Liraglutide

INDICATIONS AND USAGE SAXENDA is indicated as an adjunct to a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity for chronic weight management in: • Adult patients with an initial body mass index (BMI) of [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.1 )] : ▪ 30 kg/m 2 or greater (obese), or ▪ 27 kg/m 2 or greater (overweight) in the presence of at least one weight-related comorbid condition (e.g., hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, or dyslipidemia) • Pediatric patients aged 12 years and older with: ▪ body weight above 60 kg and ▪ an initial BMI corresponding to 30 kg/m 2 or greater for adults (obese) by international cut-offs (Cole Criteria, Table 2) [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.1 )] Limitations of Use ▪ SAXENDA contains liraglutide and should not be coadministered with other liraglutide-containing products or with any other GLP-1 receptor agonist. ▪ The safety and effectiveness of SAXENDA in pediatric patients with type 2 diabetes have not been established. ▪ The safety and effectiveness of SAXENDA in combination with other products intended for weight loss, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs, and herbal preparations, have not been established. SAXENDA is a glucagon like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist indicated as an adjunct to a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity for chronic weight management in: Adult patients with an initial body mass index (BMI) of • 30 kg/m 2 or greater (obese), or • 27 kg/m 2 or greater (overweight) in the presence of at least one weight-related comorbid condition (e.g. hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, or dyslipidemia) ( 1 ). Pediatric patients aged 12 years and older with: • body weight above 60 kg and • an initial BMI corresponding to 30 kg/m 2 for adults (obese) by international cut-offs ( 1 ). Limitations of Use: • SAXENDA contains liraglutide and should not be coadministered with other liraglutide-containing products or with any other GLP-1 receptor agonist ( 1 ). • The safety and effectiveness of SAXENDA in pediatric patients with type 2 diabetes have not been established ( 1 ). • The safety and efficacy of SAXENDA in combination with other products intended for weight loss have not been established ( 1) .

DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION • Inject SAXENDA subcutaneously in the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm once daily at any time of day, without regard to the timing of meals ( 2.2 ). • The recommended dose of SAXENDA is 3 mg daily ( 2.3 ). • Initiate at 0.6 mg per day for one week. In weekly intervals, increase the dose until a dose of 3 mg is reached ( 2.3 ). • If pediatric patients do not tolerate an increased dose during dose escalation, the dose may also be lowered to the previous level. Dose escalation for pediatric patients may take up to 8 weeks ( 2.3 ). • Pediatric patients who do not tolerate 3 mg daily may have their dose reduced to 2.4 mg daily ( 2.3 ). • Adult patients with type 2 diabetes should monitor blood glucose prior to starting SAXENDA and during SAXENDA treatment ( 2.3 ). 2.1 Patient Selection Select patients for SAXENDA treatment as an adjunct to a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity for chronic weight management based on the BMI values provided in Tables 1 and 2. Adult and Pediatric Patients BMI is calculated by dividing weight in (kilograms) by height (in meters) squared. A chart for determining BMI based on height and weight is provided in Table 1. Table 1: BMI Conversion Chart Pediatric Patients Aged 12 Years and Older BMI cut-offs for obesity in pediatric patients aged 12 years and older are presented in Table 2. Table 2: International Obesity Task Force BMI Cut-offs for Obesity by Sex and Age for Pediatric Patients Aged 12 Years and Older (Cole Criteria) Age (years) Body mass index 30 kg/m 2 Males Females 12 26.02 26.67 12.5 26.43 27.24 13 26.84 27.76 13.5 27.25 28.20 14 27.63 28.57 14.5 27.98 28.87 15 28.30 29.11 15.5 28.60 29.29 16 28.88 29.43 16.5 29.14 29.56 17 29.41 29.69 17.5 29.70 29.84 Table 2.2 Important Administration Instructions • Prior to initiation of SAXENDA, train patients on proper injection technique. Refer to the accompanying Instructions for Use for complete administration instructions with illustrations. • Inspect SAXENDA visually prior to each injection. Only use if solution is clear, colorless, and contains no particles. • Inject SAXENDA subcutaneously once daily at any time of day, without regard to the timing of meals. • Inject SAXENDA subcutaneously in the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm. No dose adjustment is needed if changing the injection site and/or timing. • Rotate injection sites within the same region in order to reduce the risk of cutaneous amyloidosis [see Adverse Reactions ( 6.2 )]. • If a dose is missed, resume the once-daily regimen as prescribed with the next scheduled dose. Do not administer an extra dose or increase the dose to make up for the missed dose. • If more than 3 days have elapsed since the last SAXENDA dose, reinitiate SAXENDA at 0.6 mg daily and follow the dose escalation schedule in Table 3, to reduce the occurrence of gastrointestinal adverse reactions associated with reinitiation of treatment. 