Liraglutide Price in 2026: What You'll Actually Pay for Victoza, Saxenda, and Compounded Alternatives

Reviewed by FormBlends Medical Team · Last updated April 2026 · 14 sources cited

Key Takeaways

• Generic liraglutide changed the math: Teva launched the authorized generic of Victoza on June 24, 2024, Hikma its own generic on December 26, 2024, and Teva generic Saxenda on August 28, 2025; coupon prices for generic Victoza run about $112 for two pens and $154 to $221 for three (GoodRx and SingleCare, March to September 2026) against roughly $1,438 cash for three brand pens
• NovoCare's Saxenda offer, seen September 5, 2026, lets eligible commercially insured patients pay as little as $25 or save up to $200 per prescription for up to 12 months; it does not apply to Medicare, Medicaid or uninsured patients, and no manufacturer card applies to generic liraglutide
• Compounded liraglutide is not tracked in the FormBlends Compounded GLP-1 Price Index; the only prices we could see in September 2026 were telehealth marketing prices (one national provider at $129 for the first month, then $179), and generic liraglutide with a coupon is now often the cheaper cash option
• Medicare Part D covers Victoza and generic liraglutide for type 2 diabetes under the 2026 design ($615 deductible, 25 percent coinsurance, $2,100 out-of-pocket cap, no coverage gap) but still excludes Saxenda, and the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge does not include liraglutide

The short answer

Liraglutide price depends on brand versus generic and on indication. As of September 5, 2026, generic liraglutide (the Victoza equivalent) costs about $112 for two pens or $154 to $221 for three with a GoodRx or SingleCare coupon, against about $1,438 cash for three brand Victoza pens. Saxenda lists at $1,349.02 a month; its generic (Teva, August 2025) shows GoodRx coupon prices from about $372 versus $1,308 average retail. Medicare Part D covers the diabetes products, not Saxenda.

Table of contents

1. Why liraglutide has two prices (Victoza vs Saxenda)
2. Brand-name Victoza cost breakdown
3. Brand-name Saxenda cost breakdown
4. Real insurance copay scenarios (6 examples)
5. The five variables that determine your specific cost
6. Novo Nordisk savings card: the eligibility gap most patients miss
7. Patient assistance programs for low-income patients
8. Pharmacy-to-pharmacy price comparison (CVS, Walgreens, Costco)
9. What most articles get wrong about liraglutide pricing
10. Compounded liraglutide: the $179-$299 alternative
11. The FormBlends cost-decision framework
12. When brand-name makes more sense than compounded
13. How to verify your exact cost before filling
14. Generic liraglutide changed every number
15. Corrected brand list prices and Saxenda offer
16. Medicare in 2026
17. Medicaid and liraglutide in 2026
18. Liraglutide vs newer self-pay GLP-1 prices
19. FAQ
20. Sources

Why liraglutide has two prices (Victoza vs Saxenda)

Liraglutide is the active pharmaceutical ingredient in two distinct Novo Nordisk products: Victoza and Saxenda. Same molecule, different FDA approvals, different dosing, radically different insurance treatment.

Victoza is FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes management at doses up to 1.8 mg daily. It received approval in 2010. Insurance companies classify it as a diabetes medication, which means most plans cover it under their diabetes drug tier with standard prior authorization requirements.

Saxenda is FDA-approved for chronic weight management at doses up to 3.0 mg daily. It received approval in 2014. Insurance companies classify it as a weight-loss medication, which triggers different coverage rules. Many commercial plans exclude weight-loss drugs entirely, and Medicare Part D explicitly prohibits coverage of any drug prescribed for weight loss under federal law.

The pricing difference reflects this coverage gap. Victoza's list price is lower because Novo Nordisk negotiates rebates with pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) who cover diabetes drugs. Saxenda's list price is higher and rebates are smaller because fewer plans cover it, reducing Novo Nordisk's negotiating use.

Employer coverage of GLP-1s for weight loss is far narrower than for diabetes, and that asymmetry explains why two pens with the same active ingredient can differ by hundreds of dollars a month at the pharmacy counter. An earlier version of this paragraph cited a Health Affairs study we could not locate; it has been removed.

Brand-name Victoza cost breakdown

Victoza comes in pre-filled multi-dose pens. Each pen delivers 18 mg total liraglutide. At the maintenance dose of 1.2 to 1.8 mg daily, one pen lasts 10 to 15 days. Most patients use two pens per month.

Victoza configuration	List price (WAC)	Typical cash price	GoodRx coupon price	With savings card (commercial insurance)
Two 18 mg pens, generic liraglutide (1 month at 1.8 mg daily)	Not published	$615.85 average retail (GoodRx, September 2026)	$112.19 (GoodRx)	Not applicable to generics
Three 18 mg pens, generic liraglutide (1.5 month supply)	Not published; average cash $1,172 (SingleCare, March 18, 2026)	$923.99 average retail (GoodRx)	$154.01 (GoodRx); $221 (SingleCare, CVS)	Not applicable to generics
Three 18 mg pens, brand Victoza	Reported at $815.27 per 3-pen pack (Novo list as cited by SingleCare and Found; NovoCare's Victoza list-price page was unavailable to us)	About $1,438 (SingleCare, March 18, 2026)	Not captured for brand	As low as $25 with commercial coverage

WAC (wholesale acquisition cost) is the manufacturer's published list price before rebates. The cash price at retail pharmacies is usually 10-15% below WAC due to negotiated pharmacy contracts.

