Patient guide · Reviewed June 2026
Saxenda Has Been Discontinued in Australia — What to Do Next
Saxenda (liraglutide) is being withdrawn from the Australian market. Novo Nordisk confirmed in an official healthcare provider letter that the medication would remain in limited supply only until December 2025, after which Saxenda will not be available for purchase in Australia. The Royal Australian College of GPs flagged the same deadline to its members, reminding doctors that the drug will no longer be available in Australia by year end.
If you're one of the Australians currently using Saxenda, here's exactly what this means and what your options are.
Published 2026-06-01 · Clinically reviewed 2026-06-03
Patient guide · Reviewed June 2026
Why is Saxenda being discontinued?
Novo Nordisk hasn't published a detailed public explanation beyond the official notice, but the timing lines up with a broader shift in the company's product…
Novo Nordisk hasn't published a detailed public explanation beyond the official notice, but the timing lines up with a broader shift in the company's product strategy. Saxenda is a once-daily injection of liraglutide — an earlier-generation GLP-1 medicine that produces meaningfully less weight loss than the newer once-weekly options. In head-to-head trial data, semaglutide 2.4 mg (Wegovy) produced 15.8% average weight loss compared with 6.4% for liraglutide 3.0 mg over 68 weeks. With Wegovy and Mounjaro now established in the Australian market and producing substantially better outcomes, Saxenda's clinical case has weakened considerably.
What Saxenda patients need to do
Novo Nordisk's letter is addressed to healthcare professionals, not patients directly — which means the responsibility sits with you to raise this with your prescriber before supply runs out, rather than waiting for someone to contact you. If you're currently on Saxenda:
- Book an appointment with your prescribing doctor now, not in November. Supply is described as "limited" right through to December 2025.
- Discuss your transition options. The two realistic alternatives in Australia are semaglutide (Ozempic/Wegovy) or tirzepatide (Mounjaro) — both once-weekly injections, both associated with substantially greater average weight loss than liraglutide.
- Understand how the switch typically works. There's no single mandated Australian clinical protocol for transitioning from Saxenda to Wegovy, but a conservative approach has become common among prescribers: many start patients at the lowest Wegovy dose (0.25 mg) regardless of the Saxenda dose they were previously on, then titrate upward every four weeks (0.25 → 0.5 → 1.0 → 1.7 → 2.4 mg). No formal washout period is generally required — many patients start Wegovy the day after their final Saxenda dose. Starting low and titrating slowly helps reset gastrointestinal tolerance, since the side-effect pattern of a weekly injection differs from a daily one. This is common practitioner practice rather than a single official guideline, so your own doctor's exact approach may differ — follow their specific plan rather than this general pattern.
- Ask about cost differences early. Neither Saxenda nor Wegovy is listed on the PBS for weight management, so this remains a private-prescription cost either way — but it's worth understanding the change in your monthly outlay before you commit.
Patient guide · Reviewed June 2026
What if you can't get a Saxenda script before the cut-off?
If supply tightens faster than expected in your area, talk to your prescriber about arranging the switch sooner rather than risking an unplanned gap. Suddenly…
If supply tightens faster than expected in your area, talk to your prescriber about arranging the switch sooner rather than risking an unplanned gap. Suddenly stopping any GLP-1 medication can result in a return of appetite and gradual weight regain, so this is best managed as a planned transition rather than a forced stop.
The bigger picture
This discontinuation is a useful reminder that the GLP-1 medication landscape in Australia is moving quickly. If you're transitioning off Saxenda, this is also a sensible moment to discuss baseline monitoring with your doctor — liver function, FIB-4 score, and general metabolic markers — particularly if it's been some time since these were last checked.
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Frequently asked questions
When is Saxenda being discontinued in Australia?
Novo Nordisk indicated limited supply would continue until December 2025, after which Saxenda will no longer be available for purchase in Australia.
What is the best alternative to Saxenda in Australia?
The two main alternatives are semaglutide (Ozempic or Wegovy) or tirzepatide (Mounjaro) — both once-weekly injections with greater average weight loss than liraglutide.
Do I need a washout period when switching from Saxenda to Wegovy?
No formal washout is generally required. Many prescribers start Wegovy at the lowest dose the day after the final Saxenda dose, then titrate upward every four weeks.
Will Wegovy be cheaper than Saxenda on the PBS?
Neither Saxenda nor Wegovy is PBS-listed for general weight management. A narrow cardiovascular PBS pathway for Wegovy may apply to some patients — see our PBS vs private guide.
Novo Nordisk Pharmaceuticals Pty Ltd, "Important Information: Discontinuation of Saxenda® (Liraglutide) in Australia," official HCP letter, May 2025; RACGP newsGP, "In Practice: Discontinuation of diabetes, obesity drug"; mydr.com.au, "Choosing a weight loss medication – Ozempic, Wegovy, Saxenda and Mounjaro compared."
This article is for educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice. Always consult your GP or a specialist about your individual health circumstances.
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