How to get Saxenda online for weight loss 

Saxenda (liraglutide) is a popular prescription medication for weight loss. If you’re considering taking it, you may be wondering how to see if it’s right for you and where to get a prescription online. In this article, learn everything you need to know about how to get Saxenda online in 6 simple steps.

Need to lose weight and wondering about medication? Find a provider on Klarity and book an appointment to discuss medication-managed weight loss. 

Step 1: Find an online healthcare provider

The first step to getting Saxenda online is to find a healthcare provider who can prescribe weight loss medications. Saxenda is a prescription drug, meaning you need a valid prescription from a board-certified, licensed healthcare provider to get it. Your provider can prescribe Saxenda if you’re an adult with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or greater (obesity), or 27 or greater (overweight) with at least 1 weight-related health condition. It’s also approved for children 12 and older who weigh over 132 pounds and have a BMI of 30 or greater. 

Providers who can prescribe weight loss drugs, like Saxenda, include licensed physicians (MDs), physician assistants/associates (PAs), and nurse practitioners (NPs). See your current provider or find a weight loss specialist on marketplace services, like Klarity. Providers on Klarity offer comprehensive weight loss support, including medication and treatment plans, online — or in-person, if you prefer. 

Step 2: Meet with your healthcare provider online

The next step to get Saxenda for weight loss online is to meet your healthcare provider in a virtual appointment. 

In your initial appointment, your provider will assess your health and weight loss needs to determine whether weight loss medication, like Saxenda, is right for you. They may also order lab tests that you’ll need to do in person to rule out other diagnoses or issues before prescribing Saxenda. 

Step 3: Get prescribed Saxenda

Step 3 to getting Saxenda online is to get it prescribed. If you meet the FDA-approved criteria for use and your healthcare provider thinks it’s safe and effective for you, they can give you a prescription for Saxenda. 

Step 4: Get a preauthorization if needed

If you have a prescription for Saxenda and want health insurance to cover it, you likely need preauthorization. This is the next step to getting Saxenda online. Preauthorization is a process insurance companies use to lower their costs and make sure a prescribed medication or treatment is medically necessary. 

To get preauthorization (also known as prior authorization), work with your healthcare provider to submit a request to your insurance company. Your provider likely has a process in place for this. They’ll work directly with your insurance company to get your preauthorization request approved. They’ll also help you appeal a prior authorization denial if needed. 

Once you have prior authorization approval, you can get Saxenda with insurance.

Step 5: Understand Saxenda supply challenges

The fifth step to getting Saxenda online is understanding potential supply challenges. You may not be able to get your medication, even if you’re prescribed it, if pharmacies don’t have it in stock. Due to Saxenda’s effectiveness for weight loss, it’s a popular medication and the manufacturer has a hard time keeping up with the demand for it. 

At the time of publication, the FDA lists limited availability of the 6 milligram/milliliter dose of Saxenda. To check for shortages, search the FDA Drug Shortages list for liraglutide, Saxenda’s active ingredient.

Step 6: Get Saxenda at an online or local pharmacy

The final step to getting Saxenda online is to get it from an online or local pharmacy. Online pharmacies will deliver your medication to your door, as will local pharmacies that offer home delivery. Once you have your medication, you can start taking Saxenda.

What if I can’t find Saxenda in stock?

If you can’t find Saxenda in stock, talk to your healthcare provider about what to do. They may know of a pharmacy that has it or suggest alternatives that are readily available. 

One alternative is to get a compounded version of Saxenda — compounded liraglutide. Compounded medications are custom-made for individual patients. While available all the time, many people turn to compounded medications when the brand-name is in shortage. You’ll need a prescription for compounded liraglutide from your healthcare provider to get it.

Other alternatives to Saxenda include weight loss injections Wegovy (semaglutide) and Zepbound (tirzepatide). Compare Wegovy vs Zepbound to find out more.

Key takeaway

Saxenda is a popular prescription medication that may be in shortage or has limited availability. You can get it online in 6 simple steps.

1. Find an online healthcare provider and book an appointment
2. Meet your provider online and be assessed for weight loss medication
3. Get prescribed Saxenda, if it’s safe and appropriate for you
4. Get preauthorization if your health insurance requires it
5. Understand Saxenda supply challenges and that you may have a hard time finding it in stock
6. Get your prescription filled at an online pharmacy or a local one that delivers

If you can’t find Saxenda in stock, there are alternatives you can try. Talk to your healthcare provider about which is right for you.

