Is Liraglutide Still Used? Who Takes Victoza and Saxenda in 2026
Yes. Liraglutide is still prescribed in 2026, but almost entirely as the generic: 47,040 Medicare Part D beneficiaries filled 195,236 generic claims in 2025, about $92.1 million, while brand Victoza use fell to a few thousand beneficiaries.
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Yes, liraglutide is still prescribed and dispensed in the United States in 2026 — but almost entirely as the generic, not as the brand names Victoza or Saxenda. In Medicare Part D in 2025, generic liraglutide was filled for 47,040 beneficiaries across 195,236 claims, with total spending of $92,147,458.85 — about $92.1 million [2]. Brand Victoza, by contrast, was down to a few thousand beneficiaries: 3,532 for the 2-Pak and 3,278 for the 3-Pak [2].
The people still using it fall into a few groups. The Part D data describes liraglutide as a type 2 diabetes drug, used for blood sugar control and to lower the risk of heart attack, stroke, or cardiovascular death in people with type 2 diabetes and heart disease [2]. The FDA label also covers children aged 10 and older with type 2 diabetes [7]. And in Medicaid, the weight-management brand Saxenda still shows up in spending data, though its use dropped sharply [4].
How fast did the switch from brand Victoza to generic happen?
Very fast. Generic liraglutide first appears in the Medicare Part D data in 2024, with two manufacturers reporting claims [3]. By 2025, four manufacturers were reporting: Teva, Hikma, Meitheal, and Lupin [2].
| Product (Part D) | 2023 spending | 2023 beneficiaries | 2024 spending | 2024 beneficiaries | 2025 spending | 2025 beneficiaries |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Victoza 3-Pak | $1,004,635,145.20 | 142,213 | $203,063,050.37 | 62,754 | $4,910,221.87 | 3,278 |
| Victoza 2-Pak | $317,213,565.47 | 83,777 | $77,832,721.14 | 41,126 | $3,442,238.65 | 3,532 |
| Generic liraglutide | — | — | $48,095,824.39 | 24,405 | $92,147,458.85 | 47,040 |
Sources: [3] for 2023–2024, [2] for 2025.
In one year, brand Victoza 3-Pak went from 142,213 beneficiaries to 62,754 — a drop of more than half — and then fell again in 2025 [3][2]. The average spending per dosage unit fell 32.1% for the 3-Pak and 27.8% for the 2-Pak from 2023 to 2024 [3]. Generic spending per claim also fell, from $772.57 in 2024 to $471.98 in 2025 [3][2]. The CMS data reports spending only; it does not state what drove these changes.
Teva is the largest generic supplier by far. In 2025, Teva accounted for 141,288 of the 195,236 generic Part D claims [2].
| Manufacturer (generic, Part D 2025) | Beneficiaries | Claims | Total spending |
|---|---|---|---|
| Teva | 39,060 | 141,288 | $59,252,207.81 |
| Hikma | 13,023 | 41,706 | $23,595,533.36 |
| Meitheal | 5,414 | 11,671 | $8,908,882.47 |
| Lupin | 525 | 571 | $390,835.21 |
Source: [2].
Why would a doctor prescribe liraglutide instead of semaglutide or tirzepatide?
One clear pattern in the data is generic availability. Four manufacturers — Teva, Hikma, Meitheal, and Lupin — were dispensing generic liraglutide in large volume in the 2025 Part D data [2]. The CMS datasets used here are filtered to liraglutide, so they show only liraglutide rows; they cannot answer whether generic versions of Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, or Zepbound exist. That would need to be checked against separate data.
A second reason is the pediatric indication. Victoza is FDA-approved as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults and pediatric patients aged 10 years and older with type 2 diabetes [7]. The label also carries an indication to reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events in adults with type 2 diabetes and established cardiovascular disease [7].
A third reason is coverage. The Part D data describes liraglutide’s use in type 2 diabetes, including lowering cardiovascular risk in people with type 2 diabetes and heart disease [2]. Saxenda, the weight-management version of liraglutide, does not appear in the Part D liraglutide dataset at all — it shows up only in the Medicaid data [4][2].
What does liraglutide cost under insurance?
In Medicare Part D, average spending per generic liraglutide claim was $471.98 in 2025, down from $772.57 in 2024 [2][3]. That figure is what plans and beneficiaries together paid per claim as reported to CMS — it is not a cash price and not what any individual patient paid at the counter [2]. The CMS datasets used here contain spending figures for liraglutide products only, so they cannot be used to compare liraglutide’s cost against semaglutide or tirzepatide.
For pharmacy-level prices, CMS publishes the NADAC file — a weekly reference list of national average drug acquisition costs, updated most recently on September 8, 2026, with 1,088,173 rows [5]. NADAC lists a per-unit price with a pricing unit (such as mL for injectables), an effective date, and a generic-versus-brand classification code [5]. NADAC does not publish monthly-supply dollar figures; any per-carton or per-month cost would be a calculation from the per-unit price times the labeled dosing, and must be identified as a calculation rather than a published price [5].
Cash and discount-card prices are not part of the CMS datasets described here. Any cash price would need to be checked directly at a pharmacy, since prices vary by pharmacy and location.
