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Overview: Saxenda is a GLP-1 agonist. It is a daily injection used for weight loss in people with obesity or people who are overweight and have other weight-related health conditions. The most common side effects are nausea, diarrhea or constipation, vomiting, injection site reactions, headache, and upset stomach. Contact your health care provider if you have severe stomach pain or if you have nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea that does not go away.

Uses

What is Saxenda used for?

Saxenda (liraglutide) is commonly used for long-term weight management in people with obesity or who are overweight with other weight-related health conditions, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or high cholesterol. It can help people lose weight and keep the weight off.

Saxenda may also be used for other conditions as determined by your health care provider.

How does Saxenda work (mechanism of action)?

Saxenda works by reducing appetite and slowing down the movement of food through your body.

How is Saxenda supplied (dosage forms)?

Brands and other names

  • Saxenda

Dosage forms and strengths

  • 6 mg/mL solution for injection in pre-filled pens that deliver doses of 0.6 mg, 1.2 mg, 1.8 mg, 2.4 mg, or 3 mg

How should I store Saxenda?

Before using Saxenda, store in the refrigerator between 36 F and 46 F (2 C and 8 C). Unused Saxenda can be stored in the refrigerator until the expiration date.

Once you start using Saxenda, store it with the cap on the pen at room temperature between 59 F and 86 F (15 C and 30 C) or in the refrigerator 36 F and 46 F (2 C and 8 C) for up to 30 days. Do not store Saxenda with the needle on it.

If you are storing Saxenda in the refrigerator, do not store the medicine next to the cooling element in the refrigerator.

Store in a place that is not exposed to direct sunlight and heat. Do not freeze.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of Saxenda?

The most common side effects of Saxenda are listed below. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Diarrhea or constipation
  • Pain, itching, swelling, or redness near the injection site
  • Headache
  • Low blood sugar
  • Upset stomach or indigestion
  • Tiredness
  • Dizziness
  • Stomach pain
  • Fever
  • Stomach flu

There may be other side effects of Saxenda that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088 (800-332-1088). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of Saxenda?

While less common, the most serious side effects of Saxenda are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Saxenda may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop using Saxenda and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching or skin rash
  • Bumps on the skin called hives that can be red, pink, white, or brown depending on your skin tone
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Thyroid Tumors. Saxenda may cause thyroid tumors. Some of these tumors could be cancerous. Tell your health care provider right away if you notice any of the following symptoms of a thyroid tumor.

  • Swelling or a lump in your neck
  • Hoarseness
  • Trouble swallowing
  • Trouble breathing

Pancreatitis. Saxenda may cause inflammation of the pancreas, which is called pancreatitis. Stop using Saxenda and call your health care provider right away if you have symptoms of pancreatitis, including vomiting or severe pain in the upper part of your belly that travels to your back.

Low Blood Sugar (Hypoglycemia). Saxenda can cause low blood sugar, especially when used with insulin or other medicines that increase your insulin levels. Hypoglycemia can be serious and may lead to death. Your dose of insulin or other diabetes medicine may need to be lowered to decrease your risk of low blood sugar. Do not use Saxenda and call your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of hypoglycemia.

  • Headache
  • Crankiness or anxiety
  • Hunger
  • Dizziness or confusion
  • Blurry vision
  • Slurred speech
  • Sweating
  • Feeling jittery or shakiness
  • Fast heartbeat
  • Seizures

Severe Stomach Problems. Severe stomach problems may happen with Saxenda. Call your health care provider if you have nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea that is severe or does not go away.

Dehydration and Kidney Damage. Saxenda may cause diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting which may lead to dehydration. Dehydration may cause kidney damage. If you have nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea, drink plenty of water, so that you do not get dehydrated. Call your health care provider right away if you have severe vomiting or diarrhea that will not go away or any of the following symptoms of kidney damage.

  • Weakness or unusual tiredness
  • Confusion
  • Peeing less than normal
  • Swelling in your legs, ankles, and feet
  • Loss of appetite or nausea
  • A hard time catching your breath or chest pain or pressure
  • Seizures
  • Extreme thirst

Gallbladder Problems. Using Saxenda can cause gallbladder problems, including cholecystitis and cholelithiasis (also known as gallstones). Call your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms.

