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Saxenda

Generic name: liraglutide [ LIR-a-GLOO-tide ]
Brand names: Saxenda, Victoza
Dosage form: Subcutaneous injection
Drug class: Incretin Mimetics (GLP-1 Agonists)

Medically reviewed by Melisa Puckey, BPharm. Last updated on Aug 23, 2023.

What is Saxenda?

Saxenda (liraglutide) is used for weight loss and to help keep weight off once weight has been lost, it is used for obese adults or overweight adults who also have weight-related medical problems. Saxenda can be used in children aged 12 to 17 years who with obesity and who have a bodyweight above 132 pounds (60 kg). Saxenda is used together with a healthy diet and exercise.

Saxenda is an injection given once a day under the skin (subcutaneous) from a multi-dose injection pen.

Saxenda contains the same active ingredient (liraglutide) as Victoza. The difference between Saxenda and Victoza is they are different strengths and they are FDA approved for different conditions. 

Saxenda is not for treating type 1 or type 2 diabetes. It is not known if Saxenda is safe and effective in children under 12 years of age. It is not known if Saxenda is safe and effective in children aged 12 to 17 years with type 2 diabetes.

How does Saxenda work?

Saxenda works to help weight loss by lowering appetite, slowing gastric emptying which makes you feel full for longer and therefore you decrease your calorie intake.  Saxenda is similar to a hormone that occurs naturally in the body and helps control blood sugar, insulin levels, and digestion. Saxenda belongs to a class of medicines called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists.

What is Saxenda used for?

Saxenda is FDA approved for weight loss and to help keep weight off once you have lost weight. It can be used for:

Adults:

Pediatric patients aged 12 years and older:

Warnings

The Victoza brand of liraglutide is used together with diet and exercise to treat type 2 diabetes. Do not use Saxenda and Victoza together.

You should not use Saxenda if you have multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (tumors in your glands), a personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer, insulin-dependent diabetes, diabetic ketoacidosis, or are pregnant.

In animal studies, liraglutide caused thyroid tumors or thyroid cancer. It is not known whether these effects would occur in people using regular doses.

Call your doctor at once if you have signs of a thyroid tumor, such as swelling or a lump in your neck, trouble swallowing, a hoarse voice, or shortness of breath.

Before using Saxenda

You should not use Saxenda if you are allergic to liraglutide, or if you have:

You should not use Saxenda if you also use insulin or other medicines like liraglutide (albiglutide, dulaglutide, exenatide, Byetta, Bydureon, Tanzeum, Trulicity).

To make sure Saxenda is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

In animal studies, liraglutide caused thyroid tumors or thyroid cancer. It is not known whether these effects would occur in people using regular doses. Ask your doctor about your risk.

It is not known whether Saxenda will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

It is not known whether liraglutide passes into breast milk or if it could affect the nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding.

Saxenda is not FDA-approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.

Saxenda pregnancy and breastfeeding warnings (more detail)

How should I use Saxenda?

Saxenda is usually given once per day. Follow all directions on your prescription label. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Do not use this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

Do not use Saxenda and Victoza together. These two brands contain the same active ingredient but they should not be used together.

Read all patient information, medication guides, and instruction sheets provided to you. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

Saxenda is injected under the skin at any time of the day, with or without a meal. You will be shown how to use injections at home. Do not self-inject this medicine if you do not understand how to give the injection and properly dispose of used needles and syringes.

Saxenda comes in a prefilled injection pen. Ask your pharmacist which type of needles are best to use with your pen.

Your care provider will show you the best places on your body to inject Saxenda. Use a different place each time you give an injection. Do not inject into the same place two times in a row.

Do not use Saxenda if it has changed colors or if it has particles in it. Call your pharmacist for new medicine.

Also watch for signs of high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) such as increased thirst or urination, blurred vision, headache, and tiredness.

Blood sugar levels can be affected by stress, illness, surgery, exercise, alcohol use, or skipping meals. Ask your doctor before changing your dose or medication schedule.

Use a disposable needle only once. Follow any state or local laws about throwing away used needles and syringes. Use a puncture-proof "sharps" disposal container (ask your pharmacist where to get one and how to throw it away). Keep this container out of the reach of children and pets.

Saxenda is only part of a complete treatment program that may also include diet, exercise, weight control, regular blood sugar testing, and special medical care. Follow your doctor's instructions very closely.

Storing unopened injection pens: Store in the refrigerator. Do not freeze Saxenda, and throw away the medication if it has become frozen. Do not use an unopened injection pen if the expiration date on the label has passed.

Storing after your first use: You may keep "in-use" injection pens in the refrigerator or at room temperature. Protect the pens from moisture, heat, and sunlight. Use within 30 days. Remove the needle before storing an injection pen, and keep the cap on the pen when not in use.

Dosing information

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: 

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 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: 

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.

Detailed Saxenda dosage information

What happens if I miss a dose?