Does Medicare Part D cover liraglutide?
Yes — for the diabetes product. The Part D data shows large-volume coverage of generic liraglutide and small residual coverage of brand Victoza, with the drug-use text describing type 2 diabetes glycemic control and cardiovascular risk reduction in type 2 diabetes with heart disease [2]. There is nothing in this dataset to suggest Part D coverage of liraglutide for weight loss: Saxenda does not appear in the Part D liraglutide data at all [2].
Does Medicaid cover Saxenda or generic liraglutide?
Medicaid data shows spending on all three versions of the drug. Saxenda spending fell from $129,453,415.42 — about $129.5 million — across 107,319 claims in 2023 to $38,439,281.57 — about $38.4 million — across 33,533 claims in 2024 [4]. Generic liraglutide appeared in the Medicaid data for the first time in 2024, with $30,970,808.09 in spending across 53,174 claims from two manufacturers [4].
| Product (Medicaid) | 2023 spending | 2023 claims | 2024 spending | 2024 claims |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saxenda | $129,453,415.42 | 107,319 | $38,439,281.57 | 33,533 |
| Victoza 3-Pak | $387,006,880.19 | 328,365 | $148,260,914.69 | 180,217 |
| Victoza 2-Pak | $197,990,999.33 | 246,917 | $77,349,117.53 | 134,235 |
| Generic liraglutide | — | — | $30,970,808.09 | 53,174 |
Source: [4].
The Medicaid data records spending on Saxenda, the weight-management brand [4].
Can children and teenagers take liraglutide?
Victoza is labeled for pediatric patients aged 10 years and older with type 2 diabetes, as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control [7]. The label’s pediatric dosing instructions start at 0.6 mg injected once daily for at least one week; if more glycemic control is needed, the dose may be increased to 1.2 mg daily, and then to 1.8 mg daily after at least one week at 1.2 mg [7]. That is what the FDA label states — it is not a suggestion for any particular patient.
The label notes that in pediatric patients aged 10 and older, the risk of hypoglycemia was higher with Victoza regardless of insulin or metformin use [7]. A randomized trial of liraglutide in children and adolescents with type 2 diabetes has been published [8].
The Saxenda prescribing label was not available for review here, so no statement is made about Saxenda’s approved age range.
How does liraglutide compare with semaglutide and tirzepatide on weight loss?
A systematic review and network meta-analysis of phase 3 randomized trials — 24 RCTs included, 23 eligible for the network analysis, in adults with BMI of 25 kg/m² or higher and at least 52 weeks of treatment — found that all active treatments reduced body weight, waist circumference, and BMI versus placebo [1]. At the approved weight-management doses studied, liraglutide 3.0 mg yielded the smallest weight loss among the active treatments, while tirzepatide 15 mg ranked highest for weight and waist-circumference reduction [1]. Semaglutide 7.2 mg ranked above semaglutide 2.4 mg on all efficacy endpoints, with an incremental benefit of roughly 2 to 3 percentage points, and a significant advantage in percentage body-weight change only in the diabetes subgroup [1]. The analysis noted considerable heterogeneity for efficacy outcomes [1].
Is liraglutide easier on the stomach than the newer GLP-1s?
No — the evidence points the other way. In that same network meta-analysis, liraglutide was associated with a higher risk of any adverse events and a higher risk of discontinuation due to adverse events compared with the newer agents [1]. There were no significant between-treatment differences in serious adverse events, and tirzepatide was associated with a higher risk of injection-site reactions [1].
The Victoza label lists the most common adverse reactions (incidence of 5% or more) as nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, decreased appetite, dyspepsia, and constipation [7]. Other labeled warnings include acute pancreatitis, hypoglycemia, acute kidney injury from volume depletion, severe gastrointestinal reactions (Victoza is not recommended in severe gastroparesis), hypersensitivity reactions, gallbladder disease, and pulmonary aspiration during anesthesia or deep sedation [7].
Victoza also carries a boxed warning: liraglutide causes thyroid C-cell tumors in rats and mice, and it is not known whether it causes such tumors, including medullary thyroid carcinoma, in humans. The drug is contraindicated in anyone with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or with Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 [7].
Is Victoza being discontinued, and is there a shortage?
That could not be confirmed. The FDA drug-shortage database entry for liraglutide injection could not be retrieved, so neither a discontinuation date for Saxenda nor a supply status for Victoza can be reported. What the claims data does show is that brand Victoza use has shrunk to a small fraction of its former volume — 3,278 beneficiaries for the 3-Pak in 2025, down from 142,213 in 2023 — while the generic has taken over [2][3].
What do the spending numbers mean for what you actually pay?
Less than they might seem. The CMS “average spending per claim” figures — like the $471.98 for generic liraglutide in 2025 — combine plan spending and beneficiary spending as reported to CMS [2]. They are not cash prices, not copays, and not an estimate of any one person’s out-of-pocket cost. Two people on the same drug in the same year can pay very different amounts depending on their plan, deductible, and pharmacy.
What is liraglutide like to take, according to the label?
