Teva Pharmaceuticals announced that the FDA has approved a generic formulation of Saxenda® (liraglutide) injection. This drug is indicated in combination with a reduced calorie diet and increased physical activity to reduce excess body weight and maintain weight reduction long term in adults with obesity, or who are overweight with at least one weight-related comorbidity.
Liraglutide is a glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist medication, part of a newer class of drugs used for the treatment of diabetes and obesity. This approval is the first generically available GLP-1 receptor agonist for the treatment of obesity, and with high demand for these high-cost drugs, generic availability could see greater utilization of liraglutide.
However, it should be noted that across GLP-1 receptor agonist medications, clinical reviews so far have found liraglutide to be less effective than semaglutide for weight loss and weight management. However, no generics currently exist for semaglutide.
Liraglutide is contraindicated in patients with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2. Warnings and precautions are noted for those with pancreatis, hypoglycemia, increased heart rate, renal impairment, and hypersensitivity to liraglutide. Patients should also be monitored for depression or suicidal thoughts, which would require discontinuation.
Adverse reactions include nausea, diarrhea, constipation, vomiting, injection site reactions, headache, hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), dyspepsia (bloating), fatigue, dizziness, abdominal pain, increased lipase, upper abdominal pain, pyrexia (raised body temperature), and gastroenteritis.
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