Brand Victoza's price matters less than it did. Since Teva's authorized generic (June 24, 2024) and Hikma's generic (December 26, 2024), cash-pay patients can fill generic liraglutide 18 mg/3 mL pens at the coupon prices above, and Teva's generic Saxenda (August 28, 2025) launched at about 30 percent below the brand (Healio, August 29, 2025). An earlier version of this paragraph described a January 2026 price increase we could not source; it has been removed.

For insured patients, the out-of-pocket cost depends on formulary tier. Victoza typically lands on Tier 3 (preferred brand) or Tier 4 (specialty) across most commercial plans. Tier 3 copays range from $50 to $150. Tier 4 coinsurance runs 20-40% of the negotiated rate, usually $190 to $440 per month before the savings card applies.

Brand-name Saxenda cost breakdown

Saxenda pens deliver 18 mg total liraglutide, identical to Victoza pens. At the weight-loss dose of 3.0 mg daily, one pen lasts six days. Most patients use five pens per month.

Saxenda configuration	List price (WAC)	Typical cash price	GoodRx coupon price	With savings card (rare)
Five 18 mg pens, brand Saxenda (1 month at 3.0 mg daily)	$1,349.02 (NovoCare, seen September 5, 2026)	About $1,308 average retail (GoodRx)	Not captured for brand	As little as $25, or up to $200 off per fill for 12 months, with commercial coverage
Five 18 mg pens, generic liraglutide for weight management (Teva, launched August 28, 2025)	About 30 percent below brand at launch (Healio)	$1,308.19 average retail (GoodRx)	As low as $372.45 (GoodRx)	Not applicable to generics

Saxenda's list price ($1,349.02 a month, NovoCare) sits well above brand Victoza's reported per-pack list price for the same 18 mg pens, and the weight-loss indication is what most plans exclude, so Saxenda patients are more likely to pay cash. The arrival of generic Saxenda in August 2025 at about 30 percent below brand, and GoodRx coupon prices from about $372, are the first real downward pressure on that number.

NovoCare's Saxenda offer, as posted on September 5, 2026, reads: pay as little as $25 or save up to $200 per Saxenda prescription for up to 12 months, with eligibility restrictions. It requires commercial coverage of Saxenda; if your plan excludes weight-loss drugs, the card cannot convert a denial into coverage. We have no data on what share of Saxenda users can use it, and an earlier estimate on this page has been removed.

For the small subset of patients with employer plans that do cover obesity medications, Saxenda copays range from $100 to $600 per month depending on whether the plan treats it as Tier 3 or Tier 4. Most plans that cover Saxenda require prior authorization; no published figure puts a percentage on it.

Real insurance copay scenarios (6 examples)

Scenario 1: Employer PPO, Victoza for diabetes. Patient has Aetna through a large employer. Victoza is Tier 3 (preferred brand). Copay is $75 per fill after meeting $1,500 deductible. Patient met deductible in March. Monthly cost April through December: $75. With Novo Nordisk savings card applied: $25.

Scenario 2: High-deductible health plan, Victoza for diabetes. Patient has UnitedHealthcare HDHP with $4,000 deductible. Until deductible is met, patient pays full negotiated rate ($890 per month). After meeting deductible in June, coinsurance drops to 20% ($178 per month). Savings card reduces post-deductible cost to $25.

Scenario 3: Marketplace silver plan, Saxenda for weight loss. Patient has marketplace plan through Healthcare.gov. Plan explicitly excludes all weight-loss medications. Insurance denies claim. Patient pays full cash price: $1,380 per month. Savings card doesn't apply because there's no insurance coverage to reduce. GoodRx coupon brings cost to $1,210.

Scenario 4: Employer plan with obesity coverage, Saxenda. Patient works for a self-insured Fortune 100 company that covers obesity drugs. Saxenda is Tier 4 (specialty) with 30% coinsurance. Negotiated rate is $1,250. Patient pays $375 per month. Savings card reduces to $225 (card covers up to $150 per fill).

Scenario 5: Medicare Part D, Victoza for diabetes. Patient is 68, on Medicare Part D. Victoza is covered on the specialty tier with $280 copay. Novo Nordisk savings card doesn't apply to Medicare patients (federal anti-kickback statute). Under the 2026 Part D design there is no coverage gap: after the $615 deductible the patient pays 25 percent coinsurance until out-of-pocket spending reaches $2,100 for the year, after which the plan pays in full. Generic liraglutide, if the plan covers it, keeps that coinsurance far lower than brand.

Scenario 6: Medicaid, Victoza for diabetes. Patient has state Medicaid. Coverage varies by state. In states that cover Victoza, copay is typically $0 to $8. Prior authorization required in 48 states. State Medicaid programs do not publish approval rates for liraglutide. Savings card doesn't apply to Medicaid.

The lesson: your insurance ID card matters more than the pharmacy you choose.

The five variables that determine your specific cost

Variable 1: Which liraglutide product your provider prescribes. Victoza for diabetes gets better insurance coverage than Saxenda for weight loss. If you have both type 2 diabetes and obesity, your provider can legally prescribe Victoza, which may result in a copay $200-400 lower per month than Saxenda.

Variable 2: Your insurance plan's drug formulary tier. Tier 1 = generics ($5-20 copay). Tier 2 = preferred brands ($30-75). Tier 3 = non-preferred brands ($75-200). Tier 4 = specialty (20-40% coinsurance). Tier 5 = excluded (no coverage). Victoza typically lands on Tier 3 or 4. Saxenda lands on Tier 4 or 5.

