Generic Liraglutide, Discount Card Price
$230–$565/month*
*Varies by dose, pack size, and pharmacy; brand Victoza runs considerably higher
Victoza (liraglutide) was one of the first GLP-1 medications many people with type 2 diabetes ever used, and plenty of patients have been on it for years. But the savings landscape around it has shifted more than almost any other diabetes medication in the last two years, and most of what's written online about a "Victoza Savings Card" is now out of date.
Two things changed. First, Novo Nordisk restructured its manufacturer copay card program around its newer, higher-demand GLP-1 products, and Victoza fell out of that lineup. Second, and much more helpfully for patients, the FDA approved a generic version of liraglutide, which gives cash-paying and commercially insured patients a real alternative to a savings card that no longer exists.
This guide walks through exactly what changed, what your options actually are today, how the Novo Nordisk Patient Assistance Program works for people who are uninsured or on Medicare, and how to avoid wasting time chasing a copay card that won't work at the pharmacy counter.
What Happened to the Victoza Savings Card?
For several years, Novo Nordisk offered a manufacturer copay card — sometimes called the "Victoza Instant Savings Card" — that reduced the cost for commercially insured patients to around $25 per month. That offer is no longer part of the manufacturer's current program.
As of August 2026, Novo Nordisk's official Diabetes Savings Card Program page lists eligibility and pricing terms for Ozempic and Rybelsus only. Victoza does not appear anywhere on that page. If you see a third-party coupon site or pharmacy software still quoting a $20-$25 Victoza copay, that reflects a discontinued version of the offer, not something you can currently activate.
| Program | Status as of August 2026 |
|---|---|
| Victoza manufacturer copay card ("Instant Savings Card") | Discontinued for new enrollment |
| NovoCare Diabetes Savings Card (current version) | Active — covers Ozempic and Rybelsus only |
| Novo Nordisk Patient Assistance Program (PAP) | Active — Victoza remains a covered medication |
Why this matters: If you've been budgeting around a $25/month Victoza cost because of an old blog post or a friend's experience from a year or two ago, that number is no longer reliable for new enrollees. Commercially insured patients now pay whatever their plan's formulary copay is for Victoza, with no manufacturer card to offset it.
Generic Liraglutide: The New Way to Save
The single biggest development for Victoza patients in the last two years has nothing to do with copay cards — it's that generic liraglutide injection is now FDA-approved and on the market. The FDA approved the first generic in December 2024, and additional manufacturers, including Teva and Meitheal, have since launched their own versions.
Generic liraglutide is manufactured to the same FDA bioequivalence standard as brand-name Victoza, meaning it's expected to work the same way in your body. For most patients paying cash or facing a high brand copay, switching to generic is now the most reliable way to lower the cost — more reliable than waiting on a manufacturer card that no longer applies to this drug.
- Ask your prescriber to write the prescription generically ("liraglutide") rather than for brand Victoza specifically
- Ask your pharmacist which generic manufacturer they stock, since availability varies (Hikma, Teva, and Meitheal are the main suppliers)
- Compare pharmacy prices before filling — generic pricing varies more than you'd expect from one pharmacy to another
Brand vs. Generic Pricing
Pricing depends heavily on your prescribed dose and how many pens come in your carton (2-pen or 3-pen), since liraglutide pens are dosed by daily injection volume rather than a flat monthly price.
| Product | Approx. Cash Price (2-pen carton) | Approx. Cash Price (3-pen carton) |
|---|---|---|
| Brand Victoza | ~$690–$750 | ~$1,000–$1,400 |
| Generic liraglutide (retail, no discount) | ~$410–$565 | ~$700–$900 |
| Generic liraglutide (with GoodRx/SingleCare discount) | As low as ~$150–$230 | Varies by pharmacy |
Tip: Discount card pricing on generic liraglutide changes frequently and varies significantly by pharmacy chain. Use our Drug Price Checker to compare what generic liraglutide actually costs near you before assuming one number applies everywhere. Our GoodRx vs. Inside Rx comparison also breaks down which discount platform tends to win for GLP-1 medications specifically.
Who Qualifies for Free Victoza
The Novo Nordisk Patient Assistance Program (PAP), run through NovoCare, is a completely separate program from the discontinued copay card. It provides brand-name medication at no cost to patients who meet income and coverage requirements, and Victoza remains on the list of covered medications as of 2026.
