Liraglutide (brand name: Saxenda) is a prescription weight loss medication that belongs to a class of drugs called GLP-1 receptor agonists (glucagon-like peptide-1). It was one of the first medications in this class approved for chronic weight management, and it is also used under a different name (Victoza) for type 2 diabetes.
🔍 Quick Overview
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Generic Name | Liraglutide |
| Brand Name | Saxenda |
| Type | GLP-1 receptor agonist |
| Form | Injectable (subcutaneous, once daily) |
| Approved For | Chronic weight management in adults and some adolescents |
| FDA Approval | 2014 (for weight loss) |
💡 How It Works
Liraglutide mimics a natural hormone (GLP-1) that:
- Slows gastric emptying (you feel full longer)
- Reduces appetite
- Helps regulate blood sugar levels
- May indirectly lead to lower calorie intake
📉 Weight Loss Results
- Average weight loss: ~5–8% of initial body weight over 1 year
- In combination with lifestyle changes: Up to 10%
- Clinical trial example: In the SCALE study, 63% of people lost ≥5% of body weight with Saxenda vs 27% with placebo.
⚠️ It’s less effective than newer GLP-1 drugs like semaglutide (Wegovy) or tirzepatide (Zepbound), but may be a good option for some individuals.
✅ Who Can Use Saxenda?
Approved for:
- Adults with a BMI ≥30 (obesity), or
- Adults with BMI ≥27 (overweight) with at least one weight-related condition (e.g., high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol)
- Adolescents (12–17 years old) with obesity
⚠️ Side Effects
Common side effects:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea or constipation
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Low appetite
Serious (rare) risks:
- Pancreatitis
- Gallbladder disease
- Kidney issues
- Possible thyroid C-cell tumors (seen in rodents, not proven in humans)
Saxenda carries a boxed warning about the potential thyroid tumor risk — it’s not recommended for people with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or MEN 2 syndrome.
💉 Dosing
- Taken once daily by injection, typically in the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm.
- The dose is titrated up slowly over 5 weeks to reduce side effects.
- Max dose: 3.0 mg/day
💰 Cost & Insurance
- Brand only — no generic version yet
- Can be expensive without insurance (>$1,300/month)
- Some insurance plans or savings cards may help lower cost
🧭 Summary
Saxenda (liraglutide) is a proven, effective option for weight loss, especially if:
- You prefer daily injections over weekly
- You can’t tolerate or don’t qualify for newer GLP-1 drugs
- You’re looking for a medication with a longer track record of safety
Would you like to compare Saxenda with Wegovy or other newer options like tirzepatide?
