How to Get a Generic Liraglutide (Saxenda) Prescription in 2026
Generic liraglutide 3 mg, the equivalent of Saxenda, has been on US pharmacy shelves since Teva's launch in August 2025, and it is prescribed for the same adults and adolescents 12 and older as the brand. Getting it means a prescription written for the generic, a titration from 0.6 mg to 3 mg daily, and a prior authorization if you want insurance to pay. It matters more now because Novo Nordisk says it is discontinuing brand Saxenda, with last shipments to wholesalers in late January 2027.
Key takeaways
- Labeled for adults with obesity (or overweight plus a weight-related condition) and for patients 12 and older with obesity who weigh more than 60 kg.
- The prescription starts at 0.6 mg daily and steps up 0.6 mg each week to 3 mg; each pen holds 18 mg, so a maintenance month takes about five pens.
- Brand Saxenda is being discontinued; current Saxenda patients should plan a switch to a generic or another drug with their prescriber.
- Generic wholesale prices launched only modestly below brand, so coverage and plan rules still drive what most people pay.
What changed in 2025 and 2026
Teva launched its generic Saxenda on August 28, 2025, which Fierce Pharma described as the first generic GLP-1 treatment approved for weight loss. A second weight-management generic followed: Cipla announced its launch of a generic Saxenda (liraglutide 18 mg/3 mL pens, ANDA held by Orbicular) on February 27, 2026.
Lower-dose liraglutide for type 2 diabetes, the Victoza generic, came earlier. Healio notes Teva launched the first generic GLP-1, a generic of Victoza, in June 2024, and that Hikma received approval for another in December 2024.
The newest change is on the brand side. The NovoCare Saxenda page says Novo Nordisk will discontinue Saxenda, with "last shipments to wholesalers taking place in late January 2027," and states that "This decision is not the result of any safety or quality-related concerns."
Who is eligible under the label
According to the Saxenda prescribing information (revised February 2026), liraglutide 3 mg is indicated with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity for:
- Adults with obesity.
- Adults with overweight and at least one weight-related comorbid condition.
- Pediatric patients 12 and older with body weight above 60 kg and an initial BMI corresponding to 30 kg/m² or greater for adults.
Payers translate these indications into BMI numbers. Cigna's weight-loss GLP-1 criteria (revised April 2026), for instance, require adults to have a baseline BMI of 30 or higher, or 27 or higher with a listed comorbidity, and adolescents 12 to 17 to have a BMI at or above the 95th percentile for age and sex plus weight of at least 60 kg.
How the prescription is written
Liraglutide is a daily injection with a weekly dose escalation, which makes the prescription more detailed than a weekly drug's.
The titration schedule
| Week | Daily dose | Liraglutide used that week |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0.6 mg | 4.2 mg |
| 2 | 1.2 mg | 8.4 mg |
| 3 | 1.8 mg | 12.6 mg |
| 4 | 2.4 mg | 16.8 mg |
| 5 onward | 3 mg (maintenance) | 21 mg |
Source: Saxenda prescribing information (rev. 02/2026). Weekly totals are simple arithmetic from the labeled daily dose.
The label notes that escalation for pediatric patients "may take up to 8 weeks," and that adolescents who can't tolerate an increase may return to the previous dose. Pediatric maintenance is 3 mg daily, reducible to 2.4 mg.
Quantity and days' supply
Each prefilled pen contains 18 mg of liraglutide in 3 mL, and the label lists 3-pen and 5-pen packs. The first four weeks of titration use about 42 mg, which fits within a 3-pen pack. At the 3 mg maintenance dose, one pen lasts 6 days, so a 30-day supply is five pens. A prescription that says "5 pens, 30-day supply" at maintenance is consistent with the label; a mismatch between quantity and days' supply is a common reason for a pharmacy or insurer to kick a claim back.
Pen needles
The label directs patients to remove and safely discard the needle after each injection, so you'll need a steady supply of pen needles. Ask the pharmacy whether they need to be a separate line on the prescription.
Compare licensed providers →
See which licensed prescribers evaluate patients for liraglutide and other labeled options; only a prescriber can decide what's appropriate, so confirm pricing and terms directly.
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Insurance: prior authorization, preferred status, and step rules
Expect prior authorization for any weight-management GLP-1, including generic liraglutide. How the generic is positioned varies by plan, so read your own formulary rather than assuming it is the default.
- Shorter first approvals. Cigna's criteria approve liraglutide initially for 4 months, versus 8 months for Wegovy, Zepbound, and Foundayo. Continuation for adults requires at least 4% weight loss from baseline; for adolescents, a BMI reduction of at least 1%.
- Preferred is not automatic. GEHA's coverage page (updated October 1, 2026) lists generic liraglutide as a "generic medication, PA required" across its plans, while Wegovy, Saxenda, Zepbound, and Foundayo are preferred only on its Elevate plan and non-preferred on the others.