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Insurance status | Must have Medicare or no insurance at all — private/commercial insurance disqualifies you |
| Income limit | At or below 400% of the federal poverty level for Victoza (Ozempic uses a stricter 200% limit) |
| Medicaid/VA eligibility | Disqualifying, unless not actually enrolled |
| Medicare Extra Help (LIS) | If your income is below 150% FPL, you must apply for and be denied Extra Help first |
| Residency | U.S. citizen or legal resident |
Commercially insured patients cannot use the PAP. This trips up a lot of people: if you have any private or employer-sponsored insurance — even a high-deductible plan that barely covers Victoza — you're not eligible for the Patient Assistance Program. Your options in that situation are generic substitution, discount cards, or a formulary appeal with your insurer.
Income Limits by Medication
Novo Nordisk uses different income thresholds depending on the medication, which surprises a lot of applicants who assume every drug uses the same cutoff.
| Medication | Income Limit (% of Federal Poverty Level) |
|---|---|
| Ozempic | 200% FPL |
| Victoza and most other Novo Nordisk diabetes medications | 400% FPL |
In practice, this means Victoza's income limit is considerably easier to meet than Ozempic's. For an updated, exact dollar figure for your household size, check the current Federal Poverty Level guidelines published by NeedyMeds, which NovoCare's own application points applicants to.
Medications Covered by the PAP
The Novo Nordisk Patient Assistance Program groups its diabetes and insulin products together, though the list of covered medications is reviewed and can change year to year.
| Medication | Class | Covered by PAP (2026)? |
|---|---|---|
| Victoza (liraglutide) | Daily GLP-1 injection | Yes |
| Ozempic (semaglutide) | Weekly GLP-1 injection | Yes (stricter 200% FPL limit) |
| Rybelsus (semaglutide) | Oral GLP-1 tablet | Yes |
| Insulin products (various) | Insulin | Yes, under separate insulin affordability programs |
| Wegovy | Weekly GLP-1 for weight management | Not currently covered by the PAP |
| Saxenda | Daily liraglutide for weight management | Not currently covered by the PAP |
Because the covered-medications list is reviewed periodically, confirm Victoza's status directly on the official NovoCare PAP page before applying, especially if you're combining it with insulin assistance. Our Patient Assistance Programs directory lists comparable manufacturer programs if you manage more than one prescription.
Step-by-Step: How to Apply
Confirm your insurance situation
Commercially insured patients should skip the PAP and instead ask about generic liraglutide or a formulary exception. Uninsured patients, and Medicare patients who meet income requirements, should move forward with the PAP.
Gather income documentation
Recent tax returns, pay stubs, or a Social Security benefit letter typically satisfy the income verification requirement. If you're near the Medicare Extra Help threshold, apply for that program first and keep the denial letter if you're turned down.
Complete the application with your prescriber
The NovoCare PAP application typically requires your prescriber to complete part of the form. Download it from NovoCare.com or call 1-866-310-7549 to have it mailed or faxed.
Submit and wait for processing
Submit the completed application through your prescriber's office or directly to Novo Nordisk as instructed. Processing isn't instant, so apply before you're down to your last pen.
If commercially insured: ask about generic substitution instead
Since there's no manufacturer card for brand Victoza, ask your pharmacist to fill your prescription as generic liraglutide if your prescriber wrote it that way, or ask your prescriber to update the prescription to allow generic substitution.
Decision Tree: Which Option Fits You
Do you have commercial insurance?
Start here to route to the right savings path
Ask about generic liraglutide
No manufacturer card exists for brand Victoza anymore
Check income against 400% FPL
Apply to the NovoCare Patient Assistance Program if eligible
Still too expensive?
Compare generic liraglutide prices at nearby pharmacies with a Drug Price Checker and a GoodRx/SingleCare discount card.
Approval Timelines
| Path | Typical Timeline |
|---|---|
| Switching to generic liraglutide at the pharmacy | Same day, once your prescription allows substitution |
| Discount card (GoodRx, SingleCare) activation | Immediate |
| Novo Nordisk Patient Assistance Program | Several weeks from a complete application |
| Formulary exception or prior authorization appeal | Typically 3–14 business days, longer if appealed |
If your plan denies coverage for Victoza or requires a step therapy trial of metformin or a sulfonylurea first, our prior authorization guide covers what documentation tends to speed up an override request.