Variable 3: Prior authorization approval. Most plans require PA for both Victoza and Saxenda. Your provider submits documentation showing medical necessity: A1C over 7% for Victoza, BMI over 30 (or 27 with comorbidities) for Saxenda, documentation of prior weight-loss attempts. PA approval takes 3 to 10 business days. Insurers do not publish denial rates for these drugs.

Variable 4: Your deductible status. If your plan has a deductible and you haven't met it yet, you pay the full negotiated rate until you do. A $3,000 deductible means your first three fills of Victoza are full price ($890 each), then the lower copay kicks in.

Variable 5: Whether you qualify for manufacturer assistance. The Novo Nordisk savings card works only with commercial insurance, only for covered prescriptions, and only for patients not on government plans. The patient assistance program (PAP) works only for low-income uninsured patients. Most patients fall into a coverage gap where neither program applies.

Cost is the most common reason patients tell us they stop, which is why the generic coupon prices above matter more than the brand list price. An earlier version of this paragraph cited a survey we could not locate; it has been removed.

Novo Nordisk savings card: the eligibility gap most patients miss

The savings card is the most misunderstood cost-reduction tool for liraglutide.

What it actually does:

• Reduces your insurance copay to as low as $25 per fill for Victoza
• Maximum benefit of $150 per fill (so a $300 copay becomes $150, not $25)
• Valid for 24 fills or 24 months, whichever comes first
• Works at all major retail and mail-order pharmacies

Who qualifies:

• Commercial insurance that covers the prescribed liraglutide product
• Prescription for an FDA-approved indication (diabetes for Victoza, weight loss for Saxenda)
• U.S. resident
• Not enrolled in Medicare, Medicaid, TRICARE, VA, or any government program

The eligibility gap most articles miss: The card requires insurance coverage. If your plan excludes Saxenda entirely, the card doesn't convert a denial into coverage. It only reduces a copay that already exists.

This creates a perverse outcome: patients with insurance that covers Saxenda but assigns a $400 copay can use the card and pay $250. Patients whose insurance doesn't cover Saxenda at all pay $1,380 cash with no card benefit. The uninsured patient pays less than the insured-but-excluded patient after applying a GoodRx coupon.

How to use it:

• Download the card from the Novo Nordisk website or get a physical card from your provider
• Present both your insurance card and savings card at the pharmacy
• The pharmacist processes insurance first, then applies the savings card to reduce your copay
• The card doesn't count toward your deductible (it's manufacturer assistance, not insurance payment)

Novo Nordisk does not publish savings-card utilization by product, and the card does not apply to generic liraglutide at all, which as of September 2026 is the cheaper cash option for most diabetes patients.

Patient assistance programs for low-income patients

Novo Nordisk operates a separate program for patients who can't afford liraglutide and don't have insurance coverage: the NovoCare Patient Assistance Program (PAP).

Eligibility:

• Annual household income below 400% of the federal poverty level (about $63,840 for an individual and $132,000 for a family of four under the 2026 HHS poverty guidelines)
• U.S. resident or legal resident
• No prescription drug coverage, or coverage that doesn't include the prescribed liraglutide product
• Prescription for FDA-approved indication

What it provides:

• Free Victoza or Saxenda for up to 12 months, renewable annually
• Medication shipped directly to patient's address from Novo Nordisk specialty pharmacy
• No copay, no deductible, no insurance involvement

Application process:

• Forms available on NovoCare website
• Provider completes the medical necessity section
• Patient completes income verification (tax return or pay stubs)
• Approval typically takes 7 to 14 business days
• First shipment arrives 3 to 5 days after approval

The PAP is often overlooked because providers do not mention it and patients assume they will not qualify. An earlier version of this paragraph cited a study we could not locate; it has been removed.

For patients between jobs, recently divorced, or experiencing income disruption, the PAP can bridge coverage gaps. The 400% FPL threshold is higher than many patients expect. A single adult earning $60,000 a year is under the 2026 limit of $63,840.

Pharmacy-to-pharmacy price comparison (CVS, Walgreens, Costco)

For brand Victoza (two pens, one-month supply), the ranges below were compiled in early 2026 for the brand product only. Generic liraglutide with a coupon ($112.19 for two pens on GoodRx, September 2026) is what most cash-pay patients should compare instead:

Pharmacy	Cash price	Member discount	GoodRx coupon price
CVS	$1,025 to $1,100	CVS ExtraCare: minimal Rx discount	$890 to $975
Walgreens	$995 to $1,075	Walgreens Rx Savings Club: $20/year, saves ~$50	$875 to $960
Walmart	$950 to $1,050	None	$850 to $940
Costco	$880 to $975	Built into member price ($60/year)	$810 to $895
Sam's Club	$910 to $995	Built into member price ($50/year)	$835 to $920
Kroger Pharmacy	$970 to $1,060	None	$860 to $950

For Saxenda (five pens, one-month supply):

Pharmacy	Cash price	GoodRx coupon price
CVS	$1,425 to $1,475	$1,240 to $1,320
Walgreens	$1,380 to $1,450	$1,210 to $1,295
Walmart	$1,350 to $1,425	$1,180 to $1,270
Costco	$1,280 to $1,365	$1,120 to $1,210
Sam's Club	$1,310 to $1,390	$1,150 to $1,240

Costco consistently offers the lowest cash price, but membership is required. For patients filling liraglutide monthly, the annual Costco membership fee ($60) pays for itself in two fills compared to CVS or Walgreens.

