A brand of liraglutide, a daily-injection GLP-1 receptor agonist approved for chronic weight management and made by Novo Nordisk.
Updated Jul 18, 2026
Saxenda is the brand name for liraglutide when it is prescribed for chronic weight management. It is a GLP-1 receptor agonist made by Novo Nordisk and is given as a once-daily subcutaneous injection.
The same medication is sold as Victoza at lower doses for type 2 diabetes.
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Related terms
Victoza — A brand of liraglutide, a daily-injection GLP-1 receptor agonist approved for type 2 diabetes and made by Novo Nordisk.
Liraglutide — A first-generation GLP-1 receptor agonist taken as a daily injection, sold as Victoza for type 2 diabetes and Saxenda for weight management.
DPP-4 — Dipeptidyl peptidase-4, the enzyme that rapidly breaks down the body's own GLP-1 within minutes.
Gastric emptying — The rate at which the stomach passes its contents into the small intestine, which GLP-1 medications slow down.
Liraglutide (Victoza and Saxenda): how the daily GLP-1 differs — Liraglutide (Victoza for diabetes, Saxenda for weight) is the first-generation GLP-1 — a daily injection with a roughly 13-hour half-life and generally more modest weight loss than the weekly drugs. Here's what makes it distinct and why it's still worth considering.