Renewing Your Enrollment
- Patient Assistance Program approvals are generally valid for up to one year before you need to reapply with updated income documentation.
- If your insurance status changes mid-year (for example, you gain commercial coverage), you're no longer eligible for the PAP and should switch to the generic/discount card path.
- Generic liraglutide and discount cards don't require renewal in the same way, but discount card pricing can shift, so re-check current prices every few months using a tool like our Drug Price Checker.
- Watch for updates to the NovoCare PAP's covered-medications list each year, since Novo Nordisk reviews it periodically.
Pros and Cons of Each Option
| Option | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Generic liraglutide | No income test; often the cheapest cash option; works with or without insurance | Still costs hundreds per month without a discount card |
| GoodRx/SingleCare discount card | Instant, no application; open to anyone | Can't combine with insurance; savings vary by pharmacy |
| Novo Nordisk Patient Assistance Program | Free brand medication if approved | Excludes anyone with commercial insurance; slower approval |
Common Mistakes That Cost Patients Money
- □ Assuming the old $25/month Victoza copay card still works — it's no longer active.
- □ Not asking your prescriber to allow generic substitution, which can cut your cash price substantially.
- □ Applying to the Patient Assistance Program while commercially insured, which will be rejected on eligibility grounds alone.
- □ Not checking the current income limit — Victoza's 400% FPL threshold is far more generous than Ozempic's 200% limit, so some patients wrongly assume they don't qualify.
- □ Not shopping generic liraglutide pricing across pharmacies before filling, since prices vary widely.
- □ Assuming a local stock-out means you need to switch drug classes entirely, rather than trying a different generic manufacturer first.
Shortage Status and Alternatives
Liraglutide products have faced intermittent supply disruptions in recent years, driven by broader demand for GLP-1 medications. If your pharmacy is out of stock, check our dedicated Victoza shortage guide for current availability and how to find a generic manufacturer that does have supply before assuming you need a new prescription entirely.
If your prescriber does recommend switching drug classes, weekly options like Ozempic or Trulicity, or the oral tablet Rybelsus, may have different — sometimes lower — copays depending on your plan's formulary. This is a clinical decision to make with your prescriber, not a swap to make based on price alone.
Medicare and Victoza
Medicare patients can't use manufacturer copay cards at all — a moot point for Victoza now that the card is discontinued, but worth remembering for any GLP-1 medication. Two things matter specifically for Medicare beneficiaries:
- The Part D annual out-of-pocket cap. As of 2026, Medicare.gov confirms the out-of-pocket maximum for covered Part D drugs is $2,100 per year, after which covered prescriptions are $0 for the rest of the calendar year.
- Patient Assistance Program eligibility. Medicare beneficiaries with no supplemental drug coverage who meet the 400% FPL income limit for Victoza can apply for free medication, though those with income below 150% FPL must first apply for and be denied Extra Help (LIS).
If Part D premiums or copays are a broader concern beyond just Victoza, our guide to Extra Help (LIS) explains the federal low-income subsidy that can reduce costs across all your covered medications.
Real Patient Scenarios
Scenario 1 — Commercially insured, high copay: A 44-year-old with employer insurance is quoted $180 for brand Victoza because there's no manufacturer card anymore. Her prescriber updates the prescription to allow generic substitution, and her pharmacy fills it as generic liraglutide for a $40 copay instead.
Scenario 2 — Uninsured after losing a job: A 51-year-old loses employer coverage and can't afford the roughly $1,100 cash price for brand Victoza. His household income falls under the 400% FPL limit, and he's approved for free Victoza through the Novo Nordisk Patient Assistance Program within a few weeks.
Scenario 3 — Medicare, fixed income: A 66-year-old on Medicare with no Part D supplemental help has an income below 150% FPL. She applies for Medicare Extra Help first, is denied due to asset limits, then successfully enrolls in the NovoCare Patient Assistance Program using that denial letter.
Bottom Line
The Victoza Savings Card that many patients remember from a few years ago is gone, and no amount of searching will bring back an active $25/month copay offer for brand Victoza. The better move in 2026 is asking your prescriber about generic liraglutide, which is FDA-approved and widely available at a fraction of the brand price. If you're uninsured or on Medicare with a qualifying income, the Novo Nordisk Patient Assistance Program remains a real path to free medication.
