Saxenda (liraglutide 3.0 mg) — FDA-approved 2014 for chronic weight management. Daily injection, older-generation GLP-1. −8% body weight at 56 weeks; $1,349/mo list.
GLP-1 receptor agonist (daily injection)
Generic name: liraglutide · Novo Nordisk
Updated May 31, 2026
Affiliate disclosure: we earn commission on signups via partner provider links. Editorial ranking stays independent.
Top 3 providers prescribing Saxenda
See full ranking →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.
Saxenda is a GLP-1 receptor agonist (daily injection) used for Chronic weight management (adults + adolescents 12+).
Slows digestion
Food sits in the stomach longer, so smaller portions feel full
Reduces appetite signals
Brain receptors quiet the food-reward loop — what patients call lower "food noise"
Improves blood-sugar control
Stimulates insulin after meals; lowers glucagon production
List price
$1349.00
/month, cash, no insurance
SCALE Obesity and Prediabetes (phase 3)
−8.0%
mean body-weight reduction vs −2.6% placebo over 56 weeks
Form
Weekly injection
subcutaneous
FDA approved
2014
for chronic weight management
Affiliate links — we earn commission on conversions; editorial ranking is independent.
Source: SCALE Obesity and Prediabetes (phase 3) pivotal trial
Mechanism of action
Last Revised — by Dr. Jane Novak, MD, MPH
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.
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% |
Daily subcutaneous injection. Weekly step-ups for the first 5 weeks; weight-loss efficacy lives at the 3.0 mg maintenance dose.
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 doseSource: Saxenda prescribing information (opens in a new tab)
Monthly cost in the US
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.
$1,349/mo
What you pay at the pharmacy with no insurance, no coupons.
$25–$150/mo
Typical tier-3 specialty copay if your plan covers GLP-1s for your indication. Coverage is uneven.
$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-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
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
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.
Saxenda is FDA-approved to treat:
RxNorm Code: 1599538
Verified user experiences with Saxenda. Reviews are moderated before publishing.
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.”
peaks fade
Typical 16-week titration schedule. Individual experience varies — track yours with the printable tracker.
Wk 1-2
Peak nausea — eat small protein-forward meals; hydrate.
Wk 3-4
Constipation climbs as GI motility slows. Add fiber + magnesium.
Wk 5-8
Symptoms re-spike for ~7 days after each escalation.
Wk 9-12
GI complaints meaningfully fade. Weight loss accelerates.
Wk 13-16
Hair shedding from rapid weight loss may appear (resolves by month 6).
Wk 17+
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
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.
Weight Watchers-owned medical weight loss platform combining GLP-1s with coaching.
Save ~$15,000/yr vs cash list price
Why we picked it: Bundles meds with weekly coaching; Weight Watchers ownership = strong infrastructure.
Personalized weight-loss program offering GLP-1s plus non-GLP-1 alternatives.
Save ~$15,000/yr vs cash list price
Sponsored partnerships. We earn commission when readers sign up. Editorial ranking is independent — full methodology at /how-we-rank.
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 |
Prices are illustrative. Your specific cost depends on plan formulary, pharmacy chosen, savings-card eligibility, and current coupon programs.
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% |
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.
Telehealth providers + manufacturer programs that prescribe or supply Saxenda. Editorial fit notes on each.
Insurance-friendly telehealth
Ro
Largest US weight-loss telehealth; PA + appeals support
Best for: Insurance-friendly with strong PA filing infrastructure
Affiliate
Manufacturer savings programs
NovoCare
Novo Nordisk savings cards + patient assistance (Wegovy, Ozempic, Saxenda)
Best for: Income-qualified uninsured Novo Nordisk drugs
Direct
Pharmacy discount platforms
GoodRx
Free pharmacy coupons; 10-30% off brand cash prices
Best for: Off-formulary backup when nothing else works
Direct
Pharmacy discount platforms
SingleCare
Pharmacy discount card; competitive with GoodRx
Best for: Alternative discount card for price comparison
Direct
Patient advocacy + education
Obesity Action Coalition
National patient advocacy organization; neutral resource directory
Best for: Education + advocacy + community
Direct
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.
6 ways to save
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.
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
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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| $1100 |
| $50 |
| $25 |
| 3.0 mg | 30-day pen | $1349 | $1100 | $50 | $25 |
| 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.
Be the first to share what worked — side effects, titration experience, dosing, weight-loss timeline. The form below takes ~2 minutes.
Reason: No supply disruption reported
Last verified May 15, 2026. Source: FDA Drug Shortage Database.