Canada \u00b7 Saxenda
Saxenda in Canada: liraglutide for weight management.
Short answer
Saxenda (liraglutide) is authorized in Canada for chronic weight management, and no generic is marketed yet. Its most common side effects are nausea, diarrhoea, constipation and vomiting.
Saxenda is Novo Nordisk's liraglutide brand for chronic weight management. Its sister brand Victoza uses the same molecule for type 2 diabetes. Both are prescription-only in Canada and listed in the Drug Product Database.
Generic liraglutide status
Health Canada's list of generic submissions under review (current to August 31, 2026) shows multiple liraglutide generics still in review. None is marketed yet. This is different from semaglutide, where generics were approved in 2026.
Labelled side effects
- Most common: nausea, diarrhea, constipation, vomiting and injection-site reactions.
- Serious warnings include pancreatitis, gallbladder problems and a thyroid C-cell tumour warning based on animal studies.
- Report side effects through MedEffect Canada.
By province and city
Saxenda vs Wegovy vs Zepbound
Main trial averages. Not head-to-head.
| Drug | How often | Average weight change |
|---|---|---|
| Saxenda (liraglutide) | Daily injection | 8.0% vs 2.6% placebo, 56 weeks |
| Wegovy (semaglutide) | Weekly injection | 14.9% vs 2.4%, 68 weeks |
| Zepbound (tirzepatide) | Weekly injection | About 15% to 21% vs 3%, 72 weeks |
Saxenda is also authorized for adolescents 12 and older. Coverage: weight-management drug coverage in Canada.
Last reviewed October 15, 2026against Health Canada's Drug Product Database and trial publications and Health Canada.
Who Saxenda is authorized for
- Adults with a BMI of 30 or more, or 27 or more with a weight-related condition such as high blood pressure or type 2 diabetes, alongside diet and activity.
- Adolescents 12 to 17 with obesity, alongside diet and activity.
- Not for use with other GLP-1 medicines, in pregnancy, or with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer or MEN 2.
- A prescriber usually reviews progress after several months and stops it if weight loss is not meaningful.
- Compare: liraglutide in Canada, Victoza.
Related
Frequently asked questions
- Who can take Saxenda in Canada?
- Adults with a BMI of 30 or more, or 27 or more with a weight-related condition, and adolescents 12 to 17 with obesity, with a prescription.
- Is Saxenda less effective than Wegovy?
- In their own trials, Saxenda averaged about 8% weight loss and Wegovy about 15%; they were not compared directly in those trials.
- Is Saxenda approved in Canada?
- Yes. Saxenda (liraglutide) is authorized by Health Canada as a prescription adjunct to diet and physical activity for chronic weight management in eligible adults and adolescents aged 12 to 17.
- Is there a generic Saxenda in Canada?
- Not yet, as of Health Canada's August 31, 2026 list. Several generic liraglutide submissions (Teva, Zydus, JAMP, Sun Pharma and others) are listed as under review.
- What are the side effects of Saxenda?
- The Canadian monograph lists gastrointestinal effects such as nausea, diarrhea, constipation and vomiting as most common, plus serious warnings. Ask a pharmacist for the full monograph.
- Saxenda vs Wegovy: what's the difference?
- Saxenda is liraglutide, injected daily. Wegovy is semaglutide, injected weekly. Both are authorized in Canada for weight management; a prescriber decides which, if either, fits.
- Does this page recommend a clinic, product or dose?
- No. We don't list clinics, sellers, prices or doses, and nothing here is medical advice. Talk to a licensed prescriber or pharmacist.
Sources
General information only — not medical, legal or regulatory advice. Peptide Confessions does not sell, source or recommend any product or vendor, and nothing here is dosing guidance. Speak with a licensed Canadian healthcare professional or pharmacist about any medication. Editorial process →