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Liraglutide Dosage

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Nov 30, 2023.

Applies to the following strengths: 18 mg/3 mL

Usual Adult Dose for Diabetes Type 2

Initial dose: 0.6 mg subcutaneously once a day for 1 week

Maintenance dose: 1.2 to 1.8 mg subcutaneously once a day
Maximum dose: 1.8 mg/day

Comments:

Uses:

Usual Adult Dose for Cardiovascular Risk Reduction

Initial dose: 0.6 mg subcutaneously once a day for 1 week

Maintenance dose: 1.2 to 1.8 mg subcutaneously once a day
Maximum dose: 1.8 mg/day

Comments:

Uses:

Usual Adult Dose for Weight Loss

Dose escalation should be followed to reduce the likelihood of gastrointestinal symptoms; dose escalation may be delayed by 1 additional week if necessary:
Week 1: Inject 0.6 mg subcutaneously once a day
Week 2: Inject 1.2 mg subcutaneously once a day
Week 3: Inject 1.8 mg subcutaneously once a day
Week 4: Inject 2.4 mg subcutaneously once a day
Week 5: Inject 3 mg subcutaneously once a day

MAINTENANCE dose: 3 mg subcutaneously once a day


Comments:

Use: As an adjunct to a reduced-caloried diet and increased physical activity for chronic weight management in adult patients with an initial BMI of 30 kg/m2 or greater (obese) or an initial BMI of 27 kg/m2 (overweight) or greater in the presence of at least 1 weight-related comorbid condition (e.g., hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, or dyslipidemia).

BMI=Body Mass Index is calculated by dividing weight in kilograms by height in meters squared. Charts are available for determining BMI based on height and weight, including a chart in Saxenda product labeling.

Usual Pediatric Dose for Diabetes Type 2

10 years or older:
Initial dose: 0.6 mg subcutaneously once a day

Maintenance dose: 0.6 to 1.8 mg subcutaneously once a day
Maximum dose: 1.8 mg/day

Comments:

Use: As an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in children and adolescents 10 years or older with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Usual Pediatric Dose for Weight Loss

12 years and older:
Dose escalation should be followed to reduce the likelihood of gastrointestinal symptoms; dose escalation may be delayed if necessary based on tolerability; dose escalation may take up to 8 weeks:
Week 1: Inject 0.6 mg subcutaneously once a day
Week 2: Inject 1.2 mg subcutaneously once a day
Week 3: Inject 1.8 mg subcutaneously once a day
Week 4: Inject 2.4 mg subcutaneously once a day
Week 5: Inject 3 mg subcutaneously once a day

MAINTENANCE dose: 2.4 or 3 mg subcutaneously once a day


Comments:

Use: As an adjunct to a reduced-caloried diet and increased physical activity for chronic weight management in pediatric patients with a body weight above 60 kg and an initial BMI of 30 kg/m2 or greater.

BMI=Body Mass Index is calculated by dividing weight in kilograms by height in meters squared. Charts are available for determining BMI based on height and weight, including a chart in Saxenda product labeling.

Usual Pediatric Dose for Obesity

12 years and older:
Dose escalation should be followed to reduce the likelihood of gastrointestinal symptoms; dose escalation may be delayed if necessary based on tolerability; dose escalation may take up to 8 weeks:
Week 1: Inject 0.6 mg subcutaneously once a day
Week 2: Inject 1.2 mg subcutaneously once a day
Week 3: Inject 1.8 mg subcutaneously once a day
Week 4: Inject 2.4 mg subcutaneously once a day
Week 5: Inject 3 mg subcutaneously once a day

MAINTENANCE dose: 2.4 or 3 mg subcutaneously once a day


Comments:

Use: As an adjunct to a reduced-caloried diet and increased physical activity for chronic weight management in pediatric patients with a body weight above 60 kg and an initial BMI of 30 kg/m2 or greater.

BMI=Body Mass Index is calculated by dividing weight in kilograms by height in meters squared. Charts are available for determining BMI based on height and weight, including a chart in Saxenda product labeling.

Renal Dose Adjustments

No dose adjustment recommended, however use caution, especially in patients who experience dehydration

Liver Dose Adjustments

No dose adjustment recommended, however use caution as there is limited experience in this population

Dose Adjustments

For patients concomitantly receiving insulin or insulin secretagogue, consider dose reduction of insulin or insulin secretagogue to reduce the risk of hypoglycemia

Precautions

US BOXED WARNING: Risk of Thyroid C-Cell Tumors:


CONTRAINDICATIONS:

Safety and efficacy have not been established for use in chronic weight management in patients younger than 12 years; safety and efficacy have not been established for use in type 2 diabetes in patients younger than 10 years.

Consult WARNINGS section for additional precautions.

Dialysis

Data not available

Other Comments

Administration advice:


Missed dose:

Storage requirements:

Reconstitution/preparation techniques: Patients should receive proper training from their healthcare provider prior to first use. See product labeling for specific instructions.

Compatibility: Do not mix with other medicinal products

General:

Monitoring:

Patient advice:

Frequently asked questions

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.