2.3 Dosage in Adults and Pediatric Patients Aged 12 Years and Older • Initiate SAXENDA with a dose of 0.6 mg daily for one week. Then follow the dose escalation schedule in Table 3 to minimize gastrointestinal adverse reactions [see Adverse Reactions ( 6.1 )] . Table 3: Dose Escalation Schedule Week Daily Dose 1 0.6 mg 2 1.2 mg 3 1.8 mg 4 2.4 mg 5 and onward 3 mg Adult Patients • For adults, the recommended dosage of SAXENDA is 3 mg daily, lower doses are for titration only. • Discontinue SAXENDA if the patient cannot tolerate the 3 mg dose. • If patients do not tolerate an increased dose during dose escalation, consider delaying dose escalation for approximately one additional week. • Evaluate the change in body weight 16 weeks after initiating SAXENDA and discontinue SAXENDA if the patient has not lost at least 4% of baseline body weight, since it is unlikely that the patient will achieve and sustain clinically meaningful weight loss with continued treatment. • In adult patients with type 2 diabetes, monitor blood glucose prior to starting SAXENDA and during SAXENDA treatment. Pediatric Patients • For pediatric patients, the recommended maintenance dosage of SAXENDA is 3 mg daily. Pediatric patients who do not tolerate 3 mg daily may have their maintenance dose reduced to 2.4 mg daily. Discontinue SAXENDA if the patient cannot tolerate the 2.4 mg dose. • If pediatric patients do not tolerate an increased dose during dose escalation, the dose may also be lowered to the previous level. Dose escalation for pediatric patients may take up to 8 weeks. • Evaluate the change in BMI after 12 weeks on the maintenance dose and discontinue SAXENDA if the patient has not had a reduction in BMI of at least 1% from baseline, since it is unlikely that the patient will achieve and sustain clinically meaningful weight loss with continued treatment.

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Acute Pancreatitis : Has been observed in patients treated with GLP-1 receptor agonists, including liraglutide injection. Discontinue if pancreatitis is suspected. ( 5.2 ) Never Share a liraglutide injection Pen Between Patients, even if the needle is changed. ( 5.3 ) Hypoglycemia : Adult patients taking an insulin secretagogue or insulin may have an increased risk of hypoglycemia, including severe hypoglycemia. In pediatric patients 10 years of age and older, the risk of hypoglycemia was higher with liraglutide injection regardless of insulin and/or metformin use. Reduction in the dose of insulin secretagogues or insulin may be necessary. ( 5.4 ) A cute Kidney Injury Due to Volume Depletion : Monitor renal function in patients reporting adverse reactions that could lead to volume depletion. ( 5.5 ) S evere Gastrointestinal Adverse Reactions : Use has been associated with gastrointestinal adverse reactions, sometimes severe. Liraglutide injection is not recommended in patients with severe gastroparesis. ( 5.6 ) Hypersensitivity Reactions : Postmarketing reports of serious hypersensitivity reactions (e.g., anaphylactic reactions and angioedema). Discontinue liraglutide injection and promptly seek medical advice. ( 5.7 ) Acute Gallbladder Disease : If cholelithiasis or cholecystitis are suspected, gallbladder studies are indicated. ( 5.8 ) Pulmonary Aspiration During General Anesthesia or Deep Sedation : Has been reported in patients receiving GLP-1 receptor agonists undergoing elective surgeries or procedures. Instruct patients to inform healthcare providers of any planned surgeries or procedures. ( 5.9 ) 5.1 Risk of Thyroid C-cell Tumors Liraglutide causes dose-dependent and treatment-duration-dependent thyroid C-cell tumors (adenomas and/or carcinomas) at clinically relevant exposures in both genders of rats and mice [see Nonclinical Toxicology ( 13.1 )] . Malignant thyroid C-cell carcinomas were detected in rats and mice. It is unknown whether liraglutide injection will cause thyroid C-cell tumors, including medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), in humans, as the human relevance of liraglutide-induced rodent thyroid C-cell tumors has not been determined. Cases of MTC in patients treated with liraglutide injection have been reported in the postmarketing period; the data in these reports are insufficient