Saxenda Cost 2026: $1,349 Monthly Without Insurance + $25 Savings Guide

The list price for Saxenda (liraglutide) is $1,349.02 for a 30-day supply, which includes five 3mL prefilled injectable pens. Saxenda is an FDA-approved GLP-1 receptor agonist prescription medication designed to help adults with obesity or overweight with weight-related medical conditions lose weight and maintain weight loss when used with a reduced calorie diet and increased physical activity. 

The actual cost you pay can vary based on your insurance coverage, pharmacy selection, and whether you qualify for patient assistance programs or savings programs.

TL;DR

• Saxenda (liraglutide 3mg) costs $1,349.02 per month for a 30-day supply of 5 prefilled pens without insurance. 
• Most commercial insurance patients pay significantly less through savings programs. 
• The Saxenda Savings Card program, which previously reduced costs to as low as $25/month for eligible patients with private insurance, has been discontinued. 
• Medicare does not cover Saxenda for weight loss. Cash-paying patients can find prices ranging from $1,200-$1,350 using GoodRx or SingleCare coupons at major pharmacies. 
• Uninsured patients with household incomes at or below 400% of the federal poverty level may qualify for free medication through the Novo Nordisk Patient Assistance Program.

Saxenda Price Without Insurance 2026

According to the manufacturer Novo Nordisk, the wholesale acquisition cost (list price) of Saxenda is $1,349.02 for a 30-day supply containing five 3mL prefilled injectable pens delivering 3mg daily doses. At retail pharmacies, cash prices typically range from $1,350 to $1,650 depending on the pharmacy location.

Cash pharmacy prices as of February 2026 vary significantly: Walmart averages around $1,656, CVS approximately $1,625, Costco around $1,550, and Walgreens about $1,590. The annual cost without any discounts exceeds $16,188, making this prescription medication prohibitive for many patients without insurance coverage. Using prescription discount services like GoodRx can reduce the price to approximately $1,200 at select pharmacies.

Saxenda is currently only available as a brand-name drug, which contributes to its high cost. There is no generic version of liraglutide 3mg available for weight loss at this time. The patent for Saxenda is not expected to expire until 2032, with biosimilar alternatives potentially becoming available around 2034 at approximately 40% lower prices. Patients must also purchase disposable needles separately; NovoFine needles typically cost around $60 for a box of 100.

Saxenda Cost With Insurance Coverage

Whether your health insurance covers Saxenda depends on your specific plan and insurance provider. Many insurance plans do not cover weight loss medications like Saxenda, or they may require prior authorization before providing coverage. Commercial insurance companies are typically more likely to cover GLP-1 receptor agonists approved for type 2 diabetes (like Victoza) than those approved specifically for weight management (like Saxenda).

Important Note: The Saxenda Savings Card program, which previously allowed eligible patients with commercial insurance to pay as low as $25 per 30-day supply (with maximum savings of $200 per box for up to 12 months), has been discontinued for new enrollees as of June 30, 2023. If your commercial insurance denies coverage for Saxenda, your healthcare provider may need to submit prior authorization paperwork. Approximately 95% of commercial insurance plans that do provide coverage require prior authorization, typically requiring documentation of BMI greater than 30 or BMI greater than 27 with weight-related comorbidities.

Insurance Coverage Breakdown

Pharmacy Price Comparison Table

Saxenda prices can vary significantly between pharmacies. Shopping around and comparing costs at multiple pharmacy locations can help you find the best price. The table below shows approximate prices at major pharmacy chains as of February 2026, including discounted prices available through GoodRx and SingleCare prescription discount programs.

Tip: The cheapest option is typically CVS with GoodRx at approximately $1,225. Shopping at least 5 pharmacies is recommended to compare costs. Note that prices exclude $25-50 pharmacy fill fees that some locations may charge. If you purchase a 90-day supply of Saxenda, it may be more cost-effective than buying a 30-day supply each month. Costco offers 90-day supplies at approximately $3,600, which represents about 37% savings compared to monthly pricing.

Saxenda Savings Card & Novo Nordisk Programs

NovoCare Programs: While the original Saxenda Savings Offer has been discontinued for new enrollees, Novo Nordisk continues to offer other assistance programs through NovoCare.

Patient Assistance Program (PAP): The Novo Nordisk Patient Assistance Program provides medication at no cost to qualifying US residents who meet specific eligibility requirements.

