Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat It IsHow to Use ItEffectivenessWho It’s ForWarningsSide EffectsResearch
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What It Is
How to Use It
Effectiveness
Who It’s For
Warnings
Side Effects
Research
While Saxenda is highly effective for weight loss, it does come with a list of potential side effects and safety warnings. As such, it may not be right for certain people, particularly those with a history of thyroid or kidney problems.
This article discusses the benefits and risks of Saxenda, along with how it is administered, and who it is right for. It also covers the potential side effects and safety concerns to be aware of.
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What Is Saxenda (Liraglutide)?
Saxenda is an injection that is already available in a lower dose as another drug, Victoza, which in turn is used for the treatment oftype 2 diabetes.
Another drug in this class includes Byetta (exenatide). While all are used for diabetes, liraglutide (in its higher dose as Saxenda) is the first to receive FDA approval specifically for weight management.
8 FDA-Approved Drugs for Weight Management
How Saxenda Is Administered
With Saxenda, the timing of meals does not matter. In other words, you are free to take Saxenda any time you would like—but only once per day. Saxenda must not be injected intravenously (into a vein), or intramuscularly (into a muscle).
Your healthcare provider should deliver the first injection in-office and show you how to do it properly. It’s also important to read the Saxenda “Instructions for Use Guide” that comes with the pen.
To administer Saxenda:
Using an injector for the first time can feel a little intimidating. If you feel nervous or want extra instruction, don’t hesitate to give your healthcare provider a call. You can also watch a video tutorial on theSaxenda website.
How Should Saxenda Be Stored?Before you use a new Saxenda pen, store the new pen in a refrigerator between 36 F and 46 F. After the pen’s first use, keep it stored for up to 30 days at room temperature (59 F to 86 F), or in a refrigerator (36 F to 46 F).
How Should Saxenda Be Stored?
Before you use a new Saxenda pen, store the new pen in a refrigerator between 36 F and 46 F. After the pen’s first use, keep it stored for up to 30 days at room temperature (59 F to 86 F), or in a refrigerator (36 F to 46 F).
How Effective Is Saxenda?
Three clinical trials have evaluated the safety and effectiveness of Saxenda. These trials enrolled approximately 4,800 people with obesity or overweight in total.
In one clinical trial involving adults with abody mass index (BMI)between 27 and 29.9 and at least one weight-related medical condition, about 34% of people using Saxenda lost at least 5% of body weight.
In another trial involving adults with an average BMI of 38, 63% of people using liraglutide lost at least 5% of their body weight.
The research is promising but ongoing and will need to be continued long-term to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of Saxenda years down the line.
BMI is a dated, flawed measure. It does not take into account factors such as body composition, ethnicity, sex, race, and age. Even though it is a biased measure, BMI is still widely used in the medical community because it’s an inexpensive and quick way to analyze a person’s potential health status and outcomes.
Who Should Use Saxenda?
Saxenda has been approved for use in:
Contraindications
Saxenda is meant to be used as an adjunct to diet and exercise for chronic weight management in adults. It is not meant to replace diet and exercise.
Others who should not take Saxenda include:
Saxenda Safety Warnings
The FDA considers Saxenda generally safe and effective for the treatment of overweight and obesity. But, Saxenda does come with several safety warnings:
Saxenda isn’t right for everyone. While discussing Saxenda with your healthcare provider, don’t be afraid to raise questions about the possibility of these risks.
Side Effects of Saxenda
The FDA has issued aboxed warningon Saxenda, stating that tumors of the thyroid gland have been observed in studies on rodents, but that it is unknown whether or not Saxenda can cause these tumors in humans.
The most common side effects reported in people taking Saxenda include:
If you experience any concerning or uncomfortable side effects while taking Saxenda, contact your healthcare provider right away for advice.
Ongoing Research
The FDA is conducting ongoing research to evaluate reports of suicidal thoughts or actions in people using Saxenda and other GLP-1 RAs. The FDA claims that it did not find an association between GLP-1 RAs and suicidal thoughts or actions during its initial evaluations. However, a small number of suicidal thoughts or actions in people using Saxenda and other GLP-1 RAs have been reported.
During Saxenda clinical trials, 17 out of 2,379 people using Saxenda developed breast cancer. In a separate trial, eight out of 3,291 people using Saxenda developed thyroid cancer. Although it is unclear to researchers whether the cancers were related to Saxenda, the FDA will continue to evaluate what link, if any, there is and how it can be avoided.
According to a 2023 study published inThe American Journal of Managed Care, nearly 50% of people taking GLP-1 RAs to control blood sugar stop the medication within one year. The rate of discontinuation among GLP-1 RAs is high compared to other diabetes medications. Considering the importance of treatment adherence, researchers want to understand why.