to establish or exclude a causal relationship between MTC and liraglutide injection use in humans. Liraglutide injection is contraindicated in patients with a personal or family history of MTC or in patients with MEN 2. Counsel patients regarding the potential risk for MTC with the use of liraglutide injection and inform them of symptoms of thyroid tumors (e.g., a mass in the neck, dysphagia, dyspnea, persistent hoarseness). Routine monitoring of serum calcitonin or using thyroid ultrasound is of uncertain value for early detection of MTC in patients treated with liraglutide injection. Such monitoring may increase the risk of unnecessary procedures, due to low test specificity for serum calcitonin and a high background incidence of thyroid disease. Significantly elevated serum calcitonin may indicate MTC and patients with MTC usually have calcitonin values >50 ng/L. If serum calcitonin is measured and found to be elevated, the patient should be further evaluated. Patients with thyroid nodules noted on physical examination or neck imaging should also be further evaluated. 5.2 Acute Pancreatitis Acute pancreatitis, including fatal and non-fatal hemorrhagic or necrotizing pancreatitis, has been observed in patients treated with GLP-1 receptor agonists, including liraglutide [see Adverse Reactions (6)] . After initiation of liraglutide injection, observe patients carefully for signs and symptoms of acute pancreatitis which may include persistent or severe abdominal pain (sometimes radiating to the back) and which may or may not be accompanied by nausea or vomiting. If pancreatitis is suspected, discontinue liraglutide injection and initiate appropriate management. 5.3 Never Share a Liraglutide Injection Pen Between Patients Liraglutide injection pens must never be shared between patients, even if the needle is changed. Pen-sharing poses a risk for transmission of blood-borne pathogens. 5.4 Hypoglycemia Adult patients receiving liraglutide injection in combination with an insulin secretagogue (e.g., sulfonylurea) or insulin may have an increased risk of hypoglycemia, including severe hypoglycemia. In pediatric patients 10 years of age and older, the risk of hypoglycemia was higher with liraglutide injection regardless of insulin and/or metformin use. [see Adverse Reactions ( 6.1 ), Drug Interactions ( 7.2 )] . The risk of hypoglycemia may be lowered by a reduction in the dose of sulfonylurea (or other concomitantly administered insulin secretagogues) or insulin. Inform patients using these concomitant medications and pediatric patients of the risk of hypoglycemia and educate them on the signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia. 5.5 Acute Kidney Injury Due to Volume Depletion There have been postmarketing reports of acute kidney injury, in some cases requiring hemodialysis, in patients treated with liraglutide injection [see Adverse Reactions ( 6.2 )] . The majority of the reported events occurred in patients who experienced gastrointestinal reactions leading to dehydration such as nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea [see Adverse Reactions ( 6.1 )] . Monitor renal function in patients reporting adverse reactions to liraglutide injection that could lead to volume depletion, especially during dosage initiation and escalation of liraglutide injection [see Use in Specific Populations ( 8.6 )] . 5.6 Severe Gastrointestinal Adverse Reactions Use of GLP-1 receptor agonists, including liraglutide, has been associated with gastrointestinal adverse reactions, sometimes severe [see Adverse Reactions ( 6 )] . In liraglutide injection clinical trials, severe gastrointestinal adverse reactions were reported more frequently among patients receiving liraglutide injection (1.2 mg 4.4 %, 1.8 mg 4.2 %) than placebo (1.1 %). Severe gastrointestinal adverse reactions have also been reported postmarketing with GLP-1 receptor agonists. Liraglutide injection is not recommended in patients with severe gastroparesis. 5.7 Hypersensitivity Reactions There have been postmarketing reports of serious hypersensitivity reactions (e.g., anaphylactic reactions and angioedema) in patients treated with liraglutide injection [see Adverse Reactions ( 6.2 )] . If a hypersensitivity reaction occurs, discontinue liraglutide injection; treat promptly per standard of care, and monitor until signs and symptoms resolve. Anaphylaxis and angioedema have been reported with other GLP-1 receptor agonists. Use caution in a patient with a history of anaphylaxis or angioedema with another GLP-receptor agonist because it is unknown whether such patients will be predisposed to these reactions with liraglutide injection. Liraglutide injection is contraindicated in patients who have had a serious hypersensitivity reaction to liraglutide or any of the excipients in liraglutide injection [see Contraindications ( 4 )] . 