Saxenda (Liraglutide)

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. protein

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.

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:

• obese adults (BMI 30 kg/m2 or greater)
• overweight adults (BMI 27 kg/m2 or greater) who also have weight-related medical problems e.g., hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, or dyslipidemia.

Pediatric patients aged 12 years and older:

• body weight above 60 kg and
• their initial BMI corresponding to 30 kg/m2 or greater for adults (obese) by international cut-offs (Cole Criteria)

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.

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.

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:

• 3 mg subcutaneously once a day-If maintenance dose is not tolerated, discontinuation is recommended; efficacy for chronic weight management has not been established at lower doses.

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.

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.