Saxenda (liraglutide) is similar to a hormone that occurs naturally in the body and helps control blood sugar, insulin levels, and digestion.

Saxenda is an injectable prescription medicine that may help some obese adults or overweight adults who also have weight-related medical problems, and children aged 12 to 17 years with a body weight above 132 pounds (60 kg) and obesity, to lose weight and keep the weight off. It is used together with diet and exercise.

Saxenda is not for treating type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Saxenda is not a weight-loss medicine or appetite suppressant.

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.

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 of Saxenda 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 dayWeek 2: Inject 1.2 mg subcutaneously once a dayWeek 3: Inject 1.8 mg subcutaneously once a dayWeek 4: Inject 2.4 mg subcutaneously once a dayWeek 5: Inject 3 mg subcutaneously once a dayMaintenance dose: 3 mg subcutaneously once a day

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

Common Saxenda side effects may include:

• nausea (especially when you start using Saxenda), vomiting, stomach pain;

• increased heart rate;

• diarrhea, constipation;

• headache, dizziness; or

• feeling tired.

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:

• insulin; or

• oral diabetes medicine - Glucotrol, Metaglip, Amaryl, Avandaryl, Duetact, DiaBeta, Micronase, Glucovance, and others.

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 is the average weight loss with Saxenda?

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.

How does Saxenda work?

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.

Can you drink alcohol with 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.

How long does a Saxenda pen last?

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.

How long does it take for Saxenda to work?

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%.