Saxenda is a brand-name prescription medication. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved it to help with weight loss and long-term weight management in people with obesity, as well as certain people who are overweight.
Specifically, it’s prescribed to:
- adults with:
- children ages 12 years and older who:
- have a body weight above 60 kilograms† (about 132 pounds), and
- have a BMI that is considered obese for their age, sex, and height
Saxenda is meant to be used with regular exercise and a reduced-calorie diet.
For more information about Saxenda’s uses, refer to this article.
* BMI is a measurement of your weight in relation to your height. To learn how to calculate your BMI, see this article.
† 1 kilogram is about 2.2 pounds.
Drug details
Here are some details about Saxenda:
Read on to learn about Saxenda injection pricing, as well as how to save money on prescriptions.
As with all medications, the cost of Saxenda can vary. Factors that may affect the price you’ll pay include:
- your treatment plan
- your insurance coverage
- the pharmacy you use
- whether Saxenda has a savings program (see the “Financial and insurance assistance” section below)
In addition, you’ll need to purchase pen needles to use with Saxenda prefilled pens. Your healthcare professional should provide a prescription for these needles along with your Saxenda prescription.
To find out what the cost of Saxenda will be for you, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.
Note: If you have insurance, your insurance company may require prior authorization before it covers Saxenda. This means the company and your doctor will discuss Saxenda in regard to your treatment. The insurance company will then determine whether the medication is covered. If a drug requires prior authorization and you start treatment without the prior approval, you could pay the full cost of the medication.
You can ask your insurance company whether Saxenda requires prior authorization.
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about drug cost and Saxenda.
How much does Saxenda cost per month? How does this cost compare with insurance vs. without insurance?
How much Saxenda costs per month, and how much it costs with insurance vs. without insurance, will vary. The price you pay for Saxenda depends on several factors, including the pharmacy you use and your insurance coverage.
To learn more about the costs you’ll pay for Saxenda, talk with your pharmacist. You can also use the Saxenda cost estimator or call 888-809-3942.
According to the drug’s manufacturer, Saxenda’s list price is about $1,349. This may be the price you pay without insurance. Check with your pharmacist to find out more about the best price for Saxenda.
Is there a Saxenda cost estimator available?
Yes. There is a Saxenda cost estimator available from the drug’s manufacturer, which you may view here. You can also call 888-809-3942. This cost estimator may give more information about the cheapest price you can expect to pay for Saxenda.
Saxenda is only available as a brand-name drug. It doesn’t come in a generic version. A generic drug is an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication.
Generics tend to cost less than brand-name drugs.
Why are costs different for brand-name drugs vs. generic drugs?
Brand-name drugs can be expensive because of the research needed to test their safety and effectiveness. The manufacturer of a brand-name drug can sell it for up to 20 years. When the brand-name drug’s patent expires, multiple manufacturers can create generic versions. This marketplace competition may lead to lower costs for generics. Also, because generics contain the same active ingredients as brand-name drugs, they don’t require the same costly testing.
If you use Saxenda long term, you may be able to lower its cost in the following ways.
Getting a 3-month supply
You may be able to get a 90-day supply of Saxenda. If approved by your insurance company, getting a 90-day supply of the drug could reduce your number of trips to the pharmacy and help lower the cost. If you’re interested in this option, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.
Using a mail-order pharmacy
Saxenda may be available through a mail-order pharmacy. Using this type of service may help lower the drug’s cost and allow you to receive your medication without leaving home. Some Medicare plans may help cover the cost of mail-order medications. You may also be able to get a 90-day supply of the drug via mail order.
If you don’t have health insurance, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest online pharmacy options that could work for you.
If you need financial support to pay for Saxenda pen costs, or if you need help understanding your insurance coverage, help is available. For example:
- There is a savings card available for Saxenda. For more information and to find out if you’re eligible, visit the program website.
- Some websites provide details about drug assistance programs, ways to make the most of your insurance coverage, and links to savings cards and other services. Two such websites are:
To learn more about saving money on prescriptions with or without insurance, check out this article.
Now that you’ve learned about cost and Saxenda, you may still have some questions. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist, who can provide personalized guidance about cost issues related to Saxenda. However, if you have health insurance, you’ll need to talk with your insurance provider to learn the actual cost you would pay for Saxenda.
Here are some other resources you may find helpful:
Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.
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