Saxenda Dosage, forms & strengths
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Get started todaySaxenda (liraglutide) is a prescription drug that is manufactured by Novo Nordisk. There is no generic version of Saxenda available. It is U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved as an adjunct to a reduced calorie diet and increased physical activity for chronic weight management and weight loss in:
- Adult patients with an initial body mass index (BMI) of:
- 30 kg/m^2 or greater (obesity)
- 27 kg/m^2 or greater (overweight) with at least one weight-related comorbid condition (high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes mellitus, high cholesterol)
- Pediatric patients 12 years of age and older with:
- body weight above 60 kg and
- an initial BMI corresponding to 30 kg/m^2 for adults (obese) by international cut-offs
Saxenda forms and strengths
Saxenda is available in a prefilled syringe of the following strength:
- 6 mg/mL pre-filled pen that delivers doses of 0.6 mg, 1.2 mg, 1.8 mg, 2.4 mg or 3 mg
Saxenda dosage for adults
The initial dose of Saxenda is 0.6 mg per day for one week. The dose will be increased by 0.6 mg in weekly intervals until the recommended dose of 3 mg daily is reached. Pediatric patients may take a lower dose of 2.4 mg daily if they don’t tolerate the recommended 3 mg dose.
Saxenda adult dosage chart
| Indication | Starting dosage | Standard dosage | Maximum dosage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chronic weight management | 0.6mg injected under the skin once daily for 1 week. | 3mg injected under the skin once daily. | 3mg injected under the skin once daily. |
Saxenda pediatric dosage chart
| Indication | Age | Starting dosage | Standard dosage | Maximum dosage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chronic weight management | 12 years and older | 0.6mg injected under the skin once daily for 1 week. | 3mg injected under the skin once daily. | 3mg injected under the skin once daily. |
Saxenda dosage restrictions
- There is no dosage adjustment necessary in patients with renal (kidney) or hepatic (liver) impairment.
How to take Saxenda
- Read the Instructions for Use, Prescribing Information, and Medication Guide, including the Boxed Warning that come with Saxenda.
- Take Saxenda as prescribed by your healthcare professional. They should instruct you on how to use Saxenda before you use it for the first time.
- Your starting dose is 0.6mg per day for one week. Your dose will be increased by 0.6mg in weekly intervals until the recommended dose of Saxenda 3mg daily is reached. Children may decrease their dose to 2.4mg daily if they don’t tolerate the maximum dose.
- Saxenda is injected once a day, at any time during the day. It can be taken with or without food.
- Inject Saxenda under the skin (subcutaneous) in the stomach, thigh, or upper arm. Rotate your injection site with each injection
- Taking too much Saxenda may cause severe nausea, vomiting, and low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).
- If you miss your daily dose of Saxenda, skip the missed dose and take your next daily dose as usual on the following day. Do not take an extra dose of Saxenda to make up for your missed dose. If you miss your dose of Saxenda for 3 days or more, call your doctor to discuss how to restart your treatment.
- If you have type 2 diabetes, monitor your blood glucose before starting and during treatment.
- Before its first use, your Saxenda pen should be stored in a refrigerator between 36ºF to 46ºF (2ºC to 8ºC). Do not store in the freeze and do not use Saxenda if it has been frozen. After its initial use, the pen can be stored for up to 30 days at controlled room temperature (59°F to 86°F; 15°C to 30°C) or in a refrigerator (36°F to 46°F; 2°C to 8°C).
- Keep the pen cap on when not in use. You should remove and safely discard the needle after each injection and store the Saxenda pen without a needle attached.
- Saxenda should not be taken during pregnancy because weight loss offers no potential benefit to a pregnant woman and may result in fetal harm. If you become pregnant while taking Saxenda, discontinue this medication and contact your healthcare provider.
- It is not known if Saxenda passes into your breast milk. Talk to your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.
- It is not known if Saxenda can be safely taken with other prescription or over-the-counter weight loss drugs.
Saxenda dosage FAQs
What are the most common side effects of Saxenda?
The most common adverse reactions of Saxenda in clinical trials include:
- Nausea
- Injection site reaction
- Change in enzyme (lipase) levels in your blood
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Abdominal pain
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Upset stomach
- Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
- Fever and/or gastroenteritis in children
In rare instances, Saxenda can cause more serious side effects. These can include:
- Increased risk of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or other thyroid cancer
- Acute pancreatitis
- Acute gallbladder disease including gallstones
- Hypoglycemia
- Renal impairment including renal failure
- Allergic reactions
- Increased heart rate
- Increased risk of suicidal thoughts (ideation) and behavior
What is the difference between Victoza and Saxenda?
Victoza and Saxenda are both injectable medications containing liraglutide that are manufactured by Novo Nordisk. There are differences in the conditions they are approved to treat and the doses used.
Victoza is used along with diet and exercise to treat type 2 diabetes in adults and children aged 10 years and older. It is approved to reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events in adults with type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
Saxenda is used along with diet and exercise for long-term weight management in adults with certain weight-related conditions and/or body mass index (BMI) measurements. It is also used in children 12 years and older who weigh more than 60kg and have obesity based on their age, sex, and height.
How much weight can you lose with Saxenda?
A Saxenda clinical trial showed that people who took the maintenance dose of 3mg along with diet and exercise lost between 5% and 10% of their starting body weight.
How long does Saxenda stay in the system?
With an elimination half-life of around 13 hours, Saxenda will remain in your bloodstream for about 3 days after your last dose.
What happens if I miss a dose of Saxenda?
If you miss a dose of Saxenda, skip the missed dose and take your next daily dose as scheduled on the following day. Do not take an extra dose of Saxenda to make up for the missed dose. If you miss your daily dose of Saxenda for 3 or more days, call your healthcare provider to discuss how to restart your treatment.
What is the maximum dosage for Saxenda?
The maximum dose of Saxenda is 3mg once daily.
What drug interactions occur with Saxenda?
Saxenda lowers your blood glucose levels and can cause hypoglycemia. You are at an increased risk if Saxenda is used along with insulin secretagogues (sulfonylureas) or insulin.
Saxenda also delays gastric emptying which can affect the absorption of oral medications that are taken along with it. Saxenda has not been studied in patients with gastroparesis.
Is it safe to use Saxenda while pregnant?
Saxenda should not be taken during pregnancy because weight loss offers no potential benefit to a pregnant woman. In animal studies, Saxenda was found to cause thyroid tumors so it may also result in fetal harm. If you become pregnant while taking Saxenda, discontinue this medication and contact your healthcare provider.
