Liraglutide Medicaid Coverage by State Tier (2026 Guide)

Which liraglutide product is on the prescription

Victoza is indicated as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults and pediatric patients aged 10 years and older with type 2 diabetes, and to reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events in adults with type 2 diabetes and established cardiovascular disease. Victoza is not approved for weight loss [2].

Saxenda is indicated, with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity, to reduce excess body weight and maintain weight reduction long term in adults and pediatric patients aged 12 years and older with body weight above 60 kg and obesity, and in adults with overweight plus at least one weight-related comorbid condition [1]. Saxenda is not indicated for glycemic control in type 2 diabetes.

Generic liraglutide

FDA-approved generic liraglutide exists. Generics referencing Saxenda include Teva (ANDA 214568), Biocon (ANDA 217063) and Cipla (ANDA 217234). Generics referencing Victoza include Hikma (ANDA 215503, approved 2024-12-23), Lupin, Meitheal/NorthStar, and a Teva authorized generic [3]. A Saxenda-referencing generic carries the weight-management indication, and a Victoza-referencing generic carries the type 2 diabetes indications [3].

State Medicaid programs set their own drug lists, and this page does not list them.

Doses the labels specify

Victoza starts at 0.6 mg once daily for one week, moves to 1.2 mg daily, and can go to a maximum of 1.8 mg daily if more glycemic control is needed after at least one more week [2]. Saxenda starts at 0.6 mg daily and rises weekly to 3 mg daily from week 5. For adults, the Saxenda label says to evaluate weight at 16 weeks and to stop treatment if less than 4% of baseline body weight has been lost. In adolescents, the label says titration may take up to 8 weeks and that 2.4 mg daily is an option for those who do not tolerate 3 mg [1].

Contraindications and boxed warning

Both labels contraindicate liraglutide in patients with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2, and in patients with a serious hypersensitivity to liraglutide or any of its excipients [1][2]. The boxed warning describes thyroid C-cell tumors in rats and mice at clinically relevant exposures and states that the human relevance is unknown [1][2].