Saxenda

Saxenda is a once-daily injection containing the active ingredient liraglutide, a medicine in the GLP-1 receptor agonist class.

Saxenda is used, together with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity, for weight management in eligible adults living with obesity, or who are overweight with a weight-related health problem.

Saxenda supports weight reduction when combined with diet and exercise, by reducing appetite and helping you feel full for longer.

Liraglutide mimics the natural hormone GLP-1. It acts on appetite centres in the brain to help you feel fuller and eat less, and it slows stomach emptying. It also helps regulate blood sugar by stimulating insulin and reducing glucagon in a glucose-dependent way.

Saxenda is injected under the skin (subcutaneously) into the abdomen, thigh or upper arm once a day, at any time, with or without food. The dose is increased gradually each week to reduce stomach side effects, starting at 0.6 mg daily and stepping up to the weight-management maintenance dose your prescriber sets.

The most common side effects affect the digestive system, including nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting, constipation, indigestion and reduced appetite, along with headache. They are usually mild and most common when starting or increasing the dose.

Like other GLP-1 medicines, this medicine carries a boxed warning about the risk of thyroid C-cell tumours (including medullary thyroid carcinoma, MTC). These tumours were seen in rodent studies; the relevance to humans is not established. Do not use Saxenda if you or a family member have had medullary thyroid cancer or MEN 2, or if you have had a serious allergic reaction to liraglutide. Seek urgent advice for severe, persistent tummy pain (possible pancreatitis).

Use with caution if you have a history of pancreatitis, gallbladder disease (rapid weight loss can increase gallstone risk) or kidney problems, as dehydration from vomiting or diarrhoea can affect the kidneys. It is not recommended in pregnancy. If you have diabetes and use insulin or a sulfonylurea, watch for low blood sugar and discuss dose changes with your prescriber.

Store new, unused pens in a refrigerator at 2-8°C, away from the cooling element; do not freeze. Once in use, a pen may be kept at room temperature (up to 30°C) or refrigerated and should be discarded after the number of days stated in the patient leaflet.

If you miss a dose, take your next dose at the usual time the following day. Do not take an extra dose or increase your dose to make up for a missed one. If you miss doses for more than 3 days in a row, contact your prescriber, as you may need to restart at the lowest dose.