on the market for over 15 years. Based on a recent meta-analysis, liraglutide is considered one of the most efficacious GLP-1 agents for weight loss outcomes.
The drug has staying power: a long-term study revealed liraglutide helped >50% of patients maintain more than 5% weight loss over 2 years. While some patients require more drastic measures, many simply need to hit that 5% mark – a target that translates to meaningful risk reduction for cardiovascular, metabolic, physical, and mental health parameters.
Available as a daily subcutaneous injectable in combination with L-carnitine, compounded L-carnitine/Liraglutide 25/10 mg/mL may be the reliable option your practice is looking for. The intentional addition of L-carnitine, a cofactor for fatty acid oxidation, can even bring extra weight loss potential with its effects on body mass index and fat mass in overweight and obese populations.
For patients unable to tolerate the challenging gastrointestinal side effects of longer acting formulations, daily liraglutide could be a game changer. Its shorter half-life can make the drug easier to stomach, improving tolerability. Daily dosing also offers routine, regularity, and a sense of day-to-day control that’ll serve your patients in the long run.
Despite sensationalized media messaging, weight management is a marathon, not a sprint. Belmar Pharmacy’s compounded sterile injectable L-carnitine/Liraglutide 25/10 mg/mL may offer your practice a more moderate approach to insulin sensitivity and weight loss.
Don’t play favorites. Every GLP-1 deserves its day in the sun.
References
- Ard J, Fitch A, Fruh S, Herman L. Weight Loss and Maintenance Related to the Mechanism of Action of Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 Receptor Agonists. Adv Ther. 2021 Jun;38(6):2821-2839. doi: 10.1007/s12325-021-01710-0. Epub 2021 May 11. PMID: 33977495; PMCID: PMC8189979.
- Askarpour M, Hadi A, Miraghajani M, Symonds ME, Sheikhi A, Ghaedi E. Beneficial effects of l-carnitine supplementation for weight management in overweight and obese adults: An updated systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Pharmacol Res. 2020 Jan;151:104554. doi: 10.1016/j.phrs.2019.104554. Epub 2019 Nov 17. PMID: 31743774.
- Berg S, Stickle H, Rose SJ, Nemec EC. Discontinuing glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists and body habitus: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Obes Rev. 2025 Apr 4:e13929. doi: 10.1111/obr.13929. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 40186344.
- Clinical Resource, Comparison of GLP-1 Agonists]. Pharmacist’s Letter/Pharmacy Technician’s Letter/Prescriber Insights. August 2024. [400862]
- Gasoyan H, Pfoh ER, Schulte R, Le P, Butsch WS, Rothberg MB. One-Year Weight Reduction With Semaglutide or Liraglutide in Clinical Practice. JAMA Netw Open. 2024 Sep 3;7(9):e2433326. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.33326. PMID: 39269703; PMCID: PMC11400221.
- Rubino DM, Greenway FL, Khalid U, O’Neil PM, Rosenstock J, Sørrig R, Wadden TA, Wizert A, Garvey WT; STEP 8 Investigators. Effect of Weekly Subcutaneous Semaglutide vs Daily Liraglutide on Body Weight in Adults With Overweight or Obesity Without Diabetes: The STEP 8 Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA. 2022 Jan 11;327(2):138-150. doi: 10.1001/jama.2021.23619. PMID: 35015037; PMCID: PMC8753508.
- Vosoughi K, Atieh J, Khanna L, Khoshbin K, Prokop LJ, Davitkov P, Murad MH, Camilleri M. Association of Glucagon-like Peptide 1 Analogs and Agonists Administered for Obesity with Weight Loss and Adverse Events: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis. EClinicalMedicine. 2021 Nov 27;42:101213. doi: 10.1016/j.eclinm.2021.101213. PMID: 34877513; PMCID: PMC8633575.
