Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
Overview
Saxenda is a prescription injection that contains liraglutide (6 mg/mL) in a pre-filled pen. It is made by Novo Nordisk Canada and is injected under the skin once a day.
It is used for long-term weight management together with a reduced-calorie diet and more physical activity. Each pen holds 18 mg of liraglutide and can deliver doses of 0.6 mg, 1.2 mg, 1.8 mg, 2.4 mg and 3 mg.
Health Canada has approved Saxenda, along with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity, for chronic weight management in:
- adults with a starting BMI of 30 or more (obesity), or 27 or more (overweight) with at least one weight-related condition
- young people aged 12 to under 18 who weigh more than 60 kg, have obesity, and have not responded well enough to diet and physical activity alone
Liraglutide
GLP-1 receptor agonist
weight management
Prescription required
Available
How Saxenda Works
Liraglutide copies a natural gut hormone called GLP-1.
It acts on the parts of the brain that control appetite, so people feel full sooner and eat less. It also slows how quickly the stomach empties.
Dosage Instructions of Saxenda
Saxenda is injected once a day. The dose is raised each week to reduce stomach side effects.
- Week 1: 0.6 mg daily
- Week 2: 1.2 mg daily
- Week 3: 1.8 mg daily
- Week 4: 2.4 mg daily
- Week 5 onward: 3 mg daily, the maintenance dose
For adults, treatment should be stopped after 12 weeks on the 3 mg dose if less than 5% of starting body weight has been lost.
If you miss a dose, take your next dose at the usual time. Do not take an extra dose or a larger dose to make up for it. If more than 3 days have passed since your last dose, speak to your prescriber, because treatment is restarted at 0.6 mg.
Storage Instructions
Before first use, keep Saxenda in the refrigerator at 2°C to 8°C. Do not freeze it or store it next to the cooling element. After first use, the pen can be kept for 30 days either at room temperature (not above 30°C) or in the refrigerator.
Side Effects of Saxenda
Stomach and bowel symptoms are the most common side effects. In adult clinical trials, compared with placebo, they were:
- Nausea: 39% of people, compared with 14% on placebo
- Diarrhea: 21%, compared with 10%
- Constipation: 19%, compared with 9%
- Vomiting: 16%, compared with 4%
- Headache: 14%, compared with 13%
- Decreased appetite: 10%, compared with 2%
- Fatigue: 8%, compared with 5%
Get medical help right away for severe stomach pain that does not go away, with or without vomiting. This can be a sign of pancreatitis, and Saxenda should be stopped if pancreatitis is suspected.
Important Safety Information About Saxenda
Saxenda carries a boxed warning about thyroid C-cell tumours. These tumours occurred in rats and mice. It is not known whether liraglutide causes them in people.
Do not use Saxenda if you:
- have a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma, or have Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2)
- are pregnant or breastfeeding
- are allergic to liraglutide or any ingredient in the product
Gallstones were reported more often with Saxenda than with placebo (2.2% compared with 0.8%). Saxenda can also raise resting heart rate by 2 to 3 beats per minute on average, so heart rate should be checked regularly.
Vomiting and diarrhea can cause dehydration, which may harm the kidneys. People with type 2 diabetes who take a sulfonylurea or insulin have a higher risk of low blood sugar.
Tell your doctor about any new or worsening depression, thoughts of suicide or unusual changes in mood or behaviour.
Drug Interactions
No clinically significant drug interaction has been shown with Saxenda, but some combinations need care.
- Medicines taken by mouth: liraglutide slows stomach emptying, which may affect how they are absorbed.
- Insulin and sulfonylureas: the risk of low blood sugar is higher, and their dose may need to be reduced.
- Warfarin: INR should be checked more often when Saxenda is started.
- Medicines that raise heart rate or affect heart rhythm, such as some calcium channel blockers, beta-blockers and digoxin: use with caution.
Brands & DIN Number of Saxenda
Brand Names
Saxenda
DIN (Drug Identification Numbers)
02437899
Key Takeaways
- 1Saxenda is a once-daily liraglutide injection for chronic weight management.
- 2It is approved for adults with a BMI of 30 or more, or 27 or more with a weight-related condition, and for some teens aged 12 and over.
- 3The dose is raised weekly from 0.6 mg to the 3 mg maintenance dose.
- 4Adults should stop after 12 weeks on 3 mg if they have lost less than 5% of their starting weight.
- 5Nausea, diarrhea, constipation and vomiting are the most common side effects.
- 6It must not be used in pregnancy or breastfeeding, or by people with a history of MTC or MEN 2.
- 7It is not a BC PharmaCare benefit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Avee Editorial
Avee Editorial Team