Saxenda®

About Saxenda®

Saxenda® (liraglutide 3.0 mg) is FDA-approved for chronic weight management. Daily injection. SCALE trial showed 8.0% mean weight loss over 56 weeks.

Manufacturer / source: Novo Nordisk

How it compares

For tirzepatide forms head-to-head, see comparison page. For trial data, see clinical research.

Brand context & FDA status

Saxenda is Novo Nordisk's brand name for liraglutide 3.0 mg for chronic weight management. FDA-approved on December 23, 2014 for adults with obesity, and in December 2020 expanded to adolescents 12+ with obesity. Saxenda was the first GLP-1 receptor agonist FDA-approved specifically for weight management. Same active ingredient as Victoza (lower dose, for type 2 diabetes).

Mechanism of action

Liraglutide is a daily-administered GLP-1 receptor agonist. Mechanisms parallel longer-acting GLP-1s — appetite suppression, slowed gastric emptying, glucose-dependent insulin secretion — but with daily rather than weekly administration due to shorter half-life (~13 hours).

Clinical efficacy data

The SCALE trial program supported Saxenda's approval. Mean weight loss in pivotal SCALE Obesity and Prediabetes trial was approximately 8% on Saxenda 3.0 mg vs 2.6% on placebo at 56 weeks. Notably, magnitude of weight loss is generally smaller than that observed with weekly semaglutide (Wegovy) or weekly tirzepatide (Zepbound).

FDA-approved indications

FDA-approved for chronic weight management in adults with BMI ≥30 or ≥27 with a weight-related condition, and in adolescents 12+ with BMI corresponding to obesity. Adjunct to reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.

Dosing & titration

Daily subcutaneous injection. Titrate over five weeks: 0.6 mg daily for one week, then 1.2 mg, 1.8 mg, 2.4 mg, reaching 3.0 mg in week five. Maintain at 3.0 mg daily. Skip dose increase if not tolerated.

Safety profile & adverse events

Most common adverse events: nausea, hypoglycemia (in type 2 diabetes), diarrhea, constipation, vomiting, headache, decreased appetite, dyspepsia, fatigue. Same boxed warning for thyroid C-cell tumor risk. Contraindications: MTC, MEN 2 history; pregnancy. Monitor for pancreatitis, gallbladder events, kidney injury, suicidal ideation (active monitoring per label), heart rate increases.

Cost & access in 2026

Saxenda list price is approximately $1,350 per month. Insurance coverage varies; some plans cover Saxenda for weight management with prior authorization and BMI documentation. Novo Nordisk offers a savings card program for eligible commercially insured patients. Now generally less prescribed than weekly Wegovy or weekly Zepbound due to the magnitude-of-effect differences and daily-injection burden.

Frequently asked questions

Saxenda vs Wegovy?

Both are FDA-approved for chronic weight management. Saxenda is liraglutide 3.0 mg daily; Wegovy is semaglutide 2.4 mg weekly. Wegovy generally produces greater weight loss with less frequent injection.

Is Saxenda the same as Victoza?

Same active ingredient (liraglutide), different doses and labels. Victoza is liraglutide for type 2 diabetes at lower doses (max 1.8 mg). Saxenda is liraglutide for weight management at higher doses (max 3.0 mg).

Why daily injection rather than weekly?

Liraglutide's pharmacokinetic profile requires daily dosing for sustained effect. Newer GLP-1s have been engineered for longer half-lives enabling weekly administration.