Saxenda

As part of our series of articles on weight loss medications, we will look in more detail at the injectable prescription medicine Saxenda.

This treatment has been shown to help overweight or obese adults and adolescents lose excess weight. Here we will explore the ingredients, safety, and efficacy of Saxenda so you can decide if it could be a good choice for you.

If you are considering both Saxenda and phentermine, please have a look at our detailed comparison article.

What is Saxenda?

Saxenda injection 3mg is a once-daily medication taken to aid weight loss. Adults with a body mass index (BMI) of over 30, or those with a BMI over 27 and a weight-related medical disease, are eligible for this prescription medication.

It is recommended that Saxenda be taken in conjunction with a reduced-calorie diet and regular exercise ( 1 ).

The Saxenda generic ingredient is liraglutide, a substance that helps to regulate hunger and appetite which may lead to the consumption of fewer calories and, therefore, weight loss ( 1 ).

Saxenda was approved for overweight and obese adults by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2014. In 2020, the drug was approved for pediatric patients aged 12 and over with a BMI of 30 or more, and a weight of over 132 pounds (60kg) ( 2 ).

What does Saxenda look like?

The liraglutide contained within the Saxenda pen is a clear, colorless solution.

Each Saxenda pen is pre-filled with liraglutide solution. The pen is blue with a sticker indicating its contents. A dial within a window indicates how much liraglutide has been prepared for injection. The needle is safely contained within the pen lid.

How does it work?

Liraglutide works in a similar way to glucagon-like-peptide (GLP-1), a hormone naturally produced in the body that affects appetite and hunger. GLP-1 receptors are present in certain parts of the brain. When Saxenda is injected, liraglutide stimulates neurons in the brain to reduce appetite, thereby helping you to decrease your calorie intake. In turn, you will lose weight ( 3 ).

Even in short-term studies, taking liraglutide led to significant weight loss ( 4 ).

How much weight can I lose?

In randomized, placebo-controlled studies, participants who started liraglutide and followed a hypocaloric diet with regular exercise lost 4 to 6kg (8.8 to 13.2 pounds). A greater proportion of patients lost 5 to 10% of their baseline weight compared to those given a placebo drug. Taking liraglutide was found to be not only beneficial for weight loss, but for maintaining the new, lower weight, too ( 5 ).

Even in a short, 5-week study, a participant with a BMI of 40.4 lost 13.55% of his baseline weight when taking liraglutide. (4) A longer study lasting over a year showed that 33.1% of participants injecting liraglutide lost more than 10% of their initial body weight, compared to just 10.6% of those taking a placebo ( 6 ).

There is, therefore, good evidence that Saxenda could be a helpful adjunct to a reduced-calorie diet and exercise.

How should I take Saxenda?

When you start taking Saxenda, you should follow the dosing schedule below. The schedule is designed to gradually increase your daily dose from 0.6mg to the full dose of 3mg while minimizing the risk of side effects.

Week	Daily Dosage
Week 1	0.6mg
Week 2	1.2mg
Week 3	1.8mg
Week 4	2.4mg

From week 5 onwards, the daily dose is 3.0mg.

You should inject the dose of Saxenda under the skin of your stomach, thigh, or upper arm. The medication must be injected into the subcutaneous tissue, not the muscle or a vein. Your doctor should show you how to perform the injection safely ( 7 ).

Saxenda is considered a long-term treatment. After four months, you will need to consult your healthcare professional to review your progress and check that the drug remains suitable for you ( 8 ).

Does Saxenda have side effects?

The most common side effects when taking Saxenda are nausea, diarrhea, constipation, vomiting, low blood sugar, headache, tiredness, dizziness, stomach pain, and a skin reaction at the injection site. A change in lipase levels may be noted on blood testing ( 7 ).

In adolescents, the most common side effects are fever and gastroenteritis ( 7 ).

Following the dosing schedule may help you to avoid mild side effects, but if you feel unwell, you should speak to your doctor.

Unfortunately, more serious adverse events can occur when taking Saxenda. These include:

• Pancreatitis
• Gallbladder disease
• Severely low blood sugar (especially in patients with diabetes)
• Increased resting heart rate
• Kidney failure
• Depression or suicidal thoughts
• Serious allergic reactions.

You must call your doctor straight away if you are worried about any of these complications.

What should I avoid when taking Saxenda?

Saxenda helps patients lose weight. However, it will not suit everyone. It is important to be aware of contraindications and possible interactions before starting this injectable prescription medicine.

Precautions

In rare cases, Saxenda has been associated with pancreatic and thyroid cancer. If you have a family history of these conditions, or Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia (MEN 2), you must not take Saxenda.

Saxenda is also contraindicated in patients who:

• Have severe stomach disorders
• Have pancreatic, liver, or kidney disease
• Have a history of mental health disease, including depression or suicidal thoughts
• Already take a GLP-1 receptor agonist.

Saxenda is not suitable for women who are pregnant, trying to conceive, or breastfeeding ( 7 ).

Drug interactions

If you take another prescribed, over-the-counter, or herbal medication, you must tell your doctor before starting Saxenda. It is reported that an interaction may occur between liraglutide and diabetes medicines, leading to hypoglycemia.

Dose adjustment of anti-diabetes medications may therefore be required ( 7 ).

Foods to avoid while on Saxenda

There are no specific foods to avoid when taking Saxenda. However, it is important to follow a low-calorie diet for best results.

Should you try Saxenda?

Saxenda has been found to aid weight loss when a reduced-calorie diet is also followed. However, it is important to consider the Saxenda pros and cons before requesting a prescription, as the side effects and precautions may mean it is contraindicated for some people.

Before deciding, you may find it helpful to learn about other weight loss medication options available on prescription. You can also read our in-depth comparison of Saxenda vs phentermine.

FAQs

How much does Saxenda cost?

If you are wondering where to buy Saxenda, you could request a prescription from your doctor to fill at a local pharmacy. Alternatively, use an online pharmacy that will connect you to a licensed medical prescriber. At Push Health, for example, each Saxenda pen costs around $250 ( 9 ).

Saxenda vs. Victoza: what’s the difference?

Saxenda and Victoza both contain liraglutide. However, Victoza is only licensed for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, whereas Saxenda is approved to aid weight loss. Saxenda tends to be prescribed at higher doses than Victoza ( 10 ).

How can I get Saxenda covered by insurance?

Some insurers may cover the cost of Saxenda as part of your policy. Contact your insurer to see if your plan includes medicines to treat obesity. If you have employer-covered insurance, this may cover the cost of Saxenda.

Why am I not losing weight on Saxenda?

Saxenda will only work if it helps you to consume fewer calories. If Saxenda suppresses your appetite and makes it easier for you to eat less, then you should lose weight.

If your appetite is not suppressed, or you continue to consume more calories than you expend, then weight loss will not occur. If your weight is not decreasing despite a reduction in appetite, seek advice from your healthcare professional, who may want to rule out a medical cause such as hypothyroid disease.

Does Saxenda need to be refrigerated?

Before opening, Saxenda should be kept in the refrigerator from 2oC to 8oC. Once you have started using the pen, it can either be stored at room temperature (below 30oC) or in the refrigerator (2oC to 8oC) ( 11 ).

How long does a Saxenda pen last?

When you start the initial dosing schedule, the pen will last for 17 days (mid-way through week 3). However, once you reach week 5 and are taking Saxenda injection of 3mg every day, each pen will only last for 6 days.