Saxenda® (Liraglutide)

Saxenda® – Overview

 

  • Saxenda (and Victoza) are brand-name injection pens that contain the same active drug, Liraglutide.

 

  • Saxenda is used for weight management.

 

  • Victoza is used to treat type 2 diabetes and to lower the risk of heart problems.

 

  • Saxenda® (Liraglutide) 6 mg/ml solution for injection in pre-filled pen is available for reimbursement under the HSE Community Drug Schemes from 1st January 2023. A Managed Access Protocol is in place for liraglutide (Saxenda®) for a subgroup of the licensed indication, defined as: “Adult patients, as an adjunct to a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity for weight management, with an initial body mass index of ≥ 35 kg/m2 with prediabetes and high-risk of cardiovascular disease. Treatment should be discontinued for patients who have not lost ≥ 5 % of their initial body weight after 12 weeks of treatment at the 3.0 mg/day dose”.

 

  • Saxenda Daily Dosage – Saxenda comes as a liquid solution in a prefilled pens. The pens are used to inject the drug subcutaneously. Each drug’s pen holds 18 milligrams (mg) of liraglutide in 3 milliliters (mL) of solution.

 

  • Saxenda is self-injected once per day. 

 

  • Saxenda is FDA-approved to help with long-term weight loss. It’s meant to be used in combination with improved diet and exercise.

 

  • Saxenda is used for adults with either:
    • A body mass index (BMI) of 30 kilograms* per square meter (kg/m2) or greater.
    • A BMI of 27 kg/m2 or greater and a weight-related condition. Weight-related conditions include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and type 2 diabetes.

 

  • Saxenda is also used for children ages 12 years and older who:
    • weigh more than 60 kg (about 132 lb) and
    • have obesity based on their age, sex, and height (equivalent to an adult BMI of 30 kg/m2 or greater)

 

  • Saxenda isn’t approved to help manage blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. And it’s not approved for weight loss in children under 12 years old.

 

  • Saxenda can cause certain side effects, some of which are more common than others. These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist. These are just a few of the more common side effects reported by people who took Saxenda in clinical trials:
    • constipation
    • diarrhea
    • injection site reaction
    • vomiting
    • nausea*

Saxenda® - Dosage Schedule