How Much Does Saxenda Cost without Insurance

Whether you have type two diabetes or you’re trying to lose weight, Saxenda might be a medication that is recommended for you. When a doctor recommends you a medication, it’s imperative that you take it. However, because the costs of medication are so high in the United States, many people cannot take the prescription medication, because they cannot afford it.

Today, we’re going to talk about Saxenda and how much it costs to purchase Saxenda, without insurance. By the end, you’ll understand the price of this prescription drug. Let’s get started.

What is Saxenda

Although Saxenda can be used for type two diabetes, it is most often used to treat obesity. According to a study, eighty five percent of people lost weight, when they used Saxenda. In fact, around six percent of the people in the study lost twenty percent of their body weight, while using the medication. This is an incredible thing.

Weight loss is something that is difficult for many Americans to achieve, so when you use Saxenda, you’re going to be one step closer to losing weight. If Saxenda is used alongside proper diet and exercise, the user is sure to see results, in most instances.

Moreover, according to the same study, over fifty six percent of people achieved substantial weight loss after using Saxenda for a year. Plus, after that year was over, most everyone maintained their loss of weight, for three years while using Saxenda. This is because they maintained a low calorie meal plan and a light exercise routine, while using the drug. In other words, once Saxenda users lose weight, they keep it off.

According to doctors, you’re going to be able to tell that Saxenda is working, if you lose four percent of your body weight within four months of using the drug. So, assuming that you track your weight as you use the drug, you’re going to be able to know if you’re on the right track using the medication.

You might not expect this, but Saxenda is approved to be used by teenagers, ages twelve to seventeen. If a teenager is over 132 pounds, then they might be approved to use Saxenda, alongside proper diet and exercise. The medication has been proven to be safe and effective on some teens under the age of eighteen.

It is important to note, that it is not known whether or not it is safe and will work to use Saxenda on children that are younger than the age of twelve. So, it is imperative that children do not use this medication, and it is important that you only use this medication if you are prescribed it.

Furthermore, even though Saxenda is approved for teenagers between the age of twelve and seventeen, it is not known whether or not the medication is safe and effective for children between the age of twelve and seventeen who have type two diabetes. So, again, as a rule of thumb, do not use Saxenda unless you are advised to by a medical professional. It can be life threatening if someone uses a medication that they are not prescribed to use.

So, if you have any questions about whether or not Saxenda would be right for you, then it’s a good idea to contact your doctor about these questions.

What are the Side Effects of Saxenda?

There are several side effects of Saxenda, as there are with most all medications. Some of the more severe side effects of Saxenda are thyroid tumors and cancer. So, if you find that you’re having any shortness of breath, or if you experience any unexpected lumps or bumps on your neck, be sure to contact your doctor. Moreover, if you find that you cannot swallow properly, this is another sign that you should contact your doctor immediately. It is rare that you will experience these side effects, but it is possible.

Also, it is important to remember that you should not use Saxenda if anyone that you are related to—or you, yourself—has had experience with MTC. Also, if you have Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2, which is an endocrine system condition, then you should not use Saxenda, either.

If you have any concerns about starting Saxenda, it is a good idea to contact your doctor. When you talk to your doctor about your medication and health history, you’re going to get the information that is most tailored towards you, so it’s a good idea to have a conversation with your doctor before starting Saxenda.

There are also some moderate to severe side effects of Saxenda that you should watch out for. These are not as severe as Cancer, but still, they are substantial. Pay attention, because you might experience inflammation of the pancreas, gallbladder problems, a higher risk of having low blood sugar (in people with and without type two diabetes), kidney problems, increased heart rate, severe allergic reactions, thoughts of suicide and depression, and more. If you think that you’re experiencing any of these side effects, be sure to contact your doctor. Plus, if you think you’re going to experience these symptoms before you start the medication, be sure to seek advice from your doctor, because starting the medication might not be right for you.

Now that we’ve discussed the risks and severe side effects of Saxenda, let’s discuss the more mild side effects of Saxenda, that many people experience while taking the drug. You should prepare to possibly experience side effects like nausea, diarrhea, constipation, vomiting, a reaction at the site of injection, a decrease in blood sugar, headaches, fatigue and tiredness, dizziness, pains in the stomach, a change in enzyme levels in your blood, fevers, and gastroenteritis.

If you experience these side effects, be sure to contact your doctor if you think they are getting too severe. Plus, if you are experiencing any side effects other than the ones listed here, be sure to contact your doctor. When you experience unexpected side effects because of a medication it is a good idea to report the symptoms to the FDA, to help future users of Saxenda.

Remember, before you take Saxenda, it is important that you talk to your doctor about all of the medications that you are currently using. This means that you need to tell your doctor about any prescriptions, over the counter medications, vitamins, supplements, and more. Because Saxenda is known to slow down your stomach from emptying, it can affect the ways that medications enter your system. So, to ensure you stay as healthy as possible while using Saxenda, it is important that you talk to your doctor about the medications that you’re using.

