Liraglutide for Teens: Evidence, Eligibility, Coverage
Yes, for some brands: Victoza from age 10 for type 2 diabetes and Saxenda from age 12 for weight loss.
- Brands
- Victoza and Saxenda
A brief look at Saxenda
Its half-life is about 13 hours. After 13 h, half is gone, and five half-lives leave about 3% (2.7 d).
For Obesity and Prediabetes, 56 weeks, SCALE showed 7.4% of body weight, compared with 3% on placebo.
Label details: FDA label (DailyMed).
Who qualifies?
| Medicine | Who qualifies |
|---|---|
 Victoza | For adults and children 10 and older with type 2 diabetes, it helps lower blood sugar when used with diet and exercise. |
| Victoza | For adults with type 2 diabetes and heart disease, it lowers the risk of heart-related death, heart attack, and stroke. |
 Saxenda | This medicine helps with weight loss and keeping weight off long term, along with diet and activity. It is for adults and for children age 12 and older (over 60 kg) who have obesity, or for adults who have overweight along with a weight-related condition. |
Label information: FDA label (DailyMed) 1 2.
What is different for teens?
| What changes | What the label says | Labels |
|---|---|---|
| Acute Pancreatitis | Can cause inflammation of the pancreas. If your severe stomach pain does not go away, stop taking it and get medical care. The pain sometimes reaches your back. | All of them |
| Acute Gallbladder Disease | Gallstones and gallbladder inflammation can happen. Report upper right belly pain. Also report a fever, yellow skin, or yellow eyes. | All of them |
According to the FDA labels: FDA label (DailyMed).
These warnings are from the label: FDA label (DailyMed).
Coverage for teens
- Liraglutide Cost Without Insurance
- Liraglutide Coupon and Savings Card
- Is Liraglutide Covered by Insurance? Criteria, Copay, Appeal
- Does Medicare Cover Liraglutide? Criteria, Copay, How to Appeal
- Does Medicaid Cover Liraglutide? Criteria, Copay, How to Appeal
- Victoza Cost
- Victoza Coupon and Savings Card
- Victoza Cost Without Insurance
- Victoza Cost With Insurance
Alternatives for teens
| Medicine | For teens | How it is taken | Trial result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saxenda | From age 12, for weight loss | daily injection | Not listed |
| Victoza | From age 10, for type 2 diabetes | daily injection | Not listed |
 Wegovy | From age 12, for weight loss | weekly injection or daily tablet | 16.1% drop in BMI |
 Mounjaro | From age 10, for type 2 diabetes | weekly injection | Not listed |
 Trulicity | From age 10, for type 2 diabetes | weekly injection | Not listed |
 Ozempic | Adults only | weekly injection | Not listed |
 Rybelsus | Adults only | daily tablet | Not listed |
 Zepbound | Adults only | weekly injection | Not listed |
 Foundayo | Adults only | daily tablet | Not listed |
| Byetta | Adults only | twice-daily injection | Not listed |
Sources: FDA label (DailyMed), PubMed.
Questions to ask your prescriber
- Does my child meet the age requirement on this medicine's label?
- How will growth and eating for my child be checked?
- What happens if my child wants to stop?