Liraglutide for Pediatric Patients with Type 2 Diabetes

Key Message

While metformin is the treatment of choice for most children and adolescents with type 2 diabetes, along with lifestyle interventions such as diet and exercise, approximately half of youth with type 2 diabetes fail to maintain glycemic control when treated with metformin, either alone or in conjunction with lifestyle interventions. Basal insulin can be used in children and adolescents with type 2 diabetes who do not have an adequate response to metformin monotherapy; however, basal insulin therapy has been associated with weight gain and hypoglycemia. There is very limited evidence of moderate to moderately high-quality to support the effectiveness of liraglutide (Victoza) in attaining glycemic control when added to treatment with metformin, with or without basal insulin, in children and adolescents with type 2 diabetes. Adverse events, such as hypoglycemia and gastrointestinal issues, are reportedly higher in patients receiving liraglutide (Victoza) than in those receiving placebo. There is a lack of long-term safety data evaluating the use of liraglutide (Victoza) in children and adolescents with type 2 diabetes.