If you miss your daily dose of Saxenda, use the dose as soon as you remember. Then take your next daily dose as usual on the following day. Do not take an extra dose of Saxenda or increase your dose on the following day to make up for your missed dose.

If you miss your dose of Saxenda for 3 days or more, call your healthcare provider to talk about how to restart your treatment.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What should I avoid while using Saxenda?

Never share an injection pen, cartridge, or syringe with another person, even if the needle has been changed. Sharing these devices can allow infections or disease to pass from one person to another.

Do not use Saxenda together with other weight loss products, diet pills, or appetite suppressants.

Saxenda side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Saxenda: hives; fast heartbeats; dizziness; trouble breathing or swallowing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

Common Saxenda side effects may include:

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Saxenda side effects (more detail)

What other drugs will affect Saxenda?

Saxenda can slow your digestion, and it may take longer for your body to absorb any medicines you take by mouth.

Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any you start or stop using, especially:

This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with liraglutide, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.

Saxenda drug interactions (more detail)

What are the ingredients in Saxenda?

Active ingredient: liraglutide

Inactive ingredients: disodium phosphate dihydrate, propylene glycol, phenol and water for injection. Hydrochloric acid or sodium hydroxide may be added to adjust the pH.

Popular FAQ

Saxenda works for weight loss by regulating your hunger and calorie intake. As a glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist, it lowers hunger stimulation in several areas of the brain, which reduces your food intake.

Saxenda also helps your stomach digest food more slowly, which causes feelings of fullness. However, this can affect certain medicines you take, so it’s important to discuss all of your medications with your health care provider.

It also increases insulin secretion, which helps cells absorb glucose that is used for energy. And, it decreases glucagon secretion in the body. Glucagon is a hormone that tells your liver to release stored glucose when blood sugar is too low. These two effects lead to decreased blood glucose levels.

Store unopened Saxenda pens in the refrigerator between 36℉ to 46℉. Do not freeze. After the first injection, Saxenda may be refrigerated or stored at controlled room temperature (59℉ to 86℉) for 30 days. Keep the pen out of direct heat and sunlight.

A Saxenda pen may be used for 30 days. After 30 days, the medication expires and must be thrown away even if there is still medicine left in it. How long each pen lasts depends on the dose you take. There is a scale on the pen that shows you about how much Saxenda is left inside.

In clinical studies, a greater number of people who took Saxenda for 56 weeks lost 5 to 10% of their body weight, compared with people who took a placebo. (A placebo is a substance that has no effect and is used as a control when testing medications). This means participants lost 12 to 23 pounds. People in the studies were overweight (BMI 27-29.9 kg/m2) or obese (BMI greater than or equal to 30 kg/m2) before taking Saxenda.

There is no specific warning about drinking alcohol with Saxenda. Keep in mind that alcohol can lower blood sugar. If you are taking other drugs for diabetes, drinking alcohol increases your risk of hypoglycemia. In addition, many alcoholic drinks contain high levels of carbohydrates and sugar. If you’re trying to lose weight, you may want to avoid alcohol.

Saxenda reaches its maximum concentration in the body 11 hours after injection. It’s recommended to follow up with your doctor 2 to 8 weeks after starting Saxenda to see if it’s working.

  • If you have not lost 4% of your body weight after 16 weeks, your doctor may tell you to stop taking it.
  • In children ages 12 and up, Saxenda may be stopped after 12 weeks on the maintenance dose if BMI has not decreased by 1%.

It takes time to lose weight with Saxenda. It may take about 8 weeks before you start to see significant weight loss (about 5%) with Saxenda, but in the first 2 to 4 weeks you may lose about 2% to 4% of your weight. You should also adhere to a long-term reduced-calorie diet and exercise program as prescribed by your doctor for maximum weight loss. Continue reading

There are no specific foods you must avoid while taking Saxenda (liraglutide), but follow a reduced calorie diet and increase your physical activity, as directed by your doctor. If you experience an upset stomach and nausea with Saxenda, try these tips to help: eat bland, low-fat foods, like crackers, toast, and rice; eat foods that contain water like soups and gelatin; don't lie down after eating; get some fresh air outside; avoid tight clothing, avoid high fat, spicy or sugary foods. Continue reading

Liraglutide is injected just under the skin (subcutaneously) and the best sites are your stomach (abdomen), thigh, or upper arm. Do not inject Victoza into a muscle (intramuscularly) or vein (intravenously). To do this, you pinch up an area of skin with your thumb and forefinger, and then push the needle of the pen into this area, so that the medication will be injected just under the skin. Ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist to show you how to use the pen correctly before your first use. Continue reading

View more FAQ

References

  1. Saxenda Product Label
  2. A Randomized, Controlled Trial of 3.0 mg of Liraglutide in Weight Management

Further information

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use Saxenda only for the indication prescribed.

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

Medical Disclaimer

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