Victoza for Weight Loss: Evidence, Eligibility, Coverage
Victoza is not FDA approved for weight loss. It is approved for type 2 diabetes and heart risk. Saxenda, with the same ingredient, is approved for weight loss. In SCALE Obesity and Prediabetes, people on Saxenda lost 7.4% of body weight on average, vs 3% on placebo.
- For weight loss
- Not an approved use
- Active ingredient
- liraglutide
- How it is taken
- daily injection
- Best result (SCALE Obesity and Prediabetes)
- 7.4% weight loss
Victoza overview
Its half-life is about 13 hours: after 13 h, half is gone, and about 3% remains after five half-lives (2.7 d).
In a 52-week LEAD-3 trial of type 2 diabetes, patients lost 2.5 kg, while those on placebo lost 1.1 kg.
Label reference: FDA label from DailyMed.
Who qualifies?
| Who sets the rule | Who qualifies |
|---|---|
| FDA label | For adults and children aged 10 or older with type 2 diabetes, it lowers blood sugar when combined with diet and exercise. |
| FDA label | This medicine lowers the chance of heart attack, stroke, or heart-related death in adults with type 2 diabetes plus heart disease. |
| 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 comes a program of diet and activity lasting 6 months |
Reference links: FDA label on DailyMed and aetna.com.
Trial results for weight loss
In this group, there is no trial for Victoza by itself. Each trial studies a brand with the same ingredient.
| 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 |
Study source: 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. Stop taking it and get care if severe stomach pain that sometimes spreads to your back does not go away. |
| Acute Gallbladder Disease | Gallstones and gallbladder inflammation can happen. You must report fever, yellow skin or eyes, or upper-right belly pain. |
The FDA labels provide these details: FDA label at DailyMed
Label warnings come from: FDA label on DailyMed.
Coverage for weight loss
Medicare Part D does not cover a GLP-1 used only for weight loss.
Medicaid coverage of weight-loss GLP-1s usually requires prior authorization
Sources: humana.com, KFF.
- Victoza Cost
- Victoza Coupon and Savings Card
- Victoza Cost Without Insurance
- Victoza Cost With Insurance
- Does Medicare Cover Victoza? Criteria, Copay, How to Appeal
- Cheapest Way to Get Victoza
- Is Victoza Covered by Insurance? Criteria, Copay, Appeal
- Does Medicaid Cover Victoza? Criteria, Copay, How to Appeal
When used to lose weight
| Medicine | For weight loss | How it is taken | Trial result |
|---|---|---|---|
 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 |
| Saxenda | FDA approved | daily injection | 7.4% weight loss |
| Victoza | Not an approved use | daily injection | Not listed |
 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 |
| Byetta | Not an approved use | twice-daily injection | Not listed |
Label reference: FDA label from DailyMed.
Questions to ask your prescriber
- Am I eligible under the label's weight rule, and does my plan set its own rule?
- Which weight-related conditions in my record count?
- What amount of weight should I expect to lose by the end of the first year?
- What happens if I stop?
See the full Victoza prescribing information on DailyMed.