A multicenter real-world study on the safety and effectiveness of the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (liraglutide) in adolescents with obesity in Taiwan

Abstract

Background and Aims

Pediatric obesity is linked to many metabolic complications and has limited treatment options. We evaluated the safety and effectiveness of GLP-1 receptor agonist (liraglutide) in adolescents with obesity in clinical practice in Taiwan.

Methods

We conducted a prospective study (NCT06283641) across 14 hospitals and clinics from February 2024 to March 2025 evaluating adolescents receiving liraglutide at baseline, week 13, and week 26. Demographics, and safety and effectiveness outcomes, including incidence proportions of adverse events and adverse drug reactions, and changes in body weight and body mass index, were assessed.

Results

Among 41 participants, 22 (53.7%) were male, with mean age (±standard deviation) 13.9 ± 1.8 years, body weight (BW) 88.5 ± 19.3 kg, and body mass index (BMI) 33.4 ± 5.1 kg/m². Nineteen (46.3%) had medical history of hepatic impairment. Mean daily and maximum doses were 1.4 ± 0.5 mg/day and 1.8 ± 0.7 mg/day, respectively, throughout 128.3 ± 56.0 days; 14.4% escalated to 3.0 mg/day. Overall respective incidence proportions of adverse events and adverse drug reactions were 19.5% (8/41; all mild) and 9.8% (4/41; 6 events), respectively. Gastrointestinal events were most frequent, followed by injection site-related events. No treatment discontinuation resulted from intolerance. Mean respective losses in BW, BMI, and BMI standard deviation score at weeks 13 and 26 were −2.7 ± 3.8 kg (p = 0.0003), −1.3 ± 1.4 kg/m² (p < 0.0001), and −0.2 ± 0.2 (p < 0.0001); and −4.4 ± 5.7 kg (p = 0.0015), −1.9 ± 2.1 kg/m² (p = 0.0004), and −0.4 ± 0.3 (p < 0.0001), respectively.

Conclusion

In adolescents with obesity in Taiwan, liraglutide at doses below 3.0 mg/day was well-tolerated, and reductions in BW, BMI, and BMI standard deviation score were observed.