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Liraglutide vs Tirzepatide: What the Research Shows

Liraglutide and Tirzepatide side by side: what they are, how they are regulated and what is still unknown.

Medically reviewed by Juan Pablo Frías, MD · · DisclosureUpdated
GLP-1 agonistFDA approved (Saxenda, Victoza)LiraglutideGLP-1 receptor agonist sold as Victoza (and Saxenda); the Victoza label covers glycemic control in adults and pediatric patients aged 10 years and older with type 2 diabetes.[11]
GLP-1 / GIP dual agonistFDA approved (Mounjaro, Zepbound)TirzepatideFDA-approved dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist; in a large trial, mean weight change at week 72 was -15.0% on 5-mg and -19.5% on 10-mg weekly doses.[12]GLP-1 & metabolic+30% searches
Quick verdict

Where the research points

Summary of studies, not a recommendation

Consider Liraglutide if…

  • you want an FDA-approved product: Saxenda (liraglutide) is labelled, with diet and activity, to reduce excess body weight and keep it off long term in adults with obesity or with overweight plus a comorbidity[13]
  • you want a diabetes label for liraglutide: Victoza is indicated to improve glycemic control in adults and children aged 10 years and older with type 2 diabetes[11]

Consider Tirzepatide if…

  • you want an FDA-approved product: Zepbound (tirzepatide) is labelled, with diet and activity, for chronic weight management in adults with obesity or with overweight plus a weight-related condition[10]
  • you want large randomized weight-loss data (the SURMOUNT program): Mean weight change at week 72 was -15.0% (5 mg), -19.5% (10 mg) and -20.9% (15 mg) with tirzepatide versus -3.1% with placebo.[12]
Status labels come from public FDA and WADA records; see the sources below.
Side by side

Spec comparison

Showing 9 of 10 fields where the two differ. PCAC vote, Jul 2026 are the same or both unknown.

FieldLiraglutideTirzepatide
ClassGLP-1 agonistGLP-1 / GIP dual agonist
Also calledSaxenda, Victozatirz, tirze, Mounjaro, Zepbound
FDA statusFDA approved (Saxenda, Victoza)FDA approved (Mounjaro, Zepbound)
WADANo WADA record in our dataNot on the WADA Prohibited ListGLP-1 and GIP agonists are not named anywhere on the 2026 list. This one is an approved medicine, so the catch-all S0 (which only covers drugs with no approval anywhere) does not apply to it.
Half-life[half-life by route]approximately 5 dayssubcutaneous · FDA label (Mounjaro)
Evidence strength[evidence grade]Human RCT evidence, 4 of 4Strongest: Arthritis & rheumatology 2026, PMID 41903163
Human studies we summarised[n]24 human (22 randomized or controlled) of 30 summarised
Typical study doses[dose range]
Named in FDA warning letters, 2026Not in the letters we trackYes (24 Aug 2026; 31 Mar 2026)

Bracketed values are pending a sourced figure. Legal data reflects the regulatory events in our tracker.

Sources

  1. 1FDA warning letters to five research-peptide sellersFDA warning letter (NuScience Peptides; 1 of 5) · 2026fda.govAccessed 2 Oct 2026
  2. 2FDA proposes excluding semaglutide, tirzepatide and liraglutide from the 503B bulks listFDA · 2026fda.govAccessed 2 Oct 2026
  3. 3Seven FDA warning letters to online sellers of GLP-1 productsFDA warning letter (Gram Peptides; 1 of 7) · 2026fda.govAccessed 2 Oct 2026
  4. 4World Anti-Doping Code International Standard Prohibited List 2026World Anti-Doping Agency · 2026wada-ama.orgAccessed 2 Oct 2026
  5. 5These highlights do not include all the information needed to use MOUNJARO safely and effectively. See full prescribing information for MOUNJARO. MOUNJARO ® (tirzepatide) Injection, for subcutaneous uFDA label (Mounjaro), DailyMed · current labeldailymed.nlm.nih.govAccessed 2 Oct 2026
  6. 6Ixekizumab With Tirzepatide Achieved Greater Disease Control Than Ixekizumab Alone in Adults With Psoriatic Arthritis and Overweight or Obesity: Results From a Randomized Clinical Trial.Arthritis & rheumatology (Hoboken, N.J.) · 2026PMID 41903163Accessed 2 Oct 2026
  7. 7Psychiatric Safety of Tirzepatide in People With Obesity and No Known Major Psychopathology: A Post Hoc Analysis of SURMOUNT.Obesity (Silver Spring, Md.) · 2026PMID 41537305Accessed 2 Oct 2026
  8. 8Tirzepatide as Compared with Semaglutide for the Treatment of Obesity.The New England journal of medicine · 2025PMID 40353578Accessed 2 Oct 2026
  9. 9PubMed search: (liraglutide[tiab] OR Victoza[tiab] OR Saxenda[tiab]) AND (tirzepatide[tiab] OR Mounjaro[tiab] OR Zepbound[tiab] OR LY3298176[tiab])PubMed · 2026pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.govAccessed 2 Oct 2026
  10. 10ZEPBOUND prescribing information (FDA label)FDA label, DailyMed · current labeldailymed.nlm.nih.govAccessed 2 Oct 2026
  11. 11VICTOZA prescribing information (FDA label)FDA label, DailyMed · current labeldailymed.nlm.nih.govAccessed 2 Oct 2026
  12. 12Tirzepatide Once Weekly for the Treatment of Obesity.The New England journal of medicine · 2022PMID 35658024Accessed 2 Oct 2026
  13. 13SAXENDA prescribing information (FDA label)FDA label, DailyMed · current labeldailymed.nlm.nih.govAccessed 2 Oct 2026

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