Saxenda Injection Pen

What is Saxenda 

Saxenda is a weight loss medicine that contains the active substance liraglutide. It is similar to a natural occurring hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) that is released from the intestine after a meal. Saxenda works by acting on receptors in the brain that control your appetite, causing you to feel fuller and less hungry. This may help you eat less food and reduce your body weight.

What Saxenda is used for?

Saxenda is used for weight loss in addition to diet and exercise in adults aged 18 and above who have

- a BMI of 30 kg/m² or greater (obese) or
- a BMI of 27 kg/m² and less than 30 kg/m² (overweight) and weight-related health problems (such as diabetes, high blood pressure, abnormal levels of fats in the blood or breathing problems during sleep called ‘obstructive sleep apnoea’).
 

BMI (Body Mass Index) is a measure of your weight in relation to your height.

You should only continue using Saxenda if you have lost at least 5% of your initial body weight after 12 weeks on the 3 mg/day dose (see section 3). Consult your prescriber before you continue.

Diet and exercise

Your prescriber will start you on a diet and exercise programme. Stay on this programme while you are using Saxenda.

Saxenda is given as an injection under the skin (subcutaneous injection).

The best places to inject are the front of your waist (abdomen), the front of your thighs or your upper arm.
Do not inject into a vein or muscle.

Warnings and precautions

The use of Saxenda is not recommended if you have severe heart failure.

There is little experience with this medicine in patients of 75 years and older. It is not recommended if you are 75 years or older.

There is little experience with this medicine in patients with kidney problems. If you have kidney disease or are on dialysis, consult your doctor.

There is little experience with this medicine in patients with liver problems. If you have liver problems, consult your doctor.

This medicine is not recommended if you have a severe stomach or gut problem which results in delayed stomach emptying (called gastroparesis), or if you have an inflammatory bowel disease.

People with diabetes

If you have diabetes, do not use Saxenda as a replacement for insulin.

Inflammation of the pancreas

Talk to your doctor if you have or have had a disease of the pancreas.

Inflamed gall bladder and gallstones

If you lose substantial weight, you are at a risk of gallstones and thereby inflamed gall bladder. Stop taking Saxenda and contact a doctor immediately if you experience severe pain in your upper abdomen, usually worst on the right side under the ribs. The pain may be felt through to your back or right shoulder. 

Thyroid disease

If you have thyroid disease, including thyroid nodules and enlargement of the thyroid gland, consult your doctor.

Heart rate

Talk to your doctor if you have palpitations (you feel aware of your heartbeat) or if you have feelings of a racing heartbeat while at rest during Saxenda treatment.

Loss of fluid and dehydration

When starting treatment with Saxenda, you may lose body fluid or become dehydrated. This may be due to feeling sick (nausea), being sick (vomiting) and diarrhoea. It is important to avoid dehydration by drinking plenty of fluids. Talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse if you have any questions or concerns.

On-going Care

You will be contacted by your prescriber initially after your approval and then throughout your course to ensure you are making the most of the benefits of Saxenda.

Your treatment will start at a low dose which will be gradually increased over the first five weeks of treatment. When you first start using Saxenda®, the starting dose is 0.6 mg once a day, for at least one week. Your prescriber will instruct you to gradually increase your dose by 0.6 mg usually each week until you reach the recommended dose of 3.0 mg once a day. Your dosage will be discussed with you and will follow the below structure.

Week 1 0.6 mg once a day

Week 2 1.2 mg once a day

Week 3 1.8 mg once a day

Week 4 2.4 mg once a day

Week 5 onwards 3.0 mg once a day

Once you reach the recommended dose of 3.0 mg in week 5 of treatment, keep using this dose until your treatment period ends. Do not increase your dose further.