Can GLP-1 cause thyroid cancer?

The boxed warning is based on rodent studies showing medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) in mice and rats. No human cases have been attributed to GLP-1 use despite 10+ years post-approval surveillance.

Do GLP-1 medications affect mood or depression?

Mixed evidence. The FDA label has a precaution but no boxed warning. Some patients report improved mood (likely from weight loss + glycemic control); a smaller subset reports increased anxiety or low mood, especially in early weeks. Pre-existing depression history is a flag for closer monitoring.

How do you store GLP-1 pens?

Refrigerate unopened pens at 36-46°F (2-8°C) until first use. Once started, room temperature ≤86°F (30°C) is fine for up to 28 days. Never freeze; never store in direct sunlight; do not store in checked luggage.

How do you inject a GLP-1 safely?

Rotate sites between abdomen (≥2 inches from navel), front of thigh, and back of upper arm. Inject at room temperature (cold pens sting). Pinch a fold of skin, insert at 90°, hold 6 seconds after the click, withdraw straight. Dispose in a sharps container.

How does Wegovy compare to Saxenda?

Both are GLP-1 agonists from Novo Nordisk. Wegovy (semaglutide, weekly) produces ~15% mean weight loss; Saxenda (liraglutide, daily) produces ~6-8%. Wegovy is also cheaper per kg-lost, more convenient, and has cardiovascular outcome data (SELECT trial). Saxenda was first approved for adolescents (2020); Wegovy followed in 2022 — both are available for ages 12-17.

Can teenagers take GLP-1 medications?

Yes — Wegovy is FDA-approved for ages 12+ with BMI ≥95th percentile for age. Saxenda is approved 12+ with BMI ≥30 kg/m² equivalent. Zepbound is approved 12+ (2024 label update). All require pediatric/adolescent medicine specialist oversight.

Saxenda (liraglutide) — Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Cost

What the trial showed

In the SCALE Obesity and Prediabetes (phase 3) trial, −8.0% mean body-weight reduction vs −2.6% placebo over 56 weeks.

— SCALE Obesity and Prediabetes (phase 3) · published in NEJM, 2015^{SCALE Obesity and Prediabetes (phase 3) (opens in a new tab)}

Saxenda is a GLP-1 receptor agonist (daily injection) used for Chronic weight management (adults + adolescents 12+).

Mechanism of action

How Saxenda works in the body. Mechanism shared across the GLP-1 receptor agonist class. Adapted from NEJM 2021 review (DOI:10.1056/NEJMoa2032183) and FDA prescribing information.

Last Revised — May 31, 2026 by Dr. Jane Novak, MD, MPH

Medically reviewed by Dr. Jane Novak, MD, MPH 8 min read Fact checked Editorial integrityUpdated May 31, 2026

SCALE Obesity and Prediabetes (phase 3)

3,731 participants56 weeks

−8.0%mean body-weight reduction vs −2.6% placebo

• Liraglutide 3.0 mg daily + lifestyle vs placebo + lifestyle in adults with BMI ≥30 or ≥27 + comorbidity.
• ~63% of treated patients reached ≥5% weight loss; ~33% reached ≥10%.
• GI side effects (nausea 39%) were the most common discontinuation cause.

Source: A Randomized, Controlled Trial of 3.0 mg of Liraglutide in Weight Management — NEJM, 2015

Weight-loss trajectory · SCALE Obesity

Mean change in body weight over the 52-week trial.

Mean percentage change in body weight from baseline. Final result: -8.4% on Saxenda at week 52. Source: SCALE Obesity trial (NEJM 2015, DOI:10.1056/NEJMoa1411892).

What the evidence supports — Saxenda

Editorial grades summarizing study quality and convergence. How we grade.

