Saxenda is a once daily injection used to aid weight loss. It is a prescription only medicine and must be used in conjunction with exercise and a calorie-controlled diet It contains the active ingredient Liraglutide, which is very similar to a naturally occurring hormone in your body called GLP-1. It works by making you feel less hungry, slowing down the emptying of your stomach and making you feel ‘fuller’ for longer

RECOMMENDATION

  Where weight management has not succeeded using a calorie-controlled diet and an increased level of physical activity, Saxenda can be used as an adjunct to therapy.Indicated for those individuals with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of – > 30kg / m2 (obese). Or > 27kg / m2 but < 30kg / m2 (overweight) – must be accompanied by at least one other risk factor such as unregulated blood glucose levels (pre-diabetes, Type II Diabetes), high blood pressure (hypertension), dyslipidaemia and obstructive sleep apnoea. BMI = Weight (kg) / (Height (m) x Height (m)) Patients can expect to lose a minimum of 5% of their initial body weight after completing 12 weeks of treatment at 3.0mg Liraglutide daily. If this has not occurred then treatment should be discontinued at this stage. This is only available for people with a BMI > 30, or > 27 with an accompanying risk factor Saxenda should be taken alongside a calorie-controlled diet and exercise to help you lose weight. Exercise and balanced diet will help you maintain a healthy weight even when you stop taking your medication.

Where to Administer Saxenda?

What is the Dosage of Liraglutide to be used? Saxenda comes in a 3ml pre-filled injection pen. The pen contains a clear and colorless or almost colourless solution. All pens are supplied with the right quantity of needles you require for injecting. You will need to store your Saxenda pre-filled pen in a refrigerator (2°C to 8°C) before your first use. Once you start using the pen, you can keep it for 1 month either at room temperature (2 to 30°C) or in a refrigerator (2°C to 8°C). Do not freeze.   When you take Saxenda you need to gradually increase your dose in 0.6mg intervals, until you reach what is called the maintenance dose at 3mg daily. This is the dose at which you will continue to take Saxenda. You increase your dose as follows: The initial dose is 0.6mg Liraglutide daily and should be increased at intervals of 0.6mg as follows – Week 1 – 0.6mg daily Week 2 – 1.2mg daily Week 3 – 1.8mg daily Week 4 – 2.4mg daily Week 5 onwards – maintenance dose of 3.0mg daily DOSAGE IS TAKEN AS A ONCE DAILY INJECTION Dosage is increased slowly to minimise any unwanted effects on the gastro-intestinal tract. If an increase to a higher dose cannot be tolerated following 2 continuous weeks, then consider discontinuing drug treatment. The maximum recommended daily dosage of Liraglutide is 3.0mg. Always use Saxenda exactly how your prescriber has told you. Check with your doctor, pharmacist or nurse if you are unsure. Saxenda can be used at any time of the day. Saxenda can be used in the presence or absence of food and drinks Saxenda should be taken at the same time each day – you should pick a time that works best for you. Saxenda is a subcutaneous injection and should therefore be injected under the skin. The best sites for injection are the front of the waist (abdomen), the front of your thigh or the upper arm. Take extra care not to inject into a vein or muscle.