Saxenda
Saxenda (liraglutide) is used along with a balanced diet and exercise to help with weight loss in certain adults and children. This prescription weight loss medication is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist. It works by slowing down your gut and making you feel less hungry. Saxenda (liraglutide) is a prefilled pen of medication that's injected once daily under the skin on the stomach or thighs. You can inject Saxenda (liraglutide) at home by yourself after your healthcare professional (HCP) trains you on how to prepare and use it. Some common side effects include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
What is Saxenda (liraglutide)?
What is Saxenda (liraglutide) used for?
To help with weight management along with a lower-calorie diet and exercise in:
Adults with a body mass index (BMI) greater than 30 kg/m2, or greater than 27 kg/m2 with a weight-related health problem (e.g., high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol)
Children 12 years of age and older who weigh over 132 lbs and have a high BMI
How Saxenda (liraglutide) works
Saxenda (liraglutide) is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist. This means that it works similar to GLP-1, which is a hormone that your body makes to control appetite.
Saxenda (liraglutide) helps with weight loss by acting like GLP-1 in your body. It slows down your gut, which causes you to feel less hungry.
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What are the side effects of Saxenda (liraglutide)?
Common Side Effects
- Nausea (39%)
- Diarrhea (21%)
- Constipation (19%)
- Vomiting (16%)
- Redness, itching, and other injection site reactions (14%)
- Headache (14%)
- Low blood sugar levels in people with Type 2 diabetes (13%)
- Indigestion (10%)
- Nausea (42%)
- Vomiting (34%)
- Diarrhea (22%)
- Low blood sugar levels (15%)
- Dizziness (10%)
Other Side Effects
- Stomach pain or discomfort
- Heartburn
- Burping
- Passing gas
- Leg or arm pain
- Dry mouth
- Tiredness
- Feeling weak
- Fever
Serious Side Effects
- Pancreas or gallbladder problem: stomach or back pain that won't go away, nausea, vomiting, fever
- Low blood sugar: shaking, sweating, dizziness, confusion, anxiety blurred vision, feeling very hungry
- Kidney problem: changes in urination, blood in your urine, swollen feet or ankles, smaller appetite, muscle cramping
- Serious allergic reaction: trouble breathing; hives; itching; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat
- Suicidal thoughts or behavior
Source: DailyMed
More on Saxenda (liraglutide) side effects
The following side effects have also been reported
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
More common
Bladder pain
bloody or cloudy urine
chills
difficult, burning, or painful urination
frequent urge to urinate
general feeling of discomfort or illness
headache
hoarseness
joint pain
loss of appetite
lower back or side pain
muscle aches and pains
shivering
sweating
trouble sleeping
unusual tiredness or weakness
vomiting
Less common
Blurred vision
dizziness
nervousness
pounding in the ears
slow or fast heartbeat
Rare
cold sweats
confusion
cool, pale skin
hives or welts, itching, or skin rash
increased hunger
large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or genitals
loss of consciousness
nightmares
redness of the skin
seizures
shakiness
slurred speech
Incidence not known
Agitation
clay-colored stools
confusion
dark urine
decreased awareness or responsiveness
decreased urine output
difficulty with swallowing
hostility
irritability
muscle twitching
puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
rapid weight gain
severe sleepiness
swelling of the face, ankles, or hands
tightness in the chest
unpleasant breath odor
vomiting of blood
yellow eyes or skin
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Pros and cons of Saxenda (liraglutide)
Pros
Can help you lose weight in addition to balanced nutrition and exercise
Can take with or without food
Safe to use for children 12 years of age and older (with certain BMI)
Cons
Must be given as once-daily injections under the skin
Can cause stomach upset
Not safe for use for people with personal or family history of thyroid cancer
Pharmacist tips for Saxenda (liraglutide)
Saxenda (liraglutide) by itself might not be enough to keep the weight off for good. Make sure to continue to follow your healthcare professional's (HCP) or nutritionist's recommendations for eating lower-calorie meals and regularly exercising.
Saxenda (liraglutide) commonly causes diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting as side effects. This is because the medication can slow down muscle movements in your gut, causing food to stay in your stomach longer. Make sure to drink enough liquids to stay hydrated.
Let your HCP know if any side effects you experience while you're taking Saxenda (liraglutide) are very bothersome or if they start affecting your daily life. Your HCP can adjust your Saxenda (liraglutide) dose or recommend ways to manage these side effects.
Call your healthcare team if you have symptoms of depression or worsening mood while you're using Saxenda (liraglutide). In cases of serious depression, your HCP might ask you to stop taking this medication.
Let your HCP or pharmacist know what medications you're taking, including over-the-counter products and supplements. They can check for drug interactions and make sure your medications are safe for you to take together. Saxenda (liraglutide) slows down your gut, which can affect how other medications get absorbed.
Tips on how to use Saxenda (liraglutide):
Don't inject Saxenda (liraglutide) by yourself or help with your child's injections until you understand how to properly prepare and inject the medication. Your HCP or pharmacist will show you how to use the medication for the first injection.
