What is Saxenda?
Saxenda is liraglutide at 3 mg daily — the first GLP-1 receptor agonist the FDA ever approved for weight management, back in 2014. It walked so Wegovy could run.
It is a daily injection rather than a weekly one, and its average results (about 8% of body weight) are roughly half of what semaglutide and tirzepatide deliver. Both facts pushed it out of the spotlight once the weekly drugs arrived.
What brought it back into the conversation is price. Teva launched the first generic version in August 2025 — the first generic GLP-1 for weight loss of any kind — which dropped the monthly cost from roughly $1,300 to a few hundred dollars.
Saxenda is also approved for adolescents aged 12 and older with obesity, an indication most of the newer drugs took years to earn.
How it works
Liraglutide mimics GLP-1, the hormone your gut releases after a meal: insulin goes up when blood sugar is high, glucagon goes down, the stomach empties more slowly, and appetite signalling in the hypothalamus quiets.
Its half-life is about 13 hours — long enough for once-daily dosing, but far shorter than semaglutide (about 7 days). That shorter exposure is the main reason the weekly drugs outperform it on weight, and the reason a missed dose matters more.
Dosing schedule
Saxenda steps up weekly over the first month, which is faster than the weekly drugs but at smaller increments:
| Dose | When |
|---|---|
| 0.6 mg / day | Week 1 — starter dose, not therapeutic |
| 1.2 mg / day | Week 2 |
| 1.8 mg / day | Week 3 |
| 2.4 mg / day | Week 4 |
| 3.0 mg / day | Week 5+ — full maintenance dose |
Results in clinical trials
In the SCALE Obesity and Prediabetes trial (NEJM 2015), adults on liraglutide 3 mg lost an average of 8.0% of body weight — about 18.5 lbs — versus 2.6% on placebo over 56 weeks. Roughly 63% of participants lost at least 5%, and about a third lost 10% or more.
Side effects
Common
- Nausea (most common)
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Vomiting
- Headache
- Low blood sugar
- Injection site reactions
Serious (rare)
- Pancreatitis
- Gallbladder disease
- Kidney injury from dehydration
- Increased heart rate
- Suicidal ideation (monitor mood changes)
How much does Saxenda cost?
Saxenda is the one branded GLP-1 with a true generic competitor, which is why the price range is so wide:
| Route | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Brand Saxenda (list price) | ~$1,300 / month |
| Generic liraglutide | $230–$500 / month |
| With discount cards | Often ~$370 / month for the generic |
| With commercial insurance | $25–$100 / month copay (when covered) |
Prices vary by clinic, dose, and location — always confirm directly. See real local pricing on our clinic listings.
Frequently asked questions
Is Saxenda as good as Wegovy?
No. Saxenda averages about 8% body weight loss versus roughly 15% for Wegovy, and it requires a daily injection instead of a weekly one. Its advantage now is cost — generic liraglutide runs a few hundred dollars a month against Wegovy list prices near $1,000.
Is there a generic Saxenda?
Yes. Teva launched the first generic liraglutide for weight management in August 2025 — the first generic GLP-1 of any kind approved for weight loss. Other manufacturers have followed, and distribution is still expanding, so pharmacy availability varies.
Saxenda vs Victoza — what is the difference?
Same drug, different dose and label. Victoza is liraglutide up to 1.8 mg daily, approved for type 2 diabetes. Saxenda is liraglutide up to 3 mg daily, approved for weight management. The higher dose is what produces the larger weight loss.
Why would anyone choose a daily injection over a weekly one?
Mostly price and access. Generic liraglutide is the cheapest real GLP-1 available, and it has been on the market long enough that supply is stable. Some patients also tolerate the shorter-acting drug better, since a rough dose clears in a day rather than a week.
Related medications
Guides
Primary sources
- Saxenda prescribing information — Novo Nordisk
- A randomized, controlled trial of 3.0 mg liraglutide in weight management (SCALE) — New England Journal of Medicine
This page is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Saxenda is a prescription medication — talk to a licensed healthcare provider about whether it is right for you. GLPFinders is a directory service and does not prescribe, sell, or dispense medications.