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Liraglutide for weight loss online
Liraglutide is a glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) agonist medication designed to help adults achieve and maintain a healthier weight. As the active ingredient in Saxenda, it helps manage weight by addressing key metabolic processes.
Find an online weight loss specialist on Klarity Health and find out if Liraglutide can help you reach your weight loss goals. If they recommend liraglutide, get a prescription online in as little as 24 hours.*
Providers on Klarity Health are independent practitioners with clinical autonomy; a diagnosis, treatment, or prescription is not guaranteed.
Providers on Klarity Health are independent practitioners with clinical autonomy; a diagnosis, treatment, or prescription is not guaranteed.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Paul Hetrick
What is liraglutide for weight loss?
Liraglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist, initially approved under the brand name Victoza by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2010 to manage type 2 diabetes in adults.
In 2014, under the brand name Saxenda, it was FDA-approved for chronic weight management in adults and made available at higher doses than Victoza.
Generic liraglutide was FDA-approved in 2024 for improved glycemic control in people 10 and older with type 2 diabetes. It’s not approved for weight loss. Victoza and generic liraglutide’s use in weight management is considered off-label (something it’s not FDA-approved for).
Liraglutide helps regulate blood sugar levels and appetite. It also slows digestion by delaying how quickly food passes from the stomach into the intestines. When combined with diet and exercise, this helps people lose weight. All forms are injections taken once a day.
How does liraglutide for weight loss work?
Liraglutide acts like GLP-1, a hormone that your body naturally makes. GLP-1 is responsible for regulating hunger and insulin secretion. It moves sugar from your blood into your cells for energy and stops your liver from adding more sugar to your blood. GLP-1 also slows digestion and signals your brain to feel full, which helps you eat less. By mimicking this hormone, liraglutide can help balance blood sugar and keep you feeling fuller longer, reducing calorie intake and cravings.
Clinical studies show that liraglutide can help individuals lose significant weight when combined with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity. A 2016 critical review reported that patients taking liraglutide lost 5% to 10% of their body weight over 56 weeks compared to those taking a placebo.
Learn more about how GLP-1s work for weight loss.
Who can take liraglutide for weight loss?
Saxenda is FDA-approved for adults with:
• A body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher (obesity)
• A BMI of 27 or higher (overweight) with at least 1 weight-related condition, such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure (hypertension), or high cholesterol.
Victoza and generic liraglutide are FDA-approved for adults and children 10 years and older with type 2 diabetes mellitus. They’re also sometimes prescribed off-label for weight loss.
How to get a liraglutide weight loss prescription online
You need a prescription to start taking liraglutide, Saxenda, or Victoza. You can easily consult with a licensed healthcare provider online at Klarity Health. That includes a physician assistant/associate (PA), medical doctor (MD), or nurse practitioner (NP) who can determine if liraglutide is right for you. If you and your provider decide that liraglutide can support your weight loss goals, your provider can send a prescription to any online or local pharmacy.
Note that in some states, you have to have at least one in-person appointment before a provider can prescribe medications.
Liraglutide weight loss dosages and how to use it
Liraglutide for weight loss as the brand name Saxenda, comes as a prefilled 6 milligrams per 1 milliliter (mg/mL) 3 mL pre-filled pen syringe. Dosage strengths are 0.6, 1.2, 1.8, 2.4, or 3 milligrams. The pen lets you adjust your dose. You take an injection every day.
Victoza and generic liraglutide dosages come in a pre-filled 18 mg/3 mL pen syringe that delivers doses of 0.6, 1.2, or 1.8 milligrams.
Both are taken by subcutaneous injection, meaning it’s injected into the fatty tissue under the skin. You inject liraglutide into your abdomen, thigh, or upper arm. You should rotate your injection site within the same area daily to avoid a build-up of proteins in the skin (cutaneous amyloidosis).
The recommended starting dose for Saxenda is 0.6 milligrams daily for one week. After a week, your provider will have you gradually increase your dose at weekly intervals to a target dose of 3.0 milligrams daily. You’ll take 0.6 milligrams daily the first week, 1.2 milligrams daily the second week, 1.8 milligrams daily the third week, 2.4 milligrams the fourth week, and 3 milligrams the fifth week. Your provider can increase the doses more slowly if you experience negative side effects with a stronger dose. If you don’t tolerate the 3.0 milligrams daily dose, your provider may recommend discontinuing Saxenda.
Victoza’s starting dose is 0.6 milligrams daily. If needed, your provider will gradually increase your dose in 0.6 milligram increments weekly. The maximum recommended dose of Victoza is 1.8 milligrams daily once. You should only take 1.8 milligrams a day after you’ve taken a 1.2-milligram dose for at least a week.
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible within the same day. If a day has passed, skip the missed dose and continue your regular schedule. Don’t double doses to make up for a missed one.
Liraglutide for weight loss side effects and warnings
If you have side effects from liraglutide for weight loss when using Saxenda, you’ll likely experience nausea, diarrhea, constipation, vomiting, a reaction at the injection site, headache, dyspepsia, dizziness, fatigue, abdominal pain, flatulence, insomnia, or dry mouth. Side effects, especially nausea, may improve as you continue taking the medication.
