Saxenda for Teens: Evidence, Eligibility, Coverage
Yes, from age 12: Saxenda is FDA approved for weight loss in children 12 and older.
- For teens
- From age 12, for weight loss
- Active ingredient
- liraglutide
- How it is taken
- daily injection
Saxenda in brief
About 13 hours is the half-life. After 13 h, half is gone, and about 3% remains at five half-lives, or 2.7 days.
For Prediabetes, 56 weeks, the SCALE Obesity trial showed 7.4% of body weight, compared with 3% on placebo.
Source: the FDA DailyMed label.
Who qualifies?
| Source | Who qualifies |
|---|---|
| FDA label | This covers adults and children aged 12 or older (over 60 kg) who have obesity, plus overweight adults who also have a weight-related condition. It focuses on long-term weight loss and maintenance with diet and activity. |
Source: the FDA DailyMed label.
What is different for teens?
| What changes | What the label says |
|---|---|
| Acute Pancreatitis | Can cause inflammation of the pancreas. If severe stomach pain does not go away and sometimes spreads to the back, stop it and get care. |
| Acute Gallbladder Disease | Gallstones and gallbladder inflammation can happen. Report upper right belly pain, fever, or yellow skin or eyes. |
The DailyMed FDA label provides this information.
The DailyMed FDA label lists these warnings.
Coverage for teens
- Saxenda Cost
- Saxenda Coupon
- Saxenda Cost Without Insurance
- 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 teens
| Medicine | For teens | How it is taken | Trial result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saxenda | From age 12, for weight loss | 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 |
 Victoza | From age 10, for type 2 diabetes | daily 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 on DailyMed and PubMed.
Questions to ask your prescriber
- Is my child old enough to meet this medicine's label age requirement?
- What checks will track growth and eating?
- What happens if my child wants to stop?
Read the full Saxenda prescribing information on DailyMed.