Saxenda is a weight-loss treatment that is used together with a healthy, balanced diet and regular exercise as part of an overall weight-loss plan. It is recommended for adults with excess weight (a BMI of 27 or more) who also have weight-related medical problems or those with a BMI of 30 or more (obese). The use of weight loss medicines depends on your body mass index (BMI). BMI is calculated using your height and weight. Learn more about BMI.
Saxenda suppresses your appetite by increasing feelings of fullness and reducing feelings of hunger, which can lead to eating fewer calories and losing weight.
In Aotearoa New Zealand Saxenda comes as an injection that it is given under your skin, and is available on prescription only.
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Saxenda
Key points about Saxenda
- Saxenda is used as weight-loss treatment.
- Saxenda is also called liraglutide.
- Find out how to take it safely and possible side effects.
- The usual starting dose is 0.6 mg once a day.
- Your doctor will tell you how long to keep taking this dose. It will be for at least 1 week.
- Your dose may then be increased by 0.6 mg each week until you reach the recommended dose of 3 mg once a day.
- Once you reach the recommended dose of 3 mg in week 5 of treatment, keep using this dose until your treatment period ends. Do not increase your dose further.
| Week | Dose to inject |
| 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 mg once a day |
On Saxenda treatment weight loss normally starts within 2 weeks and continues for 9–12 months.
Your healthcare provider will show you how to use Saxenda. The following is a guide.
Prefilled pen
Saxenda is a pre-filled, dial-a-dose pen. This means that the pen contains an amount of medicine already loaded (18 mg of liraglutide). Depending on the dose you dial, it can deliver amounts of 0.6 mg, 1.2 mg, 1.8 mg, 2.4 mg and 3 mg.
Time of day
Saxenda injection is used once a day. You can use Saxenda at any time of day, with or without food and drinks. It's best to use Saxenda at about the same time each day, at a time that is most convenient for you.
Needles
Saxenda pre-filled pens are designed to be used with NovoFine® needles of up to 8 mm long. Needles are not included with the pen. Ask your doctor or nurse which needle width (gauge) and length is best for you. Use a new needle for each injection and dispose of it after use.
Injection site
Saxenda is given as an injection under your skin (subcutaneous injection) as shown to you by your doctor or nurse. Saxenda may be injected into the front of your waist (abdomen), the front of your thigh or your upper arm. Do not inject Saxenda into a vein or muscle.
Missed dose
If you miss a dose of Saxenda and the next dose is less than 12 hours away, skip the missed dose and carry on as normal. If there are more than 12 hours until the next dose, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Do not take 2 doses at the same time.
For more detailed information on how to use the Saxenda pen, seethe Medsafe consumer information sheet on Saxenda(external link) or watch this video(external link).
Before opening
Store Saxenda in the fridge, in the original package. Do not freeze. If your pen has been frozen, do not use it.
During use
You can keep the pen for 1 month when stored at room temperature (below 30°C) or in a refrigerator (2°C– 8°C). Don't freeze it.
When you're not using the pen, keep the pen cap on in order to protect from light.
It's important to get rid of your used needles safely. Keep them out of reach of children and pets, and places where they could hurt others. You can do this by buying a sharps container from your pharmacy. This is a special container made of hard plastic that has a tight-fitting lid so used needles and syringes can be stored securely.
Don't flush used needles down the toilet or put them in household or public rubbish or recycle bins. Once your sharps container is full, take it to your pharmacy for safe disposal.
Read more about safe disposal of needles.
Here are some things to know when you're using Saxenda. Other things may be important as well, so ask your healthcare provider what you should know about.
If you have any of the following, please discuss your options with your healthcare provider before taking Saxenda as it may not be suitable for you:
- problems with your stomach or digestive system
- diabetes
- are you over 75 years old
- an overactive thyroid
- kidney or liver problems
- breastfeeding.
Pregnancy and contraception
If you're pregnant, think you may be pregnant, or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor for advice as Saxenda is not currently recommended during pregnancy.
Research has found that Saxenda may increase the likelihood of some women returning to normal ovulation. If you're sexually active and don't want to become pregnant, you should use effective means of contraception to avoid unplanned pregnancy. Read more about contraception.
Like all medicines, Saxenda can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them.
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Read more about medicines and side effects and reporting a reaction you think might be a side effect.
The following links have more information on Saxenda:
Saxenda(external link) Medsafe Consumer Information Sheet, NZ
Saxenda(external link) Novo Nordisk
Apps/tools
References
- Liraglutide(external link) NZ Formulary
- Weight loss: the options and the evidence(external link) BPAC, NZ, 2019
Brochures
Medicines and side effects
Healthify He Puna Waiora, NZ, 2024
5 questions to ask about your medications
Health Quality and Safety Commission, NZ, 2019 English, te reo Māori
Free helplines
Credits: Sandra Ponen, Pharmacist, Healthify He Puna Waiora. Healthify is brought to you by Health Navigator Charitable Trust.
Reviewed by: Angela Lambie, Pharmacist, Auckland
Last reviewed:
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