5.8 Acute Gallbladder Disease Acute events of gallbladder disease such as cholelithiasis or cholecystitis have been reported in GLP-1 receptor agonist trials and postmarketing. If cholelithiasis is suspected, gallbladder studies and appropriate clinical follow-up are indicated. 5.9 Pulmonary Aspiration During General Anesthesia or Deep Sedation Liraglutide injection delays gastric emptying [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.2 )] . There have been rare postmarketing reports of pulmonary aspiration in patients receiving GLP-1 receptor agonists undergoing elective surgeries or procedures requiring general anesthesia or deep sedation who had residual gastric contents despite reported adherence to preoperative fasting recommendations. Available data are insufficient to inform recommendations to m

CONTRAINDICATIONS • Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma VICTOZA is contraindicated in patients with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or in patients with Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2). • Hypersensitivity VICTOZA is contraindicated in patients with a serious hypersensitivity reaction to liraglutide or to any of the excipients in VICTOZA. Serious hypersensitivity reactions including anaphylactic reactions and angioedema have been reported with VICTOZA [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.6 )]. VICTOZA is contraindicated in patients with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or in patients with Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (4) . VICTOZA is contraindicated in patients with a serious hypersensitivity reaction to liraglutide or any of the excipients in VICTOZA (4) .

DRUG INTERACTIONS Effects of delayed gastric emptying on oral medications: Liraglutide injection delays gastric emptying and may impact absorption of concomitantly administered oral medications ( 7 ). 7.1 Effects of Delayed Gastric Emptying on Oral Medications Liraglutide injection causes a delay of gastric emptying, and thereby has the potential to impact the absorption of concomitantly administered oral medications. In clinical pharmacology trials, liraglutide injection did not affect the absorption of the tested orally administered medications to any clinically relevant degree [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )] . Nonetheless, caution should be exercised when oral medications are concomitantly administered with liraglutide injection. 7.2 Concomitant Use with an Insulin Secretagogue (e.g., Sulfonylurea) or with Insulin Liraglutide injection stimulates insulin release in the presence of elevated blood glucose concentrations. Patients receiving liraglutide injection in combination with an insulin secretagogue (e.g., sulfonylurea) or insulin may have an increased risk of hypoglycemia, including severe hypoglycemia. When initiating liraglutide injection, consider reducing the dose of concomitantly administered insulin secretagogues (such as sulfonylureas) or insulin to reduce the risk of hypoglycemia [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.4 ) and Adverse Reactions ( 6.1 )].

ADVERSE REACTIONS The following serious adverse reactions are described below or elsewhere in the prescribing information: Risk of Thyroid C-cell Tumors [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] Acute Pancreatitis [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )] Hypoglycemia [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.4 )] Acute Kidney Injury Due to Volume Depletion [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.5 )] Severe Gastrointestinal Adverse Reactions [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.6 )] Hypersensitivity Reactions [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.7 )] Acute Gallbladder Disease [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.8 )] Pulmonary Aspiration During General Anesthesia or Deep Sedation [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.9 )] Most common adverse reactions (incidence ≥5%) in clinical trials are nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, decreased appetite, dyspepsia, constipation. ( 6.1 ) Immunogenicity-related events, including urticaria, were more common among liraglutide injection-treated patients (0.8%) than among comparator-treated patients (0.4%) in clinical trials. ( 12.6 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Lupin Pharmaceuticals, Inc. at 1-800-399-2561 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. Common Adverse Reactions The safety of liraglutide injection in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus was evaluated in 5 glycemic control, placebo-controlled trials in adults and one trial of 52 weeks duration