Saxenda shortage: how to find the drug and alternatives to consider

If you recently tried to fill your Saxenda (liraglutide) prescription only to find it unavailable, you’re not alone. The injectable weight loss medication is currently hard to come by thanks to a widespread Saxenda shortage. The reason for the limited (to no) supply? Increasing demand for the drug. 

But given the seemingly ever-growing popularity of weight loss drugs, especially GLP-1s like Saxenda and Wegovy, you may very well wonder if the Saxenda shortage will ever end. While we can’t predict the future, we can provide a few strategies for scoring your medication even when it’s in short supply. Read on as we share the latest on Saxenda’s availability and share tips for finding Saxenda in stock near you. 

Yes, there currently is a shortage of Saxenda—at least at the time of publication.  

According to the Drug Shortages database managed by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Saxenda is categorized as being in “Limited Availability” and will continue to be so until “TBD.” The same can be said of Victoza, which also contains liraglutide as its active ingredient and is approved for type 2 diabetes. Given this information, it may not be all surprising to learn that liraglutide is listed as “Currently in Shortage,” according to the FDA. As is the case with so many other medications these days, a low (or no) supply is not exactly a new issue.  

Saxenda comes in 6 mg/3 mL pens, which deliver doses of 0.6 mg, 1.2 mg, 1.8 mg, 2.4 mg, and 3 mg. As the medication comes in a single pen, all dosage strengths of Saxenda are currently in shortage. 

In the words of the FDA? “Demand Increase for the Drug” is the reason for the current Saxenda shortage. In essence, this means that demand is outpacing supply. Novo Nordisk, the maker of Saxenda, shares on their website that the increased demand for weight loss medications in general has impacted the availability of the medication. 

According to a study by Blue Health Intelligence, the research arm of the insurance company Blue Cross Blue Shield, Saxenda was the only glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) medication meant to be prescribed for weight loss from 2014 to 2021. During that time, use of Saxenda was fairly consistent, with fewer than 6,000 people starting the medication each year. Then Wegovy (semaglutide) entered the market in 2021, Zepbound (tirzepatide) launched in 2023, and the number of people using these weight loss medications increased by over 2,000% in just three years. 

There is no end date listed for the Saxenda shortage on the FDA Drug Shortages database. 

On their website, Novo Nordisk says they continue to produce and ship all available Saxenda, but the drug maker expects the shortage to continue for the foreseeable future. To stay up to date on the shortage—and find out when Saxenda will be readily available again—you can search for the drug’s active ingredient “liraglutide” on the FDA Drug Shortages website. You can also use Ro’s GLP-1 Supply Tracker to be notified when Saxenda gets back in stock near you.

While the Saxenda shortage continues, follow these tips to find Saxenda in stock near you.

Call different pharmacies in your area

If the supply of Saxenda at your go-to pharmacy becomes unreliable, try calling other local pharmacies to see whether they have the drug in stock. If they do, you may be able to transfer your Rx. When contacting nearby pharmacies, consider asking if they offer or know of other locations that offer home delivery. If so, you may be able to expand your search radius even larger. 

Try online pharmacies and tools

When faced with a Saxenda shortage, ordering your prescription through an online pharmacy may be an effective way to get your dose. Plus, online pharmacies often offer free shipping. You can also try a weight loss program such as Ro Body, which provides personalized coaching,  a prescription for a GLP-1 medication (if appropriate), and a health insurance concierge that helps secure coverage. 

Ro’s free GLP-1 Supply Tracker can also help you if you’re struggling to score Saxenda. Free and accessible to all (read: not just Ro patients), the tool can help you track drugs that are currently in short supply, report shortages to the FDA, and receive updates when supply becomes available nearby. You can also join the r/liraglutide community on Reddit, where users often share tips for finding Saxenda in stock. If in doubt regarding whether a suggestion is safe, check with your healthcare provider.

Order ahead 

During a shortage, it’s a good idea to fill your prescription earlier than usual. This may help you get ahead of delays that typically occur with a Saxenda shortage; it may also allow you more time to find a new pharmacy if Saxenda is out of stock.

Ask about two- or three-month supplies

While the default prescription for Saxenda is a month's supply, you may be able to get two- and three-month supplies of Saxenda, depending on the pharmacy and your insurance. 

Having access to a longer supply may help you avoid any gaps in your treatment that could occur due to Saxenda shortage and lack of supply. 

If you’re worried about filling your prescription during a Saxenda shortage, consider asking your healthcare provider about alternatives to Saxenda. 