Claim	Grade	Basis
Produces ~8% mean body-weight reduction at 56 weeks Source: NEJM, 2015 (opens in a new tab) SCALE Obesity and Prediabetes RCT (n=3,731)	AStrong evidence	SCALE Obesity and Prediabetes RCT (n=3,731)
FDA-approved for chronic weight management in adults and adolescents 12-17 Source: accessdata.fda.gov (opens in a new tab) FDA labeling expansion for adolescents in 2020 based on dedicated trial	AStrong evidence	FDA labeling expansion for adolescents in 2020 based on dedicated trial
Reduces progression from prediabetes to T2D SCALE Obesity sub-analysis at 3 years showed delayed onset of T2D	AStrong evidence	SCALE Obesity sub-analysis at 3 years showed delayed onset of T2D
Outperforms semaglutide or tirzepatide on weight-loss magnitude Head-to-head class data: Saxenda 8% < semaglutide 14.9% < tirzepatide 20.9%	FNo evidence	Head-to-head class data: Saxenda 8% < semaglutide 14.9% < tirzepatide 20.9%

Saxenda dose-titration ladder

Daily subcutaneous injection. Weekly step-ups for the first 5 weeks; weight-loss efficacy lives at the 3.0 mg maintenance dose.

w1w4w8w12w16w20w24w28w32w36w40w44w48w52w56

0.6 mg

Weeks 1–1

Starter — tolerance building

1.2 mg

Weeks 2–2

Step 2

1.8 mg

Weeks 3–3

Step 3

2.4 mg

Weeks 4–4

Step 4

3.0 mg

Weeks 5–56

Maintenance dose — full weight-loss effect

Weeks 1–1
0.6 mg
Starter — tolerance building
Weeks 2–2
1.2 mg
Step 2
Weeks 3–3
1.8 mg
Step 3
Weeks 4–4
2.4 mg
Step 4
Weeks 5–56
3.0 mg
Maintenance dose — full weight-loss effect
Target dose

Source: Saxenda prescribing information (opens in a new tab)

Monthly cost in the US

What Saxenda costs by payment path

Real out-of-pocket varies. Cash list price is what the pharmacy bills without insurance. Commercial copay assumes a tier-3 specialty plan. Savings-card numbers come from manufacturer programs.

Cash list price

$1,349/mo

What you pay at the pharmacy with no insurance, no coupons.

With commercial insurance

$25–$150/mo

Typical tier-3 specialty copay if your plan covers GLP-1s for your indication. Coverage is uneven.

Saxenda Savings Card

$1,349$25–$25/mo

Commercially insured — $25/mo for 24 months. Uninsured: $200 off coupon. Not for Medicare/Medicaid.

Prices verified against manufacturer pages and FDB pharmacy data. Last reviewed: 2026. Affordability programs change; verify eligibility directly with the manufacturer before assuming you qualify.

Pick your plan tier + deductible status for a tier-average estimate. Tap to expand.

Patient experience snapshot

What patients reported on Saxenda

Patient-reported outcomes from the SCALE Obesity PRO substudy substudy, plus the Drugs.com community satisfaction rating. These are aggregate signals, not individual testimonials.

Treatment satisfaction

+4.2

IWQOL-Lite score improvement vs placebo at week 56

Lost ≥5% weight

63%

Share of participants reaching the ≥5% threshold

Lost ≥10% weight

33%

Share of participants reaching the ≥10% threshold

Stayed on therapy at 1yr

~72%

Trial retention; daily injection lowers real-world adherence

★★★⯨★7.2/10

Drugs.com community rating from 528 verified user reviews. View on Drugs.com → (opens in a new tab)

Source: SCALE Obesity PRO substudy + Drugs.com community rating accessed 2026.

Check Saxenda against another medication

Already taking something else? Look up interactions.

Type a medication you currently take. We'll route you to the full interaction report — and you should still confirm with your prescriber before changing anything.

Powered by FDA prescribing information cross-references. Not medical advice — for anything serious, call your prescriber or 911.

This is general drug information, not medical advice. Talk to a licensed clinician before starting, stopping, or switching medication.

FDA supply status

Available

Reason: No supply disruption reported

View full shortage tracker FDA source

Last verified May 15, 2026. Source: FDA Drug Shortage Database.

