Liraglutide as add‐on to sodium‐glucose co‐transporter‐2 inhibitors in patients with inadequately controlled type 2 diabetes: LIRA‐ADD2SGLT2i, a 26‐week, randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial

AIM: To compare the effect of liraglutide or placebo added on to sodium‐glucose co‐transporter‐2 inhibitor (SGLT2i) ± metformin on glycaemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with type 2 diabetes on a stable SGLT2i dose ± metformin (with HbA1c 7.0%–9.5% and body mass index [BMI] ≥ 20 kg/m(2)) were randomized 2:1 to add‐on liraglutide 1.8 mg/day or placebo in this parallel, double‐blind, multinational trial. Primary and confirmatory secondary endpoints were changes in HbA1c and body weight from baseline to week 26, respectively. The proportions of patients achieving HbA1c (<7.0%) targets and safety events after week 26 were also assessed. RESULTS: Of 303 patients randomized (one in error), 280 completed treatment. Mean changes in HbA1c from baseline to week 26 with liraglutide (n = 202) and placebo (n = 100) were − 0.98% and − 0.30%, respectively (estimated treatment difference [ETD]: −0.68% [95% CI: −0.89, −0.48]; P < 0.001). Mean body weight changes from baseline were − 2.81 versus −1.99 kg, respectively (ETD: −0.82 kg [95% CI: −1.73, 0.09]; P = 0.077); 51.8% of liraglutide‐treated patients achieved HbA1c < 7.0% versus 23.2% receiving placebo (odds ratio: 5.1 [95% CI: 2.67, 9.87]; P < 0.001). More patients treated with liraglutide reported ≥1 treatment‐emergent adverse events (66.3%) versus placebo (47.0%). CONCLUSIONS: Liraglutide significantly improved glycaemic control compared with placebo in patients with type 2 diabetes, insufficiently controlled with SGLT2is with/without metformin, with no unexpected safety findings.