Saxenda
liraglutide · Novo Nordisk
Victoza
liraglutide · Novo Nordisk
Side by side
| Saxenda | Victoza | |
|---|---|---|
| Active ingredient | liraglutide | liraglutide |
| Maker | Novo Nordisk | Novo Nordisk |
| Class | GLP-1 receptor agonist | GLP-1 receptor agonist |
| Approved for | Weight management | Type 2 diabetes |
| How you take it | once daily injection | once daily injection |
| Starting dose | 0.6 mg | 0.6 mg |
| Highest dose | 3 mg | 1.8 mg |
| Main trial result | 8.0% avg loss (SCALE Obesity and Prediabetes, 3 mg, 56 wk) | A1C fell about 1 to 1.5 points, with modest weight loss of a few pounds |
| Nausea (label) | 39% vs 14% placebo | 18% to 20% vs 5% placebo |
| Missed-dose window | resume the next day (more than 3 days missed: restart titration) | resume the next day (more than 3 days missed: restart at 0.6 mg) |
| Out of the fridge | Up to 30 days after first use at 59°F to 86°F | Up to 30 days after first use at 59°F to 86°F |
| List price | $1,349/mo | $816/mo |
| Lowest self-pay | not offered | not offered |
Prices compiled mid-2026 from manufacturer announcements; re-checked monthly.
Key differences
- Same medicine underneath. Both contain liraglutide. The differences are the approved use, the doses and how insurers treat them.
- Different approvals. Saxenda is approved for weight management; Victoza is approved for type 2 diabetes. That shapes insurance coverage.
Trial weight loss
Which one fits you
That's a decision for you and your prescriber. The factors that usually decide it:
- Your diagnosis, which decides the approved option and often the coverage
- Whether your plan covers one and not the other
- A shot or a pill, weekly or daily
- How you tolerate side effects
- Cost if you pay yourself: see the cost index
How to use it
- Enter your numbers. Switch between US and metric units at any time.
- Results update as you type, and the formula is shown so you can check it.
- Copy the link, save the plan on this device, or print it for your next appointment.
These are estimates, not a diagnosis. A clinician can account for your health history and medicines.
Common questions
Is Saxenda the same as Victoza?
They contain the same medicine, liraglutide, but are approved for different uses at different doses.
Which works better for weight loss, Saxenda or Victoza?
Their main trials were separate, so a direct ranking isn't possible from that data. Your prescriber can weigh your history.
Can I switch from Saxenda to Victoza?
Only with your prescriber. Switching usually means a new starting dose, not a direct swap.
Which is cheaper, Saxenda or Victoza?
List prices are $1,349/mo and $816/mo a month; lowest self-pay options we track are not offered and not offered. Coverage usually matters more.
Sources
Clinician review pending. Drafted from primary sources and waiting for sign-off by a licensed clinician (MD, DO or PharmD) before launch. Every number is checked against its source. Drug facts are re-checked quarterly, prices monthly and whenever a label changes. How we review · Report an error