Is Saxenda Being Discontinued? Novo Nordisk Says Yes

Is Saxenda Being Discontinued?

Yes. Novo Nordisk's Saxenda website states that the company will discontinue Saxenda, with last shipments to wholesalers taking place in late January 2027. Novo Nordisk cited that alternative medicines have become available and the number of patients using Saxenda has continued to decline. Novo Nordisk made a strategic portfolio decision to discontinue Saxenda. The notice states that this decision is not the result of any safety or quality-related concerns.

What the Discontinuation Notice States and Leaves Out

The notice states:

• Advance notice: Novo Nordisk will discontinue Saxenda.
• Wholesaler shipments: Final shipments end in late January 2027.
• Commercial rationale: Novo Nordisk cited the availability of alternative treatments and a continuous decline in patient volume as the basis for its portfolio decision.
• Safety: Not due to safety or quality concerns.
• Provider consultation: Consult healthcare providers on alternative options.
• Support contact: Call 1-800-727-6500 at the Customer Care Center.

At the same time, the notice leaves out several details:

• Geographic scope: The notice does not specify any country or region.
• Dispensing date: The notice gives no final dispensing date.
• Retail pharmacy supply: The notice does not describe how much inventory pharmacies will carry or how long retail stock will remain accessible.
• Refill continuity: The notice says nothing about refills.
• Coverage and savings: It omits insurance and savings cards.

The same page also shows a Saxenda Savings Card and a Saxenda hotline.

Reasons Novo Nordisk Cites for the Discontinuation

Novo Nordisk describes the discontinuation as a "strategic portfolio decision." The notice lists two reasons: alternative medicines have become available, and the number of patients using Saxenda has continued to decline.

Approved Indications and Usage for Saxenda

The Saxenda website describes Saxenda (liraglutide) injection 3 mg as a prescription medicine for adults with obesity, or with overweight and weight-related medical problems, and for children aged 12 to 17 years with obesity and a body weight above 132 pounds (60 kg), to help them lose weight and keep it off, used with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.

The website also states that Saxenda is not recommended for individuals who also take liraglutide or other GLP-1 receptor agonists.

How Other Weight-Management Injections Compare

Alternative weight-management medications differ in dosing schedules and trial results:

• Saxenda (liraglutide 3 mg): Approved by the FDA for chronic weight management in December 2014, Saxenda is a once-daily injection. In the SCALE trial, participants taking Saxenda achieved an average weight loss of approximately 8 percent over 56 weeks. For detailed head-to-head comparisons, see the comparison of Saxenda vs Wegovy.
• Wegovy (semaglutide 2.4 mg): Manufactured by Novo Nordisk, Wegovy is a once-weekly injection approved for chronic weight management in June 2021. In the STEP-1 trial, patients taking Wegovy achieved an average weight loss of about 14.9 percent over 68 weeks. The 2021 STEP 8 trial compared semaglutide 2.4 mg against liraglutide 3.0 mg head-to-head. It found significantly greater weight loss on semaglutide with a similar overall tolerability profile. See Wegovy alternatives.
• Zepbound (tirzepatide): Manufactured by Eli Lilly, Zepbound is a once-weekly injection approved for chronic weight management in November 2023. In the SURMOUNT-1 trial, participants taking the highest dose of Zepbound achieved an average weight reduction of approximately 20.9 percent over 72 weeks. See Saxenda vs Zepbound. A comparison of Saxenda vs Mounjaro is also available.

Cross-trial figures come from different populations and are not a direct comparison.

Insurance coverage is often the deciding factor between these drugs, and formularies differ.

Questions for a Clinician Regarding Treatment Alternatives

The official notice from Novo Nordisk asks patients to consult a healthcare provider. Questions for a clinician consultation include:

• Which alternative weight-management injections, such as weekly Wegovy or Zepbound, are clinically appropriate for current health goals?
• Which alternative medicines does a given insurance plan cover?
• What does the notice's late January 2027 wholesale date mean for a particular person's prescription?