Liraglutide is a once-daily subcutaneous injection. The Victoza pen is a 6 mg/mL solution in a prefilled, single-patient-use pen that delivers doses of 0.6 mg, 1.2 mg, or 1.8 mg [7]. For adults, the label says to start at 0.6 mg once daily for one week, then increase to 1.2 mg daily; if more glycemic control is needed, the dose may be increased to 1.8 mg daily after one week at 1.2 mg [7]. The label states that coadministration with other liraglutide-containing products is not recommended [7]. These are label facts, not guidance for any reader — dosing decisions belong with a prescriber.
Sources
- PubMed. Analysis of the efficacy and safety of liraglutide, semaglutide, and tirzepatide for the treatment of overweight and obesity: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.
- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Medicare Part D drug spending data for liraglutide, 2025.
- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Drug spending and utilization dataset for liraglutide, 2020-2023.
- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Drug spending and utilization dataset for liraglutide, 2020-2024.
- Medicaid.gov. NADAC (National Average Drug Acquisition Cost) 2026. Updated September 8, 2026.
- PMC. Pharmacologic Approaches to Glycemic Treatment: Standards of Care in Diabetes—2026.
- DailyMed. VICTOZA (liraglutide) injection drug label information. Updated October 14, 2025.
- PubMed. Liraglutide in Children and Adolescents with Type 2 Diabetes.
- DailyMed. SAXENDA (liraglutide) injection, solution drug label information. Updated February 25, 2026.
- JAMA. Effect of Weekly Subcutaneous Semaglutide vs Daily Liraglutide on Body Weight in Adults With Overweight or Obesity Without Diabetes: The STEP 8 Randomized Clinical Trial.
- PubMed. Generic Liraglutide - Overlooked but Not Forgotten.
- PubMed. Glycemia Reduction in Type 2 Diabetes - Glycemic Outcomes.
- PubMed. Glycemia Reduction in Type 2 Diabetes - Microvascular and Cardiovascular Outcomes.
- US Food and Drug Administration. Drug shortage details for liraglutide injection.
- PMC. Obesity and Weight Management for the Prevention and Treatment of Diabetes: Standards of Care in Diabetes—2026.
- GoodRx. Liraglutide (Victoza) 2026 Prices, Coupons & Savings Tips.
- SingleCare. Liraglutide Coupons 2026: Up to 80% Discount - How Much Does Liraglutide Cost?
Frequently asked questions
Is liraglutide discontinued or still available in the US?
It is still dispensed. In Medicare Part D in 2025, generic liraglutide was filled for 47,040 beneficiaries across 195,236 claims, with four manufacturers reporting. Brand Victoza use has shrunk to a few thousand beneficiaries. Any FDA shortage or discontinuation status could not be verified.
Is there a generic for Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro or Zepbound yet?
The CMS datasets used here are filtered to liraglutide, so they show only liraglutide rows — four generic manufacturers (Teva, Hikma, Meitheal, and Lupin) reported Part D claims in 2025. They cannot answer whether generic versions of semaglutide or tirzepatide brands exist; that would need to be checked against separate data.
Is generic liraglutide cheaper than semaglutide?
The federal spending data used here covers liraglutide products only, so it cannot answer that comparison. What it does show is average Part D spending per generic liraglutide claim of $471.98 in 2025, down from $772.57 in 2024 — a figure that combines plan and beneficiary spending reported to CMS, not a cash price or copay.
Does Medicare Part D cover liraglutide?
Yes, for the diabetes product. Part D data shows 47,040 beneficiaries on generic liraglutide in 2025, with the drug-use text describing type 2 diabetes glycemic control and cardiovascular risk reduction in type 2 diabetes with heart disease. Saxenda does not appear in the Part D liraglutide dataset.
Does Medicaid cover Saxenda or generic liraglutide?
Medicaid spending data includes Saxenda — about $38.4 million across 33,533 claims in 2024, down from about $129.5 million in 2023 — plus generic liraglutide at $30,970,808.09 in its first year.
How much weight do people lose on liraglutide compared with semaglutide and tirzepatide?
In a network meta-analysis of 24 randomized trials, all active treatments reduced body weight versus placebo, but liraglutide 3.0 mg yielded the smallest weight loss among active treatments, while tirzepatide 15 mg ranked highest for weight and waist reduction.
Is liraglutide easier on the stomach than the newer GLP-1s?
No. The network meta-analysis found liraglutide was associated with higher risk of any adverse events and higher discontinuation due to adverse events versus the newer agents, though serious adverse events did not differ significantly between treatments. The Victoza label lists nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting among the most common reactions.
Can teenagers or children take liraglutide?
Victoza is FDA-approved for glycemic control in adults and pediatric patients aged 10 years and older with type 2 diabetes. The label notes higher hypoglycemia risk in pediatric patients aged 10 and older regardless of insulin or metformin use, and the drug carries a boxed warning about thyroid C-cell tumors, with contraindications for medullary thyroid carcinoma history or MEN 2.
This article summarizes FDA labeling, published research and company information current as of September 14, 2026. It is not medical advice and does not replace a conversation with your own healthcare provider. How we research and verify.