Before you assume you're stuck paying full price, ask your pharmacist two questions: whether your prescription can be filled generically, and whether a discount card would beat your current insurance copay.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, not in active form. Novo Nordisk's official Diabetes Savings Card program currently lists only Ozempic and Rybelsus. Victoza is no longer part of the active manufacturer copay card offer, even though some third-party sites still describe an older $25 per month version.
Novo Nordisk consolidated its Diabetes Savings Card program around its newer GLP-1 products. Victoza's manufacturer copay card is no longer accepting new enrollments as of 2026, which is why it doesn't appear on the current official savings card page.
Yes. The FDA approved the first generic liraglutide injection in December 2024, and multiple manufacturers, including Hikma, Teva, and Meitheal, now sell it. Generic liraglutide is FDA-approved as bioequivalent to brand-name Victoza.
Generic liraglutide typically runs roughly $230 to $565 per month depending on dose, pack size, and pharmacy discount, compared to $700 to $1,400 per month for brand-name Victoza at cash price. Insurance coverage and formulary tier also affect what you actually pay.
Yes. Third-party discount cards from GoodRx, SingleCare, and similar services work for generic liraglutide and are open to anyone regardless of insurance status, though they can't be combined with insurance on the same fill. Compare current pricing with our GoodRx vs. Inside Rx guide.
You generally need to have Medicare or no insurance at all (private or commercial insurance disqualifies you), meet income limits, and not qualify for Medicaid or Medicare Extra Help without a documented denial.
Victoza falls under the standard Novo Nordisk PAP income limit of 400% of the federal poverty level, which is less restrictive than the 200% limit that applies specifically to Ozempic.
Yes, if they meet income requirements. Medicare beneficiaries with household income below 150% of the federal poverty level must first apply for and be denied Medicare Part D Extra Help before enrolling in the Patient Assistance Program.
No. The current Diabetes Savings Card program covers Ozempic and Rybelsus only. It does not include Victoza as of August 2026.
Processing typically takes several weeks once a complete application, including income documentation and any required denial letters, is submitted. Approved patients can generally receive medication for up to a year before needing to reapply.
Yes. Approval is generally valid for up to one year, and patients need to reapply with updated income documentation to continue receiving free medication.
Liraglutide products have experienced intermittent shortages in recent years. Check current availability and alternatives in our Victoza shortage guide before assuming a specific pharmacy has stock.
Ask whether generic liraglutide from a different manufacturer is available, since supply varies by distributor. If neither brand nor generic is available locally, your prescriber may consider a therapeutic alternative in the same drug class.
Depending on your formulary, once-weekly options like Ozempic or Trulicity, or the oral tablet Rybelsus, may have lower copays on some commercial plans. This is a decision to make with your prescriber, not based on price alone.
You'll typically need proof of income such as tax returns or pay stubs, proof of insurance status, and in some cases a denial letter for Medicaid or Medicare Extra Help. Your prescriber usually needs to complete part of the application as well.
How We Researched This Guide
Sources
- NovoCare — Diabetes Savings Card Program (official terms)
- NovoCare — Patient Assistance Program Eligibility
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration — Drug Approvals and Databases
- Medicare.gov — Part D Out-of-Pocket Cap
- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
- NeedyMeds — Federal Poverty Level Guidelines
Related Manufacturer Coupon & Savings Card Guides
- Victoza Shortage 2026: Availability & Alternatives
- Patient Assistance Programs: Full Directory
- Free or $35 Insulin: Complete 2026 Guide
- Prior Authorization Guide for Diabetes Medications
- Extra Help (LIS): Medicare Part D Low-Income Subsidy
- GoodRx vs Inside Rx: Which Saves More?
- Drug Price Checker
- Jardiance Savings Card, Coupon & Copay Card 2026
Editorial Policy: Refill Relay medical content is researched using manufacturer program terms, FDA prescribing information and pharmacist-reviewed pricing resources. Every article is reviewed for clarity, accuracy and usefulness before publication. Program eligibility, pricing and covered-medication lists are controlled by Novo Nordisk and subject to change without notice.