Liraglutide: A Medication That Helps Diabetics Lose Weight

It can be challenging for people with diabetes to lose weight, but it’s critical that they maintain a healthy body weight to keep blood sugars under control and reduce the risk of diabetic complications. For diabetics who are struggling with the challenges of dropping excess body weight, there may be help on the horizon. A new diabetes medication may soon be approved by the FDA that not only controls blood sugars but promotes weight loss in diabetics.

Liraglutide for Weight Loss and Blood Sugar Control

This new diabetic medication known as liraglutide lowers blood sugar levels by stimulating insulin release when blood sugar levels are too high. It also suppresses appetite which not only helps with weight loss in diabetics, but also reduces the risk of obesity and obesity-related complications.

Liraglutide for Weight Loss: Does It Work?

A study that compared the diabetic medication liraglutide to orlistat for weight loss showed that liraglutide caused more weight loss than either orlistat or a placebo in people who were physically active and followed low calorie, low fat diet. Not only does liraglutide help with weight loss in diabetics, it was also associated with reductions in blood pressure, a reduced risk of metabolic syndrome, and smaller waist sizes.

Liraglutide Side Effects

How was Liraglutide tolerated in this study? Some people taking the medication experienced nausea and vomiting, although the effects were mild and generally subsided after taking the medication for a while. The main drawback to using the diabetic medication Liraglutide is that it needs to be given by injection which not everyone is willing to do.

Liraglutide Approval by the FDA: Will It Happen?

Liraglutide approval by the FDA is pending. There’s a good chance this diabetes medication will be closely scrutinized by the FDA before it’s approved since a similar drug Byetta has been associated with an increased risk of pancreatitis – a condition that can be fatal. Also disturbing is the fact that thyroid tumors were seen with this medication in both animal and human studies. Further research may be needed to clarify this.

Another Alternative for Weight Loss in Diabetics

Since Liraglutide is in the same class of diabetic medications as Byetta, Byetta is another alternative for diabetics who are overweight or obese. The advantage of Liraglutide over Byetta is that Liraglutide only needs to be taken once a day. Byetta is also associated with an increased risk of pancreatitis and should only be taken after careful consideration of the potential risks.

Liraglutide for Weight Loss: The Bottom Line?

This class of medications is effective for weight loss, but both Liraglutide and Byetta carry the risk of serious side effects including pancreatitis. For a diabetic who’s obese and hasn’t been able to lose weight through a healthy diet and exercise, it may be worth the small risk of pancreatitis; but taking weight off the old-fashioned way is the best option whenever possible. Talk to your doctor about the advantages and disadvantages of this class of medications and whether or not it’s right for you.