Saxenda vs Retatrutide: Weight Loss, Side Effects, Price
Saxenda is FDA approved and sold now; Retatrutide is not FDA approved and is only available in trials. Saxenda is approved for weight loss.
Saxenda overview
With a half-life of about 13 hours, the amount drops by half in 13 hours, and about 3% remains once five half-lives pass (2.7 d).
In the SCALE Obesity and Prediabetes, 56 weeks trial, weight loss was 7.4% of body weight, compared with 3% on placebo.
Sources: FDA label (DailyMed).
Saxenda and Retatrutide side by side
| Saxenda | Retatrutide | |
|---|---|---|
| Medicine | Saxenda | Retatrutide |
| Active ingredient | liraglutide | Not listed |
| Manufacturer | Novo Nordisk | Eli Lilly |
| How it is taken | Daily injection | Not listed |
| Approved for | Weight loss | Not listed |
| First FDA approval | 2014 | Not listed |
| Average weight loss in trials | 7.4% (SCALE Obesity and Prediabetes, 56 weeks) | Not listed |
| Most common side effect | Nausea 39.3% vs 13.8% on placebo | Not listed |
| List price | $1,349.02 per 5 pens | Not listed |
| FDA shortage | On the FDA shortage list | Not listed |
| Weight loss pct | Not listed | 22.6% |
| Weeks | Not listed | 80 weeks |
| Expected | Not listed | BLA submission Q1 2027 |
| Expected approval | Not listed | BLA submission Q1 2027 |
Sources: FDA label, FDA label (DailyMed), Novo Nordisk pricing, api.fda.gov.
Price and coverage compared
| Medicine | How you pay | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Saxenda | List price before insurance | $1,349.02 per 5 pens |
Price data checked in November 2026: Novo Nordisk pricing.
Where Retatrutide stands
| Retatrutide | |
|---|---|
| Weight loss pct | 22.6% |
| Weeks | 80 weeks |
| Expected | BLA submission Q1 2027 |
| Expected approval | BLA submission Q1 2027 |
Source: prnewswire.com.