With insurance, the pharmacy-to-pharmacy difference shrinks to $10-30 per fill because all pharmacies process the same negotiated rate from your plan. The main variable is the pharmacy's dispensing fee, which ranges from $1.50 to $4.00 and is often absorbed by the insurance payment.

What most articles get wrong about liraglutide pricing

Most cost articles treat Victoza and Saxenda as interchangeable and quote a single "liraglutide price." This is wrong and misleads patients.

The error: Aggregating Victoza and Saxenda pricing into one figure obscures the 40-50% price difference and the radically different insurance coverage. A patient searching "liraglutide price" who finds an article quoting $950/month may assume that price applies to Saxenda, then face a $1,380 bill at the pharmacy.

Why it matters: Saxenda patients are more likely to be uninsured or under-insured for weight-loss medications. Quoting the lower Victoza price as representative of "liraglutide" systematically underprepares the higher-cost patient population.

The correct approach: Always specify which product, brand or generic, and which indication. "Generic liraglutide for diabetes costs about $112 to $221 with a coupon for two to three pens; brand Saxenda lists at $1,349.02 and its generic runs about $372 with a coupon." The gap between indications is not a rounding error.

A second common error: articles state the savings card reduces copays "to as low as $25" without explaining that the card requires existing insurance coverage. Patients read this, assume they can pay $25 cash, then discover the card doesn't apply to their situation.

The most accurate framing: "The savings card reduces commercial insurance copays to as low as $25 for covered prescriptions. If your plan doesn't cover liraglutide, the card doesn't apply."

Compounded liraglutide: the $179-$299 alternative

Compounded liraglutide is the same active ingredient as Victoza and Saxenda, prepared by a state-licensed compounding pharmacy in response to an individual prescription.

Pricing (seen September 5, 2026):

• Compounded liraglutide is not tracked in the Compounded GLP-1 Price Index, which covers compounded semaglutide and tirzepatide
• Telehealth marketing prices: one national provider (Levity) advertises $129 for the first month, then $179 a month
• Compare against generic liraglutide at $112 to $221 with a coupon for two to three pens before choosing compounding

How compounded liraglutide works:

• Drawn from a sterile vial using a U-100 insulin syringe
• Requires patient to measure dose and self-inject (no pre-filled pen)
• Dosed identically to brand-name products (0.6 mg to 3.0 mg daily)
• Stored in refrigerator, typically stable for 28 days after first use

Key differences from brand-name:

• Not FDA-approved (compounded medications are exempt from FDA approval requirements)
• No pre-filled pen (patient draws dose from vial)
• Usually priced below brand, but no longer reliably below generic liraglutide with a coupon
• No insurance involvement (cash pay, predictable monthly cost)

Regulatory status: Compounded liraglutide is legal under Section 503A of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, which permits state-licensed pharmacies to compound medications in response to individual prescriptions. The FDA does not approve compounded medications but regulates the pharmacies that produce them.

Compounding is permitted when a patient has a clinical need that an FDA-approved product doesn't meet (for example, a patient who can't afford brand-name medication, or a patient allergic to an inactive ingredient in the commercial product). The FDA has not taken enforcement action against liraglutide compounding as of April 2026.

Safety considerations: Compounded liraglutide is not interchangeable with Victoza or Saxenda. It hasn't undergone the same manufacturing quality controls or clinical trials. Patients should use compounded liraglutide only under the supervision of a licensed provider who can monitor for adverse effects and efficacy.

The FDA's own tally is the relevant safety signal: as of May 31, 2026 it had received 990 adverse-event reports involving compounded semaglutide and more than 730 involving compounded tirzepatide, many tied to dosing errors, and it does not publish a separate liraglutide count. An earlier citation here to a 2025 journal analysis could not be located and has been removed.

The FormBlends cost-decision framework

We see three distinct patient populations when analyzing liraglutide cost decisions across our clinical data patterns:

Population 1: Insured, low copay with savings card. If your insurance covers Victoza or Saxenda and the savings card reduces your copay to under $100 per month, brand-name is usually the better choice. You get an FDA-approved product in a convenient pre-filled pen for a price competitive with compounded alternatives.

Decision rule: If your copay after savings card is under $100, choose brand-name.

Population 2: Insured but excluded, or uninsured. If your plan doesn't cover liraglutide at all, or you're uninsured, you're paying cash either way. Brand cash prices run about $1,308 to $1,438 for a month of Saxenda or three Victoza pens, but generic liraglutide with a coupon is $112 to $221 for two to three pens as of September 2026, so for most cash-pay diabetes patients the generic, not compounding, is the economically rational choice.

Decision rule: If you're paying cash, price generic liraglutide with a GoodRx or SingleCare coupon first; in September 2026 it is usually the cheapest legal route.

Population 3: High copay, doesn't qualify for savings card. Medicare and Medicaid patients, or commercial patients whose copay exceeds $200 even after the savings card, face a harder decision. Brand-name offers FDA approval and pen convenience. Compounded offers 60-75% cost savings but requires vial-and-syringe injection.

Decision rule: If your copay exceeds $200, consider compounded unless pen convenience or FDA approval is worth $100-300 per month to you personally.

The framework in action: A Medicare Part D patient in 2026 pays the $615 deductible and then 25 percent coinsurance on covered liraglutide, with a $2,100 annual cap and no coverage gap, so a covered generic will usually beat any cash option. A patient whose plan excludes Saxenda is comparing about $1,308 retail against a generic Saxenda coupon price near $372 or a telehealth compounded price near $179; the FDA-approved generic is the safer choice at a similar cost.

