Saxenda (Liraglutide 3 mg)

Saxenda (liraglutide 3 mg) pioneered chronic weight management as the first GLP-1 approved for that indication in December 2014, achieving an average 8-10% body weight loss in the SCALE trials over 56 weeks—outperforming orlistat's 3-5% average by 167%. The SCALE Obesity and Prediabetes trial reported 5.8 kg weight loss versus 1.6 kg with placebo. Once-daily injections leverage an 18-24 hour half-life, and Saxenda uniquely holds approval for adolescents aged 12-17. The key development in 2025-2026 is FDA approval of generic liraglutide, reducing monthly costs to $230-$500 compared to Saxenda's $1,349 list price; Teva's program can drop it to $20 per prescription for commercially insured patients.