Saxenda for Prediabetes: Evidence, Eligibility, Coverage
Saxenda is not FDA approved for prediabetes. It is approved for weight loss. Some doctors prescribe it when one of those uses also applies. In SCALE Obesity and Prediabetes, people on Saxenda lost 7.4% of body weight on average, vs 3% on placebo.
- Active ingredient
- liraglutide
- How it is taken
- daily injection
- Approved for
- Weight loss
- Best result (SCALE Obesity and Prediabetes)
- 7.4% weight loss
Saxenda overview
About 13 hours is its half-life: once 13 h passes, half is gone, while five half-lives leave about 3% behind (2.7 d).
SCALE Obesity and Prediabetes, 56 weeks: body weight fell 7.4% versus 3% on placebo.
Sources: FDA label (DailyMed).
Who qualifies?
| Who sets the rule | Who qualifies |
|---|---|
| FDA label | This covers long-term weight loss and keeping it off, with diet and activity. It applies to adults and children with obesity who are 12 and older (over 60 kg), or to adults who have overweight together with a weight-related condition. |
| Typical commercial plan (Aetna policy) | BMI 30 or higher |
| Typical commercial plan (Aetna policy) | BMI 27 or higher with a weight-related condition |
| Typical commercial plan (Aetna policy) | first, 6 months of a diet and activity program |
Sources: FDA DailyMed label, aetna.com.
Trial results for prediabetes
None of these trials enrolled only prediabetes; the people studied were adults with obesity or overweight, and no type 2 diabetes.
| Trial | Medicine | Who took part | Length | People | Main result | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SCALE Obesity and Prediabetes | Saxenda | Adults with obesity or overweight, and no type 2 diabetes | 56 weeks | 3,731 | 7.4% weight loss | 3% on placebo |
Sources for the study: SCALE Obesity and Prediabetes (FDA label (DailyMed)).
What is different for prediabetes?
| What changes | What the label says |
|---|---|
| Hypoglycemia | Low blood sugar is more likely when you take it with insulin or a sulfonylurea, and those doses may need lowering. |
| Taken with insulin or sulfonylureas | With type 2 diabetes, taking it with insulin or a sulfonylurea raises the chance of low blood sugar. |
According to the FDA labels: FDA label (DailyMed).
Label warnings: FDA label on DailyMed.
Coverage for prediabetes
When a GLP-1 is used for weight loss alone, Medicare Part D does not cover it.
In places where Medicaid covers weight-loss GLP-1s, you normally need prior authorization.
Sources: humana.com, KFF.
- Saxenda Cost
- Saxenda Coupon
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- Saxenda Cost With Insurance
- Is Saxenda Covered by Insurance? Criteria, Copay, Appeal
- Cheapest Way to Get Saxenda
- Does Blue Cross Blue Shield Cover Saxenda? Criteria, Copay, How
- Does Cigna Cover Saxenda? Criteria, Copay, How to Appeal
- Does Aetna Cover Saxenda? Criteria, Copay, How to Appeal
Alternatives for prediabetes
| Medicine | For prediabetes | How it is taken | Trial result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saxenda | Not a listed use | daily injection | 7.4% weight loss |
 Ozempic | Not a listed use | weekly injection | Not listed |
 Wegovy | Not a listed use | weekly injection or daily tablet | 14.9% weight loss |
 Rybelsus | Not a listed use | daily tablet | Not listed |
 Mounjaro | Not a listed use | weekly injection | Not listed |
 Zepbound | Not a listed use | weekly injection | 20.9% weight loss |
 Foundayo | Not a listed use | daily tablet | 11.1% weight loss |
 Trulicity | Not a listed use | weekly injection | Not listed |
 Victoza | Not a listed use | daily injection | Not listed |
| Byetta | Not a listed use | twice-daily injection | Not listed |
Sources: FDA label (DailyMed).
What to ask your prescriber
- Does my prediabetes count as a weight-related condition for coverage purposes?
- Is a weight-loss brand a better fit for me than a diabetes brand?
Read the complete Saxenda prescribing details on DailyMed.