Liraglutide
Saxenda
- Made by
- Novo Nordisk
- FDA approval
- December 2014
- Indication
- Chronic weight management
- Dose ceiling
- 3.0 mg daily
- Typical loss
- ~5–8% body weight at 56 weeks (SCALE trial)
- Cash list
- $1,350 list
Side by side · Updated April 2026
Saxenda vs. Victoza
Both are GLP-1 receptor agonists. Beyond that they differ in molecule, FDA indication, dose ceiling, and — most importantly to most people reading this — what the scale actually does over the long run.
Liraglutide vs LiraglutideChronic weight management… vs. Type 2 diabetes…
GLP-1
Liraglutide
Victoza
- Made by
- Novo Nordisk
- FDA approval
- January 2010
- Indication
- Type 2 diabetes
- Dose ceiling
- 1.8 mg daily
- Typical loss
- ~2–4% body weight at 6 months
- Cash list
- $520–$960 list
The honest answer
Which one actually wins
Same molecule (liraglutide), different doses. Victoza is the diabetes formulation (max 1.8 mg daily). Saxenda is the obesity formulation (max 3.0 mg daily). Generic liraglutide arrived in 2024, opening lower-cost access to the underlying molecule for both indications.
Side by side
Saxenda vs Victoza, ten metrics
MetricSaxendaVictoza
Molecule
SaxendaLiraglutide
VictozaLiraglutide
Receptor(s)
SaxendaGLP-1
VictozaGLP-1
Manufacturer
SaxendaNovo Nordisk
VictozaNovo Nordisk
FDA approval
SaxendaDecember 2014
VictozaJanuary 2010
Indication
SaxendaChronic weight management
VictozaType 2 diabetes
Delivery
SaxendaSubcutaneous injection, once daily
VictozaSubcutaneous injection, once daily
Dose ceiling
Saxenda3.0 mg daily
Victoza1.8 mg daily
Titration
Saxenda1 week per step
Victoza1 week per step
Typical loss
Saxenda~5–8% body weight at 56 weeks (SCALE trial)
Victoza~2–4% body weight at 6 months
Cash list
Saxenda$1,350 list
Victoza$520–$960 list
On patent until
SaxendaOff-patent; generic forms now available for daily liraglutide
VictozaOff-patent. Generic liraglutide approved 2024 (Teva) — first generic GLP-1 in the US.
Where to get it
Full provider table →