Saxenda for Weight Loss: Expected Results, Who Qualifies
Yes. Saxenda is FDA approved for weight loss: the purpose is long-term weight loss that you maintain through diet and activity. It covers adults and children with obesity. Their age is 12 and up (over 60 kg). It also covers adults with overweight plus a weight-related condition. In SCALE Obesity and Prediabetes, people on Saxenda lost 7.4% of body weight on average, vs 3% on placebo.
- For weight loss
- FDA approved
- Active ingredient
- liraglutide
- How it is taken
- daily injection
- Best result (SCALE Obesity and Prediabetes)
- 7.4% weight loss
Saxenda: a quick look
Its half-life is about 13 hours. About half is gone after 13 h. Five half-lives (2.7 d) leave about 3% in the body.
In SCALE Obesity and Prediabetes, 56 weeks: body weight fell 7.4%, compared with 3% on placebo.
Sources: FDA label (DailyMed).
Who qualifies?
| Who sets the rule | Who qualifies |
|---|---|
| FDA label | The purpose is long-term weight loss that you maintain through diet and activity. It covers adults and children with obesity. Their age is 12 and up (over 60 kg). It also covers adults with overweight plus 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) | a 6-month diet and activity program comes first |
Sources: FDA label (DailyMed), aetna.com.
Results from weight loss trials
| Trial | Medicine | Who took part | Length | People | Main result | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SCALE Obesity and Prediabetes | Saxenda | Adults with obesity or overweight who do not have type 2 diabetes | 56 weeks | 3,731 | 7.4% weight loss | 3% on placebo |
Trial sources: SCALE Obesity and Prediabetes (FDA label (DailyMed)).
What is different for weight loss?
| What changes | What the label says |
|---|---|
| Acute Pancreatitis | Can cause inflammation of the pancreas. If severe stomach pain does not go away, stop taking it and get care. The pain sometimes spreads to the back. |
| Acute Gallbladder Disease | Gallstones and gallbladder inflammation can happen. Report fever, upper right belly pain, or yellow skin or eyes. |
According to the FDA labels: FDA label (DailyMed).
These warnings come from the label: FDA label on DailyMed.
Coverage for weight loss
Medicare Part D provides no coverage for a GLP-1 used only for weight loss.
Medicaid programs normally require prior authorization when they cover weight-loss GLP-1s.
Sources: humana.com, KFF.
- Saxenda Cost
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- Does Cigna Cover Saxenda? Criteria, Copay, How to Appeal
- Does Aetna Cover Saxenda? Criteria, Copay, How to Appeal
Weight loss use
| Medicine | For weight loss | How it is taken | Trial result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saxenda | FDA approved | daily injection | 7.4% weight loss |
 Wegovy | FDA approved | weekly injection or daily tablet | 14.9% weight loss |
 Zepbound | FDA approved | weekly injection | 20.9% weight loss |
 Foundayo | FDA approved | daily tablet | 11.1% weight loss |
 Ozempic | Not an approved use | weekly injection | Not listed |
 Rybelsus | Not an approved use | daily tablet | Not listed |
 Mounjaro | Not an approved use | weekly injection | Not listed |
 Trulicity | Not an approved use | weekly injection | Not listed |
 Victoza | Not an approved use | daily injection | Not listed |
| Byetta | Not an approved use | twice-daily injection | Not listed |
Sources: FDA label (DailyMed).
Questions to ask your prescriber
- Does the label's weight rule cover me? Does my plan add a weight rule of its own?
- Which conditions related to weight on my record count?
- How much should I expect to have lost once the first year is over?
- What happens after I stop taking it?
Read all of the Saxenda prescribing information on DailyMed.