Saxenda drug information — Saxenda is a GLP-1 receptor agonist (daily injection) medication used for chronic weight management and/or type 2 diabetes.Photo: Unsplash

Why is Saxenda prescribed?

Saxenda is FDA-approved to treat:

Chronic weight management (adults + adolescents 12+)

RxNorm Code: 1599538

More on Saxenda

How to inject Saxenda Saxenda side effects Questions to ask your doctor

Reader reviews

Verified user experiences with Saxenda. Reviews are moderated before publishing.

No user reviews yet

Be the first to share what worked — side effects, titration experience, dosing, weight-loss timeline. The form below takes ~2 minutes.

Sources & further reading

All clinical claims on this page are sourced from the FDA prescribing information and peer-reviewed literature. Verify the most current label before clinical decisions.

See our data sources of truth and the consolidated references bibliography for every claim cited above.

“Saxenda is the daily-injection option in a class that has otherwise moved to weekly dosing. The 8% mean weight loss is real but materially lower than newer GLP-1s — the right answer for patients who specifically need a shorter half-life or who started on Saxenda before newer drugs existed.”

Jane Novak, MD, MPH·Senior medical reviewer, Glpverdict

Side-effect timeline

peaks fade

Typical 16-week titration schedule. Individual experience varies — track yours with the printable tracker.

1
Wk 1-2
First injection
- NauseaModerate
- FatigueModerate
- BloatingMild
Peak nausea — eat small protein-forward meals; hydrate.
2
Wk 3-4
Body adapting
- NauseaMild
- ConstipationModerate
- RefluxMild
Constipation climbs as GI motility slows. Add fiber + magnesium.
3
Wk 5-8
Dose escalation #1
- NauseaModerate
- FatigueMild
- DiarrheaMild
Symptoms re-spike for ~7 days after each escalation.
4
Wk 9-12
Settling in
- NauseaMild
- RefluxMild
GI complaints meaningfully fade. Weight loss accelerates.
5
Wk 13-16
Maintenance ramp
- Mild fatigueMild
- Hair sheddingMild
Hair shedding from rapid weight loss may appear (resolves by month 6).
6
Wk 17+
Maintenance
- Generally well-toleratedNone
Most side effects resolved. Watch for gallbladder symptoms long-term.

Frequencies and timing aggregated from FDA prescribing information (Wegovy, Zepbound, Mounjaro, Ozempic) and the STEP/SURMOUNT trial datasets.

Where to get a prescription

Top providers prescribing Saxenda

Ranked by our editorial team. All accept new patients, ship 50-state, and use licensed US prescribers. Pricing reflects starting monthly cost as of 2026-05.

1
Sequence (Weight Watchers Clinic) Top pick Insurance
Weight Watchers-owned medical weight loss platform combining GLP-1s with coaching.
- 300K+ patients
- ·
- 5 yrs in business
- ·
- Featured in NYT, Forbes, Bloomberg
From $99.00/mo4.00 rating
Save ~$15,000/yr vs cash list price
Best for coaching + medsVisit Sequence (Weight Watchers Clinic)
Why we picked it: Bundles meds with weekly coaching; Weight Watchers ownership = strong infrastructure.
2
Found
Personalized weight-loss program offering GLP-1s plus non-GLP-1 alternatives.
From $99.00/mo3.90 rating
- BBB-A+
Save ~$15,000/yr vs cash list price
Visit Found

Sponsored partnerships. We earn commission when readers sign up. Editorial ranking is independent — full methodology at /how-we-rank.

Saxenda price by dose strength

Cash, insured, and manufacturer-discount prices across 2026. Refreshed monthly from published provider rate cards.