- Step therapy varies. Some plans may ask you to try a lower-cost drug before a weekly GLP-1. Cigna's published criteria don't require liraglutide first; they require 3 months of behavioral modification and dietary restriction. Check your plan's step-therapy list before assuming either way.
Paperwork that speeds a liraglutide PA
- Baseline weight, height, and BMI, dated before any GLP-1 was started.
- Documentation of weight-related conditions (blood pressure, lipids, sleep apnea, prediabetes or diabetes).
- Notes showing a structured lifestyle program, if your plan requires one.
- For renewals, a dated weight showing the label's 16-week check: the Saxenda label says to discontinue in adults who have not lost at least 4% of baseline weight by then.
What it costs: generic versus brand
Generic liraglutide did not launch at a deep discount. Fierce Pharma reported that Teva set a wholesale acquisition cost of $1,165 per monthly dose, compared with Saxenda's $1,350, a reduction of about 14%.
| Product | Reported list price (WAC) per month |
|---|---|
| Saxenda (brand) | $1,350 |
| Teva generic liraglutide 3 mg | $1,165 |
Source: Fierce Pharma, August 28, 2025. Wholesale list prices are not what an insured patient pays and may not reflect current cash prices at your pharmacy.
The NovoCare page says the Saxenda Savings Offer closed to new enrollees on June 30, 2023, so there is no current brand copay card. Cash prices for generics differ widely between pharmacies; ask your pharmacy for its current price on the exact pack size before you fill.
Why a prescriber might still steer you to a weekly drug
- Injection burden. Liraglutide is injected daily; Wegovy and Zepbound are weekly.
- Coverage reality. If your plan prefers a weekly drug, or the generic sits in a higher cost tier, the generic may not be cheaper for you.
- Response checkpoints. The label's stopping rule (4% at 16 weeks in adults; for adolescents, at least a 1% BMI reduction after 12 weeks on maintenance) means a prescriber will reassess on a defined timeline.
- Saxenda's exit. If you take brand Saxenda now, the January 2027 discontinuation means you'll need either a generic substitution or a new prescription for a different drug. Starting that conversation in late 2026 avoids a gap.
Step-by-step: getting it written and filled
- Confirm your BMI and any weight-related conditions against the label and your plan's criteria.
- Look up your formulary for "liraglutide" (not just Saxenda) and note any PA or step requirements.
- Ask your prescriber to write for generic liraglutide 3 mg with the titration schedule, pen quantity, and days' supply that match.
- If a PA is required, make sure the submission includes dated baseline measurements and comorbidity documentation.
- Schedule the 16-week weight check in advance so a renewal has the data it needs.
Check eligibility with a licensed provider →
A licensed prescriber can review your history and coverage and tell you whether liraglutide or a weekly option fits; confirm pricing and terms directly before you pay.
Paid links. We may earn a commission; it never changes what we write. See all options. Compounded medications are not FDA-approved.
Affiliate disclosure: this site may earn a commission if you use links in boxes like the one above. It does not affect what this guide says.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a generic Saxenda?
Yes. Teva launched the first generic Saxenda (liraglutide 3 mg) in August 2025, and Cipla announced another in February 2026. They share Saxenda's adult and adolescent weight-management indications.
Is Saxenda being discontinued?
Yes. NovoCare says Novo Nordisk will discontinue Saxenda, with last shipments to wholesalers in late January 2027, and that the decision is not due to safety or quality concerns.
How many liraglutide pens are in a month's supply?
Each pen holds 18 mg. At the 3 mg daily maintenance dose a pen lasts 6 days, so a 30-day supply is five pens; the first four weeks of titration fit within a 3-pen pack.
Can teenagers be prescribed generic liraglutide?
The label covers patients 12 and older with obesity who weigh more than 60 kg and have a BMI corresponding to an adult BMI of 30 or more. Plans often express this as a BMI at or above the 95th percentile.
Is generic liraglutide much cheaper than Saxenda?
Not at launch. Fierce Pharma reported Teva's wholesale price at $1,165 per month versus $1,350 for Saxenda, about 14% lower, so coverage still drives what most patients pay.
Sources
- Saxenda (liraglutide) prescribing information, Novo Nordisk (rev. 02/2026)
- NovoCare: Saxenda (discontinuation notice and savings offer status)
- Cipla press release: launch of generic Saxenda (Feb. 27, 2026)
- Healio: FDA approves first generic GLP-1 indicated for weight loss
- Fierce Pharma: Teva launches first generic GLP-1 for obesity (Aug. 2025)
- Cigna: Weight Loss GLP-1 Agonists prior authorization criteria (rev. 04/15/2026)
- GEHA: Pharmacy coverage for weight-loss GLP-1 medications (updated 10/01/2026)
Medical disclaimer: This article is general information, not medical advice, and does not replace a licensed clinician who knows your history. Approvals, labels, coverage and prices change; check the linked sources and talk with your prescriber or pharmacist before making decisions about any medication.