Saxenda

In Aotearoa New Zealand Saxenda comes in a pre-filled injection pen. Each is able to deliver doses of 0.6 mg, 1.2 mg, 1.8 mg, 2.4 mg or 3.0 mg.

• 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.

Your doctor will tell you how much Saxenda to use each week. The following is a guide.

• 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).

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.

Drink enough water to avoid dehydration

When starting Saxenda, it can cause nausea (feeling sick), vomiting (being sick) and diarrhoea (runny poo), that can last for a few days. This increases your risk of dehydration, which can cause serious kidney problems. Be sure to drink plenty of water or non-sugary beverages. Avoid alcohol, as it can affect your blood glucose. Contact your healthcare provider if you have ongoing nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea or get symptoms of dehydration such as headache, feeling lightheaded or dizzy, weakness, feeling very tired, no energy and peeing (urinating) less than usual.

If you are unwell

Saxenda doesn't usually cause problems if you're slightly unwell, but if you're dehydrated from vomiting and diarrhoea and not eating and drinking as usual, you can delay the next injection until you're better. Talk to your healthcare provider if you have any questions.

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.

How to store Saxenda

• 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.

Get rid of your used needles safely

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.

Like all medicines Saxenda can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them. If you're concerned about any symptoms you think might be related to your medicine, talk to your healthcare provider. The following information offers some guidance but doesn't include all possible side effects.

Common side effects

Tell your healthcare provider if they bother you.

• Reaction at the injection site such as bruising, redness, tenderness. Remember to change the injection site every day. You can use the same part of your body but try not to use exactly the same spot. Avoid injecting Saxenda cold, because it's more likely to sting.
• Feeling sick (nausea), runny poos (diarrhoea), constipation, indigestion, gas or bloating. If you have diarrhoea or are dehydrated, delay your next dose until you feel better and are eating and drinking normally.
• Tiredness, dehydration, feeling thirsty. Make sure you are drinking enough water. If you are dehydrated, delay your next dose until you feel better and are eating and drinking normally.

Tell your healthcare provider immediately or phone Healthline free on 0800 611 116 if these occur

• Changes in mood, behaviour or thoughts.
• Signs of problems with your pancreas such as severe and persistent pain in the abdomen (stomach area) which might reach through to your back, as well as nausea and vomiting.
• Palpitations (fast heart beat), feelings of a racing heartbeat while at rest
• Signs of a goitre (swollen or enlarged thyroid gland) such as a lump or swelling in your neck, hoarseness, trouble swallowing, or shortness of breath.
• Signs of gall bladder problems such as pain in the upper right side of the abdomen (tummy), yellowing of the skin and eyes or clay coloured poo.
• Signs of kidney problems such as peeing less than usual, a metallic taste in your mouth and bruising easily.

Phone 111 for an ambulance or go to your nearest accident and emergency (A&E) clinic if these occur

• Signs of an allergic reaction such as itchy skin, and rash, swollen lips or tongue, problems breathing, like a tight chest or shortness of breath.

Read more about medicines and side effects and reporting a reaction you think might be a side effect.