Review Explores Liraglutide's Off-Label Use and Mechanisms for Obesity Treatment

Liraglutide, a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) analog, is a well-established medication approved for type 2 diabetes and, at higher doses, for chronic weight management in individuals with obesity. Despite its approved indications, liraglutide is frequently used off-label for obesity treatment across various dosages and patient populations. This integrative review aimed to comprehensively evaluate existing human experimental studies to explore the pharmacological mechanisms and metabolic effects of liraglutide when used off-label for obesity.

The review consistently found that liraglutide demonstrated significant weight-reducing effects in individuals with obesity, even when utilized in off-label contexts. Across the analyzed studies, patients typically experienced an average body weight reduction ranging from 5% to 10% over treatment periods of 6 to 12 months. This weight loss was attributed to liraglutide's ability to enhance satiety, reduce caloric intake, and delay gastric emptying. The most important finding was that liraglutide's action as a GLP-1 receptor agonist consistently led to clinically meaningful weight loss and improved metabolic parameters, regardless of whether it was used on-label or off-label for obesity. Beyond weight management, the review highlighted favorable metabolic improvements, including reductions in HbA1c by 0.5% to 1.5% in patients with prediabetes or concomitant type 2 diabetes, and significant improvements in lipid profiles and blood pressure compared to control groups.