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Peptide Database

Goals
Fat LossMuscle BuildingInjury HealingAnti-AgingCognitive EnhancementSleep OptimizationImmune SupportGut HealingSkin RejuvenationSexual Health
Peptides
Adipotide
Weight Management
AOD-9604
Weight Management
BPC-157
Healing & Recovery
Cagrilintide
Weight Management
CJC-1295
Growth Hormone
DSIP
Sleep & Recovery
Epithalon
Anti-Aging
GHK-Cu
Anti-Aging
GHRP-2
Growth Hormone
HCG
Hormone Support
Hexarelin
Growth Hormone
HGH
Growth Hormone
IGF-1 LR3
Growth Hormone
Kisspeptin
Hormone Support
Melanotan-2
Cosmetic
MOTS-C
Metabolic
NAD+
Anti-Aging
Oxytocin Acetate
Hormone Support
PEG-MGF
Recovery
PNC-27
Cancer Research
PT-141
Sexual Health
Retatrutide
Weight Management
Selank
Cognitive
Semaglutide
Weight Management
Semax
Cognitive
Sermorelin
Growth Hormone
Snap-8
Cosmetic
SS-31
Mitochondrial
TB-500
Healing & Recovery
Tesamorelin
Growth Hormone
Thymosin Alpha-1
Immune
Tirzepatide
Weight Management
Total Peptides: 32
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Peptide Comparison

DulaglutidevsLiraglutide

Once-weekly GLP-1 receptor agonist Fc-fusion protein (Trulicity) that reduces HbA1c by 1.5–1.9%, promotes 3–4.6 kg weight loss, and demonstrated cardiovascular event reduction in the REWIND trial — available in convenient pre-filled autoinjector with no reconstitution required

FDA-approved once-daily GLP-1 receptor agonist (Victoza/Saxenda) that reduces HbA1c by 0.9–1.6%, promotes 5–10% body weight loss, and demonstrated a 13% reduction in major adverse cardiovascular events in the landmark LEADER trial of 9,340 patients

Weight ManagementWeight Management

At a Glance

Quick
comparison

Dose Range

Dulaglutide

0.75–4.5 mg

Liraglutide

0.6–3.0 mg

Frequency

Dulaglutide

Once weekly

Liraglutide

Once daily

Administration

Dulaglutide

Subcutaneous injection

Liraglutide

Subcutaneous injection

Cycle Length

Dulaglutide

Ongoing/indefinite

Liraglutide

Ongoing/indefinite

Onset Speed

Dulaglutide

Gradual (3-4 weeks)

Liraglutide

Gradual (3-4 weeks)

Evidence Level

Dulaglutide

Strong human trials (Phase 3 or FDA approved)

Liraglutide

Strong human trials (Phase 3 or FDA approved)

Efficacy

Benefit
ratings

Dulaglutide
Liraglutide

Metabolic

Dulaglutide9%
Liraglutide9%

Weight Management

Dulaglutide8%
Liraglutide9%

Healing & Recovery

Dulaglutide8%
Liraglutide8%

Technical Data

Compound
specifications

Dulaglutide

Molecular Formula

C2646H4044N704O836S18 (complete fusion protein homodimer)

Molecular Weight

~63 kDa (~59,670 Da per chain)

Half-Life

~5 days (terminal elimination); Tmax ~48 hours; steady state in 2–4 weeks; accumulation ratio 1.56 at 1.5 mg

Bioavailability

47–65% after subcutaneous injection (dose-dependent); apparent clearance 0.142 L/h

CAS Number

923950-08-7

Liraglutide

Molecular Formula

C172H265N43O51

Molecular Weight

3,751 Da

Half-Life

~13 hours (enabling once-daily dosing); Tmax 8–12 hours; steady state in 3–5 days

Bioavailability

~55% after subcutaneous injection; >98% plasma protein binding to albumin via C16 fatty acid moiety

CAS Number

204656-20-2

Protocols

Dosing
tiers

Dulaglutide

starting

0.75 mg subcutaneous once weekly

Once weekly

4 weeks minimum (tolerability assessment)

Initiate at 0.75 mg weekly to assess gastrointestinal tolerability. Inject in abdomen, thigh, or upper arm on the same day each week — timing can be changed as long as the last dose was at least 3 days prior. No reconstitution required; use the pre-filled autoinjector pen. If combining with insulin or sulfonylureas, consider reducing their dose to minimize hypoglycemia.

