Key takeaways
- Saxenda is a prescription-only GLP-1 medication that works by reducing hunger to support weight loss.
- Several telehealth platforms have passed our stringent vetting standards.
- Plushcare is a good choice for a cost-effective susbcription, whereas Calibrate offers a more holistic approach to weight loss.
Saxenda (liraglutide) is a prescription-only injectable medication in the same class as Ozempic (semaglutide). However, unlike Ozempic, Saxenda is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) specifically for weight loss and management.
If you’re interested in buying Saxenda online, Several telehealth platforms have passed our stringent vetting standards. The first step is typically a video consultation with one of the platform’s healthcare professionals, who can assess your weight loss goals and determine if Saxenda or similar medications are suitable for you.
Continue reading to learn more about the Saxenda weight loss shot, where to buy it online, and the precautions to consider.
- Plushcare: cost-effective subscription, free family memberships | Skip to review
- Sesame Care: same-day appointments, doctor-led approach | Skip to review
- Calibrate: personalized coaching, flexible membership | Skip to review
- LifeMD: at-home metabolic testing, on-going care | Skip to review
- In-person
insurance copay or $129
none
none
none
$16.99 per month
$99 per month
$199 per month (minimum 3-month subscription required)
$75 to $129 per month
around $1,600
around $1,600
around $1,600
around $1,600
Book online consultation with a PlushCare doctor who will determine if Saxenda is appropriate. Fill prescription at pharmacy of choice.
Book online consultation with a Sesame doctor who will determine if Saxenda is appropriate. Fill prescription at pharmacy of choice.
Join Metabolic Reset program and submit lab work. Attend video consultation with a Calibrate doctor who may subscribe Saxenda.
Complete the questionnaire, schedule an online consultation, and if necessary, submit lab work
- same-day appointments
- discounts on lab tests
- unlimited messaging with care team
- video visits
- lab testing
- unlimited messaging with care team
- individual biweekly video coaching
- access to a support team
- insurance coverage assistance
- access to curriculum including nutrition, exercise, sleep, and wellbeing
- access to the Calibrate app
- app-connected smart scale
- insurance coverage assistance
- lab testing
- ongoing care from medical professional
accepts most major insurance, but coverage of GLP-1 medication varies
insurance may cover doctor’s visits and medication costs
no membership coverage, but policies may cover Saxenda
no coverage for subscription costs, but policies may cover Saxenda
Meeting with a healthcare professional to get a Saxenda prescription has several advantages over telehealth options. You’ll benefit from a comprehensive physical exam, including blood pressure and other vital sign readings, and the opportunity to ask questions and discuss options.
Your healthcare professional can also order lab work to assess your blood and metabolic markers to determine if Saxenda is suitable. They can then tailor a weight loss plan specifically to your needs.
Furthermore, in-person visits allow for more effective follow-up and closer progress monitoring. You’ll also have access to supplementary resources like nutrition and exercise guidance.
Start the process by choosing a healthcare professional with expertise in weight management. Your primary care physician can offer a referral if you’re uncertain where to begin.
Should you and your healthcare professional agree that Saxenda is appropriate, you’ll get a prescription to fill at the pharmacy of your choice.
Reputation and legitimacy
Only purchase Saxenda from safe and legitimate online platforms. Look for well-established websites with a track record of selling genuine medications and adhering to regulatory standards. Researching customer reviews and ratings to gauge the platform’s reliability is a good idea.
Product authenticity
Make sure the medication is authentic and sourced from reputable manufacturers. Look for verification seals, batch numbers, and expiration dates on the packaging.
Avoid purchasing from websites that offer suspiciously low prices or lack transparency regarding the origin of the medication. The manufacturer of Saxenda has issued warnings about counterfeit pens that may be on the market in some countries. It’s best to exercise caution.
Privacy and security measures
Prioritize platforms that safeguard your personal and financial information. Look for SSL encryption, secure payment gateways, and privacy policies that outline how your data will be handled and protected.
Saxenda is an FDA-approved medication designed to support weight management.
Doctors may recommend it for people with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 kilograms per square meter (kg/m²) or greater or those with a BMI of 27 kg/m² or more with at least one weight-related condition, such as hypertension or type 2 diabetes.
Saxenda belongs to a class of drugs known as GLP-1 receptor agonists and contains the active ingredient liraglutide. It mimics the effects of a hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), which helps regulate appetite, food intake, and body weight.
Saxenda decreases appetite and promotes feelings of fullness, leading to reduced food intake and subsequent weight loss.
