Saxenda

Introduction

Written by Dedra Weiss, PharmD
Medically reviewed by Brittany A. Duke, PharmD, RPh
Updated on June 24, 2024

Saxenda is a brand-name medication prescribed for weight management in certain adults and children. Saxenda is not available in a generic version. The cost of Saxenda, with or without insurance, can depend on several factors. Using a coupon might lower the cost. 

Specifically, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Saxenda to help with weight loss and long-term weight management in:

• adults who have obesity (a BMI of 30 or greater)
• adults who are overweight (a BMI of 27 or greater) and have a weight-related condition
• certain children ages 12 years and older who weigh more than 60 kilograms (kg), which is about 132 pounds (lb), and have obesity (an adult BMI of 30 or greater)

Saxenda is used with a reduced-calorie diet and exercise.

Read on to learn about Saxenda and its cost. You’ll also find available coupons and suggestions for ways to save on your prescription. If you’d like more information about Saxenda, including its uses, refer to this overview article. 

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Cost of Saxenda

Like other weight loss medications, the cost of Saxenda can vary. Certain factors may affect its price, such as:

• your insurance plan, if you have coverage
• the pharmacy you use
• the quantity prescribed

To find out how much Saxenda costs, ask your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider. They may be able to suggest ways to save money on your prescription, including those described in this article. To find out what you’d pay using savings coupons, read the “Coupons for Saxenda” section.

Coupons for Saxenda

Prescription drug coupons can help you save money by lowering the cost of Saxenda. The Optum Perks coupons above can provide significant savings on your prescription costs

Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with insurance copays or benefits.

Available app for coupons

To make finding and using these coupons easier, you can download the Optum Perks app. To learn more about this prescription discount app, see this article.

Insurance and other considerations for Saxenda

Here’s a list of things to consider about the cost of prescription drugs:

• Prior authorization: If you have prescription drug insurance, your insurance company may require prior authorization before it covers the cost of Saxenda. In this case, your doctor will communicate with your insurance company regarding your prescription for Saxenda. The insurance company will decide whether to cover the medication. If a drug requires prior authorization and you begin taking it without this, you may have to pay the full price of the drug.
• A 3-month supply: If you’re taking Saxenda long term, your doctor may suggest a 90-day supply of the medication. This will have to be approved by your insurance company. Getting a 90-day supply could help lower the drug’s cost. It could also save you time having to make trips to your pharmacy.
• Savings accounts: If you’re eligible for a health savings account (HSA) or a flexible spending account (FSA), you can likely use funds from these accounts to pay for your prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medications. HSA and FSA plans help people save money by using pretax dollars to pay for eligible healthcare expenses, such as prescription and OTC drugs. To learn more about whether you’re eligible for these savings accounts and how to use them, talk with your insurance provider or employer.

If you have questions about any of these considerations, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Or contact your insurance company and talk with a representative.

If you don’t have a health insurance plan, let your doctor or pharmacist know. They may suggest online pharmacy options you could use. You can also ask them about ways to obtain health insurance coverage.

Brand names vs. generics

Saxenda is a brand-name medication. It’s not available in a generic version.

A generic medication is an identical copy of the active ingredient in a brand-name medication. (An active ingredient is what makes a medication work.) 

Generics usually cost less than brand-name drugs. They’re thought to be as safe and effective as the brand-name version(s).

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions about generic and brand-name medications.

Why costs are different for brand-name drugs vs. generic drugs

Brand-name drugs can be expensive because of the studies needed to test how safe and effective they are.

Makers of a brand-name drug can patent and sell their drug for up to 20 years. When the patent for a brand-name drug expires, other drugmakers can make and sell generic versions.

This competition may help keep costs of generic medications lower. Also, generic medications contain the same active ingredients as brand-name medications. So they don’t require the same testing, which can be costly.

If you’d like to know more about the cost differences between brand-name and generic drugs, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Common questions about Saxenda and cost

Here are some common questions and answers about Saxenda.  

How much does Saxenda cost with and without insurance?

The cost of Saxenda with insurance depends on the type of insurance coverage you have. Talk to your insurance representative to find out how much Saxenda will cost per month. They can review your plan details with you before you start your treatment.

Typically, prescription drugs cost less with insurance than without insurance. If you don’t have insurance, the cost of Saxenda will depend on factors such as the pharmacy you use and the quantity of medication your doctor prescribes. Your pharmacist can help you understand the cost of Saxenda without insurance.

Coupons may also help you save on your prescription. See the above section, “Coupons,” for more information.

How can I save on my Saxenda prescription?

There may be ways to save money on your Saxenda prescription. If you have insurance coverage, talk with your plan representative. They can help explain your exact cost for Saxenda and any ways you can save according to your plan details.

Your pharmacist can also help answer questions about how much Saxenda costs. They can share information about how you can save money and use drug coupons like those in the “Coupons” section above.

Resources

• Food and Drug Administration. (2024). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm
• Saxenda (liraglutide) injection, for subcutaneous use. (2024). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/7b11f6ac-4c27-4748-9e65-22d4cf3adfb4/spl-doc?

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.