Aims: To assess real-world use of Saxenda® (liraglutide 3.0 mg) and off-label use of Victoza® (liraglutide 1.2 mg/1.8 mg) for weight management and Saxenda® posology in the United Kingdom. Their similar doses and formulation pose a risk of inadvertent use due to their use for different indications.
Materials and methods: This retrospective, non-interventional drug utilization cohort study (DUS), based on anonymized patient data from the Clinical Practice Research Datalink databases (CPRD Aurum, GOLD), included adult liraglutide initiators without prior prescription 12 months before the index date. Descriptive statistics were used to characterize Saxenda® and Victoza® user demographics and drug utilization.
Results: Totally 604 Saxenda® and 4853 Victoza® patients were included. Approximately half of the Saxenda® initiators (Si's) (N = 306) had available body weight, of which 96.4% initiated treatment according to the weight loss indication. Si's were more likely female than Victoza® initiators (Vi's) (86.4% vs. 52.1%), younger (mean age ± SD: 46.5 ± 11.7 years) versus (57.5 ± 12.0 years) and with shorter duration of follow-up observation (18.8 ± 13.9 months) versus (32.9 ± 15.9 months). N < 5 of 16 patients with 24-weeks body mass index (BMI) data did not adhere to the Saxenda® stopping rule. N < 5 of 92 patients with valid dose used Victoza® outside the diabetes indication.
Conclusions: This DUS provides descriptive data for initiators of liraglutide in the initial 5-year period following the launch of Saxenda® in the United Kingdom. Real-world use of Saxenda® and Victoza® raised no new safety concerns. Where assessment was possible, Saxenda® and Victoza® were mostly prescribed by physicians according to their approved indications.
Keywords: drug utilization study; liraglutide; obesity therapy; off‐label potential; real‐world use; type 2 diabetes.
© 2025 Novo Nordisk A/S. Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.