Saxenda (liraglutide) for Weight Loss: Side Effects & Dosage

What is Saxenda? What are the uses for Saxenda?

• Saxenda is prescribed to help some
  obese or
  overweight
  adults with weight-related medical problems to
  lose weight and keep the weight
  off.
• It is approved for use in combination with a
  reduced-calorie diet and
  regular
  exercise for the long term
  weight management of adults with an initial body mass
  index (BMI) of 30 kg/m2 or greater (obese) or 27 kg/m2 or greater (overweight),
  plus at least one weight related medical condition (for example,
  high blood
  pressure,
  type 2 diabetes, or
  high blood
  cholesterol levels).
• Saxenda is not approved for treatment of diabetes.

What brand names are available for liraglutide injection (Saxenda)?

Saxenda

Is liraglutide injection (Saxenda) available as a generic drug?

No

Do I need a prescription for liraglutide injection (Saxenda)?

Yes

What are the side effects of liraglutide injection (Saxenda)?

The most common side effects of Saxenda include:

• 
  Nausea
• 
  Hypoglycemia (low blood glucose)
• 
  Diarrhea
• 
  Constipation
• 
  Vomiting
• Stomach distension
• Flatulence (intestinal gas)
• Injection site reactions
• Insomnia
• Anxiety
• Increased heart rate
• Abnormal
  physical weakness
• Dry mouth

• Headache

• Decreased appetite

• Heartburn

• Fatigue

• Dizziness

• Stomach pain

• Increased lipase (enzyme) in your blood

Saxenda may cause some rare but serious side effects including:

• Thyroid tumors or
  cancer
• inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis)

• Gallbladder disease

• Increased heart rate

• Kidney disease

• Serious allergic
  reactions,

• Depression or
  thoughts of suicide

What is the dosage for liraglutide injection (Saxenda)?

• The recommended daily dose of Saxenda for weight management is 3
  mg daily.
• Patients should be started at 0.6 mg per day for 1 week, followed by
  0.6 mg dose increments at weekly intervals until a target dose of 3 mg is
  reached.
• Saxenda should be discontinued in patients who cannot tolerate the
  3 mg, as effectiveness of treatment at lower doses has not been established.
• Saxenda can be administered once daily at any time of the day, without
  regard to meals.
• Saxenda should be injected subcutaneously in the abdomen,
  thigh, or upper arm.

Which drugs or supplements interact with liraglutide injection (Saxenda)?

: Saxenda delays gastric or stomach emptying and
therefore may interfere with the absorption of oral medications taken at the
same time as Saxenda.

Is liraglutide injection (Saxenda) safe to take if I’m pregnant or breastfeeding?

:

• As
  weight loss
  during
  pregnancy offers no benefits to the mother and may cause harm to the
  fetus. Saxenda should not be used during
  pregnancy. Saxenda is classified as FDA pregnancy risk category X.
• It is not known if Saxenda is excreted in breast milk.
  Due to the lack of safety data, Saxenda should not be used by
  nursing
  mothers.

What else should I know about liraglutide injection (Saxenda)?

What preparations of liraglutide injection (Saxenda) are available?

• Saxenda is available as a solution for subcutaneous
  injection in pre-filled, disposable, multiple dose pens.
• Each pen delivers doses
  of 0.6, 1.2, 1.8, 2.4, or 3 mg (6 mg/ml, 3 ml).
• Pens come in packs of either 3
  or 5.

How should I keep liraglutide injection (Saxenda) stored?

• Before the first use, Saxenda should be stored in the
  refrigerator between 36 C to 46 C (2 F to 8 F).
• After the first use, the pen can
  be stored at room temperature between 59 F to 86 C (15 F to 30 F) or in the
  refrigerator between 36 F to 46 C (2 F to 8 F).