Before you inject Saxenda (liraglutide), wipe the area that you'll be injecting into with an alcohol swab and let it dry fully. Attach a new needle onto the pen before each injection.
Each time you use a new pen, check that it isn't blocked. You should see a drop of medication appear at the needle tip when you press and hold the dose button until the number "0" lines up with the dose pointer on the pen.
Once you've selected your dose on the Saxenda (liraglutide) pen, insert the needle into your skin with the dose counter on the pen facing towards you. Press and hold the dose button until the dose counter says "0" and you hear or feel a click. Slowly count to 6 before taking the pen away from your skin. Remove the needle from the pen and place the used needle in a sharps container right away.
Throw away all used Saxenda (liraglutide) pens and needles in a sharps container. This helps prevent accidental needle-sticks. Visit the FDA webpage for more information about disposing your sharps.
Store Saxenda (liraglutide) in the refrigerator when you first pick it up from the pharmacy. After you start using the pen, you can store it at room temperature or in the refrigerator. Throw the pen away 30 days after you first use it.
Keep Saxenda (liraglutide) away from too much heat or sunlight, which can cause the medication to not work. Don't use the medication if it's cloudy or if it has solid chunks (particles) in it.
Only use the Saxenda (liraglutide) pens and needles that your pharmacy provides you. Don't share or reuse needles or pens. Otherwise, you might be at risk for getting or spreading infections.
More on Saxenda (liraglutide) tips
Frequently asked questions about Saxenda (liraglutide)
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What are the risks and warnings for Saxenda (liraglutide)?
Saxenda (liraglutide) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Possible risk for thyroid cancer
Risk factors: History of MTC | History of MEN 2
Animal studies showed that Saxenda (liraglutide) can raise the risk for thyroid cancers. It's not clear whether this medication has the same risk in humans.
To be safe, don't use Saxenda (liraglutide) if you or a family member has ever had a thyroid cancer, including medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2). If necessary, your healthcare professional (HCP) might ask you to get blood work or an ultrasound done to check for signs of thyroid cancer.
Speak with your HCP if you have concerns about the risk for thyroid cancer with Saxenda (liraglutide). Let your HCP know right away if you have symptoms of thyroid cancer, such as a lump in your neck, trouble swallowing, a hoarse voice that doesn't go away, and trouble breathing.
Inflamed pancreas
Although rare, people who took Saxenda (liraglutide) have reported sudden inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis). Sometimes, this happened several months after stopping the medication. Some common symptoms of an inflamed pancreas are upper stomach pain, fever, nausea, and vomiting. Contact your HCP right away if you start to feel any of these symptoms. You might need to stop taking Saxenda (liraglutide).
Gallbladder problems
Risk factor: Losing weight very quickly
In rare cases, people who used Saxenda (liraglutide) during clinical studies developed gallstones or an inflamed gallbladder. Some needed to have surgery to take out the gallbladder. The risk for gallbladder problems is higher if you've had a sudden and drastic weight loss. Call your HCP right away if you have nausea, vomiting, fever, or sudden severe upper belly and back pain while you're taking this medication.
Low blood sugar
Risk factor: Also taking insulin or medication that raises insulin in your body
Taking Saxenda (liraglutide) by itself or together with certain other diabetes medications, such as insulin or glipizide, can sometimes cause low blood sugar. Very low blood sugar can be life-threatening.
If you have diabetes and you're taking diabetes medications, your HCP might adjust your treatment plan to prevent your blood sugar from dropping too low. Your HCP might also recommend that you check your blood sugar while you're taking Saxenda (liraglutide).
Watch out for symptoms of low blood sugar, including feeling shaky, weak, or confused; being nervous or anxious; having a fast heartbeat; sweating or body chills; and feeling very hungry. Make sure you know how to quickly bring your blood sugar level back up when it drops too much.
Faster heart rate
People who use Saxenda (liraglutide) can sometimes experience a faster heart rate, even while they're resting. Your HCP will check your heart rate during regular follow-up visits with you to make sure your heart is healthy and that the medication is safe for you. Let your HCP know if you have a racing heartbeat or if you feel like your chest is pounding when you're at rest. In rare cases, you might need to stop this medication if your heart rate stays high.
Kidney problems
Risk factors: Low fluids in the body | History of kidney problems | Taking other medications that can cause kidney problems
People who've taken GLP-1 agonists like Saxenda (liraglutide) have reported serious kidney problems that were sometimes life-threatening. These problems can happen in people with or without any known kidney conditions. Your risk for kidney problems might be higher if you've lost a lot of body fluid from side effects like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Tell your HCP about your medical history and whether you have kidney problems before you start Saxenda (liraglutide). And contact your HCP if you're urinating less than usual while you're taking this medication. This can be a symptom of kidney problems. You might need to stop treatment.
