If you're considering taking a GLP-1 medication like Compounded* Liraglutide with B12 to help you get the most from your weight loss results, the first question on your mind is probably: how does it work?
Learning about how a medication works before starting it can help you know what to expect, the changes you might feel in your body and the results that might follow.
In this post, we explain how liraglutide helps regulate your blood sugar and appetite so you can feel prepared ahead of your treatment journey.
Liraglutide is a GLP-1 drug originally developed to treat type 2 diabetes, but now also prescribed to treat obesity in adults. It's the active ingredient in our Compounded* Liraglutide with B12 treatment, and the branded medication Saxenda. There's no difference in how these medications work — they all contain the same active ingredient, which makes them equally effective. However, generic or compounded* versions of liraglutide are often more readily available, for a fraction of the cost of premium brands.
Whether liraglutide is suitable for you or not depends on your body mass index (BMI). You may be eligible to use liraglutide if you:
Liraglutide works by mimicking the action of a hormone in your body called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). [1] This hormone is released naturally in your gut after you eat, and it's responsible for controlling blood sugar, appetite and satiety.
Combining a medication that acts like natural GLP-1 — such as liraglutide or semaglutide (Wegovy, Ozempic) — with sustainable lifestyle changes like a reduced-calorie diet and regular exercise can help you improve your weight loss results. [2]
Before starting a weight loss treatment plan, it's important to understand how this type of medication works. Learning this not only helps you know what to expect, but it can help you recognize the changes happening in your body so you can get the most from your treatment.
The three key ways liraglutide causes weight loss are: regulating blood sugar, reducing your appetite, and slowing digestion. [1] Let's see how these work in a little more detail.
Liraglutide affects any part of your body that natural GLP-1 does. This includes the areas of your brain that help regulate hunger. When the drug is in your system, it binds to receptors located in these areas. In response, your brain releases satiety signals to tell your body you're full. This causes you to eat less and, if you consume fewer calories than your energy expenditure, results in weight loss. [1]
Another benefit of liraglutide is reduced 'food noise', or those persistent food-focused thoughts that occur even when you're not hungry. As a result, you should experience fewer cravings and be able to prioritize your body's natural hunger cues.
Liraglutide affects two hormones that are essential for blood glucose control: insulin and glucagon. When you eat, liraglutide triggers insulin secretion from your pancreas. Insulin helps glucose move from your blood into cells for energy, which in turn lowers your blood sugar levels. At the same time, it lowers your body's glucagon response. This is when stored sugar is released into your bloodstream to raise glucose levels. [3]
By stabilizing your blood sugar levels, liraglutide helps prevent the food cravings that often come with spikes and drops.
Reducing your appetite isn't the only way liraglutide helps you feel full. It also slows gastric emptying, or the process of food leaving your stomach. [4] The fuller your stomach is, the less you eat, and the fewer calories you consume.
It's this action that can cause common side effects like nausea, constipation and diarrhea when you first start treatment, or increase your dose. This is normal, symptoms are usually mild and tend to settle on their own once your body has adjusted to the treatment.
Clinical trials show that weight loss with liraglutide is three times more effective than diet and exercise alone. The SCALE study showed that people taking liraglutide alongside lifestyle changes, such as a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity, experienced an average weight loss of 8% of their body weight by week 56 of treatment. [3]
At Levity, our priority is helping you access next-generation treatments so you can maximize your weight loss results. Compounded* Liraglutide with B12 costs up to 90% less than branded versions of the same active ingredient, and it's formulated with B12 to help minimize side effects.
Compounded medications are simply versions of a drug prepared by a licensed pharmacist. By formulating treatments in a specialized pharmacy, we can tailor ingredients to your needs and prescribe medications that may be unavailable or not covered by insurance. Although compounded medications don't go through the FDA approval process, we're committed to quality and safety. Your treatment is compounded in certified, accredited partner pharmacies and tested rigorously before it's prescribed to you.
Your Levity weight loss program includes ongoing clinical care and tracking, so you can start your new treatment with confidence. Start a consultation today to take the first step in your weight loss journey.
*Compounded drugs are permitted to be prescribed under federal law but are not FDA-approved and do not undergo FDA review for safety, effectiveness, or quality.
1. HIGHLIGHTS OF PRESCRIBING INFORMATION [Internet]. Available from: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2023/206321s016lbl.pdf
2. Wong HJ, Sim B, Teo YH, Teo YN, Chan MY, Yeo LLL, et al. Efficacy of GLP-1 Receptor Agonists on Weight Loss, BMI, and Waist Circumference for Patients With Obesity or Overweight: A Systematic Review, Meta-analysis, and Meta-regression of 47 Randomized Controlled Trials. Diabetes Care [Internet]. 2025 Jan 22;48(2):292–300. Available from: https://diabetesjournals.org/care/article/48/2/292/157724/Efficacy-of-GLP-1-Receptor-Agonists-on-Weight-Loss
3. Pi-Sunyer X, Astrup A, Fujioka K, Greenway F, Halpern A, Krempf M, et al. A Randomized, Controlled Trial of 3.0 mg of Liraglutide in Weight Management. New England Journal of Medicine [Internet]. 2015 Jul 2;373(1):11–22. Available from: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1411892
4. Maselli DB, Atieh J, Clark MM, Eckert DJ, Ann Gill Taylor, Carlson P, et al. Effects of liraglutide on gastrointestinal functions and weight in obesity: A randomized clinical and pharmacogenomic trial. 2022 Jul 27;30(8):1608–20.
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