How much does liraglutide cost?

With a generic version of Victoza® (liraglutide) now on the market, it’s only natural to wonder: What does liraglutide cost? And how do liraglutide generic costs compare to those of brand-name GLP-1s? 

We’ve gathered answers in this guide to liraglutide costs. 

Wait—there’s a generic liraglutide now?

Yes! Teva Pharmaceuticals announced its launch of its authorized generic for the type 2 diabetes medication Victoza in June 2024. The word “authorized” is key here. 

An authorized generic is an exact copy of an FDA-approved brand-name drug, either made by the original manufacturer or by another drug maker the original manufacturer has given the exact recipe to.

It includes the same active and inactive ingredients, dosage, and delivery system as the original brand-name drug. It doesn’t need to win separate FDA approval. It is an authorized copy.  (Learn more about the differences between generic, brand-name, and compound weight loss medicines.) 

What is the monthly cost of liraglutide? 

Teva’s generic liraglutide reported list or wholesale price is about $470 for two injectable pens and $704 for three pens. (How many pens you need per month depends on your dosage.)

Retail prices at pharmacies are typically higher. A recent check of major pharmacy chains in one Midwestern city found retail generic liraglutide costs averaging about 20% to 26% higher: $565 for two pens and $892 for three pens. (List and retail prices are subject to change.) 

So, how much does liraglutide cost out of pocket? 

As with most prescription drugs, what you ultimately pay for liraglutide hinges on more than just the prices set by the manufacturer or the pharmacy. 

It also depends on:

1. Your diagnosis and prescribed dosage. The authorized generic from Teva has the same max dosage and indication as Victoza: up to 1.8 mg daily as a treatment for type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Although health care providers can also prescribe Victoza off-label for weight loss, some plans exclude coverage for medications for weight loss. So, generic liraglutide might only be covered for you if you have type 2 diabetes.

2. The particulars of your insurance coverage (if you have health insurance). Many insurance plans offer better coverage and lower copays for generic drugs. Still, generic liraglutide may take some time to appear on a given insurer’s authorized drug list or formulary.

3. Any discounts you’re eligible for. There are no manufacturer’s savings cards for generic or brand-name liraglutide (at the moment). However, those with very low incomes may qualify for Novo Nordisk’s Patient Assistance Program, and drug coupon codes may reduce out-of-pocket costs for generic liraglutide. In a recent check, a GoodRx coupon code cut generic liraglutide prices at a Midwestern Walgreens to $226 for two pens or $334 for three. That’s less than half the wholesale price.

How much do brand-name Victoza and Saxenda® cost per month? 

Novo Nordisk’s list price for Victoza is about $544 for two pens or $815 for three pens. Average pharmacy prices in a recent check were considerably higher—$935 for two pens and $1,470 for three.

The list price for Saxenda—which contains a higher dose of liraglutide and is FDA-approved specifically for weight loss—is about $1,349 for five pens. And, in our recent pharmacy checks, the average retail price was $1,395.

How much weight can you lose on liraglutide (Victoza or generic)?

According to the research: Probably not as much as with Saxenda or other GLP-1 receptor agonists  specifically approved for weight loss. In one clinical trial, 40.4% of participants taking a 1.8 mg daily dose of liraglutide (the maximum dose for Victoza and Teva’s authorized generic) lost about 5% of their total body weight—and 15.9% lost more than 10%—after 56 weeks. Those taking 3 mg daily (the Saxenda dose) lost even more weight. In another study, women had more weight loss when pairing Victoza with metformin.

Remind me: What are Victoza and Saxenda?

The Danish pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk manufactures both brand name subcutaneous injectable prescription medications with the active ingredient liraglutide, Victoza and Saxenda.

Victoza is FDA-approved to help improve blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes and in some children with type 2 diabetes mellitus—and to reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events like heart attacks in adults with type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Health care providers also prescribe it off-label as a treatment for obesity.

Saxenda, which has a higher maximum dose than Victoza, is FDA-approved for weight loss in adults with obesity or excess weight and a weight-related condition—and for weight management in children 12 and older who meet age and body weight criteria.

And what’s a GLP-1?

That’s shorthand for the glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonist drug class. Drugs in the GLP-1 class—which also include Ozempic® (semaglutide), Wegovy®, and Trulicity®—mimic the GLP-1 hormone the body makes to regulate blood glucose, slow stomach-emptying, and signal fullness after eating. Health care professionals prescribe GLP-1s primarily to treat type 2 diabetes or obesity.

What are the key side effects of liraglutide and similar GLP-1s?

Drugs in this class are not suitable or safe for everyone. They may cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, and constipation. More serious but less common side effects include pancreatitis, gallbladder disease, kidney problems, and changes in vision. Those with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer or multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 shouldn’t use GLP-1s. For detailed information about side effects and risks for specific drugs, please talk to your health care provider or see our dedicated medication page.

Tell your health care provider if you have severe stomach problems that won’t go away, including abdominal bloating or pain, acid reflux, a feeling of fullness after eating just a few bites of food, nausea, and vomiting, including vomiting undigested food eaten a few hours earlier. These may be symptoms of gastroparesis (stomach paralysis).

Are other generics for liraglutide on the way?

Yes. Other manufacturers have applied for approval. The FDA approved a “first generic” for liraglutide from Hikma Pharmaceuticals in December 2024. (A first generic is a copy of a brand-name drug but may have different inactive ingredients. An authorized generic is a brand-name drug without the label.) The first drug to be fully approved by the FDA as a new generic drug gets a six months of exclusivity before other generics can be marketed.  

About Found

Found is among the largest medically-supported telehealth weight care clinics in the country, having served more than 250,000 members to date. To discover your MetabolicPrint™ and start your journey with Found, take our quiz.

Found is not affiliated with Eli Lilly and Co., the owner of the registered trademarks Mounjaro® and Zepbound®, nor is it affiliated with Novo Nordisk A/S, the owner of the registered trademarks Wegovy®, Ozempic®, Victoza®, and Saxenda®. The content provided is for informational purposes only and should not be used as a basis for diagnosing or treating any health condition, or for determining actual costs incurred. Always follow your health care provider’s instructions to ensure safe and effective management of your health conditions. Certain medications are only FDA-approved to treat conditions other than weight but may be prescribed to help aid in weight loss. Prescriptions are up to a medical provider’s discretion. For key risk information by drug, visit the Found medication page.