Serious allergic reactions
Risk factor: History of allergy to GLP-1 agonists
Some people have had serious allergic reactions to Saxenda (liraglutide). These allergic reactions can include rash, swelling, trouble breathing, dizziness, or wheezing. The risk is higher if you've had a history of an allergic reaction to other GLP-1 agonists, such as Victoza (liraglutide) or Ozempic (semaglutide). Before you start using Saxenda (liraglutide), make sure to tell your healthcare team about any allergies or allergic reactions you've had. Stop using Saxenda (liraglutide) and get medical care right away if you have an allergic reaction to the medication.
Possible risk for self-harm
Although the link between the risk for self-harm and Saxenda (liraglutide) isn't clear, a few people who took this medication during clinical studies reported having thoughts of self-harm. Make sure to let your healthcare team know if you experience symptoms of depression or changes in your mood or behavior. Get medical help right away if you have thoughts of hurting yourself.
Saxenda (liraglutide) dosage forms
| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| five 3ml pens of 3mg/0.5ml | 1 carton | $1308.68 | $1308.68 |
Typical dosing for Saxenda (liraglutide)
The usual starting dose of Saxenda (liraglutide) is 0.6 mg injected under the skin once daily. Your healthcare professional (HCP) will raise your dose every week until you reach a maintenance dose of 3 mg daily.
The usual dosing schedule is listed below.
Week 1: Inject 0.6 mg under the skin once daily.
Week 2: Inject 1.2 mg under the skin once daily.
Week 3: Inject 1.8 mg under the skin once daily.
Week 4: Inject 2.4 mg under the skin once daily.
Week 5 and after: Inject 3 mg under the skin once daily.
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Interactions between Saxenda (liraglutide) and other drugs
More on Saxenda (liraglutide) interactions
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Balofloxacin
- Besifloxacin
- Chloroquine
- Ciprofloxacin
- Enoxacin
- Fleroxacin
- Flumequine
- Gatifloxacin
- Gemifloxacin
- Hydroxychloroquine
- Insulin
- Insulin Aspart, Recombinant
- Insulin Bovine
- Insulin Degludec
- Insulin Detemir
- Insulin Glargine, Recombinant
- Insulin Glulisine
- Insulin Lispro, Recombinant
- Lanreotide
- Levofloxacin
- Lomefloxacin
- Moxifloxacin
- Nadifloxacin
- Norfloxacin
- Octreotide
- Ofloxacin
- Pasireotide
- Pazufloxacin
- Pefloxacin
- Prulifloxacin
- Rufloxacin
- Sparfloxacin
- Thioctic Acid
- Tosufloxacin
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Acebutolol
- Atenolol
- Betaxolol
- Bisoprolol
- Carteolol
- Carvedilol
- Celiprolol
- Esmolol
- Labetalol
- Levobunolol
- Metipranolol
- Metoprolol
- Nadolol
- Nebivolol
- Oxprenolol
- Penbutolol
- Pindolol
- Practolol
- Propranolol
- Sotalol
- Timolol
How much does Saxenda (liraglutide) cost?
Saxenda (liraglutide) contraindications
Personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer
Currently pregnant
What are alternatives to Saxenda (liraglutide)?
To help with weight management along with a lower-calorie diet and exercise in:
Adults with a body mass index (BMI) greater than 30 kg/m2, or greater than 27 kg/m2 with a weight-related health problem (e.g., high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol)
Children 12 years of age and older who weigh over 132 lbs and have a high BMI
Weight loss and long-term weight management in adults considered obese or overweight with at least one weight-related condition (e.g., high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes)
Moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in adults considered obese
Weight loss and long-term weight management in:
Lowering the risk of heart attack, stroke, and death due to heart problems in adults with a larger body size and heart disease
What is the latest news about Saxenda (liraglutide)?
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References
Best studies we foundArd, J., et al. (2021). Weight loss and maintenance related to the mechanism of action of glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists. Advances in Therapy.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). Treatment of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).
Davies, M. J., et al. (2015). Efficacy of liraglutide for weight loss among patients with type 2 diabetes. Journal of the American Medical Association.
Michos, E. D., et al. (2023). Role of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists in achieving weight loss and improving cardiovascular outcomes in people with overweight and obesity. Journal of the American Heart Association.
National Cancer Institute. (2019). Medullary thyroid cancer (MTC).
National Cancer Institute. (n.d.). Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 syndrome.
National Organization for Rare Disorders. (2024). Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2.
Novo Nordisk. (2023). Saxenda- liraglutide injection, solution [package insert]. DailyMed.
Novo Nordisk. (2024). Learn how to use the Saxenda® pen.
Novo Nordisk. (2024). What needle do you use with your pen device?
Pi-Sunyer, X., et al. (2015). A randomized, controlled, trial of 3.0 mg of liraglutide in weight management. New England Journal of Medicine.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2021). FDA approves weight management drug for patients aged 12 and older.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2021). Safely using sharps (needles and syringes) at home, at work, and on travel.
You and Your Hormones. (2021). Glucagon-like peptide 1.
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