Saxenda is one of several weight loss drugs, including injectable GLP-1 medications and weight loss pills that work in different ways. There are also other GLP-1 medications that may be prescribed off-label for weight loss, even though they are FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes. Almost all of these Saxenda alternatives listed below are more affordable than Saxenda. The one exception is Wegovy, which has the same list price as Saxenda of $1,349.02.

1. Wegovy (semaglutide)

Wegovy (semaglutide) is a GLP-1 medication for weight loss that is FDA-approved to treat obesity and overweight in combination with diet and exercise. It works by slowing digestion and increasing feelings of fullness in the brain, leading you to eat less. Wegovy is also FDA-approved to lower cardiovascular risk in people with established heart disease and obesity or overweight. Like Saxenda, Wegovy is an injectable medication for weight loss. However, Wegovy differs from Saxenda in that it is injected once a week, as opposed to daily like Saxenda.

Cost: The list price of Wegovy is $1,349.02 for a 4-week supply. With the Wegovy Savings Card, you may be able to get Wegovy for free for a limited amount of time if you have commercial drug insurance that covers Wegovy. 

Current availability: At the time of publication, all dosage strengths of Wegovy are available, according to the FDA Drug Shortages database. However, the active ingredient, semaglutide, is still considered to be in shortage, so patients may still have difficulty filling their prescriptions.

2. Zepbound (tirzepatide)

Zepbound (tirzepatide) is a combination GLP-1/GIP medication for weight loss that also slows down digestion and enhances satiety, leading to a lower caloric intake. It is FDA-approved to treat obesity and overweight in combination with diet and exercise. Zepbound is injected once weekly. 

Cost: The list price of Zepbound is $1,059.87 for a 4-week supply. With the Zepbound Savings Card, you can get Zepbound for as low as $25 (if you have commercial drug insurance with coverage for Zepbound) or as low as $650 (if you have commercial drug insurance but without coverage for Zepbound).

Current availability: At the time of publication, all dosage strengths of Zepbound are available, according to the FDA Drug Shortages database. However, the active ingredient (tirzepatide) was recently in shortage as of October 2024, so patients may still have difficulty filling their prescription. The supply of Zepbound at any particular pharmacy may still be inconsistent due to supply chain issues.

3. Qsymia (phentermine/topiramate)

Qsymia (phentermine/topiramate) is a prescription appetite suppressant that is FDA-approved for chronic weight management when combined with diet and exercise. Qsymia works by decreasing appetite and binge eating behavior. Qsymia is taken daily in the morning. It contains phentermine, which is a controlled substance, so it carries a risk of dependence and abuse. 

Cost: Without insurance, the average cost of Qsymia is $243.08 for a 30-day supply, according to GoodRx, though this can vary depending on where you live. With insurance, the average cost is $80 with the Qsymia Savings Card. If you don’t have insurance, you may be able to get Qsymia for $98, plus shipping and handling, through the Qsymia Engage program.

 Current availability: As of publication, there is no drug shortage affecting Qsymia.

4. Contrave (naltrexone/bupropion)

Contrave (naltrexone/bupropion) is another prescription weight loss pill that is FDA-approved for chronic weight management in combination with diet and exercise. It works by decreasing appetite and food cravings. Contrave is taken twice daily, once in the morning and once at night. 

Cost: Without insurance, the average cost of Contrave is $700–$800 for a 30-day supply. With the Contrave Coupon Savings Card, you can get Contrave for as low as $20 if your insurance covers Contrave. If you don’t have insurance or pay cash for your prescriptions, the Contrave Coupon Savings Card brings the cost down to $199. The Contrave CurAccess Program offers free home shipping of Contrave for $99 per month.

Current availability: As of publication, there is no drug shortage affecting Contrave.

5. Xenical (orlistat)

Xenical (orlistat) is a prescription weight loss pill that is FDA-approved for weight loss in combination with diet and exercise. It’s also approved to reduce the risk of regaining weight after prior weight loss. Xenical works by reducing the amount of fat your body absorbs from the food that you eat. It is taken three times a day with a meal containing fat. 

The active ingredient in Xenical, orlistat, is also available as a lower-strength over-the-counter medication called Alli.

Cost: Without insurance, the average cost of Xenical is $466 for a 30-day supply. There is a generic version of Xenical, which may be cheaper.

Current availability: As of publication, there is no drug shortage affecting Xenical.

6. Compounded semaglutide

Compounded semaglutide contains the same active ingredient as Wegovy. Compounded medications differ from brand-name drugs in that they are made by specialized compounding pharmacies either to suit the needs of a particular patient or to increase supply during a drug shortage. These medications do not undergo the same FDA testing and approval process, but they are legal, and the pharmacies that produce them must comply with federal and state laws. 

