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Liraglutide for the Treatment of Obesity: Analyzing Published Reviews.
Curr Pharm Des · 2019
Last updated 2026-05-28A review of three published studies found that liraglutide, a drug used for obesity, led to weight loss in a dose-dependent way, with the most effective dose being 3.0 mg, though this dose was only tested in men. The most common side effects reported were gastrointestinal issues. However, the studies had limitations, and the authors concluded that more robust research is needed to fully understand liraglutide's role in treating obesity.
AI summary of the abstract below.
| Journal | Curr Pharm Des, 2019 |
|---|---|
| Citations | 5 |
| Relative citation ratio | 0.39 |
| NIH percentile | 23 |
| Molecules | liraglutide |
| Conditions studied | Obesity |
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Several drugs have been currently approved for the treatment of obesity. The pharmacokinetic of liraglutide, as well as the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus, have been widely described.
OBJECTIVE: To analyze the published systematic reviews on the use of liraglutide for the treatment of obesity.
METHODS: Systematic reviews were found out through MEDLINE searches, through EBSCO host and the Cochrane Library based on the following terms: "liraglutide" as major term and using the following Medical Subject Headings (MesH) terms: "obesity", "overweight", "weight loss". A total of 3 systematic reviews were finally included to be analyzed.
RESULTS: From the three systematic reviews selected, only two included the randomized clinical trials, while the third study reviewed both randomized and non-randomized clinical trials. Only one review performed statistical tests of heterogeneity and a meta-analysis, combining the results of individual studies. Another review showed the results of individual studies with odds ratio and confidence interval, but a second one just showed the means and confidence intervals. In all studies, weight loss was registered in persons treated with liraglutide in a dose dependent form, reaching a plateau at 3.0 mg dose, which was reached just in men. Most usual adverse events were gastrointestinal.
CONCLUSION: More powerful and prospective studies are needed to assess all aspects related to liraglutide in the overweight and obesity treatment.
Verbatim abstract via PubMed 31267857 ↗
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