When brand-name makes more sense than compounded

Compounded liraglutide isn't the right choice for every patient. Five scenarios where brand-name Victoza or Saxenda is the better option:

Scenario 1: Your copay is under $75 per month. If the savings card or your insurance brings your cost below $75, the convenience and FDA approval of brand-name justify the modest premium over compounded.

Scenario 2: You strongly prefer pen injection over vial-and-syringe. Brand-name pens are pre-filled, pre-measured, and require only attaching a needle and dialing a dose. Compounded liraglutide requires drawing the dose from a vial with an insulin syringe. For patients with dexterity issues, vision impairment, or strong needle anxiety, the pen is meaningfully easier.

Scenario 3: You qualify for the patient assistance program. If you meet the income threshold for the Novo Nordisk PAP, you get brand-name Victoza or Saxenda free. Free brand-name beats $179/month compounded.

Scenario 4: Your provider doesn't prescribe compounded medications. Some providers have institutional policies against prescribing non-FDA-approved medications. If your current provider won't prescribe compounded liraglutide and you don't want to switch providers, brand-name is your only option.

Scenario 5: You're participating in a clinical trial or research study. Most trials require FDA-approved medications. If you're enrolled in diabetes or obesity research, compounded liraglutide may disqualify you.

The decision is patient-specific and should involve a conversation with your provider about your priorities: cost, convenience, FDA approval status, and injection method.

How to verify your exact cost before filling

Step 1: Call your insurance company's pharmacy benefits line (phone number on the back of your insurance card). Ask three questions:

• "Is Victoza (or Saxenda) covered on my plan?"
• "What tier is it on, and what's my copay?"
• "Is prior authorization required?"

Step 2: Check your plan's online formulary. Most insurers publish their drug formulary on their member portal. Search for "liraglutide," "Victoza," or "Saxenda." Note the tier and any restrictions (PA, step therapy, quantity limits).

Step 3: Ask your pharmacy to run a test claim. Before filling the prescription, ask the pharmacist to process a test claim against your insurance. This returns your exact copay without actually filling the prescription. It's a free service at all major chains.

Step 4: Download the Novo Nordisk savings card if you have commercial insurance. Bring it to the pharmacy with your insurance card. Ask the pharmacist to run both together to see your final cost after the card applies.

Step 5: Get a GoodRx quote as a backup. If your insurance copay is higher than the GoodRx cash price, you can choose to pay the GoodRx price instead of using insurance. The GoodRx payment won't count toward your deductible, but it may be cheaper than your copay.

Step 6: Compare against compounded liraglutide pricing. If your final cost after insurance and savings card is over $150 per month, request a consultation with a telehealth platform that offers compounded liraglutide to compare total cost and clinical appropriateness.

This six-step verification process takes 20-30 minutes and prevents the most common cost surprise: a $400 copay you weren't expecting when you thought insurance would "cover" the medication.

Generic liraglutide changed every number on this page

When this guide was first written it priced only the two brands. Liraglutide is now the only GLP-1 with U.S. generics for both indications, and the generics are what set the cash price.

Date	Event	Source
June 24, 2024	Teva launches the authorized generic of Victoza (liraglutide 1.8 mg), which it called the first generic GLP-1 in the U.S. market	Teva press release
December 26, 2024	Hikma receives FDA approval and launches its own generic Victoza (liraglutide 6 mg/mL) for adults and children 10 and older with type 2 diabetes	Hikma press release
August 28, 2025	Teva launches generic Saxenda, the first generic GLP-1 indicated for weight loss, for adults and children 12 and older weighing over 60 kg, priced about 30 percent below brand	Teva press release; Healio, August 29, 2025

What that did to prices, as of the dates shown:

Product	Average retail	Coupon price	Source and date
Generic liraglutide, two 18 mg/3 mL pens	$615.85	$112.19	GoodRx, September 2026
Generic liraglutide, three pens	$923.99 (GoodRx); average cash $1,172 (SingleCare)	$154.01 (GoodRx); $221 at CVS (SingleCare, March 18, 2026)	GoodRx; SingleCare
Brand Victoza, three pens	About $1,438	Not captured	SingleCare, March 18, 2026
Generic liraglutide for weight management (generic Saxenda), five pens	$1,308.19	As low as $372.45	GoodRx, September 2026
Brand Saxenda, five pens	List $1,349.02	$25, or up to $200 off, only with commercial coverage	NovoCare, September 5, 2026

Pen math still applies to every row: an 18 mg pen lasts 15 days at 1.2 mg, 10 days at 1.8 mg and 6 days at 3.0 mg, so two to three pens is a month of Victoza-dose therapy and five pens is a month at the Saxenda dose.

Corrected brand list prices and the Saxenda savings offer

Two corrections to the brand figures used earlier in this article, checked September 5, 2026.

• Saxenda list price is $1,349.02 a month, per NovoCare's own list-price page, not the $1,595 wholesale figure this article previously carried.
• The Saxenda savings offer is live, not rare. NovoCare states that eligible patients can pay as little as $25 or save up to $200 per Saxenda prescription for up to 12 months. It requires commercial insurance that covers Saxenda and excludes Medicare, Medicaid and other government programs; it cannot turn a plan exclusion into coverage.
• Brand Victoza list price is reported at $543.51 for a 2-pen pack and $815.27 for a 3-pen pack by SingleCare and Found, both citing Novo Nordisk; NovoCare's Victoza list-price page was not reachable when we checked, so we label these as reported rather than verified. SingleCare's March 18, 2026 cash price for three brand pens was about $1,438.

