Everything you need to know about Saxenda in 2026: what it is, how it's used, the dosing schedule, costs, generic options, and more.
Saxenda is the brand name for liraglutide 3.0 mg, a prescription injectable medication manufactured by Novo Nordisk. It belongs to a class of drugs called GLP-1 receptor agonists (glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists) and is FDA-approved for chronic weight management.
Unlike many weight-loss supplements or fad diets, Saxenda is a clinically proven pharmaceutical treatment backed by large-scale clinical trials. It works by mimicking a natural hormone in your body that regulates appetite and food intake. For a detailed explanation of the science behind it, see our guide on how Saxenda works.
Saxenda is FDA-approved for two primary indications:
Chronic weight management in adults with:
Saxenda is prescribed as an adjunct to a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity — meaning it's designed to work alongside lifestyle changes, not replace them.
Saxenda is also approved for chronic weight management in pediatric patients aged 12 and older who weigh more than 60 kg (132 lbs) and meet the clinical definition of obesity. This makes it one of the few FDA-approved weight-loss medications available for adolescents.
Some healthcare providers prescribe Saxenda off-label for conditions like non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and weight management related to polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). These uses are not FDA-approved but are supported by emerging clinical evidence.
You may have heard of Victoza — another Novo Nordisk medication that also contains liraglutide. The key difference is the indication and dose:
Both medications use the same active ingredient, but Saxenda is dosed higher for its weight-loss effect. They should not be used together.
Saxenda comes as a pre-filled, multi-dose injection pen (18 mg/3 mL). It's injected subcutaneously (under the skin) once daily in the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm. You can take it at any time of day, with or without food — though many patients find a consistent daily time helps them remember their dose.
You don't start Saxenda at the full dose. Instead, the dose is gradually increased over five weeks to minimize gastrointestinal side effects:
Each dose increase is 0.6 mg. If you experience significant side effects at any step, your doctor may recommend staying at the current dose for an additional week before increasing.
In clinical trials, patients taking Saxenda alongside diet and exercise lost an average of approximately 7-8% of their body weight over 56 weeks, compared to about 2-3% with diet and exercise alone. About 63% of patients lost at least 5% of their body weight, and about 33% lost at least 10%.
These results are meaningful — even a 5-10% weight loss can significantly improve blood pressure, blood sugar levels, cholesterol, and overall cardiovascular risk. However, newer GLP-1 medications like Wegovy and Zepbound have shown greater average weight loss in their clinical trials.
The Saxenda prescribing information recommends evaluating weight loss after 16 weeks on the full 3.0 mg dose. If you haven't lost at least 4% of your body weight by that point, your doctor may recommend discontinuing Saxenda, as you're unlikely to achieve meaningful weight loss with continued treatment.
Cost remains one of the biggest considerations for Saxenda patients. Here's the current pricing landscape:
A 30-day supply of brand-name Saxenda (box of 5 pre-filled pens at the 3.0 mg maintenance dose) typically costs $1,300 to $1,800 per month without insurance. Prices vary by pharmacy.
Teva Pharmaceuticals launched a generic version of liraglutide in August 2025, priced at approximately $1,165 per month (wholesale acquisition cost). Additional generic manufacturers are expected to enter the market after February 24, 2026, which may further lower prices.
Coverage varies widely by plan. Many insurers require prior authorization and documentation of BMI and failed lifestyle modifications. Some plans exclude weight-loss medications entirely. Notably, Medicare Part D does not cover Saxenda for weight loss. Medicaid coverage varies by state.
Several options can help reduce your out-of-pocket costs:
For a comprehensive guide to reducing your Saxenda costs, read our article on how to save money on Saxenda.
Saxenda is contraindicated in patients with:
Saxenda should also be used with caution in patients with a history of pancreatitis, gallbladder disease, kidney impairment, or depression/suicidal ideation. It should not be combined with other GLP-1 receptor agonists or insulin.
Saxenda availability has improved significantly since the worst of the GLP-1 shortage in 2023-2024. The launch of generic liraglutide and increased manufacturing capacity have helped stabilize supply. However, intermittent stock issues can still occur at individual pharmacies.
For the latest on Saxenda availability, check our Saxenda shortage update or use Medfinder to check pharmacy stock in real time.
Saxenda is a well-established, FDA-approved weight-management medication that has helped millions of patients achieve meaningful weight loss. While it requires daily injections and can cause gastrointestinal side effects (especially early on), many patients find it to be an effective tool when combined with diet and exercise.
In 2026, patients benefit from more options than ever — including generic liraglutide, expanded savings programs, and better tools for finding pharmacies with stock. If you're considering Saxenda, talk to your healthcare provider about whether it's right for you, and use Medfinder to find it in stock near you.
You focus on staying healthy. We'll handle the rest.
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