The Basics
What is Liraglutide?
A higher-dose version of the same product used to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus that is used for weight loss and management.
Brand names for Liraglutide
N/A
How Liraglutide is classified
Hypoglycemic Agents, Incretins, Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Agonists, GLP-1 Agonists
Liraglutide During Pregnancy
Liraglutide pregnancy category
Category XNote that the FDA has deprecated the use of pregnancy categories, so for some medications, this information isn’t available. We still think it’s useful to list historical info, however, given what a common proxy this has been in the past.
What we know about taking Liraglutide while pregnant
Liraglutidehas been shown to be teratogenic in rats at or above 0.8 times the human systemic exposures resultingfrom the maximum recommended human dose (MRHD) of 1.8 mg/day based on plasma area under thetime-concentration curve (AUC).
Taking Liraglutide While Breastfeeding
What are recommendations for lactation if you're taking Liraglutide?
No information is available on the clinical use of liraglutide during breastfeeding. Because liraglutide is a large peptide molecule with a molecular weight of 3751 daltons, the amount in milk is likely to be very low and absorption is unlikely because it is probably destroyed in the infant’s gastrointestinal tract. Until more data become available, liraglutide should be used with caution during breastfeeding, especially while nursing a newborn or preterm infant.
Maternal / infant drug levels
No information is available on the clinical use of liraglutide during breastfeeding. Because liraglutide is a large peptide molecule with a molecular weight of 3751 daltons, the amount in milk is likely to be very low and absorption is unlikely because it is probably destroyed in the infant’s gastrointestinal tract. Until more data become available, liraglutide should be used with caution during breastfeeding, especially while nursing a newborn or preterm infant.
Possible effects of Liraglutide on milk supply
Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.
Possible alternatives to Liraglutide
Acarbose, Glipizide, Glyburide, Insulin, Metformin, Miglitol.
List of References
Lactation sources: Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed) [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Library of Medicine (US); 2006-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK501922/None listed
Disclaimer: This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Consult your healthcare provider with any questions.