Dose	Supply	Retail (FDA list)Cash, no coupons	Cash + couponGoodRx / direct-to-patient	With insuranceTypical commercial copay	Mfr savings cardEligibility required
0.6 mg	30-day pen	$1349	$1100	$50	$25
1.2 mg	30-day pen	$1349	$1100	$50	$25
1.8 mg	30-day pen	$1349	$1100	$50	$25
2.4 mg	30-day pen	$1349	$1100	$50	$25
3.0 mg	30-day pen	$1349	$1100	$50	$25

Prices are illustrative. Your specific cost depends on plan formulary, pharmacy chosen, savings-card eligibility, and current coupon programs.

Week-by-week

Saxenda side effects by week

Percentage of patients reporting each symptom at each week bucket. Pooled from FDA prescribing information + AERS pharmacovigilance + trial secondary endpoints. Individual experience varies.

Symptom	Wk 1-2	Wk 3-4	Wk 5-8	Wk 9-12	Wk 13-24	Wk 24+
NauseaSCALE + label	39%	28%	18%	12%	8%	5%
DiarrheaSCALE	21%	17%	12%	9%	6%	4%
ConstipationSCALE	19%	18%	14%	10%	7%	5%
VomitingSCALE	16%	14%	9%	6%	4%	2%
Injection-site reactionSCALE	13%	10%	7%	5%	4%	3%
HeadacheSCALE	14%	12%	9%	7%	5%	4%

Color coding: red ≥20%, amber 10-19%, brand 3-9%, faint <3%. — indicates not tracked at that interval.

Saxenda content history· 1 change

2026-05-31Major updateby Jane Novak, MD, MPH
Initial Saxenda content shipped: evidence-graded claims, pivotal SCALE trial card, daily dose ladder, pricing table, sub-section pages.

Where to start

Where to get Saxenda

Telehealth providers + manufacturer programs that prescribe or supply Saxenda. Editorial fit notes on each.

Editorial selection. "Direct" links go to the company’s homepage — we are not yet an affiliate partner with them and earn no commission on those signups. "Affiliate" links route through our /go redirect with commission tracking.

Common questions readers ask

Can GLP-1 cause thyroid cancer?: The boxed warning is based on rodent studies showing medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) in mice and rats. No human cases have been attributed to GLP-1 use despite 10+ years post-approval surveillance.
Do GLP-1 medications affect mood or depression?: Mixed evidence. The FDA label has a precaution but no boxed warning. Some patients report improved mood (likely from weight loss + glycemic control); a smaller subset reports increased anxiety or low mood, especially in early weeks. Pre-existing depression history is a flag for closer monitoring.
How do you store GLP-1 pens?: Refrigerate unopened pens at 36-46°F (2-8°C) until first use. Once started, room temperature ≤86°F (30°C) is fine for up to 28 days. Never freeze; never store in direct sunlight; do not store in checked luggage.
How do you inject a GLP-1 safely?: Rotate sites between abdomen (≥2 inches from navel), front of thigh, and back of upper arm. Inject at room temperature (cold pens sting). Pinch a fold of skin, insert at 90°, hold 6 seconds after the click, withdraw straight. Dispose in a sharps container.
How does Wegovy compare to Saxenda?: Both are GLP-1 agonists from Novo Nordisk. Wegovy (semaglutide, weekly) produces ~15% mean weight loss; Saxenda (liraglutide, daily) produces ~6-8%. Wegovy is also cheaper per kg-lost, more convenient, and has cardiovascular outcome data (SELECT trial). Saxenda was first approved for adolescents (2020); Wegovy followed in 2022 — both are available for ages 12-17.
Can teenagers take GLP-1 medications?: Yes — Wegovy is FDA-approved for ages 12+ with BMI ≥95th percentile for age. Saxenda is approved 12+ with BMI ≥30 kg/m² equivalent. Zepbound is approved 12+ (2024 label update). All require pediatric/adolescent medicine specialist oversight.

6 ways to save

Ways to actually pay less for this medication

Stacking two of these typically cuts more than a single savings card alone. Eligibility is program-specific; every link goes to the official source so you can verify.

