Saxenda

What is Saxenda?

Saxenda contains the prescription medicine liraglutide. Liraglutide is similar to a naturally occurring hormone in the body that controls digestion, insulin levels, and blood sugar levels. Saxenda is recommended alongside a reduced-calorie diet and an increase in exercise. It is used to help manage obesity in adult patients with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 kg/m2 or more, or 27 kg/m2 or more, if you have high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, or high cholesterol, triglycerides, or a low HDL cholesterol level that is making plaque build up in your arteries worse. Saxenda is not specifically for the treatment of type 1 or type 2 diabetes or weight loss. It is part of a treatment plan that will include diet, exercise, and weight management.

How it works

Liraglutide is classed as an acylated human glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist. Liraglutide binds to and activates the GLP-1 receptor. Unlike naturally occurring GLP-1 in the body, which has a half-life of up to 2 minutes, liraglutide is stable against breakdown by enzymes in the body and has a half-life of 13 hours. Because liraglutide has delayed absorption and plasma protein binding and has a half-life of 13 hours it can be given once daily by subcutaneous injection. GLP-1 is classed as a physiological regulator of appetite and calorie intake. It works by a method known as negative feedback. The GLP-1 receptor is seen in several areas of the brain involved in appetite regulation.

Typical dosing

• Saxenda is given as a subcutaneous injection under the skin. It can be given at any time of the day, with or without a meal.
• Saxenda comes in a prefilled pen. You should not inject into the same place two times in a row.
• If the injection has particles in it or changed color, do not use it. Speak to your pharmacist for a new medicine. Dispose of used needles and syringes using a puncture-proof disposal sharps container.
• Store unopened pens in the refrigerator. In-use pens may be kept at room temperature for up to 30 days. Always store your medicine out of the reach of children and pets.

This is general dosing information, not a prescription. Only your provider determines the dose that’s appropriate for you.

Safety information

The most common side effects caused by Saxenda include nausea, vomiting, and stomach pain, diarrhea, constipation, fast heart rate, tiredness, and headaches and dizziness. In rare instances, Saxenda can cause more serious side effects, including increased heart rate; suicidal thoughts or sudden changes in behavior and mood; severe nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea that will not stop; hypoglycemia (very low blood sugar levels): feeling very weak, shaking, confused, sweating, fainting, or seizures; pain or difficulty to urinate, swelling in ankles or feet, tiredness, and difficulty breathing; trouble swallowing, lump, or swollen neck; and jaundice (yellowing of eyes or skin, darker stools, upper stomach pain spreading to back). Your doctor will assess the benefits of using Saxenda against your risk of side effects. Saxenda can interact with other medications, including bexarotene (cancer treatment), gatifloxacin (an antibiotic), insulin (aspart, detemir, glargine, lispro), oral diabetes medicines (glipizide, glimepiride), antiviral medication (amprenavir, atazanavir, darunavir, ritonavir, saquinavir), diuretics (bendroflumethaizide, bumetanide, furosemide), antibiotics (ciprofloxacin, clarithromycin, norfloxacin), and corticosteroids (dexamethasone, fludrocortisone, prednisolone). This list is not exhaustive and other drugs may interact with Saxenda. You should not use Saxenda if you: are allergic to the active ingredient liraglutide; are allergic to any of the other ingredients in Saxenda; are using insulin or albiglutide, dulaglutide, or exenatide; have multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2; have a family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma; have diabetic ketoacidosis; or are under 18 years of age. Talk to your doctor before using Saxenda if you: are taking any of the medications that could interact with Saxenda; have kidney disease; have liver disease; have high cholesterol or triglycerides; have heart problems; have problems with your pancreas or gallbladder; have depression or suicidal thoughts; have stomach or digestion problems; are pregnant or are planning to become pregnant; or are breastfeeding or are planning to breastfeed.