What is Saxenda?

Saxenda is a brand of Liraglutide. FDA has approved it for 2 uses. People take it once daily, at any time of day, whenever meals fall. The first labeled dose is 0.6 mg. The highest is 3 mg.

Source: Current FDA label, checked 2026-08-13

What matters first

Medicine: Liraglutide
How often: Once daily, at any time of day, whenever meals fall
Starting dose: 0.6 mg
Highest labeled dose: 3 mg

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DosageSaxenda dosage scheduleSee every labeled step from 0.6 mg to 3 mg.PriceWhat Saxenda costsCompare the list price, published cash offers and key limits.Medicine guideRead about LiraglutideSee the medicine behind Saxenda and any other brands that use it.

Approved uses

What is Saxenda approved to treat?

Adults with obesity, or with overweight plus at least one related health condition.

Labeled maintenance: 3 mg once daily. The label says the lower doses are titration only

People age 12 and older with obesity who weigh more than 60 kg (about 132 pounds).

Labeled maintenance: 3 mg once daily, or 2.4 mg if a person cannot stay on 3 mg

Not an approved use: The Saxenda label does not cover type 2 diabetes, and says outright that nothing has been established for children aged 12 to 17 who have it. It also rules out taking it with another liraglutide product or with any other GLP-1 drug.

The product itself

How Saxenda comes

Prefilled pen, one patient only

6 mg/mL in 3 mL, giving doses of 0.6, 1.2, 1.8, 2.4 or 3 mg

Several doses per pen — the label prints no count

Novo Nordisk makes Saxenda under NDA 206321. The label says it is given as a shot under the skin.

Same medicine, different label

How is Saxenda different from Victoza?

Two brand names use this drug. Saxenda is the one for weight-related care. Victoza is the one for type 2 diabetes. Their dose plans are not the same.

Read the Victoza overview

5primary sources, each with the day we read it — open the documents used on this page

Saxenda (liraglutide) injection — FDA-approved Prescribing Information (DailyMed)retrieved 2026-08-13FDA label
Saxenda (liraglutide) Prescribing Information, revised 02/2026 — Drugs@FDA NDA 206321/S-025retrieved 2026-08-13FDA label
FDA approval letter, NDA 206321 — Saxenda (liraglutide) injection, chronic weight management in adultsretrieved 2026-08-13FDA label
FDA supplement approval letter, NDA 206321/S-012 — addition of a Saxenda pediatric indication for ages 12 and older (trial NN8022-4180)retrieved 2026-08-13FDA label
Drugs@FDA via openFDA — applications containing liraglutide, including the approved abbreviated new drug applications from Sandoz, Teva, Lupin, Hikma, Biocon, Mylan, Fresenius Kabi and others, and the label each one carriesretrieved 2026-08-13FDA label

Medically reviewed by Jennifer Montecillo, MD · non-practicing medical reviewer