in pediatric patients 10 years of age and older [see Clinical Studies ( 14.1 )] . The data in Table 1 reflect exposure of 1,673 adult patients to liraglutide injection and a mean duration of exposure to liraglutide injection of 37.3 weeks. The mean age of adult patients was 58 years, 4% were 75 years or older and 54% were male. The population was 79% White, 6% Black or African American, 13% Asian; 4% were of Hispanic or Latino ethnicity. At baseline the population had diabetes for an average of 9 years and a mean HbA 1c of 8.4%. Baseline estimated renal function was normal or mildly impaired in 88% and moderately impaired in 12% of the pooled population. Table 1 shows common adverse reactions in adults, excluding hypoglycemia, associated with the use of liraglutide injection for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. These adverse reactions occurred more commonly on liraglutide injection than on placebo and occurred in at least 5% of patients treated with liraglutide injection. Overall, the type, and severity of adverse reactions in pediatric patients 10 years of age and older and above were comparable to that observed in the adult population. Table 1: Adverse reactions reported in ≥ 5% of Adult Patients Treated with Liraglutide Injection for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Cumulative proportions were calculated combining studies using Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel weights. Placebo N=661 Liraglutide 1.2 mg N= 645 Liraglutide 1.8 mg N= 1024 Adverse Reaction (%) (%) (%) Nausea 5 18 20 Diarrhea 4 10 12 Headache 7 11 10 Nasopharyngitis 8 9 10 Vomiting 2 6 9 Decreased appetite 1 10 9 Dyspepsia 1 4 7 Upper Respiratory Tract Infection 6 7 6 Constipation 1 5 5 Back Pain 3 4 5 In an analysis of placebo- and active-controlled trials, the types and frequency of common adverse reactions, excluding hypoglycemia, were similar to those listed in Table 1 . Other Adverse Reactions Gastrointestinal Adverse Reactions: In the pool of 5 glycemic control, placebo-controlled adult clinical trials, withdrawals due to gastrointestinal adverse reactions, occurred in 4.3% of liraglutide injection-treated patients and 0.5% of placebo-treated patients. Severe gastrointestinal adverse reactions were reported more frequently among patients receiving liraglutide injection (1.2 mg 4.4 %, 1.8 mg 4.2 %) than placebo (1.1 %). Withdrawal due to gastrointestinal adverse events mainly occurred during the first 2 to 3 months of the trials. Injection site reactions: Injection site reactions (e.g., injection site rash, erythema) were reported in approximately 2% of liraglutide injection-treated adult patients in the five double-blind, glycemic control trials of at least 26 weeks duration. Less than 0.2% of liraglutide injection-treated patients discontinued due to injection site reactions. Hypoglycemia: In 5 adult glycemic control, placebo-controlled clinical trials of at least 26 weeks duration, hypoglycemia requiring the assistance of another person for treatment occurred in 8 liraglutide injection-treated patients (7.5 events per 1,000 patient-years). Of these 8 liraglutide injection-treated patients, 7 patients were concomitantly using a sulfonylurea. Table 2: Adult Incidence (%) and Rate (episodes/patient year) of Hypoglycemia in 26-Week Combination Therapy Placebo- controlled Trials "Patient not able to self-treat" is defined as an event requiring the assistance of another person for treatment. Placebo Comparator Liraglutide Injection Treatment Add-on to Metformin Placebo + Metformin (N = 121) Liraglutide Injection + Metformin (N = 724) Patient not able to self-treat 0 0.1 (0.001) Patient able to self-treat 2.5 (0.06) 3.6 (0.05) Add-on to Glimepiride Placebo + Glimepiride (N = 114) Liraglutide Injection + Glimepiride (N = 695) Patient not able to self-treat 0 0.1 (0.003) Patient able to self-treat 2.6 (0.17) 7.5 (0.38) Not classified 0 0.9 (0.05) Add-on to Metformin + Rosiglitazone Placebo + Metformin + Rosiglitazone (N = 175) Liraglutide Injection + Metformin + Rosiglitazone (N = 355) Patient not able to self-treat 0 0 Patient able to self-treat 4.6 (0.15) 7.9 (0.49) Not classified 1.1 (0.03) 0.6 (0.01) Add-on to Metformin + Glimepiride Placebo + Metformin + Glimepiride (N = 114) Liraglutide Injection + Metformin + Glimepiride (N = 230) Patient not able to self-treat 0 2.2 (0.06) Patient able to self-treat 16.7 (0.95) 27.4 (1.16) Not classified 0 0 In a 26-week placebo-controlled clinical trial in pediatric patients 10 years of age and older with a 26-week open-label extension, 21.2% of liraglutide injection-treated patients (mean age 14.6 years) with type 2 diabetes mellitus, had hypoglycemia with a blood glucose <54 mg/dL with or without symptoms (335 events per 1,000 patient years). No severe hypoglycemic