How Long Does It Take for Saxenda to Work? Plus 7 More Saxenda FAQs

Saxenda (liraglutide) is an injectable weight-loss medication. In 2014, it was the first medication in its class to be FDA approved for chronic weight management. And in 2020, it became the first in its class to be approved for use in adolescents ages 12 and older.

Saxenda can be an effective weight-loss option for many people. But it works best when combined with a balanced diet and regular exercise.

If you’re thinking about starting Saxenda, it’s common to have questions about it. For instance, how long does it take for Saxenda to work? And how long do people usually need to use it? Below, we answer seven frequently asked questions about Saxenda.

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1. How long does it take for Saxenda to work?

Saxenda starts working after your first injection, but you won’t notice its weight-loss effects right away. The starting dosage (0.6 mg per day) and gradual dose increase are intended to limit side effects while your body adjusts to it.

You may start seeing some weight loss with Saxenda in as little as 2 weeks. And you’ll likely continue losing weight during the first few months of treatment. Most people see Saxenda’s maximum effects about 6 months after starting it.

If you haven’t lost at least 4% of your starting body weight within the first 16 weeks (3 to 4 months), let your prescriber know. Saxenda may not be the right weight-loss medication for you.

Good to know: It takes 5 weeks to reach the recommended maintenance dosage of Saxenda (3 mg per day). Speeding up the dosing schedule during the first 5 weeks doesn’t make Saxenda work faster. But it does raise your risk of experiencing side effects.

2. How does Saxenda work?

Saxenda is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist. It works by mimicking GLP-1, a natural gut hormone. This hormone helps regulate your appetite and blood glucose (sugar).

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Once injected, Saxenda slows the digestion of your meals. This means the food you eat stays in your stomach longer. This helps you feel fuller for longer. Αnd when you feel full, you tend to eat fewer calories.

Saxenda also sends signals to your brain that help decrease your appetite and reduce food cravings. So you may notice that you no longer have a desire to eat certain foods. Some people describe these feelings as a reduction in “food noise.”

3. How long does Saxenda stay in your system?

Saxenda doesn’t stay in your system too long. In fact, it only takes about 13 hours for your body to clear half of the medication. This is considered Saxenda’s half-life, and it’s used to determine how often you should inject doses.

Since it has a relatively short half-life, you should inject Saxenda once a day. If you stop taking Saxenda, small amounts of the medication may be present in your body for close to 3 days.

4. Where should you inject Saxenda?

You can inject Saxenda under the skin of your stomach, thigh, or upper arm at any time of day. You can time this around a meal time or on an empty stomach. Many people prefer to use either the stomach or thigh areas if they’re self-injecting. It can be challenging to inject your own upper arm. So if this is your desired injection site, consider asking someone else to help you inject Saxenda safely.

Be sure to rotate your injection sites to help reduce redness and irritation of the skin. Changing your injection site also helps your body absorb the medication better. If you want to keep using the same area of the body, just make sure to use a different spot. For instance, if you injected Saxenda into the left side of your stomach one day, you should use the right side for your dose the next day.

EXPERT PICKS: WHAT TO READ NEXT

• How they compare: Wegovy (semaglutide) and Saxenda (liraglutide) are two injectable weight-loss medications on the market. Let's compare to see which might be right for you.

• Dosage guide: Saxenda is a once-daily injection for weight loss. But exactly how much Saxenda should you inject? Here are the typical Saxenda dosages for adults and adolescents.

• Proper storage: When stored improperly, medications such as Saxenda may not work as well for weight loss. Learn how to store Saxenda correctly, including when you’re on the go.

5. How long do you need to take Saxenda?

There’s no set answer for this. Your prescriber can help you determine how long you should use Saxenda. For some people, the medication is a stepping stone to help them reach a health goal. For others, Saxenda is a long-term medication.

If you stop using Saxenda, there’s a good chance you’ll regain some of the weight you lost. This is true even when people continue with recommended lifestyle changes. In studies, people regained an average of 15 lbs to 21 lbs during the year after they stopped using Saxenda.

6. Do Saxenda side effects go away?

When using Saxenda, it’s common to experience gastrointestinal side effects, including:

• Nausea

• Vomiting

• Diarrhea

• Constipation

• Indigestion

These are usually mild and tend to get better or go away over time. You’ll likely see these effects when you first start Saxenda and when your dosage increases. If you feel you need more time to adjust to a dose change, ask your prescriber about slowing down your schedule. They may suggest waiting an extra week before raising your dosage.

If these side effects don’t seem to get better or become severe, let your prescriber know. Saxenda may not be the right weight-loss medication for you.

7. Is Saxenda safe?

Saxenda is generally well-tolerated and safe for many people. But it's important to discuss your medical history with your healthcare team before starting the medication. There are some cases where Saxenda isn’t recommended.

You shouldn’t use Saxenda if you have a personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer or multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN2). Animal studies of Saxenda showed a higher risk of thyroid tumors. However, these risks weren’t seen during human clinical trials. This recommendation is there as a precaution.

Other rare but serious Saxenda side effects and risks include:

• Swelling of the pancreas (pancreatitis)

• Gallbladder disease, including gallstones

• Sudden kidney damage (usually caused by severe vomiting or diarrhea)

• Severely low blood glucose

• Allergic reactions

Your prescriber should review your medical history when deciding if Saxenda is the best option for you.

How to save on Saxenda

There are ways to save on Saxenda, which is only available as a brand-name medication. GoodRx can help you save over 20% off the average retail price of Saxenda. If cost is an issue, consider discussing Saxenda alternatives with your prescriber. Many of these other weight-loss treatments are available as lower-cost generics or have other savings opportunities available.

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Written by:

Kristina D. Carter, PharmD, MBA, MHA

Kristina D. Carter, PharmD, MBA, MHA, has over 25 years of experience working in healthcare. She is registered as a licensed pharmacist in Georgia, Indiana, and Tennessee.

Edited by:

Christina Aungst, PharmD

Christina Aungst, PharmD, is a pharmacy editor for GoodRx. She began writing for GoodRx Health in 2019, transitioning from freelance writer to editor in 2021.

Reviewed by:

Stacia Woodcock, PharmD

Stacia Woodcock, PharmD, is a pharmacy editor for GoodRx. She earned her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Kentucky and is licensed in New York and Massachusetts.

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