How Do I Use Saxenda, Once I’m Prescribed It

If you’re prescribed Saxenda, it is relatively simple to use the medication. Saxenda comes in a pen applicator, and once you get the medication, you’re going to inject it underneath of your skin—you will inject it into your stomach area. Be sure that you do not inject the medication near any vein or muscle. If you do, you could cause yourself severe pain or injury.

Another thing to remember, is that you’ve got to be sure to change your injection site, each time you inject Saxenda. You will experience lumps underneath of your skin called cutaneous amyloidosis, if you continue to inject your Saxenda pen in the same area over and over again. To avoid this, it is imperative that you alternate your injection site. Don’t forget this step.

Is Saxenda Covered by Many Insurance Companies?

Now that we’ve gone over Saxenda and its side effects, we can discuss whether or not Saxenda is covered by insurance. Because Saxenda is a premium priced medication that is used primarily for managing weight, it is not a guarantee that Saxenda will be covered by insurance. It is not guaranteed that Saxenda will be covered by insurance because oftentimes many health insurance policies will only cover a Saxenda prescription if it has been authorized previously—which doesn’t always happen.

Furthermore, many plans, like Medicare Part D, for example, do not cover any kind of medication that is intended for weight loss or weight management. So, Saxenda is not covered by certain Medicare plans because of this. Also, some states do not cover weight loss medications on their Medicaid plans. So, if you have Medicaid, it is best to talk to your insurance provider, before you start Saxenda, because it might not be covered.

Also, the Veterans Administration, which is also known as the VA, will not cover any kinds of medications that are known to help manage weight. So, in this case, you’re not going to be able to have Saxenda covered by your insurance, if you’re a veteran affiliated with the VA. Sometimes the VA will make exceptions and cover medications for weight loss, but again, it is best that you talk to your health insurance plan providers, before trying to go on the medication.

Finally, Tricare plans sometimes cover Saxenda. So, depending on your circumstances, they may or may not cover your Saxenda medication.

How Much Does It Cost to Pay for Saxenda, without Insurance

At its retail price, Saxenda is going to cost around one thousand six hundred ninety eight dollars ($1698) for a one month supply. It is important to note that Saxenda is not a temporary medication. The drug is meant to be used for many months and years after it is prescribed. So, if someone is prescribed Saxenda and they use it for a year, they’re going to pay around twenty thousand dollars a year to keep using their Saxenda. If someone is uninsured already, then there’s a large chance that they’re not going to be able to afford to pay for Saxenda out of pocket.

As we know, twenty thousand dollars is a substantial amount of money. In fact, sometimes twenty thousand dollars is the amount that people are paid in one year. It is a problem that medications are so expensive in the United States. There is a problem in this country, where people are having to forgo certain bills, to pay for their healthcare.

For example, some people might have to stop paying for their rent and grocery bills, to pay for their Saxenda. Or, on the other hand, some people might not pay for their Saxenda, because they have their grocery bills and rent to pay. The moral here is, that Americans should be able to afford to pay for their medication, their food, their rent, and all of their other expenses. But because medications are so expensive in the United States, and because so many other things are expensive in the United States, citizens are not able to pay for their expenses. That is, American citizens are going without their basic needs.

What Are Ways that I Can Get Saxenda without Having an Insurance Plan?

Of course, the best way to have access to Saxenda, is to get an insurance policy that will cover all or a majority of the costs of the medication. However, because health insurance in the United States is so expensive, it is very possible that you’re not able to afford coverage. If you cannot afford coverage and you cannot afford Saxenda, don’t worry—there are some options for you.

For one, you could get a SingleCare discount card. Although there aren’t any coupons for Saxenda that are provided by the manufacturer themselves, it is possible to get a savings card that comes from SingleCare, which will allow you to get a discount on your prescription. Many pharmacies accept this card. Be sure to check with your local pharmacy before using the card, however.

Also, you could always ask the person prescribing your medication if there are any patient assistant programs. Oftentimes, if there is a high-priced drug that will be used by the patient for a long period of time, it will be possible for you to participate in a patient assistance program, which will alleviate some of the costs of the prescription for you.

By using these techniques, it might be possible for you to get a discounted price on the medications, which will be beneficial in the long run if you have to use Saxenda for a long period of time.

Final Thoughts

If you’re a person who’s trying to lose weight, then you might be prescribed Saxenda. Do not take Saxenda unless it is prescribed to you, but if it’s prescribed to you, it is probably a lifechanging medication.

Americans should be able to afford lifechanging medications, but unfortunately, many people cannot afford Saxenda, because it is so expensive. We’ve discussed the price of Saxenda out of pocket and some ways that you can get Saxenda for a lower price.

So, if you’re having a hard time affording Saxenda, talk to your insurance provider, a pharmacist, or your doctor, today.

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Notice of Non-Affiliation and Disclaimer

We are not affiliated, associated, authorized, endorsed by, or in any way officially connected with the Novo Nordisk Inc, or any of its subsidiaries or its affiliates. The official Saxenda® website can be found at www.saxenda.com