episodes occurred in the liraglutide injection treatment group (severe hypoglycemia was defined as an episode requiring assistance of another person to actively administer carbohydrate, glucagon, or other resuscitative actions). Papillary thyroid carcinoma: In adult glycemic control trials of liraglutide injection, there were 7 reported cases of papillary thyroid carcinoma in patients treated with liraglutide injection and 1 case in a comparator-treated patient (1.5 vs. 0.5 cases per 1,000 patient- years). Most of these papillary thyroid carcinomas were <1 cm in greatest diameter and were diagnosed in surgical pathology specimens after thyroidectomy prompted by findings on protocol-specified screening with serum calcitonin or thyroid ultrasound. Pancreatitis In glycemic control trials of liraglutide injection, there have been 13 cases of pancreatitis among liraglutide injection -treated patients and 1 case in a comparator (glimepiride) treated patient (2.7 vs. 0.5 cases per 1,000 patient-years). Nine of the 13 cases with liraglutide injection were reported as acute pancreatitis and four were reported as chronic pancreatitis. In one case in a liraglutide injection-treated patient, pancreatitis, with necrosis, was observed and led to death; however clinical causality could not be established. Some patients had other risk factors for pancreatitis, such as a history of cholelithiasis or alcohol abuse. Cholelithiasis and cholecystitis: In adult glycemic control trials of liraglutide injection, the incidence of cholelithiasis was 0

Mechanism of Action Liraglutide is an acylated human Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist with 97% amino acid sequence homology to endogenous human GLP-1(7-37). GLP-1(7-37) represents <20% of total circulating endogenous GLP-1. Like GLP-1(7-37), liraglutide activates the GLP-1 receptor, a membrane-bound cell-surface receptor coupled to adenylyl cyclase by the stimulatory G-protein, Gs, in pancreatic beta cells. Liraglutide increases intracellular cyclic AMP (cAMP) leading to insulin release in the presence of elevated glucose concentrations. This insulin secretion subsides as blood glucose concentrations decrease and approach euglycemia. Liraglutide also decreases glucagon secretion in a glucose-dependent manner. The mechanism of blood glucose lowering also involves a delay in gastric emptying. GLP-1(7-37) has a half-life of 1.5-2 minutes due to degradation by the ubiquitous endogenous enzymes, dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-IV) and neutral endopeptidases (NEP). Unlike native GLP-1, liraglutide is stable against metabolic degradation by both peptidases and has a plasma half-life of 13 hours after subcutaneous administration. The pharmacokinetic profile of liraglutide, which makes it suitable for once daily administration, is a result of self-association that delays absorption, plasma protein binding and stability against metabolic degradation by DPP-IV and NEP. 12.2 Pharmacodynamics Liraglutide injection’s pharmacodynamic profile is consistent with its pharmacokinetic profile observed after single subcutaneous administration as liraglutide injection lowered fasting, premeal and postprandial glucose throughout the day [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)]. Fasting and postprandial glucose was measured before and up to 5 hours after a standardized meal after treatment to steady state with 0.6, 1.2 and 1.8 mg liraglutide injection or placebo. Compared to placebo, the postprandial plasma glucose AUC 0-300min was 35% lower after liraglutide injection 1.2 mg and 38% lower after liraglutide injection 1.8 mg. Glucose-dependent insulin secretion The effect of a single dose of 7.5 mcg/kg (~ 0.7 mg) liraglutide injection on insulin secretion rates (ISR) was investigated in 10 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus during graded glucose infusion. In these patients, on average, the ISR response was increased in a glucose-dependent manner (Figure 2). Figure 2 Mean Insulin Secretion Rate (ISR) versus Glucose Concentration Following Single-Dose Liraglutide Injection 7.5 mcg/kg (~ 0.7 mg) or Placebo in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (N=10) During Graded Glucose Infusion Glucagon secretion Liraglutide injection lowered blood glucose by stimulating insulin secretion and lowering glucagon secretion. A single dose of liraglutide injection 7.5 mcg/kg (~ 0.7 mg) did not impair glucagon response to low glucose concentrations. Gastric emptying Liraglutide injection causes a delay of gastric emptying, thereby reducing the rate at which postprandial glucose appears in the circulation. Cardiac Electrophysiology (QTc) The effect of liraglutide injection on cardiac repolarization was tested in a QTc study. Liraglutide injection at steady state concentrations with daily doses up to 1.8 mg did not produce QTc prolongation. 