Efficacy and Safety of Liraglutide and Semaglutide on Weight Loss in People with Obesity or Overweight: A Systematic Review
Open accessAbstract
Purpose: The effect and safety of Semaglutide and Liraglutide on weight loss in people with obesity or overweight were evaluated by a Network Meta-Analysis system to provide an evidence-based reference for clinical treatment. Methods: Computer searched PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases to collect Liraglutide and Semaglutide injection monotherapy RCTs until April 2022, using Stata 16 software for Network Meta-Analysis. Results: Twenty-three RCTs study with 11,545 patients and 4 interventions (semaglutide 2.4mg, semaglutide 1.0mg, liraglutide 3.0mg and liraglutide 1.8 mg) were finally included. In terms of efficacy, semaglutide 2.4mg (-12.47 kg) had the best weight loss, followed by liraglutide 3.0mg (-5.24 kg), semaglutide 1.0mg (-3.74 kg) and liraglutide 1.8mg (-3.29 kg). In terms of decreased HbA1c, semaglutide 2.4mg (MD=-1.48%, 95% CI [-1.93, -1.04]), semaglutide 1.0mg (MD=-1.36%, 95% CI [-1.72, -1.01]), liraglutide 1.8mg (MD=-1.23%, 95%Cl [-1.66, -0.80]) more effective than placebo. In terms of safety, the total incidence of adverse events was semaglutide 2.4mg > liraglutide 3.0mg > liraglutide 1.8mg > semaglutide 1.0mg compare to placebo, the incidence of serious adverse events was liraglutide 3.0mg > liraglutide 1.8mg > semaglutide 2.4mg > semaglutide 1.0mg, the incidence of hypoglycemic events was semaglutide 2.4mg > liraglutide 3.0mg > semaglutide 1.0mg > liraglutide 1.8mg. Conclusion: This meta-analysis indicates that all GLP-1RAs were more efficacious than placebo in people with obesity or overweight on efficacy. Semaglutide 2.4mg has an absolute advantage in weight loss and decreased HbA1c, but the incidence of total adverse events is also the highest and can cause hypoglycemia. In addition, although liraglutide 3.0mg was less effective than semaglutide 2.4mg, serious adverse events were still the most elevated.
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Over a 12-week intervention period, liraglutide (doses up to 3 mg daily) induces weight loss of approximately 5%.
“Over a 12-week intervention period, liraglutide (doses up to 3 mg daily) induces weight loss of ∼5%,19”
From Randomised trial comparing weight loss through lifestyle and GLP-1 receptor agonist therapy in people with MASLD (2025) · cites this paper as [19]
The magnitude of weight loss with GLP-1RA therapy in this study was similar to that reported in the literature.
“The magnitude of weight loss with GLP-1RA therapy in this study was similar to that reported in the literature.19”
From Randomised trial comparing weight loss through lifestyle and GLP-1 receptor agonist therapy in people with MASLD (2025) · cites this paper as [19]
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References 33 · Cited by 93
Research works printed but not linked: 3
- [2]Zhao F, Zhou Q, Cong Z, et al. Structural insights into multiplexed pharmacological actions of tirzepatide and peptide 20 at the GIP, GLP-1 or glucagon receptors. Nat Commun. 2022; 13: 1. doi: 10.1038/s41467-021-27699-2 35217653 PMC8881610 · DOI
- [7]Fabrizio Muratori F, Di Sacco VG, Di Sacco G, et al. Efficacy of liraglutide 3.0 mg treatment on weight loss in patients with weight regain after bariatric surgery. Eating and Weight Disorders - Studies on Anorexia. Bulimia Obesity. 2022; 1: 292. PMC9556416 35763245
- [11]Zhao Y, Jing D. Research progress of GLP-1 receptor agonists in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Geriatrics Res. 2021; 2(03): 55– 60.
- Authors
- Xie, Z., Yang, S., Deng, W., Li, J., & Chen, J.
- Affiliations
- First Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Pharmaceutical University (CN)
- Corresponding author
- Xie, Zeyu
- Yang, Sensen
- Deng, Weishang
- Li, Jinjian
- Chen, Jisheng
- Venue
- Clinical Epidemiology
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2022-12
- Volume
- Volume 14
- Pages
- 1463-1476
- ISSN
- 1179-1349 (ISSN-L)
- PMC
- PMC9738168
- OpenAlex
- W4310711873
- Cited by
- 93
- References
- 33
- Citations by year
- 2026: 15 · 2025: 31 · 2024: 38 · 2023: 9
- FWCI
- 2.80
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- gold
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- Clinical Epidemiology (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
- Dove Medical Press (Taylor and Francis Group) (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Pharmacology › Pharmacology and Obesity Treatment
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism › Diabetes Treatment and Management
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Surgery › Bariatric Surgery and Outcomes
- Keywords
- liraglutide, semaglutide, weight loss, obesity, overweight, GLP-1 receptor agonists, HbA1c, hypoglycemia, adverse events, drug efficacy comparison, dose comparison, type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance, gastrointestinal adverse effects
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