Generic Saxenda Is Here: What Liraglutide Costs in 2026
Market snapshot: In August 2025, Teva launched the first generic version of Saxenda (liraglutide) — making it the first generic GLP-1 specifically approved for weight loss. Pricing starts around $370/month at retail with discount cards. It's a milestone, but compounded semaglutide at $99/mo and brand-name oral pills at $149/mo may still be better deals.
Generic liraglutide is the first crack in the brand-name GLP-1 monopoly for weight loss. Teva Pharmaceuticals launched it in August 2025, and Meitheal Pharmaceuticals followed with their own version. Here's what you need to know.
Generic Liraglutide Pricing
| Option | Monthly Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Brand Saxenda | $1,300–$1,800/mo | Cash price without insurance |
| Generic liraglutide (Teva) | ~$370–$1,165/mo | Varies by pharmacy and dose. GoodRx shows from $372. |
| Generic liraglutide (Meitheal) | Similar range | Expanding distribution in 2026 |
| With Teva savings program | $20 copay | For eligible insured patients |
| Liraglutide (still on shortage list) | — | Injection formulation remains on FDA shortage list |
How Liraglutide Compares to Other GLP-1s
Liraglutide (Saxenda) was the first GLP-1 approved for weight loss (2014), but it's been surpassed in efficacy by newer medications:
| Medication | Weight Loss (Trials) | Dosing | Cheapest Access |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liraglutide (Saxenda/generic) | ~8% at 56 weeks | Daily injection | ~$370/mo generic |
| Semaglutide (Wegovy) | ~15% at 68 weeks | Weekly injection or daily pill | $99/mo compounded, $149/mo pill |
| Tirzepatide (Zepbound) | ~22.5% at 72 weeks | Weekly injection | $133/mo compounded, $299/mo LillyDirect |
| Orforglipron (Foundayo) | ~12.4% at 72 weeks | Daily pill, no food restrictions | $149/mo LillyDirect |
Generic liraglutide is historically significant as the first generic GLP-1 for weight loss — but at ~$370/mo with roughly half the efficacy of semaglutide, it's hard to recommend as a first choice. Compounded semaglutide at $99/mo (GobyMeds) or brand-name Wegovy pill at $149/mo both cost less and produce more weight loss. The main use case for generic liraglutide is patients whose insurance covers it at a low copay when other GLP-1s are excluded.
When Will Generic Semaglutide and Tirzepatide Arrive?
Not for a long time:
- Generic semaglutide: Patent protection extends well past 2030. No generic expected before the mid-2030s.
- Generic tirzepatide: Patent protection extends past 2036.
- Generic orforglipron (Foundayo): Just launched April 2026 — generic is many years away.
The generic Saxenda launch is a proof of concept — it shows that GLP-1 generics will eventually arrive for the more effective compounds. But "eventually" means 8–10+ years for semaglutide and tirzepatide.
Who Should Consider Generic Liraglutide?
Generic liraglutide makes sense in a narrow set of circumstances: your insurance covers it at a favorable copay tier while excluding other GLP-1s, you've tried semaglutide or tirzepatide and had intolerable side effects (liraglutide's side effect profile is slightly different), or your physician specifically recommends it for your clinical situation.
For most patients starting GLP-1 treatment in 2026, semaglutide (compounded or brand-name oral) offers better efficacy at a comparable or lower price point.
Compare Verified Providers
GobyMeds
$99/mo sema / $133/mo tirz
Lowest verified pricing. LegitScript, 503A+503B. Code x7X72r saves $25.
Learn More Paid linkCompounded medications are not FDA-approved.
SkinnyRx
$149/mo
Three delivery formats. Oral GLP-1 angle with sublingual + tablet options.
Learn More Paid linkCompounded medications are not FDA-approved.
Embody
$149 first / $299 refills
Physician-supervised injectable semaglutide.
Learn More Paid linkCompounded medications are not FDA-approved.
Gala GLP-1
$179/mo flat
No dose-tier increases. Predictable cost at every level.
Learn More Paid linkCompounded medications are not FDA-approved.
Compare All GLP-1 Providers Side by Side
See pricing, medications, and ratings for verified telehealth providers.
View Provider Comparison →Sources
- Teva Pharmaceuticals: Generic Saxenda launch announcement, August 2025.
- GoodRx: Generic liraglutide pricing, verified May 2026.
- Pi-Sunyer et al. SCALE trial: liraglutide 3.0mg efficacy data.
- Wilding et al. STEP 1 trial: semaglutide efficacy data. NEJM.
- Jastreboff et al. SURMOUNT-1 trial: tirzepatide efficacy data. NEJM.
Affiliate Disclosure: Some links on this page are paid affiliate links. If you sign up through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. This does not influence our editorial content or sourcing.
Medical Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
FDA Notice: Compounded medications referenced in this article are not FDA-approved. Only brand-name GLP-1 medications (Wegovy, Zepbound, Ozempic, Mounjaro, Foundayo) carry FDA approval for their indicated uses.