Researchers believe the high rate of discontinuation among GLP-1 RAs may be attributed to the gastrointestinal side effects these drugs can cause, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.The research highlights the need for ongoing communication between people who use GLP-1 RAs like Saxenda, and prescribing healthcare providers.
If you experience uncomfortable side effects while taking Saxenda, tell your healthcare provider. Your provider will work with you to find a treatment plan that improves your health and helps you feel good, too.
Summary
7 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Alruwaili H, Dehestani B, le Roux C.Clinical impact of liraglutide as a treatment of obesity.Clin Pharmacol. 2021 Mar;13(1):53–60. doi:10.2147/CPAA.S276085Saxenda.Using the Saxenda Pen.Saxenda.Weight loss with Saxenda.Pi-Sunyer X, Astrup A, Fujioka K, et al.A randomized, controlled trial of 3.0 mg of liraglutide in weight management.N Engl J Med. 2015 Jul;373(1):11-22. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa1411892Saxenda.Highlights of prescribing information.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Update on the FDA’s ongoing evaluation of reports of suicidal thoughts or actions in patients take a certain type of medicines approved for type 2 diabetes and obesity.Liss T, Cherupally M, O’Brien M, et al.Treatment modification after initiating second-line medication for type 2 diabetes.Am J Managed Care. 2023 Dec;29(12).Additional ReadingFDA news release. FDA approves weight-management drug Saxenda. http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm427913.htm.Saxenda prescribing information. Novo Nordisk. www.saxenda.com.
7 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Alruwaili H, Dehestani B, le Roux C.Clinical impact of liraglutide as a treatment of obesity.Clin Pharmacol. 2021 Mar;13(1):53–60. doi:10.2147/CPAA.S276085Saxenda.Using the Saxenda Pen.Saxenda.Weight loss with Saxenda.Pi-Sunyer X, Astrup A, Fujioka K, et al.A randomized, controlled trial of 3.0 mg of liraglutide in weight management.N Engl J Med. 2015 Jul;373(1):11-22. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa1411892Saxenda.Highlights of prescribing information.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Update on the FDA’s ongoing evaluation of reports of suicidal thoughts or actions in patients take a certain type of medicines approved for type 2 diabetes and obesity.Liss T, Cherupally M, O’Brien M, et al.Treatment modification after initiating second-line medication for type 2 diabetes.Am J Managed Care. 2023 Dec;29(12).Additional ReadingFDA news release. FDA approves weight-management drug Saxenda. http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm427913.htm.Saxenda prescribing information. Novo Nordisk. www.saxenda.com.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Alruwaili H, Dehestani B, le Roux C.Clinical impact of liraglutide as a treatment of obesity.Clin Pharmacol. 2021 Mar;13(1):53–60. doi:10.2147/CPAA.S276085Saxenda.Using the Saxenda Pen.Saxenda.Weight loss with Saxenda.Pi-Sunyer X, Astrup A, Fujioka K, et al.A randomized, controlled trial of 3.0 mg of liraglutide in weight management.N Engl J Med. 2015 Jul;373(1):11-22. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa1411892Saxenda.Highlights of prescribing information.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Update on the FDA’s ongoing evaluation of reports of suicidal thoughts or actions in patients take a certain type of medicines approved for type 2 diabetes and obesity.Liss T, Cherupally M, O’Brien M, et al.Treatment modification after initiating second-line medication for type 2 diabetes.Am J Managed Care. 2023 Dec;29(12).
Alruwaili H, Dehestani B, le Roux C.Clinical impact of liraglutide as a treatment of obesity.Clin Pharmacol. 2021 Mar;13(1):53–60. doi:10.2147/CPAA.S276085
Saxenda.Using the Saxenda Pen.
Saxenda.Weight loss with Saxenda.
Pi-Sunyer X, Astrup A, Fujioka K, et al.A randomized, controlled trial of 3.0 mg of liraglutide in weight management.N Engl J Med. 2015 Jul;373(1):11-22. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa1411892
Saxenda.Highlights of prescribing information.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Update on the FDA’s ongoing evaluation of reports of suicidal thoughts or actions in patients take a certain type of medicines approved for type 2 diabetes and obesity.
Liss T, Cherupally M, O’Brien M, et al.Treatment modification after initiating second-line medication for type 2 diabetes.Am J Managed Care. 2023 Dec;29(12).
FDA news release. FDA approves weight-management drug Saxenda. http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm427913.htm.Saxenda prescribing information. Novo Nordisk. www.saxenda.com.
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