  • Your skin or the whites of your eyes turning yellowish in color (also called jaundice)
  • Fever
  • Pain in your upper stomach area
  • Stool (poop) that is clay-colored

Fast Heart Rate (Tachycardia). Saxenda may cause your heart rate to increase. Call your health care provider right away if you feel like your heart is pounding or racing when you are not exerting yourself.

Liver Damage. Liver damage, also called hepatotoxicity, can happen when using Saxenda. Call your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of liver damage.

  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Stomach or belly pain
  • Fever
  • Weakness or unusual tiredness
  • Itching
  • Loss of appetite
  • Light-colored poop
  • Dark-colored urine
  • Your skin or the whites of your eyes turning yellowish in color (also called jaundice)

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use Saxenda?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not use Saxenda.

  • Liraglutide
  • Saxenda
  • Victoza
  • Any other medicine that contains liraglutide
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in Saxenda.

Thyroid Cancer or Endocrine Condition. Saxenda should not be used if you or someone in your family has had medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or if you have a condition called Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2). Talk to your health care provider about your current and past health conditions and your family medical history.

Pregnancy. Do not take Saxenda if you are pregnant. If you become pregnant, contact your health care provider right away. See the Pregnancy section below for more details.

What should I know about Saxenda before using it?

Do not use Saxenda unless it has been prescribed to you by a health care provider. Use it as prescribed.

Do not share Saxenda with other people, even if they have the same condition as you, and even if the needle has been changed. It may harm them.

Keep Saxenda out of the reach of children. Since this medicine can be kept in a refrigerator, take special precautions to keep it away from children who also use the refrigerator.

Saxenda can affect your alertness or coordination by causing dizziness. Do not drive or do other activities that require alertness or coordination until you know how Saxenda affects you.

If you have nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea, drink plenty of water, so that you do not get dehydrated.

This medicine is injected under the skin. Make sure that you or a caregiver understands how to properly use Saxenda. Use a new needle for each injection. Avoid using the same injection site each time you use Saxenda by rotating where you inject it. If you have any questions, talk to your health care provider. 

What should I tell my health care provider before using Saxenda?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them know if Saxenda is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Liver problems. Tell your health care provider if you have liver problems. Your health care provider may recommend another medicine for weight management.

Slow Stomach Emptying. Tell your health care provider if you have stomach problems, such as slowed stomach emptying (gastroparesis) or problems digesting food. Your health care provider may recommend another medicine for weight management.

Upcoming Surgery or Procedure. Tell your health care provider that you use Saxenda before any planned surgeries or procedures that require anesthesia or deep sedation. Saxenda causes your stomach to empty more slowly which can increase the risk of food getting into your lungs (aspiration) during surgery or procedures.

Pancreatitis. Tell your health care provider if you have ever had pancreatitis. Your health care provider may choose another medicine for weight management.

Kidney Problems. Tell your health care provider if you have kidney problems, including long-term kidney failure, as this may worsen while using Saxenda. 

Other Medicines and Supplements. Saxenda may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before using Saxenda, tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

Pregnancy. Do not take Saxenda if you are pregnant. It is not known if or how Saxenda could affect pregnancy or harm a fetus. Weight loss is not recommended during pregnancy, even if you are already overweight. You should stop Saxenda if you are or plan to become pregnant. 

Breastfeeding. It is not known if Saxenda passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your health care provider will let you know if you should use Saxenda while breastfeeding.

How can I get more information about Saxenda?

For more information about Saxenda, you can visit the drugmaker’s website at www.saxenda.com or call them at 888-809-3942.

Interactions

Does Saxenda interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between Saxenda and foods or drinks.

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect Saxenda. The risk of nausea, dizziness, or other side effects may be increased if you drink alcohol while using Saxenda.

Does Saxenda interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using insulin or a medicine for diabetes called a sulfonylurea (glimepiride, glyburide, glipizide). These medicines may increase your risk of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).

Saxenda works by slowing down the movement of food through your body. Because of this, Saxenda may affect the absorption of some other medicines that you take by mouth. Tell your health care provider about all medicines that you take or have recently taken.

This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with Saxenda. Always check with your health care provider.

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much Saxenda?

If you or someone else has used too much Saxenda, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of Saxenda?

If you miss a dose, skip the missed dose and only use the next dose. Do not inject double or extra doses. 

If it has been more than 3 days since your last Saxenda dose, call your health care provider to talk about how to restart your medicine.