Saxenda vs Orforglipron: Weight Loss, Side Effects, Price
Saxenda (liraglutide) and orforglipron are both GLP-1 medicines, daily injection versus daily tablet. In their own trials, average weight loss was 7.4% and 11.1%. Orforglipron self-pay starts at $149 per month.
Saxenda and Foundayo: a quick overview
Saxenda and Orforglipron compared
| Saxenda | Orforglipron | |
|---|---|---|
| Medicine | Saxenda |  orforglipron |
| Active ingredient | liraglutide | orforglipron |
| Manufacturer | Novo Nordisk | Eli Lilly |
| How it is taken | Daily injection | Daily tablet |
| Approved for | Weight loss | Weight loss |
| First FDA approval | 2014 | 2026 |
| Average weight loss in trials | 7.4% (SCALE Obesity and Prediabetes, 56 weeks) | 11.1% (ATTAIN-1, 72 weeks) |
| Most common side effect | Nausea 39.3% vs 13.8% on placebo | Nausea 35% vs 10% on placebo |
| List price | $1,349.02 per 5 pens | $649 per month |
| Self-pay from | Not listed | $149 per month |
| Medicare GLP-1 Bridge | Not listed | $50 per month, eligible Part D |
| FDA shortage | On the FDA shortage list | Not listed |
Sources: FDA label, FDA label (DailyMed), Novo Nordisk pricing, pricinginfo.lilly.com.
Weight loss compared
Neither drug has been tested against the other in a trial. The results come from trials that used different groups and lasted different lengths.
| Trial | Who took part | Length | Group | Average weight loss | Placebo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SCALE Obesity and Prediabetes | Adults with obesity or overweight who also have type 2 diabetes | 56 weeks | Liraglutide 3.0 mg daily | 7.4% | 3% |
| ATTAIN-1 | Adults with obesity or overweight, without diabetes | 72 weeks | Foundayo 5.5 mg daily | 7.4% | 2.1% |
| ATTAIN-1 | Adults with obesity or overweight, without diabetes | 72 weeks | Foundayo 9 mg daily | 8.3% | 2.1% |
| ATTAIN-1 | Adults with obesity or overweight, without diabetes | 72 weeks | Foundayo 17.2 mg daily | 11.1% | 2.1% |
| ATTAIN-2 | Adults with obesity or overweight who also have type 2 diabetes | 72 weeks | Foundayo 5.5 mg daily | 5.1% | 2.5% |
| ATTAIN-2 | Adults with obesity or overweight who also have type 2 diabetes | 72 weeks | Foundayo 9 mg daily | 7% | 2.5% |
| ATTAIN-2 | Adults with obesity or overweight who also have type 2 diabetes | 72 weeks | Foundayo 17.2 mg daily | 9.6% | 2.5% |
The cited studies are SCALE Obesity and Prediabetes (FDA label (DailyMed)), along with ATTAIN-1 (FDA label (DailyMed)).
Side effects compared
Each label studied its own participants against its own placebo group.
| Side effect | Saxenda | Placebo (Saxenda trials) | Foundayo | Placebo (Foundayo trials) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nausea | 39.3% | 13.8% | 35% | 10% |
| Diarrhea | 20.9% | 9.9% | 25% | 11% |
| Constipation | 19.4% | 8.5% | 27% | 9% |
| Vomiting | 15.7% | 3.9% | 24% | 4% |
| Injection Site Reaction | 13.9% | 10.5% | Not listed | Not listed |
| Headache | 13.6% | 12.6% | 9% | 7% |
| Hypoglycemia in T2DM | 12.6% | 6.6% | Not listed | Not listed |
| Dyspepsia | 9.6% | 2.7% | 16% | 4% |
| Abdominal pain | Not listed | Not listed | 14% | 7% |
| Abdominal distension | Not listed | Not listed | 9% | 3% |
Price and coverage compared
| Medicine | How you pay | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Saxenda | List price before insurance | $1,349.02 per 5 pens |
| Foundayo | List price before insurance | $649 per month |
| Foundayo | Foundayo Savings Card (insured) | from $25 per month |
| Foundayo | Self-pay: LillyDirect 0.8 mg and 2.5 mg | $149 per month |
| Foundayo | Self-pay: LillyDirect 5.5 mg | $199 per month |
| Foundayo | Self-pay: LillyDirect 9 mg | $299 per month |
| Foundayo | LillyDirect self-pay for 14.5 mg and 17.2 mg (refill within 45 days) | $299 per month |
| Foundayo | Medicare GLP-1 Bridge (Foundayo, eligible Part D) | $50 per month |
Price checks made in November 2026 used Novo Nordisk pricing, pricinginfo.lilly.com, foundayo.lilly.com, Eli Lilly, CMS. The checks drew on these sources.
Who should pick which?
- A tablet means no needles for Orforglipron, while Saxenda requires a daily injection.
- Under 18: Saxenda approval covers some children.
- Medicare: Orforglipron appears on the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge list.
- If you pay cash, the published self-pay price for Orforglipron is $149 a month.
Your coverage, health history, and other medicines all guide your prescriber's decision.