None of the manufacturer offers apply to generic liraglutide. If you are paying cash, the coupon price on the generic is the number to beat.

Medicare in 2026: no donut hole, a $2,100 cap, and no Bridge for liraglutide

The Medicare scenario earlier in this article described a coverage gap that no longer exists. The 2026 Part D design, per healthinsurance.org:

Part D element, 2026	Amount	What it means for liraglutide
Deductible	$615	You pay the plan's negotiated price in full until you have spent $615 on covered drugs
Coinsurance after the deductible	25 percent	On a covered generic liraglutide fill, 25 percent of the negotiated price; on brand Victoza, 25 percent of a much larger number
Coverage gap (donut hole)	Eliminated (since 2025)	No jump in cost mid-year
Out-of-pocket cap	$2,100 for the year	After $2,100, covered Part D drugs cost $0 for the rest of the year
Medicare GLP-1 Bridge	$50 a month, July 1, 2026 to December 31, 2027	Covers Wegovy pen and pill, Zepbound KwikPen and Foundayo for weight management with prior authorization; does not include Saxenda or Victoza

Two implications. Part D still cannot cover Saxenda for weight loss, and the Bridge does not add it, so a Medicare patient wanting liraglutide for weight management is a cash patient: generic Saxenda at about $372 with a coupon, or brand at $1,308 retail. For type 2 diabetes, ask your plan whether generic liraglutide is on formulary; the 25 percent coinsurance on a generic is usually well under $100 a fill.

Medicaid: where liraglutide sits on 2026 preferred drug lists

Medicaid must cover GLP-1s approved for diabetes in every state, so Victoza or generic liraglutide for type 2 diabetes is a coverage question about prior authorization, not about whether. Saxenda for weight loss is the harder case, and the 2026 record is mostly one of states narrowing or dropping the obesity indication (KFF counted 13 covering fee-for-service programs in January 2026). Where liraglutide specifically appears in 2026 state documents:

State	Liraglutide status	Effective	Source
Tennessee (TennCare)	Liraglutide for weight management and Saxenda are non-preferred, with prior authorization and quantity limits, behind preferred Wegovy and Zepbound	September 1, 2026 PDL	TennCare preferred drug list (OptumRx)
North Carolina	Saxenda is non-preferred for weight management; patients must try Wegovy first or document why it is unsuitable	Coverage reinstated December 12, 2025	NC Medicaid, December 19, 2025
California (Medi-Cal Rx)	Saxenda removed from coverage for weight loss; Victoza remains on formulary for type 2 diabetes	January 1, 2026	Medi-Cal Rx member notice

Manufacturer savings cards do not apply to Medicaid enrollees, so a Medicaid patient denied Saxenda is comparing the generic Saxenda coupon price (about $372) against compounding, not against a $25 card.

Liraglutide versus the newer self-pay GLP-1 prices: why daily liraglutide is rarely the cheapest weight-loss option

Liraglutide is a daily injection with the weakest weight-loss effect of the GLP-1 class, so it only makes sense as a weight-management choice if it is clearly cheaper. As of September 5, 2026 it usually is not.

Option	Monthly self-pay price	Source
Generic liraglutide (Victoza equivalent), diabetes dose	$112 for two pens, $154 to $221 for three (15 to 30 days at 1.2 to 1.8 mg)	GoodRx; SingleCare
Generic Saxenda (weight-management dose, five pens)	About $372 with a coupon	GoodRx
Wegovy pill	$149 (1.5 mg), $199 (4 mg), $299 (higher strengths)	wegovy.com
Wegovy pen	$199 a month for a new patient's first two fills, then $349; HD 7.2 mg $399	wegovy.com
Zepbound vial or KwikPen (LillyDirect)	$299 (2.5 mg), $399 (5 mg), $449 (7.5 to 15 mg), refilled within 45 days	lilly.com
Foundayo pill (LillyDirect)	$149 (0.8 and 2.5 mg), $199 (5.5 mg), $299 (9 to 17.2 mg)	lilly.com
Compounded semaglutide	Month-1 median $197 (range $88 to $299)	the Compounded GLP-1 Price Index, September 3, 2026
Compounded tirzepatide	Month-1 median $299 (range $149 to $470)	Same index

For type 2 diabetes with a coupon, generic liraglutide at $112 to $221 is the cheapest GLP-1 in this table. For weight loss, generic Saxenda at $372 costs more than the Wegovy pill, the Wegovy pen's introductory price, Foundayo or compounded semaglutide, all of which are weekly or oral and, in trials, produce more weight loss. Efficacy and side effects belong in a conversation with your prescriber; the point here is that price alone no longer favors liraglutide for weight management.

FAQ

How much does liraglutide cost per month?

As of September 5, 2026, generic liraglutide (Victoza equivalent) costs about $112 for two pens or $154 to $221 for three with a GoodRx or SingleCare coupon; brand Victoza is about $1,438 cash for three pens. Brand Saxenda lists at $1,349.02 a month and its generic runs about $372 with a GoodRx coupon versus $1,308 retail. With commercial coverage and the Novo card, Saxenda can be as little as $25.

What's the difference between Victoza and Saxenda pricing?

Saxenda costs 40-50% more than Victoza because it's prescribed for weight loss, which most insurance plans exclude. Victoza is prescribed for diabetes, which most plans cover. Same active ingredient, different insurance treatment, different prices.

Does insurance cover liraglutide?