Talk to a provider about Saxenda in as little as 24 hours

If you’re considering medication to help you lose weight, talk to a medical professional today. You can find a weight loss provider on Klarity and book an appointment to discuss weight loss medication in just a few clicks. And often have an appointment in 24 hours or less.

FAQs about how to get Saxenda online

Is there a shortage of Saxenda?

Yes, the 6 milligram/milliliter dose of Saxenda has limited availability, according to the FDA Drug Shortages list at the time of publication. You can browse the list yourself, just search for Saxenda’s active ingredient, liraglutide.

How much weight can you lose on Saxenda?

You can lose up to 10% of your body weight on Saxenda. In clinical trials, participants taking liraglutide for weight loss lost at least 5%, and sometimes up to 10%, of their starting body weight over 56 weeks.

What are the requirements to qualify for Saxenda?

To qualify for Saxenda, you need to be an adult with a BMI of 30 or greater (obesity), or 27 or greater (overweight) with at least 1 weight-related health condition. It’s also approved for children 12 and older with a body weight over 132 pounds and a BMI of 30 or greater. Saxenda is meant to be used alongside a healthy diet and exercise routine.

How much does a one-month supply of Saxenda cost?

A 1-month supply of Saxenda costs $1,430 on average, according to drugs.com and with its discount card applied. You may pay less with insurance coverage or other savings options, such as coupons. You can get coupons from websites like GoodRx, drugs.com, SingleCareRx, OptumPerks, and WellRx. 

How does Saxenda compare to Wegovy or semaglutide?

Saxenda and Wegovy (semaglutide) are both weight loss injections that are FDA-approved alongside diet and exercise for adults with obesity, or overweight with a weight-related health condition. They’re also approved for use in children 12 and older who meet certain BMI and body weight criteria. 

They have different active ingredients and dosages, but they cost about the same — around $1,430 per month. One key difference is how much weight you can lose on Saxenda vs Wegovy. You can lose up to 14.9% of your starting body weight with Wegovy, compared to up to 10% with Saxenda.

How does Saxenda compare to Zepbound or tirzepatide?

Saxenda and Zepbound (tirzepatide) are both weight loss injections. They’re both approved for adults with a BMI of 30 or greater (obesity), or 27 or greater (overweight) with at least 1-weight related health condition. Saxenda is also approved to treat children over 12 who meet certain weight and BMI criteria. 

When comparing Saxenda vs Zepbound, note that they have different active ingredients and belong to slightly different drug classes. They work similarly, but Zepbound can lead to more weight loss — up to 20.9% of your starting body weight according to clinical trial data. You’ll also pay around $300 less each month for Zepbound.

Sources

Accreditation Council for Medical Affairs, What is Prior Authorization?, Amanda DiMarzo, Dec. 2020, https://www.priorauthtraining.org/prior-authorization/

DailyMed, Label: Saxenda- liraglutide injection solution, https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=3946d389-0926-4f77-a708-0acb8153b143

DailyMed, Label: Wegovy- semaglutide injection solution, https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=ee06186f-2aa3-4990-a760-757579d8f77b

DailyMed, Label: Zepbound- tirzepatide injection solution, https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/lookup.cfm?setid=487cd7e7-434c-4925-99fa-aa80b1cc776b

drugs.com, Saxenda Price Guide, https://www.drugs.com/price-guide/saxenda

drugs.com, Wegovy Price Guide, https://www.drugs.com/price-guide/wegovy

drugs.com, Zepbound Price Guide, https://www.drugs.com/price-guide/zepbound

JAMA Network, Continued Treatment with Tirzepatide for Maintenance of Weight Reduction in Adults with Obesity: The SURMOUNT-4 Randomized Clinical Trial, Louis J. Aronne, MD, et.al., Dec. 2023, https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/2812936

StatPearls Publishing, Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists, Logan Collins and Ryan A. Costello, Jan. 2024, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK551568/

The New England Journal of Medicine, A Randomized, Controlled Trial of 3.0 mg of Liraglutide in Weight Management, Xavier Pi-Sunyer, MD, et al., Jul. 2015, https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/nejmoa1411892

The New England Journal of Medicine, Once-weekly Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight or Obesity, John P.H. Wilding, DM, et al., Feb. 2021, https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2032183

U.S. Food and Drug Administration, FDA Drug Shortages, https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/drugshortages/default.cfm

The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare professional with any questions or concerns you have regarding your health.

How we reviewed this article: This article goes through rigorous fact-checking by a team of medical reviewers. 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 author.