Manufacturer savings card
Novo Nordisk's Wegovy Savings Offer and Lilly's Zepbound Savings Card reduce commercially-insured patients' copays. Eligibility excludes Medicare / Medicaid / Tricare. Terms and dollar amounts change quarterly — confirm on the brand site before signup.
Open program page →
Verified 2026-06-01
HSA or FSA
GLP-1 medications prescribed for an IRS-qualified condition (T2D / chronic weight management with prescriber documentation) are eligible for HSA / FSA reimbursement. Use pre-tax dollars; save your invoices for substantiation.
Open tool →
Verified 2026-06-01
Patient-assistance programs
Novo Nordisk PAP and Lilly Cares offer drug at no or reduced cost to qualified uninsured / underinsured patients. Income-tested; clinician submits the form. Approval windows are 30-90 days.
Open program page →
Verified 2026-06-01
Medicare Extra Help (LIS)
Federal Medicare law has historically excluded weight-loss agents; 2024 CMS rulemaking is evolving. For T2D indications (Ozempic, Mounjaro, Rybelsus) Extra Help can cover most cost when the drug is on your Part D formulary. Check Medicare.gov for current status.
Open program page →
Verified 2026-06-01
Tax deduction angle
Out-of-pocket prescription costs exceeding 7.5% of adjusted gross income are deductible on Schedule A. Save every receipt; pair with HSA for the strongest tax stack. Talk to a tax professional for your situation.
Open program page →
Verified 2026-06-01
Cheapest cash-pay channel
Telehealth providers' cash-pay tiers (compounded routes; brand via savings card) routinely beat retail pharmacy cash. Compare current monthly cost on our ranking — prices updated monthly.
Open tool →
Verified 2026-06-01

Editorial: we earn no commission on government-program signups. Cash-pay channel links use tracked /go redirects to affiliated telehealth providers — see disclosure. Savings-program terms change frequently — confirm dollar amounts and eligibility on each official page before signup. Each card shows the last date our editorial team confirmed the link.

What to expect

Your first month on Saxenda, day by day

Editorial composite — your prescriber's protocol may differ. Individual timelines vary; call your prescriber if symptoms intensify rather than ease.

Days 1-3
First injection, mild appetite shift
Most patients notice subtler hunger cues within 48-72 hours. Some experience mild nausea — eat smaller, lower-fat meals; hydrate consistently.
Days 4-7
Side effects peak then ease
Mild GI side effects (nausea, soft stool, fatigue) typically peak around day 4-5 then settle. If they intensify, contact your prescriber before stepping up.
Weeks 2-4
Steady dose, adapting body
You stay at the starter dose for 4 weeks before the first step-up. Hunger and cravings continue declining; energy normalizes for most.
Week 5+
First dose escalation
Your prescriber steps you up to the next dose tier per the FDA label. Expect a brief return of GI side effects for 3-7 days as your body re-adapts.
Month 2+
Therapeutic dose territory
By week 9 most patients reach a therapeutic dose. Visible weight change usually appears 4-6 weeks after this point. Track progress monthly; do not weigh daily.

Your prescriber may slow any step where side effects are still settling. See the FDA label for the official titration schedule for Saxenda.

What you're paying for

What's typically included in a Saxenda telehealth subscription

Editorial composite across affiliated providers. Per-provider breakdowns live on each provider page — terms vary.

Licensed clinician visit
Initial asynchronous or video consult with a clinician licensed in your state. Eligibility, dosing, and any contraindications reviewed against your intake.
Medication, shipped
Brand or compounded GLP-1 prescription dispensed by a US-licensed pharmacy and shipped temperature-controlled to your address.
Ongoing care messaging
Async clinician messaging for side-effect management, dose-step questions, and refill timing. Most providers respond within one business day.
Refills + cost adjustments
Automatic refill scheduling tied to your dose cadence; price re-priced monthly when manufacturer programs or program tiers change.

Lab work, consult re-runs, and certain tier upgrades may incur additional cost depending on provider — confirm on the provider page before signup.

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Saxenda