What Saxenda / liraglutide is
Saxenda contains liraglutide and is made by Novo Nordisk. The first generic, Teva’s liraglutide injection, launched on August 28, 2025.
FDA-approved for
- Long-term weight reduction (adults, and children 12 and older over 60 kg)
Dosing
Daily injection. 0.6 mg daily, rising weekly to 3 mg. Adults should stop if they have not lost at least 4% of body weight after 16 weeks. Your clinician sets the pace, and it is common to stay at a dose longer if side effects are hard to manage.
How well it works
In its main trial, people lost 7.4% of body weight on average over 56 weeks, vs 3.0% on placebo. These are averages from clinical trials; your results may be different.
Saxenda / liraglutide cost
Generic liraglutide is available; prices vary by pharmacy. For every price option, read GLP-1 without insurance: every cash-pay option by true monthly cost. For the steps, read How to get a GLP-1 prescription online, step by step.
Safety: GLP-1 medications carry a boxed warning for thyroid C-cell tumors and are not for people with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or MEN 2. Labels also warn about pancreatitis, gallbladder problems, low blood sugar with some diabetes drugs, kidney problems from dehydration and severe stomach problems. Talk to a licensed clinician about your history.
Legal status: Prescription only; FDA-approved.