Liraglutide pharmacokinetics and exposure-response in adolescents with obesity.

BACKGROUND: Obesity in adolescence presents a major public health challenge, often leading to obesity in adulthood with associated chronic disease. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to perform a population pharmacokinetic and exposure-response analysis of liraglutide by meta-analysis of data from trials conducted in children, adolescents and adults with obesity. METHODS: The population pharmacokinetic analysis investigated the effect of covariates body weight, age group (children, adolescents and adults) and sex on liraglutide exposure in adolescents compared with previous results in adults. The exposure-response relationship of liraglutide for the change from baseline in body mass index standard deviation score (BMI SDS) was evaluated in adolescents and compared to that in adults. RESULTS: Body weight was the main covariate affecting liraglutide exposure, with lower exposures at higher body weights, whereas age group was of no importance and sex was of little importance. An exposure-response relationship was demonstrated for liraglutide in both adolescents and adults as the decrease in BMI SDS from baseline increased in an exposure-dependent manner with increasing liraglutide exposure. CONCLUSIONS: The population pharmacokinetic analysis supported similar liraglutide exposures in adolescents and adults; body weight was the most important covariate affecting exposure. An exposure-response relationship was established for liraglutide.

Liraglutide effects in a paediatric (7-11 y) population with obesity: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, short-term trial to assess safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics.

BACKGROUND: Childhood obesity is a major public health concern with limited treatment options. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics during short-term treatment with liraglutide in children (7-11 y) with obesity. METHODS: In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 24 children received at least one dose of once-daily subcutaneous liraglutide (n = 16) or placebo (n = 8) starting at 0.3 mg with weekly dose escalations up to 3.0 mg or maximum tolerated dose, and 20 children completed the trial (14 in the liraglutide group and six in the placebo group). The primary endpoint was the number of adverse events. RESULTS: Baseline characteristics (mean ± standard deviation) included the following: age 9.9 ± 1.1 years, weight 71.5 ± 15.4 kg, and 62.5% male. Thirty-seven adverse events were reported in nine liraglutide-treated participants (56.3%) versus 12 events in five placebo-treated participants (62.5%). Most adverse events were mild in severity, three were of moderate severity, and none were severe. Gastrointestinal disorders were the most frequently reported events occurring in 37.5% of liraglutide-treated participants compared with placebo (12.5%). Six asymptomatic hypoglycaemic episodes occurred in five participants of whom four were liraglutide treated. Liraglutide exposure was consistent with dose proportionality. Body weight was the only covariate to significantly impact exposure. A significant reduction in body mass index (BMI) Z score from baseline to end of treatment (estimated treatment difference: -0.28; P = 0.0062) was observed. CONCLUSION: Short-term treatment with liraglutide in children with obesity revealed a safety and tolerability profile similar to trials in adults and adolescents with obesity, with no new safety issues.