Doctors may prescribe Saxenda for adults with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 kilograms per square meter (kg/m2) or higher, or 27 kg/m2 or higher and at least one weight-related condition, such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, or high cholesterol.
It’s also approved for children ages 12 to 17 with a body weight above 132 pounds (lb) [60 kilograms (kg)] and a BMI of 30 kg/m2, to help them lose weight and maintain their weight.
But it’s not just about numbers on a scale. Saxenda is intended for those with difficulty losing weight through diet and exercise alone and who may need additional support to effectively manage their weight.
If you’re considering Saxenda, it’s important to discuss it with your healthcare professional to fully understand the benefits and any potential risks and to make sure it aligns with your health profile and weight management goals.
Saxenda is intended to be part of a comprehensive weight loss program that includes a reduced calorie diet and increased physical activity. While it can be an effective tool for weight loss, it isn’t suitable for everyone and has various potential side effects ranging from mild to severe.
If you or a close family member have had a rare type of thyroid cancer called medullary thyroid cancer or multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2, your doctor will likely not prescribe this medication. This is due to a possible risk of thyroid cancer.
Anyone considering Saxenda should have a thorough discussion and medical evaluation with a healthcare professional to make sure the medication is right for them.
Saxenda (liraglutide) and Ozempic (semaglutide) are both GLP-1 receptor agonists. However, they differ in their active ingredients and serve different primary purposes.
Saxenda is specifically approved for weight management, while Ozempic targets blood sugar management in adults with type 2 diabetes. That said, some doctors may prescribe Ozempic off-label for weight loss.
Furthermore, semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic, has received
Clinical trials offer insight into their effectiveness: A
Further evidence from a
A
2018 clinical trialTrusted Source found semaglutide users experienced more significant weight loss, between 11.2% and 13.8%, compared with those on liraglutide, who lost an average of 7.8%.
Despite their differences, Saxenda and Ozempic share similar side effects. They both carry a boxed warning about the risk of thyroid cancer, underscoring the importance of evaluating the benefits and risks when considering these medications.
A healthcare professional can help you decide between these medications and offer personalized advice based on your medical history, current health status, and weight loss goals.
Choosing the best weight loss shot for your circumstances involves a comprehensive assessment from a healthcare professional.
They can assess your overall health, medical history, current medications, and weight loss goals to recommend the most suitable medication.
There’s now a range of FDA-approved weight loss injections to consider, each with different dosing schedules and potential side effects. They include Saxenda (liraglutide), Wegovy (semaglutide), and Zepbound (tirzepatide).
A doctor or another qualified healthcare professional can provide personalized guidance to help you decide the best option.
The list price for Saxenda before insurance or discounts is $1,349.02 per pen. The pen can last from 6 to 17 days, depending on the dosage.
Saxenda gives you the flexibility to take your daily shot whenever it fits into your schedule without worrying about syncing it with meals. However, taking it at the same time each day as part of your routine might be helpful.
Should you experience side effects like nausea, choosing a timing that minimizes disruption — perhaps the evening or just before bedtime — can make the process more comfortable.
Saxenda comes in prefilled pens that require ultra-fine NovoFine disposable needles to deliver subcutaneous injections. These needles have an extremely fine 32-gauge tip to minimize injection discomfort.
You’ll have to buy the needles separately from the Saxenda pens. Depending on your state laws, you might need a prescription for them.
Saxenda helps manage appetite and food intake by acting on areas of the brain that regulate hunger signals. It closely imitates the actions of the GLP-1, a hormone the intestines produce after you eat.
It also slows the passage of food through the stomach and into the lower digestive system, meaning you feel fuller for longer. As a result, you’re less inclined to snack or overeat, and this decrease in calorie consumption could help with weight loss.
Beyond appetite management, Saxenda also helps regulate blood sugar levels, which could benefit people with type 2 diabetes or prediabetes.
It’s important to know that Saxenda isn’t a magic fix. You must also review your diet and exercise regularly to optimize weight loss or management.
Saxenda is FDA-approved for weight loss and management in combination with a calorie-restricted diet and regular exercise. It’s available by prescription only following a thorough medical assessment and evaluation of your weight loss goals.
You can get Saxenda online through several reputable platforms. Plushcare, Sesame, Noom, and Calibrate are trustworthy and convenient options.
Although Saxenda can be effective for some, it’s expensive, particularly if you don’t have insurance coverage. Alternatively, your doctor or a registered dietitian could help you find a sustainable and more cost-effective approach to weight loss.