GLPwatch
Saxenda for Opioid use disorder
liraglutide · Investigational / off-label
Last updated 2026-05-28 15:46 UTCSaxenda (liraglutide) is not FDA-approved for opioid use disorder, and any use for this condition is off-label or investigational. Listed research shows that liraglutide reduced heroin and fentanyl self-administration and seeking behaviors in rat studies, but these findings have not been confirmed in humans.
AI summary of the sources below.
| Drug | Saxenda (liraglutide) |
|---|---|
| Condition | Opioid use disorder |
| Approval status | Investigational / off-label |
| Research papers | 6 |
Saxenda is not FDA-approved for opioid use disorder; the research below reflects investigational or off-label study only.
Research on liraglutide for opioid use disorder (6)
- Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist, liraglutide, reduces heroin self-administration and drug-induced reinstatement of heroin-seeking behaviour in rats.
- Acute glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist liraglutide prevents cue-, stress-, and drug-induced heroin-seeking in rats.
- Acute treatment with the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist, liraglutide, reduces cue- and drug-induced fentanyl seeking in rats.
- Dose titration with the glucagon-like peptide-1 agonist, liraglutide, reduces cue- and drug-induced heroin seeking in high drug-taking rats.
- Effect of acute treatment with the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist, liraglutide, and estrus phase on cue- and drug-induced fentanyl seeking in female rats.
- Liraglutide 3.0 mg once daily for the treatment of overweight and obesity in patients hospitalised at a forensic psychiatric department: A 26-week open-label feasibility study.