Comparison · Updated
Semaglutide VS Liraglutide
Short answer
Semaglutide and Liraglutide have the same evidence tier: both are tier S (Approved).
Semaglutide is FDA-approved (Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus, 2017); Liraglutide is FDA-approved (Victoza, Saxenda, 2010).
Neither Semaglutide nor Liraglutide is on the WADA Prohibited List.
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Side by side
| Field | Semaglutide | Liraglutide |
|---|---|---|
| Evidence tier | S Tier S · Approved | S Tier S · Approved |
| Tier rationale | Multiple phase 3 RCTs (SUSTAIN, STEP, SELECT); FDA-approved in 2017 (Ozempic), later as Wegovy and Rybelsus, and authorised by the EMA. | Phase 3 RCTs (LEAD, SCALE, LEADER); FDA-approved in 2010 for type 2 diabetes (Victoza) and in 2014 for weight management (Saxenda). |
| FDA status | Approved (2017) Ozempic, Wegovy, RybelsusApproved for type 2 diabetes (Ozempic, 2017) and chronic weight management (Wegovy, 2021). | Approved (2010) Victoza, SaxendaApproved for type 2 diabetes (Victoza, 2010) and chronic weight management (Saxenda, 2014). |
| Other approvals | None listed | None listed |
| WADA | Not on the Prohibited List | Not on the Prohibited List |
| Family | Metabolic | Metabolic |
| Residues | 31amino acids | 31amino acids |
| Molecular weight | 4,113.6 Da | 3,751.2 Da |
| Formula | C187H291N45O59 | C172H265N43O51 |
| Discovered | 2015Discovery published by Novo Nordisk scientists (Lau et al., J Med Chem 2015). | 2000First reported by Novo Nordisk scientists (Knudsen et al., J Med Chem 2000). |
| Routes studied | Subcutaneous | Subcutaneous |
| Mechanism | Semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist with 94% homology to native GLP-1, modified with a C18 fatty diacid chain enabling albumin binding and once-weekly pharmacokinetics. It activates GLP-1 receptors in the pancreas (enhancing glucose-dependent insulin secretion), the gut (slowing gastric emptying), and the hypothalamus (reducing appetite and food reward signaling). | Liraglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist with 97% homology to native GLP-1, modified with a C16 palmitoyl fatty acid chain enabling albumin binding and once-daily pharmacokinetics. It enhances glucose-dependent insulin secretion, suppresses glucagon, delays gastric emptying, and reduces appetite through hypothalamic GLP-1 receptor activation. |
| Safety notes | FDA-approved with robust Phase III data. | FDA-approved with long-term safety data (LEADER trial: median 3.8 years follow-up). |
| Cited studies | 3 studies | 2 studies |
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Questions
- Which has stronger evidence, Semaglutide or Liraglutide?
- Semaglutide and Liraglutide have the same evidence tier: both are tier S (Approved). Semaglutide: Multiple phase 3 RCTs (SUSTAIN, STEP, SELECT); FDA-approved in 2017 (Ozempic), later as Wegovy and Rybelsus, and authorised by the EMA. Liraglutide: Phase 3 RCTs (LEAD, SCALE, LEADER); FDA-approved in 2010 for type 2 diabetes (Victoza) and in 2014 for weight management (Saxenda). Tiers rate the strength of published evidence, not effectiveness.
- Is Semaglutide FDA-approved?
- Semaglutide is FDA-approved (Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus, 2017). Approved for type 2 diabetes (Ozempic, 2017) and chronic weight management (Wegovy, 2021).
- Is Liraglutide FDA-approved?
- Liraglutide is FDA-approved (Victoza, Saxenda, 2010). Approved for type 2 diabetes (Victoza, 2010) and chronic weight management (Saxenda, 2014).
- Are Semaglutide and Liraglutide banned in sport?
- Neither Semaglutide nor Liraglutide is on the WADA Prohibited List.
- How do Semaglutide and Liraglutide work?
- Semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist with 94% homology to native GLP-1, modified with a C18 fatty diacid chain enabling albumin binding and once-weekly pharmacokinetics. Liraglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist with 97% homology to native GLP-1, modified with a C16 palmitoyl fatty acid chain enabling albumin binding and once-daily pharmacokinetics.