Is there a generic for Victoza?

In this article:

• Victoza generic availability
• Is there a generic for Victoza?
• What are the differences between liraglutide and brand-name Victoza?
• How much does generic Victoza cost?
• What are the off-label uses for Victoza?
• Is Victoza covered by insurance?
• How do you get Victoza covered by insurance?
• Generic alternatives to Victoza
• How to switch from Victoza to liraglutide

In this article

• Victoza generic availability
• Is there a generic for Victoza?
• What are the differences between liraglutide and brand-name Victoza?
• How much does generic Victoza cost?
• What are the off-label uses for Victoza?
• Is Victoza covered by insurance?
• How do you get Victoza covered by insurance?
• Generic alternatives to Victoza
• How to switch from Victoza to liraglutide

Victoza is a once-daily injectable Type 2 diabetes medication. Victoza is also used for cardiovascular risk reduction in certain patients. This drug belongs to a class of medications called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists. Victoza (liraglutide) was one of the first GLP-1 drugs approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2010. In December 2024, a generic version of Victoza, liraglutide, was approved by the FDA. 

Is there a generic for Victoza?

As of December 2024, FDA-approved generic liraglutide became available in the U.S. “In June 2024, Teva Pharmaceuticals released an authorized generic, essentially the same medication as the branded version, without the Victoza branding,” explained Dr. Randall Turner, a dual board-certified physician, DO, and medical director at Able To Change Recovery. He added, “Then, in December 2024, Hikma Pharmaceuticals introduced a generic liraglutide product after receiving FDA approval.”

This generic drug is sold under the name liraglutide. Typically, people find that generic options are more accessible than brand-name drugs because they’re more affordable. Since it’s cheaper, it may be more commonly available at pharmacies compared to the brand-name, giving liraglutide greater patient access.

When the FDA approved the generic version of Victoza, Iilun Murphy, MD, and the Director of the Office of Generic Drugs in the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, issued a press release stressing the importance of these alternatives. It read: “The FDA supports development of complex generic drugs, such as GLP-1s, by funding research and informing industry through guidance as part of our ongoing efforts to increase access to needed medications. Generic drugs provide additional treatment options, which are generally more affordable for patients. Today’s approval underscores the FDA’s continued commitment to advancing patient access to safe, effective, and high-quality generic drug products.”

What are the differences between liraglutide and brand-name Victoza?

The differences between a brand-name Victoza injection and a generic liraglutide injection are minimal. Generic drugs work the same way and have the same benefits as their brand-name drugs, so they are essentially a less expensive substitute. 

“Both generic versions contain the same active ingredient, dosage strengths, and delivery method as the original Victoza, so they should work as effectively. The most significant difference you will notice is the packaging and, most importantly, the price,” said Dr. Turner.

How much does generic Victoza cost?

If you pay out of pocket for brand-name Victoza without insurance or discounts, the cost would be about $1,438 for a typical prescription of three 18 mg/3 mL pens. However, if you fill your prescription with generic liraglutide and apply a SingleCare discount, you could pay as low as $221, a savings of more than $1,200 per month.

Prescription drug prices often change. These are the most accurate medication prices at the time of publishing in ZIP code 23666 as of March 18, 2026. The listed price without insurance references the price of brand-name drugs (unless otherwise specified). The listed SingleCare price references the price of generic drugs if available. 

What are the off-label uses for Victoza?

Victoza has an off-label use for weight loss, in which generic liraglutide could be prescribed instead. This is because Victoza lowers blood sugar and slows the emptying of the stomach, which reduces appetite and helps individuals feel full longer. During clinical trials, one large study found that patients lost an average of 6.2 pounds when taking Victoza in addition to metformin therapy. 

There is also an FDA-approved weight loss drug that uses the same active ingredient as Victoza, liraglutide, and sells under the brand name Saxenda. Saxenda is also available as a generic liraglutide. The two generic liraglutide versions are not exactly the same, though, as one version is approved for Type 2 diabetes (Victoza generic) and the other for weight loss (Saxenda generic). 

Is Victoza covered by insurance?

According to Novo Nordisk, the manufacturer of brand-name Victoza, many insurance companies, including Medicare and Medicaid, provide coverage for this medicine. You can visit the Victoza website to find out more information, check the copay calculator, and explore other savings options. 

If you fill your prescription with generic liraglutide, your out-of-pocket costs may be lower. You can find out more about your insurance coverage for Victoza and generic liraglutide by contacting your insurance plan directly or checking the most recent formulary on your insurance plan’s secure website. 

If you are paying without insurance, you can find out more about paying for Victoza without insurance here.

How do you get Victoza covered by insurance?

Many insurance plans provide coverage for Victoza or its generic, liraglutide. Your out-of-pocket cost can vary based on your plan and its coverage details. You can ask your healthcare provider to send a prescription to your preferred pharmacy. The pharmacy staff can process your prescription electronically and let you know whether the prescription is covered. In some cases, a prior authorization may be required. If you want to find out about your coverage ahead of time, you can contact your health insurance plan and inquire about coverage for Victoza and generic liraglutide, or check the online formulary. 

Generic alternatives to Victoza

As mentioned above, Victoza has a generic version, liraglutide. Saxenda, which also contains liraglutide, is FDA-approved for weight loss (at higher doses). If you are looking for the closest alternative to brand-name Victoza, generic Victoza (liraglutide) is the most direct substitute, although generic Saxenda is an option for people using the medicine for weight loss. Another generic injectable GLP-1 drug, exenatide, is available for Type 2 diabetes and is injected twice a day. Weekly injections, such as Ozempic (semaglutide) or Mounjaro (tirzepatide), may be more convenient for some, but are currently available only as brand-name products. 

If you are interested in other generic diabetes medications, you may want to explore oral drugs from other classes, such as metformin. Your healthcare provider can guide you on the best alternative to Victoza while considering factors such as treatment goals, preferences, and insurance coverage.

How to switch from Victoza to liraglutide

Switching from Victoza to liraglutide shouldn’t be too difficult. Talk to your healthcare provider about your desire to switch, and they can update the prescription to the generic version if it’s right for you. You can also ask your pharmacist to switch to generic liraglutide, but they may first need to get approval from your healthcare provider if they’ve specified the brand-name product (with a do not substitute indication) on your prescription. Once you fill your new prescription, you can begin taking the generic drug on the same schedule. 

Typically, a healthcare provider won’t have a preference for a patient taking the brand-name Victoza versus the generic liraglutide. 

Dr. Turner advised, “Generics are held to strict FDA standards so that you can expect the same safety and effectiveness. That said, monitoring how your body responds after the switch and reporting any concerns to your doctor is a good idea, just like with any medication change.”

Expert takeaway

“When GLP-1s were first introduced, their prices were prohibitive for many people,” says Karen Berger, Pharm.D., member of the SingleCare Medical Board. “The availability of generic liraglutide offers a more affordable, but just as effective, treatment as Victoza.”