Liraglutide Drug Interactions You Should Know About

If you're taking Liraglutide — whether as Victoza for type 2 diabetes or Saxenda for weight management — it's important to know how it interacts with other medications, supplements, and even certain foods. While Liraglutide doesn't have as many drug interactions as some other medications, the ones it does have can be clinically significant. This guide covers what you need to know.

How Drug Interactions With Liraglutide Work

Liraglutide interacts with other medications primarily in two ways:

1. Pharmacodynamic interactions — When Liraglutide and another medication affect the same body system. For example, combining Liraglutide with Insulin can lower blood sugar too much, because both drugs reduce glucose levels.
2. Absorption-related interactions — Liraglutide slows gastric emptying, which means food and oral medications spend more time in your stomach. This can delay or reduce the absorption of pills you take by mouth.

Understanding these two mechanisms helps explain most of the interactions below.

Major Drug Interactions

These interactions can be serious and may require dose adjustments or close monitoring:

Insulin

Combining Liraglutide with Insulin (any type — Lantus, Humalog, Novolog, Tresiba, etc.) significantly increases the risk of hypoglycemia (dangerously low blood sugar). Both medications lower blood sugar through different pathways, and together they can push levels too low.

What your doctor should do: If you're adding Liraglutide to an existing Insulin regimen, your doctor will likely reduce your Insulin dose. Monitor blood sugar closely, especially during the Liraglutide titration period.

Sulfonylureas

Sulfonylureas — including Glipizide (Glucotrol), Glyburide (DiaBeta, Glynase), and Glimepiride (Amaryl) — stimulate your pancreas to release insulin regardless of blood sugar levels. When combined with Liraglutide, this can cause hypoglycemia.

What your doctor should do: A dose reduction of the Sulfonylurea is usually recommended when starting Liraglutide. You may need to monitor blood sugar more frequently.

Other GLP-1 Receptor Agonists

Do not combine Liraglutide with other GLP-1 medications such as:

• Semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus)
• Dulaglutide (Trulicity)
• Tirzepatide (Mounjaro, Zepbound)
• Exenatide (Byetta, Bydureon)

Using two GLP-1 agonists together provides no additional benefit and increases the risk of severe gastrointestinal side effects and hypoglycemia. Also, do not use Victoza and Saxenda together — they are the same drug at different doses.

Moderate Drug Interactions

These interactions are less dangerous but still worth knowing about:

Oral Contraceptives (Birth Control Pills)

Because Liraglutide slows gastric emptying, it may delay the absorption of oral birth control pills. This could theoretically reduce their effectiveness, although clinical studies have not shown a significant change in contraceptive efficacy.

What to do: Take your birth control pill at least 1 hour before your Liraglutide injection, or use backup contraception if you're concerned. Discuss with your doctor.

Warfarin (Coumadin)

Warfarin is a blood thinner with a narrow therapeutic window. Liraglutide's effect on gastric emptying may alter how Warfarin is absorbed, potentially changing your INR (a measure of blood clotting).

What your doctor should do: Monitor your INR more frequently when starting or adjusting Liraglutide. Dose adjustments to Warfarin may be needed.

Acetaminophen (Tylenol) and Other Oral Medications

Liraglutide delays gastric emptying, which can slow the absorption of any oral medication. Studies with Acetaminophen showed:

• Peak blood levels (Cmax) were reduced
• Time to reach peak levels (Tmax) was delayed

This matters most for medications where timing of absorption is critical. For most daily medications, this effect is minor, but discuss any concerns with your pharmacist.

Medications for Blood Pressure

While Liraglutide doesn't directly interact with blood pressure medications, it can cause dehydration through GI side effects (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea). If you take ACE inhibitors, ARBs, or diuretics, dehydration can increase the risk of low blood pressure or kidney problems. Stay hydrated and report any dizziness to your doctor.

Supplements and Over-the-Counter Medications to Watch

Supplements

• Berberine — Has blood sugar-lowering properties and may increase hypoglycemia risk when combined with Liraglutide
• Chromium supplements — May also lower blood sugar and could amplify Liraglutide's effects
• Herbal weight loss supplements — Many contain stimulants or appetite suppressants that could interact unpredictably with Liraglutide's appetite-suppressing effects

Over-the-Counter Medications

• NSAIDs (Ibuprofen, Naproxen) — Can affect kidney function; combined with Liraglutide-related dehydration, this may increase kidney risk
• Antacids and acid reducers — While not a direct interaction, GI-related medications may be less effective if Liraglutide is already altering stomach motility
• Laxatives — Use with caution if you're experiencing diarrhea from Liraglutide

Food and Drink Interactions

Alcohol

Alcohol can lower blood sugar on its own. When combined with Liraglutide (especially if you also take Insulin or Sulfonylureas), this can increase hypoglycemia risk. Moderate alcohol use is generally acceptable, but:

• Avoid drinking on an empty stomach
• Monitor blood sugar more closely when drinking
• Be aware that alcohol can also worsen nausea, a common Liraglutide side effect

Food

There are no specific food restrictions with Liraglutide. It can be taken with or without food. However:

• Large, fatty meals may worsen nausea because Liraglutide already slows digestion
• Eating smaller, more frequent meals can help manage GI side effects

What to Tell Your Doctor Before Starting Liraglutide

Before your first dose, make sure your doctor knows about:

• All prescription medications — especially Insulin, Sulfonylureas, Warfarin, and oral contraceptives
• Over-the-counter medications — including pain relievers, antacids, and cold medicines
• Supplements and vitamins — especially Berberine, Chromium, and herbal weight loss products
• Alcohol use — how much and how often
• Kidney or liver problems — these may affect how medications are processed
• Pregnancy or plans to become pregnant — Liraglutide is not safe during pregnancy
• History of pancreatitis — Liraglutide may increase the risk of recurrence

For a complete list of Liraglutide side effects, see our detailed guide.

Final Thoughts

Liraglutide has fewer drug interactions than many medications, but the ones it does have are important — especially with Insulin, Sulfonylureas, and other GLP-1 drugs. The key takeaway: always give your doctor and pharmacist a complete list of everything you take, including supplements and OTC products. And if you notice any unusual symptoms after starting Liraglutide — especially signs of low blood sugar — reach out to your doctor right away.

Learn more about what Liraglutide is, or use Medfinder to find it in stock near you.