standard

1.5 mg subcutaneous once weekly

Once weekly

Ongoing chronic therapy

Standard maintenance dose for most type 2 diabetes patients. Increase from 0.75 mg after at least 4 weeks if additional glycemic control is needed. This dose provides HbA1c reduction of approximately 1.5% and weight loss of 3.0 kg. The ready-to-use autoinjector pen simplifies administration. No dose adjustment needed for renal or hepatic impairment.

advanced

3.0–4.5 mg subcutaneous once weekly

Once weekly

Ongoing chronic therapy

Higher doses approved in 2020 for patients requiring additional glycemic control. AWARD-11 demonstrated 4.5 mg superiority over 1.5 mg: HbA1c -1.77% vs -1.54% and weight loss -4.6 kg vs -3.0 kg. Titrate from 1.5 mg to 3.0 mg and then to 4.5 mg at minimum 4-week intervals. GI side effects are dose-dependent but generally tolerable with gradual escalation.

Liraglutide

starting

0.6 mg subcutaneous once daily

Once daily

1 week (tolerability assessment)

Begin at 0.6 mg daily for the first week to assess gastrointestinal tolerability before dose escalation. This starting dose is sub-therapeutic for both diabetes and obesity indications. Inject in abdomen, thigh, or upper arm at any time of day regardless of meals. Rotate injection sites. GI side effects (nausea) are most common during the initial titration period.

standard

1.2–1.8 mg subcutaneous once daily

Once daily

Ongoing chronic therapy

Standard therapeutic dose range for type 2 diabetes (Victoza). Escalate from 0.6 mg to 1.2 mg at week 2 and optionally to 1.8 mg at week 3 for additional glycemic benefit. Maximum diabetes dose is 1.8 mg/day. No dose adjustment needed for renal or hepatic impairment. If combining with sulfonylureas, reduce sulfonylurea dose by 50% to minimize hypoglycemia. Store in-use pen at room temperature or refrigerated for up to 30 days.

advanced

3.0 mg subcutaneous once daily

Once daily

Ongoing chronic therapy with 16-week efficacy assessment

Obesity dose (Saxenda) reached through weekly 0.6 mg increments: 0.6→1.2→1.8→2.4→3.0 mg over 5 weeks. Evaluate response at 16 weeks — if <4% body weight loss, consider discontinuation as unlikely to achieve meaningful benefit. Must be combined with reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity. Approved for BMI ≥30 or BMI ≥27 with weight-related comorbidities. Do not use simultaneously with Victoza or any other GLP-1 RA.

Applications

Best
suited for

Dulaglutide

Type 2 diabetes patients seeking convenient once-weekly dosing with strong glycemic control

Dulaglutide is particularly well-suited for individuals focused on type 2 diabetes patients seeking convenient once-weekly dosing with strong glycemic control. Research and clinical experience suggest meaningful benefits in this area when used as part of a comprehensive treatment approach.

Patients with established cardiovascular disease or multiple CV risk factors seeking REWIND-proven cardioprotection

Dulaglutide is particularly well-suited for individuals focused on patients with established cardiovascular disease or multiple cv risk factors seeking rewind-proven cardioprotection. Research and clinical experience suggest meaningful benefits in this area when used as part of a comprehensive treatment approach.

Overweight or obese T2DM patients requiring both weight loss and HbA1c reduction

Dulaglutide is particularly well-suited for individuals focused on overweight or obese t2dm patients requiring both weight loss and hba1c reduction. Research and clinical experience suggest meaningful benefits in this area when used as part of a comprehensive treatment approach.

Pediatric patients aged 10–17 with type 2 diabetes (approved indication)

Dulaglutide is particularly well-suited for individuals focused on pediatric patients aged 10–17 with type 2 diabetes (approved indication). Research and clinical experience suggest meaningful benefits in this area when used as part of a comprehensive treatment approach.

Liraglutide

Type 2 diabetes patients with HbA1c >7% requiring both glycemic control and weight management

Liraglutide is particularly well-suited for individuals focused on type 2 diabetes patients with hba1c >7% requiring both glycemic control and weight management. Research and clinical experience suggest meaningful benefits in this area when used as part of a comprehensive treatment approach.

