Liraglutide vs Tesofensine
Side-by-side comparison of key properties, dosing, and research.
GLP-1 / Weight Loss AgonistsFat Loss & Metabolic
LiraglutideFat Loss & Metabolic
Tesofensine- Summary
- Liraglutide is a long-acting GLP-1 receptor agonist approved for type 2 diabetes (Victoza) and chronic weight management (Saxenda). It reduces appetite, slows gastric emptying, improves insulin secretion, and promotes weight loss of 5–10% in clinical trials.
- Tesofensine is a triple monoamine reuptake inhibitor (TMRI) that blocks reuptake of serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. Originally developed for Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease, it was repurposed as a potent weight loss agent after clinical trials demonstrated substantial fat loss via appetite suppression and increased energy expenditure.
- Half-Life
- ~13 hours (once-daily dosing)
- 8-10 days (exceptionally long; accumulates over weeks)
- Admin Route
- SubQ
- Oral
- Research
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- Typical Dose
- Start 0.6 mg, titrate to 3 mg
- 0.25-0.5 mg per day
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Once daily
- Key Benefits
- Promotes weight loss (5–10% average)
- Reduces appetite and caloric intake
- Improves blood glucose control (HbA1c reduction)
- Reduces cardiovascular events in T2DM (LEADER trial)
- Slows gastric emptying
- FDA-approved for T2DM and chronic weight management
- Cardioprotective effects shown in clinical trials
- May improve fatty liver (NAFLD/NASH)
- Potent appetite suppression via triple monoamine reuptake inhibition
- Significant weight loss (8-12% body weight in phase II trials at 0.5 mg)
- Increases basal metabolic rate and energy expenditure
- Reduces fat mass preferentially over lean mass
- Potential cognitive benefit via dopaminergic and noradrenergic enhancement
- Longer half-life than sibutramine allows once-daily dosing
- Side Effects
- Nausea (very common, especially initially)
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea or constipation
- Decreased appetite
- +5 more
- Elevated heart rate and blood pressure (sympathomimetic)
- Dry mouth
- Insomnia and sleep disturbances
- Nausea
- +4 more
- Stacks With
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