Cost: If you qualify, Ro offers compounded semaglutide starting at $249 for the first month; from there, the medication costs $299 monthly. 

Current availability: Compounded semaglutide through Ro is currently available, though availability may differ if you fill your Rx elsewhere. 

7. Other GLP-1 medications

The FDA has approved several other injectable GLP-1 medications for type 2 diabetes. However, many of these diabetes medications can also cause weight loss, leading healthcare professionals to prescribe them off-label for weight loss. Ask your healthcare provider if Ozempic, Mounjaro, Trulicity, or Victoza could be a good Saxenda alternative for you. 

For example, Victoza and Saxenda contain the same active ingredient, liraglutide. However, Victoza comes in lower dosage strengths and produces less weight loss than Saxenda. In clinical trials, people taking Victoza lost about 2–2.5% of their body weight after one year, compared to the 5–7.5% weight loss that’s typical with Saxenda.

Cost:

• Ozempic: The list price of Ozempic is about $968.52 for a 4-week supply. If you have commercial or private insurance with coverage for Ozempic, you can fill your Rx for as low as $25 for a limited time with the Ozempic Savings Card.

• Mounjaro: The list price of Mounjaro is $1,069.08 for a 4-week supply. If you have commercial drug insurance, you can fill your Rx of Mounjaro for as low as $25 (if your plan covers Mounjaro, also for a limited time) or save up to $473 for each refill (if your plan does not cover Mounjaro) for a set number of refills, with the Mounjaro Savings Card.

• Trulicity: The list price of Trulicity is $977.42 per month. With insurance, the cost of Trulicity ranges from $0 to $239 per month. If you have commercial drug insurance and your plan includes coverage for Trulicity, you can fill Trulicity for $25 per month with the Trulicity Savings Card. 

• Victoza: The list price of Victoza is $543.51–$815.27, depending on the dosage strength.

Current availability:

• Ozempic: At the time of publication, all dosage strengths of Ozempic are available, according to the FDA Drug Shortages database. But the active ingredient, semaglutide, is still considered in shortage, which could make filling prescriptions difficult. 

• Mounjaro: At the time of publication, all dosage strengths of Mounjaro are available, according to the FDA Drug Shortages database. That being said, there can always be supply issues at a particular pharmacy, even if the problem is not widespread.

• Trulicity: At the time of publication, all dosage strengths of Trulicity are available, according to the FDA Drug Shortages database. However, the active ingredient (dulaglutide) is still considered to be in shortage, so patients may have difficulty filling their prescriptions at this time.

• Victoza: At the time of publication, Victoza is currently in shortage with an estimated end date of “TBD,” according to the FDA Drug Shortages database. However, a generic version of Victoza is available.

You shouldn’t stop taking Saxenda without first talking to your healthcare provider. If the Saxenda shortage disrupts your treatment, consult your prescribing provider as soon as possible. They may be able to help you fill your prescription or direct you to a pharmacy that has Saxenda in stock near you. Or they may have you get started on an alternative medication. 

Saxenda has a short half-life of only 13 hours, which is why it is important to avoid any disruptions in treatment, if possible. (Sometimes, a Saxenda shortage can make that difficult.) It may take longer for the drug to fully flush out of your system, at which point you may experience some weight regain. You should also notice that any side effects you might’ve been experiencing go away.

If you do have to stop Saxenda, do your best to keep up with the lifestyle changes you started during treatment, such as improving your diet and physical activity. These changes can help you prevent weight regain until you get started on a new treatment plan.

• Currently, there is a Saxenda shortage with no predicted end date. During the shortage, patients may have difficulty filling their Saxenda prescriptions.

• The short supply of Saxenda is due to the high demand for the drug, along with other weight loss medicines. 

• You may still be able to find Saxenda during a shortage, even if your pharmacy experiences supply issues. Try calling around to other local pharmacies, switching to an online pharmacy, or using online tools to get updated on Saxenda availability.

• If the ongoing shortage of Saxenda disrupts your treatment, talk to your healthcare provider as soon as possible. They may want to switch you to a Saxenda alternative such as Weegovy or Zepbound. 

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How we reviewed this article

Every article on Health Guide goes through rigorous fact-checking by our team of medical reviewers. Our reviewers are trained medical professionals who ensure each article contains the most up-to-date information, and that medical details have been correctly interpreted by the writer.

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Current version

November 26, 2024

Written by

Amelia Willson

Fact checked by

Raagini Yedidi, MD

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About the medical reviewer

Raagini Yedidi, MD

Raagini Yedidi, MD, is an internal medicine resident and medical reviewer for Ro.