Obese individuals (BMI ≥30) or overweight (BMI ≥27) with weight-related comorbidities seeking FDA-approved pharmacotherapy

Liraglutide is particularly well-suited for individuals focused on obese individuals (bmi ≥30) or overweight (bmi ≥27) with weight-related comorbidities seeking fda-approved pharmacotherapy. Research and clinical experience suggest meaningful benefits in this area when used as part of a comprehensive treatment approach.

Patients with established cardiovascular disease or high cardiovascular risk seeking cardioprotective diabetes therapy

Liraglutide is particularly well-suited for individuals focused on patients with established cardiovascular disease or high cardiovascular risk seeking cardioprotective diabetes therapy. Research and clinical experience suggest meaningful benefits in this area when used as part of a comprehensive treatment approach.

Patients on metformin requiring add-on therapy with favorable weight and cardiovascular profile

Liraglutide is particularly well-suited for individuals focused on patients on metformin requiring add-on therapy with favorable weight and cardiovascular profile. Research and clinical experience suggest meaningful benefits in this area when used as part of a comprehensive treatment approach.

Safety Profile

Side
effects

Dulaglutide

Common

  • Nausea
  • Diarrhea and abdominal pain
  • Vomiting
  • Decreased appetite

Uncommon

  • Injection site reactions and fatigue

Serious

  • Acute pancreatitis
  • Gallbladder disease

Liraglutide

Common

  • Nausea
  • Diarrhea
  • Vomiting
  • Decreased appetite and headache

Uncommon

  • Injection site reactions

Serious

  • Acute pancreatitis
  • Gallbladder disease

Research Status

Safety
& evidence

Dulaglutide

Evidence Level

Strong human trials (Phase 3 or FDA approved)

FDA Status

FDA approved for this use

Safety Overview

Dulaglutide is an FDA-approved GLP-1 receptor agonist carrying a black box warning for thyroid C-cell tumor risk, based on rodent data showing increased medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) in rat models. This risk is contraindicated in patients with personal or family history of MTC or multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2. Nausea occurs in 20-40% of patients, particularly dose-dependent and most severe at initiation; gastrointestinal side effects (vomiting, diarrhea) are common. Pancreatitis has been reported in 0.1-0.2% of patients—discontinue immediately if severe abdominal pain develops. Rapid weight loss can trigger gallstone formation. Dehydration risk is significant, especially with concurrent SGLT2 inhibitors. Injection site reactions are mild but frequent.

Contraindications

  • xPersonal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) — black box warning based on rodent thyroid C-cell tumor data
  • xMultiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2)
  • xKnown serious hypersensitivity to dulaglutide or any excipient
  • xType 1 diabetes mellitus or diabetic ketoacidosis (not indicated)

Liraglutide

Evidence Level

Strong human trials (Phase 3 or FDA approved)

FDA Status

FDA approved for this use

Safety Overview

Liraglutide (Victoza, Saxenda) is FDA-approved with extensive safety data from 15+ years of clinical use in diabetes (GLP-1 agonist) and obesity indications. Gastrointestinal side effects (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea) occur in 30-40% of patients during dose escalation but diminish significantly after 2-3 weeks of stable dosing. Black box warnings include risk of medullary thyroid carcinoma and pancreatitis, though absolute incidence remains rare. Injection site reactions are minimal. The compound shows no hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, or major drug interactions at approved doses.

Contraindications

  • xPersonal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) — black box warning based on rodent thyroid C-cell tumor findings
  • xMultiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2)
  • xKnown hypersensitivity to liraglutide or any excipients
  • xPregnancy (Saxenda indication) — contraindicated; effective contraception required

Decision Guide

Which is
right for you?

Choose Dulaglutide if...

  • Type 2 diabetes patients seeking convenient once-weekly dosing with strong glycemic control
  • Patients with established cardiovascular disease or multiple CV risk factors seeking REWIND-proven cardioprotection
  • Overweight or obese T2DM patients requiring both weight loss and HbA1c reduction
  • Pediatric patients aged 10–17 with type 2 diabetes (approved indication)

Choose Liraglutide if...

  • Type 2 diabetes patients with HbA1c >7% requiring both glycemic control and weight management
  • Obese individuals (BMI ≥30) or overweight (BMI ≥27) with weight-related comorbidities seeking FDA-approved pharmacotherapy
  • Patients with established cardiovascular disease or high cardiovascular risk seeking cardioprotective diabetes therapy
  • Patients on metformin requiring add-on therapy with favorable weight and cardiovascular profile
Dulaglutide vs Liraglutide — Peptide Comparison | Peptide Initiative