12.3 Pharmacokinetics Absorption Following subcutaneous administration, maximum concentrations of liraglutide are achieved at 8 to 12 hours post dosing. The mean peak (C max ) and total (AUC) exposures of liraglutide were 35 ng/mL and 960 ng·h/mL, respectively, for a subcutaneous single dose of 0.6 mg. After subcutaneous single dose administrations, C max and AUC of liraglutide increased proportionally over the therapeutic dose range of 0.6 mg to 1.8 mg. At 1.8 mg liraglutide injection, the average steady state concentration of liraglutide over 24 hours was approximately 128 ng/mL. AUC 0-∞ was equivalent between upper arm and abdomen, and between upper arm and thigh. AUC 0-∞ from thigh was 22% lower than that from abdomen. However, liraglutide exposures were considered comparable among these three subcutaneous injection sites. Absolute bioavailability of liraglutide following subcutaneous administration is approximately 55%. Distribution The mean apparent volume of distribution after subcutaneous administration of liraglutide injection 0.6 mg is approximately 13 L. The mean volume of distribution after intravenous administration of liraglutide injection is 0.07 L/kg. Liraglutide is extensively bound to plasma protein (>98%). Elimination The mean apparent clearance following subcutaneous administration of a single dose of liraglutide is approximately 1.2 L/h with an elimination half-life of approximately 13 hours. Metabolism During the initial 24 hours following administration of a single [ 3 H]-liraglutide dose to healthy subjects, the major component in plasma was intact liraglutide. Liraglutide is endogenously metabolized in a similar manner to large proteins without a specific organ as a major route of elimination. Excretion Following a [ 3 H]-liraglutide dose, intact liraglutide was not detected in urine or feces. Only a minor part of the administered radioactivity was excreted as liraglutide-related metabolites in urine or feces (6% and 5%, respectively). The majority of urine and feces radioactivity was excreted during the first 6 to 8 days. Specific Populations Geriatric Patients Age had no effect on the pharmacokinetics of liraglutide injection based on a pharmacokinetic study in healthy elderly subjects (65 to 83 years) and population pharmacokinetic analyses of patients 18 to 80 years of age [see Use in Specific Populations (8.5)]. Pediatric Patients A population pharmacokinetic analysis was conducted for liraglutide injection using data from 72 pediatric patients (10 to 17 years of age) with type 2 diabetes mellitus. The pharmacokinetic profile of liraglutide injection in the pediatric patients was consistent with that in adults. Male and Female Patients Based on the results of population pharmacokinetic analyses, females have 25% lower weight-adjusted clearance of liraglutide injection compared to males. Race or Ethnic Groups Race and ethnicity had no effect on the pharmacokinetics of liraglutide injection based on the results of population pharmacokinetic analyses that included White, Black or African American, Asian and Hispanic or Latino/Non-Hispanic or Latino subjects. Body Weight Body weight significantly affects the pharmacokinetics of liraglutide injection based on results of population pharmacokinetic analyses. The exposure of liraglutide decreases with an increase in baseline body weight. However, the 1.2 mg and 1.8 mg daily doses of liraglutide injection provided adequate systemic exposures over the body weight range of 40 to 160 kg evaluated in the clinical trials. Liraglutide was not studied in patients with body weight >160 kg. Patients with Renal Impairment The single-dose pharmacokinetics of liraglutide injection were evaluated in patients with varying degrees of renal impairment. Patients with mild (estimated creatinine clearance 50 to 80 mL/min) to severe (estimated creatinine clearance <30 mL/min) renal impairment and subjects with end-stage renal disease requiring dialysis were included in the trial. Compared to healthy subjects, liraglutide AUC in mild, moderate, and severe renal impairment and in end-stage renal disease was on average 35%, 19%, 29% and 30% lower, respectively [see Use in Specific Populations (8.6)]. Patients with Hepatic Impairment The single-dose pharmacokinetics of liraglutide injection were evaluated in patients with varying degrees of hepatic impairment. Patients with mild (Child Pugh score 5 to 6) to severe (Child Pugh score > 9) hepatic impairment were included in the trial. Compared to healthy subjects, liraglutide AUC in patients with mild, moderate and severe hepatic impairment was on average 11%, 14% and 42% lower, respectively [see Use in Specific Populations (8.7)]. Drug Interaction St