title: An overview of the pharmacokinetics, efficacy and safety of liraglutide.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Incretin-based therapies, including glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists, are the latest addition to the range of available medications for the management of patients with type 2 diabetes. The GLP-1 analog liraglutide has been approved for use in Europe and the US for over a year and has undergone evaluation in several pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamics studies and in an extensive phase 3 clinical program. The aim of this review is to assess the pharmacokinetics, efficacy and safety of the phase 3 data.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data are presented from the pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics studies of liraglutide and from nine published phase 3 studies, including the six Liraglutide Effect and Action in Diabetes (LEAD) studies.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Liraglutide is effective at improving indices of glycemic control, and has a good tolerability and safety profile. Beneficial effects on weight (mean reduction of 1-3.4 kg) and blood pressure (systolic blood pressure decreased by 2.1-6.7 mmHg) are also observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Liraglutide is an effective and well tolerated option for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.
authors.affiliation: Atlanta Diabetes Associates, 77 Collier Rd, Suite 2080, Atlanta, GA 30309, USA. bbode001@aol.com
authors.forename: Bruce
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bode
mesh_terms: D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D017326:Clinical Trials, Phase III as Topic; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D052216:Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000494:pharmacology; D054795:Incretins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000494:pharmacology; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D050417:Insulin-Secreting Cells / Q000187:drug effects; D000069450:Liraglutide; D008297:Male; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D018027:Receptors, Glucagon / Q000819:agonists*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D054795:Incretins; D018027:Receptors, Glucagon; D000069450:Liraglutide; D052216:Glucagon-Like Peptide 1