Serious side effects, though rare, may include acute pancreatitis, acute gallbladder disease, increased risk of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), increased heart rate, and renal impairment.
Saxenda, Victoza, and generic liraglutide have an FDA-boxed warning for an increased risk of thyroid C-cell tumors (thyroid cancer). All are contraindicated in people with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) and people with multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2).
If you take liraglutide and experience any side effects, work with your provider and consider reporting negative side effects to the FDA by visiting MedWatch or calling 1-800-FDA-1088.
What does liraglutide cost for weight loss?
The costs of 5 3 milliliter pens of subcutaneous solution of liraglutide and its brand names on drugs.com with its discount are:
• Saxenda: $1,430.01 for 5 3-milliliter pen
• Victoza: $581.81 for 2 3-milliliter pens or $867.98 for 3 3-milliliter pens
• Generic liraglutide (generic for Victoza): $536.17 for 2 3-millileter pens or $799.50 for 3 3-milliliter pens
Novo Nordisk offers a Saxenda savings card that lets eligible people pay as little as $25 for a 28-day supply of Saxenda.
With or without insurance, you can save up to 80% by using a prescription or drug discount card from GoodRx, SingleCareRx, drugs.com, WellRx, NeedyMeds, and similar sites.
How does liraglutide compare to other weight-loss medications?
Other weight loss medications have different active ingredients. Wegovy uses semaglutide compared to Saxenda’s liraglutide. Semaglutide is a different type of GLP-1 agonist medication with a longer duration than liraglutide. It’s proven in studies to lead to greater average weight loss compared to liraglutide. A 2022 critical review reported that, on average, participants taking semaglutide experienced a 15.8% change in body weight compared to 6.4% in those taking liraglutide. Semaglutide is injected weekly compared to liraglutide’s daily injections.
Another type of weight loss medication is tirzepatide sold as brand name Zepbound for weight loss. It targets GLP-1 and GIP receptors, making it a dual agonist that offers better metabolic regulation. There’s little research that compares liraglutide and tirzepatide, but in a 2024 study of tirzepatide vs semaglutide, tirzepatide was reported to result in greater weight loss benefits after 1 year of treatment.
Wegovy and Zepbound are FDA-approved for weight loss or weight management in people with obesity and overweight when used with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity. Both have side effects that may include, but aren’t limited to, nausea, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, and headaches. They also have potentially serious side effects and an FDA-boxed warning for a risk of thyroid C-cell tumors.
The best way to find out which weight loss medication, if any, is right for you is to talk to a weight loss provider.
Learn more about
Saxenda vs Wegovy
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Reviews from real patients who received treatment from healthcare providers on Klarity Health.
Why choose a provider on Klarity Health?
Choose from a growing list of licensed, board-certified providers.
Have an appointment in as little as 24 hours.*
No insurance needed — get reimbursed from insurance or use your FSA or HSA.
How it works
Choose the right provider for you
Providers on Klarity Health are licensed, board-certified, and offer a personalized approach to your unique weight-loss needs. See detailed profiles for each provider and find an approach that’s best for you. (Costs for treatment options may vary.)
Have your initial patient visit
Your journey to losing weight starts with an initial consultation Your provider will go over your goals and medical history to recommend a program that’s right for you and may or may not include prescription medication.
Work with your provider on your progress
Your initial consultation is just the beginning. You and your provider will follow up to make sure you’re doing okay and that you’re reaching your goals. You stay on track with easy medication refills and ongoing support from your provider.
Access 24×7 support from Klarity Health
If you have questions or need assistance, the Klarity Health Patient Support team is there to help. Along with your provider, they’re committed to making sure you have the best care and support throughout your weight loss journey.
FAQs about liraglutide for weight loss
Learn more about liraglutide and weight loss medications
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*Appointments are generally available within 24 hours. Free initial consultations are available only with select providers. Prescriptions, particularly for controlled substances, may require an in-person evaluation depending on the state of residence and current federal regulations.
The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. Controlled substances may not be appropriate for all patients and any mention of these medications is for educational purposes only, not for marketing or encouraging self-diagnosis. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare professional with any questions or concerns you have regarding your health. Providers on Klarity Health are independent practitioners with clinical autonomy. Nothing in this article is intended to diagnose or treat any condition, including guaranteeing prescription medication of any kind or dosage. Not all providers on Klarity Health prescribe all medications, particularly medications that are controlled substances.
If you’re having a mental health crisis or experiencing a psychiatric emergency, it’s crucial to seek immediate help from a mental healthcare professional, such as a psychiatrist, psychologist, or therapist. You can also call your local emergency services, visit your nearest emergency room, or contact a crisis hotline, such as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, by calling or texting 988 or dialing the Lifeline’s previous phone number, 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255) in the U.S.
All professional services are provided by independent private practices via the Klarity technology platform. Klarity Health, Inc. does not provide medical services.
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All professional services are provided by independent private practices via the Klarity technology platform. Klarity Health, Inc. does not provide medical services.
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