• Must have no insurance or have Medicare
• Total household income at or below 400% of the federal poverty level (approximately $58,000 for a single individual in 2026)
• US citizen or legal resident
• Not enrolled in or eligible for Medicaid, Veterans Affairs benefits, or other government programs

Additional Savings Options: Novo Nordisk provides an online cost estimator to help patients estimate their out-of-pocket costs. Some pharmacies may also offer their own coupons for Saxenda, which can help lower the final cost.

Medicare & Medicaid Saxenda Coverage 2026

Medicare Coverage: Medicare generally does not cover Saxenda because it is prescribed for weight loss. Federal law specifically prohibits Medicare Part D plans from covering medications prescribed solely for weight loss purposes (Medicare.org). This exclusion dates back to the Medicare Modernization Act of 2003. Medicare may only cover GLP-1 medications when prescribed for FDA-approved uses other than weight loss, such as treating type 2 diabetes (with different medications like Victoza or Ozempic).

However, policy changes may be on the horizon. CMS has announced pilot programs that could potentially expand Medicare coverage for weight loss drugs starting in mid-2026 (AARP Medicare Coverage). If your Medicare plan denies coverage, some appeals have been successful when accompanied by documentation from an endocrinologist and A1C test results showing diabetes-related concerns.

Medicaid Coverage: Medicaid coverage for Saxenda varies by state. While weight-loss drugs are generally excluded from mandatory Medicaid coverage, some state Medicaid programs do cover Saxenda with prior authorization (KFF Medicaid GLP-1 Coverage). As of January 2026, approximately 13 state Medicaid programs cover GLP-1s for obesity treatment under fee-for-service. Coverage typically requires BMI greater than 35 with weight-related comorbidities, with copays ranging from $4-10. Contact your state’s Medicaid office to learn about specific coverage in your area.

Saxenda vs GLP-1 Weight Loss Competitors Cost

Saxenda occupies a unique position in the GLP-1 weight loss medication market. While it was a pioneer as the first GLP-1 approved for weight management back in 2014, it is now one of the higher-priced options despite requiring daily injections rather than the more convenient weekly dosing of newer competitors (GoodRx GLP-1 Comparison).

Alternative Weight Loss Medications: If Saxenda is not covered by your insurance or is too expensive, several alternatives may be worth discussing with your healthcare provider:

• Wegovy (semaglutide): A weekly GLP-1 injection for weight loss with similar list price ($1,350) but potentially better insurance coverage due to additional FDA approvals for cardiovascular risk reduction
• Zepbound (tirzepatide): A weekly dual GIP/GLP-1 injection that has shown greater weight loss in clinical trials (up to 20% body weight reduction)
• Ozempic (semaglutide): Approved for type 2 diabetes but sometimes prescribed off-label for weight loss; may have better insurance coverage
• Qsymia (phentermine/topiramate): An oral combination medication costing approximately $200/month with GoodRx
• Contrave (naltrexone/bupropion): An oral weight loss medication with retail price around $741 but available for as low as $199 with manufacturer coupons (GoodRx Contrave)
• Xenical (orlistat): A lipase inhibitor costing around $800/month for prescription strength; Alli is the over-the-counter version at approximately $50-70/month

How to Get Saxenda Cheaper 2026

Several strategies can help reduce your Saxenda costs:

• GoodRx/SingleCare: Use free prescription discount cards to get universal discounts of $1,200-$1,225 at participating pharmacies
• 90-Day Supply: Purchase 3 months at once through Costco for approximately $3,600, representing about 37% savings versus monthly purchases
• Patient Assistance Program: Qualify for free medication if uninsured with income below 400% FPL (approximately $58,000 for single individual)
• Manufacturer Samples: Ask your healthcare provider about free 1-2 month starter pen samples
• Compare Pharmacies: Call multiple pharmacies to compare prices; some offer price matching
• Insurance Appeals: If denied coverage, work with your healthcare provider to submit prior authorization paperwork and appeal the decision

Saxenda Price Trends 2023-2026

Saxenda’s list price has increased modestly over recent years, tracking general pharmaceutical inflation:

The Saxenda patent is expected to expire in 2032, with biosimilar alternatives potentially becoming available around 2034 at approximately 40% lower prices. Until then, Saxenda remains a brand-name-only medication, contributing to its sustained high cost.