Most commercial and Medicare Part D plans cover Victoza for type 2 diabetes with prior authorization. Coverage of Saxenda for weight loss is far less common, and no reliable percentage is published. Medicare Part D excludes all weight-loss medications by federal law.

How does the Novo Nordisk savings card work?

The card reduces your insurance copay to as low as $25 per fill, with a maximum benefit of $150 per fill. It requires commercial insurance that already covers the prescribed liraglutide product. It doesn't work for Medicare, Medicaid, or uninsured patients, and it doesn't convert a coverage denial into coverage.

Why is Saxenda so expensive?

Saxenda costs more than Victoza because fewer insurance plans cover weight-loss drugs, reducing Novo Nordisk's negotiating use with pharmacy benefit managers. The company sets a higher list price and offers smaller rebates, knowing most patients pay cash.

Is compounded liraglutide as effective as Victoza or Saxenda?

Compounded liraglutide uses the same active ingredient at the same doses. It hasn't undergone FDA approval trials, so direct efficacy comparison data doesn't exist. Clinical experience suggests similar effectiveness when prepared by a reputable compounding pharmacy and used under provider supervision.

Can I use GoodRx with my insurance for liraglutide?

You can use either GoodRx or insurance, but not both simultaneously. If the GoodRx cash price is lower than your insurance copay, you can pay the GoodRx price. The payment won't count toward your deductible or out-of-pocket maximum.

Does Medicare cover liraglutide?

Medicare Part D covers Victoza and generic liraglutide for type 2 diabetes; in 2026 you pay a $615 deductible, then 25 percent coinsurance, with no coverage gap and a $2,100 out-of-pocket cap. The Medicare GLP-1 Bridge does not include liraglutide. Medicare doesn't cover Saxenda because federal law prohibits Part D coverage of weight-loss medications.

What if I can't afford my liraglutide copay?

Options include applying for the Novo Nordisk patient assistance program if you meet income requirements, switching to generic liraglutide with a coupon ($112 to $221 for two to three pens, September 2026), using a GoodRx coupon for cash payment, or asking your provider about alternative GLP-1 medications with better coverage on your plan.

Is liraglutide cheaper at Costco or Walmart?

Costco typically offers cash prices $70-120 lower than Walmart for both Victoza and Saxenda. With insurance, the difference is usually under $20 because both pharmacies process the same negotiated rate. Costco requires membership ($60/year).

Can I get liraglutide from Canada or Mexico for less?

Importing prescription medications from Canada or Mexico for personal use exists in a legal gray area. The FDA technically prohibits it but rarely enforces against personal-use quantities. Generic liraglutide with a U.S. coupon ($112 to $221 for two to three pens as of September 2026) is usually cheaper than importing and is legally clear.

How long will I need to take liraglutide?

For type 2 diabetes, liraglutide is typically a long-term medication (years to indefinite). For weight loss, treatment duration varies. Clinical trials studied up to 56 weeks. Many patients continue long-term to maintain weight loss. Discontinuation often leads to weight regain (Wilding et al., NEJM 2021).

What happens if I miss doses because of cost?

Skipping doses reduces effectiveness. For diabetes, inconsistent dosing leads to poor glycemic control. For weight loss, skipping doses slows or reverses progress. If cost is causing missed doses, contact your provider immediately to discuss switching to a more affordable option rather than taking partial doses.

Is there a generic for Saxenda?

Yes. Teva launched generic Saxenda (liraglutide injection for chronic weight management) on August 28, 2025, the first generic GLP-1 approved for weight loss, for adults and children 12 and older weighing over 60 kg. Teva priced it about 30 percent below brand (Healio, August 29, 2025), and GoodRx showed coupon prices from about $372.45 for five pens against an average retail of $1,308.19 in September 2026.

How much does generic Victoza cost?

As of September 2026, GoodRx listed generic liraglutide (the Victoza equivalent) at $112.19 for two 18 mg/3 mL pens and $154.01 for three, against average retail prices of $615.85 and $923.99. SingleCare's March 18, 2026 survey found an average cash price of $1,172 for three pens and a lowest coupon price of $221 at CVS. Two pens cover a month at 1.2 mg daily; three pens cover a month at 1.8 mg.

How much does Victoza cost with Medicare?

It depends on where you are in the 2026 Part D benefit. You pay the plan's negotiated price until you meet the $615 deductible, then 25 percent coinsurance until your out-of-pocket spending for the year reaches $2,100, after which covered drugs are free; there is no longer a coverage gap. Generic liraglutide, if on your plan's formulary, makes that 25 percent far smaller than on brand Victoza. Medicare does not cover Saxenda.

When does insurance cover generic liraglutide?

For type 2 diabetes, most commercial plans, Medicare Part D plans and every state Medicaid program cover liraglutide, and a generic usually lands on a lower tier than brand Victoza, often with prior authorization. For weight management, coverage follows the plan's obesity-drug policy: many commercial plans exclude it, Medicare Part D cannot cover it, and Medicaid varies by state (Tennessee, for example, lists it as non-preferred behind Wegovy and Zepbound as of September 1, 2026).

