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Head-to-head evidence comparison — which supplement is right for you?
Exenatide vs Liraglutide: Liraglutide has the stronger overall evidence (7.5 vs 6/10); they're alternatives for manage blood sugar — the best pick depends on your goals. Take the 60-second quiz for a pick tailored to your goals.
Liraglutide wins 2 of 3 categories. Both are solid choices — the best pick depends on your specific goals.
Verdict
Too few graded studies
Top outcomes
Verdict
Too few graded studies
Top outcomes
Shared outcomes (3)
Outcomes where both Exenatide and Liraglutide have evidence — compare verdict strength side-by-side.
Prescription-only, clinician-directed. Subcutaneous. Byetta (twice-daily): 5 µg before two main meals, escalated to 10 µg after ~1 month. Bydureon (once-weekly extended-release): 2 mg subcutaneously once weekly. DO NOT self-dose.
Any time of day
Once-weekly extended-release injection (Bydureon)
Prescription-only, clinician-titrated, subcutaneous once daily. Diabetes (Victoza): escalate 0.6 → 1.2 → 1.8 mg/day. Weight management (Saxenda): escalate weekly to 3.0 mg/day. DO NOT self-dose.
Any time of day
Subcutaneous once-daily injection (Victoza for diabetes, Saxenda for weight)
and 1 more not shown
Weeks to months
Months
Years
Especially early / during dose escalation
Weeks to months
Months (titrated over weeks)
Months to years
Especially during dose escalation
Effects of Once-Weekly Exenatide on Cardiovascular Outcomes in Type 2 Diabetes (EXSCEL).
N Engl J Med (2017) · Rct · n=14752
Large cardiovascular-outcomes RCT: 14,752 patients with type 2 diabetes (73.1% with prior cardiovascular disease), once-weekly exenatide 2 mg vs placebo added to usual care, median 3.2 years
Exenatide once weekly versus twice daily for the treatment of type 2 diabetes (DURATION-1): a randomised, open-label, non-inferiority study.
Lancet (2008) · Rct · n=295
30-week open-label RCT in 295 patients with type 2 diabetes comparing once-weekly extended-release exenatide 2 mg with 10 µg twice daily
Exenatide once weekly versus liraglutide once daily in patients with type 2 diabetes (DURATION-6): a randomised, open-label study.
Lancet (2013) · Rct · n=911
26-week head-to-head open-label RCT in 911 patients: once-weekly exenatide 2 mg vs once-daily liraglutide 1.8 mg added to oral therapy
Liraglutide and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Type 2 Diabetes (LEADER).
N Engl J Med (2016) · Rct · n=9340
Double-blind cardiovascular-outcomes RCT: 9,340 patients with type 2 diabetes and high cardiovascular risk, liraglutide or placebo added to standard care, median follow-up 3.8 years.
A Randomized, Controlled Trial of 3.0 mg of Liraglutide in Weight Management (SCALE Obesity and Prediabetes).
N Engl J Med (2015) · Rct · n=3731
56-week double-blind RCT in 3,731 adults WITHOUT type 2 diabetes (BMI ≥30, or ≥27 with comorbidities), liraglutide 3.0 mg/day vs placebo plus lifestyle (2:1)
Efficacy of Liraglutide for Weight Loss Among Patients With Type 2 Diabetes: The SCALE Diabetes Randomized Clinical Trial.
JAMA (2015) · Rct · n=846
56-week double-blind RCT in 846 adults with overweight or obesity and type 2 diabetes, liraglutide 3.0 mg, 1.8 mg or placebo (2:1:1), all with diet and activity advice.
Liraglutide has a higher evidence score (7.5/10 vs 6/10) and wins in 2 of 3 categories.
For manage blood sugar, Liraglutide has a higher relevance score (80 vs 66).
No documented interaction was found in the data searched. This does not establish that this exact combination is safe.
The right pick depends on your goals. Answer a few quick questions for a personalised recommendation — or dig into the full evidence on each.