Saxenda overview
Brand name for liraglutide 3.0 mg daily, FDA-approved for chronic weight management.
Saxenda at a glance
Manufacturer
Novo Nordisk
FDA status
FDA-approved
Questions readers ask
What dose of liraglutide is in Saxenda, and how often is it taken?
Saxenda is liraglutide 3.0 mg taken once daily, made by Novo Nordisk and FDA-approved for chronic weight management. A licensed clinician decides whether it is appropriate for you.
How does Saxenda compare with newer weight-loss medications in trials?
This page does not report Saxenda trial figures. Benchmarks for newer drugs: semaglutide 2.4 mg averaged −14.9% at 68 weeks in STEP 1 (treatment-policy estimand), and tirzepatide 15 mg averaged −20.9% at 72 weeks in SURMOUNT-1 (treatment-regimen estimand).
Which self-pay alternatives to Saxenda have published prices?
Read October 14, 2026: Wegovy pen $349 a month via NovoCare (new patients $199 for the first two fills through Dec 31, 2026), Zepbound $299 to $449 a month by dose via LillyDirect, and Foundayo from $149. Saxenda’s own price is not listed on this page.
Primary sources
- FDA: Concerns with unapproved GLP-1 drugs used for weight loss (current as of October 1, 2026)
- FDA: Policies for compounders as GLP-1 supply stabilizes (updated April 1, 2026)
- FDA: Compounding and the FDA — questions and answers
- FDA: Registered outsourcing facilities (503B)
- Wilding JPH et al. Once-weekly semaglutide in adults with overweight or obesity (STEP 1). N Engl J Med 2021
- Wegovy (semaglutide) prescribing information, Novo Nordisk