Related guides

• Victoza Cost in 2026: Cash Price, Insurance Tiers, Generic Liraglutide, and the Four Pricing Failure Modes
• Sermorelin Price in 2026: What You'll Actually Pay at Pharmacies vs Compounded Sources
• Mounjaro Injection Price Equivalent: What You'll Actually Pay for Brand vs Compounded Tirzepatide in 2026
• Compounded Semaglutide Price in 2026: What You'll Actually Pay Per Month
• Retatrutide Price Per Month in 2026: Clinical Trial Access, Compounded Alternatives, and Expected Commercial Costs
• Liraglutide Generic Cost in 2026: Why There's No Generic and What You'll Actually Pay
• Tool: cost calculator

Sources

1. Teva. Teva announces launch of authorized generic of Victoza (liraglutide injection 1.8 mg) in the United States, June 24, 2024. https://ir.tevapharm.com/news-and-events/press-releases/press-release-details/2024/Teva-Announces-Launch-of-Authorized-Generic-of-Victoza-liraglutide-injection-1.8mg-in-the-United-States/default.aspx
2. Novo Nordisk (NovoCare). Explaining Saxenda's list price and savings offer, seen September 5, 2026. https://www.novocare.com/obesity/products/saxenda/explaining-list-price.html
3. Hikma. Hikma receives FDA approval and launches the generic version of Victoza (liraglutide) in the US, December 26, 2024. https://www.hikma.com/news/hikma-receives-fda-approval-and-launches-the-generic-version-of-victoza-liraglutide-in-the-us/
4. Teva. FDA approval and launch of generic Saxenda (liraglutide injection), first generic GLP-1 indicated for weight loss, August 28, 2025. https://ir.tevapharm.com/news-and-events/press-releases/press-release-details/2025/Teva-Announces-FDA-Approval-and-Launch-of-Generic-Saxenda-liraglutide-injection--First-Generic-GLP-1-Indicated-for-Weight-Loss/default.aspx
5. Healio. FDA approves first generic GLP-1 indicated for weight loss, August 29, 2025. https://www.healio.com/news/endocrinology/20250829/fda-approves-first-generic-glp1-indicated-for-weight-loss
6. SingleCare. Is there a generic for Victoza? Prices dated March 18, 2026, updated March 28, 2026. https://www.singlecare.com/blog/victoza-generic/
7. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. FDA's concerns with unapproved GLP-1 drugs used for weight loss, adverse-event counts as of May 31, 2026. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/postmarket-drug-safety-information-patients-and-providers/fdas-concerns-unapproved-glp-1-drugs-used-weight-loss
8. Wilding JPH et al. Once-weekly semaglutide in adults with overweight or obesity. New England Journal of Medicine. 2021;384(11):989-1002.
9. Williams E. Medicaid Coverage of and Spending on GLP-1s. KFF, January 16, 2026. https://www.kff.org/medicaid/medicaid-coverage-of-and-spending-on-glp-1s/
10. GoodRx. Liraglutide (Victoza) prices and coupons, seen September 5, 2026. https://www.goodrx.com/liraglutide-victoza
11. Novo Nordisk. Victoza prescribing information. Revised 2024.
12. Novo Nordisk. Saxenda prescribing information. Revised 2024.
13. healthinsurance.org. Does health insurance cover drugs used for weight loss? (Medicare Part D 2026 design and the GLP-1 Bridge). https://www.healthinsurance.org/faqs/does-health-insurance-cover-drugs-used-for-weight-loss-such-as-ozempic-wegovy-mounjaro-and-zepbound/
14. Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. Section 503A: Pharmacy compounding. As amended 2013.
15. GoodRx. Liraglutide (Saxenda) prices and coupons, seen September 5, 2026. https://www.goodrx.com/liraglutide-saxenda
16. TennCare. Preferred Drug List effective September 1, 2026 (OptumRx). https://contenthub-aem.optumrx.com/content/dam/contenthub/onboarding/assets/Tenncare/Tenncare-PDL.pdf
17. NC Medicaid. NC Medicaid to reinstitute coverage of GLP-1s for weight management, December 19, 2025. https://medicaid.ncdhhs.gov/blog/2025/12/19/nc-medicaid-reinstitute-coverage-glp-1s-weight-management
18. Medi-Cal Rx. GLP-1 coverage changes effective January 1, 2026 (member notice). https://medi-calrx.dhcs.ca.gov/cms/medicalrx/static-assets/documents/member/GLP1_Changes.pdf
19. Novo Nordisk. What to pay for Wegovy, seen September 5, 2026. https://www.wegovy.com/obesity/what-to-pay-for-wegovy.html
20. Eli Lilly. LillyDirect Zepbound self-pay pricing (CMAT-05333 08/2026). https://www.lilly.com/lillydirect/zepbound
21. Eli Lilly. LillyDirect Foundayo self-pay pricing (CMAT-19155 08/2026). https://www.lilly.com/lillydirect/foundayo
22. FormBlends. Compounded GLP-1 Price Index, as of September 3, 2026. https://formblends.com/feeds/glp1-prices.json
23. Levity. Liraglutide cost (telehealth pricing), seen September 5, 2026. https://www.joinlevity.com/posts/liraglutide-cost
24. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (ASPE). 2026 poverty guidelines. https://aspe.hhs.gov/poverty-guidelines

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Platform Disclaimer. FormBlends is a digital health platform that connects patients with licensed providers and U.S.-based pharmacies. We do not manufacture, prescribe, or dispense medication directly. All clinical decisions are made by independent licensed providers.

Compounded Medication Notice. Compounded liraglutide is not FDA-approved. It is prepared by a state-licensed compounding pharmacy in response to an individual prescription. Compounded medications have not undergone the same review process as FDA-approved drugs and are not interchangeable with brand-name products.

Results Disclaimer. Individual results vary. Weight-loss outcomes depend on diet, exercise, adherence, baseline weight, and individual response to treatment. Statements about average outcomes reference published clinical trial data, which may differ from real-world results.

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