Eagle LogoPEPTIDE INITIATIVE

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
Back to Home

Peptide Comparison

SetmelanotidevsLiraglutide

Targeted MC4R agonist for rare genetic obesity caused by melanocortin pathway defects

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

Setmelanotide

0.5 mg–3 mg mg

Liraglutide

0.6–3.0 mg

Frequency

Setmelanotide

Once daily

Liraglutide

Once daily

Administration

Setmelanotide

subcutaneous injection

Liraglutide

Subcutaneous injection

Cycle Length

Setmelanotide

Ongoing/indefinite

Liraglutide

Ongoing/indefinite

Onset Speed

Setmelanotide

Moderate (1-2 weeks)

Liraglutide

Gradual (3-4 weeks)

Evidence Level

Setmelanotide

Strong human trials (Phase 3 or FDA approved)

Liraglutide

Strong human trials (Phase 3 or FDA approved)

Efficacy

Benefit
ratings

Setmelanotide
Liraglutide

Weight Management

Setmelanotide9%
Liraglutide9%

Metabolic Health

Setmelanotide8%
Liraglutide0%

Quality of Life

Setmelanotide8%
Liraglutide0%

Metabolic

Setmelanotide0%
Liraglutide9%

Healing & Recovery

Setmelanotide0%
Liraglutide8%

Technical Data

Compound
specifications

Setmelanotide

Molecular Formula

C49H68N18O9S2

Molecular Weight

1,117.3 Da

Half-Life

~11 hours

Bioavailability

~79% subcutaneous bioavailability

CAS Number

920014-72-8

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

Setmelanotide

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

Setmelanotide

Treating obesity caused by confirmed POMC deficiency mutations

Setmelanotide is particularly well-suited for individuals focused on treating obesity caused by confirmed pomc deficiency mutations. Research and clinical experience suggest meaningful benefits in this area when used as part of a comprehensive treatment approach.

Managing obesity from PCSK1 or LEPR genetic defects

Setmelanotide is particularly well-suited for individuals focused on managing obesity from pcsk1 or lepr genetic defects. Research and clinical experience suggest meaningful benefits in this area when used as part of a comprehensive treatment approach.

Reducing hyperphagia and body weight in Bardet-Biedl syndrome

Setmelanotide is particularly well-suited for individuals focused on reducing hyperphagia and body weight in bardet-biedl syndrome. Research and clinical experience suggest meaningful benefits in this area when used as part of a comprehensive treatment approach.

Addressing early-onset severe obesity with identified melanocortin pathway mutations

Setmelanotide is particularly well-suited for individuals focused on addressing early-onset severe obesity with identified melanocortin pathway mutations. 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

Setmelanotide

Common

  • Skin Hyperpigmentation
  • Injection Site Reactions
  • Nausea
  • Diarrhea

Uncommon

  • Hair Color Darkening and Nevus Changes

Serious

  • Depression and Suicidal Ideation

Liraglutide

Common

  • Nausea
  • Diarrhea
  • Vomiting
  • Decreased appetite and headache

Uncommon

  • Injection site reactions

Serious

  • Acute pancreatitis
  • Gallbladder disease

Research Status

Safety
& evidence

Setmelanotide

Evidence Level

Strong human trials (Phase 3 or FDA approved)

FDA Status

FDA approved for this use

Safety Overview

Setmelanotide demonstrates favorable tolerability in Phase 3 trials with safety data from over 200 patients across POMC, PCSK1, LEPR-deficient, and Bardet-Biedl syndrome populations. The most common adverse effect is dose-dependent skin hyperpigmentation (>60% of patients) due to off-target MC1R activation on melanocytes—a manageable, reversible pharmacological effect rather than true toxicity. Serious psychiatric adverse events including depression and suicidal ideation require baseline mental health screening and ongoing monitoring in all patients.

Contraindications

  • xKnown hypersensitivity to setmelanotide or any excipients
  • xObesity not caused by POMC, PCSK1, LEPR deficiency or Bardet-Biedl syndrome
  • xPatients without genetic confirmation of melanocortin pathway mutations
  • xUse during pregnancy (animal studies suggest potential fetal harm)

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 Setmelanotide if...

  • Treating obesity caused by confirmed POMC deficiency mutations
  • Managing obesity from PCSK1 or LEPR genetic defects
  • Reducing hyperphagia and body weight in Bardet-Biedl syndrome
  • Addressing early-onset severe obesity with identified melanocortin pathway mutations

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