Saxenda ^*

Saxenda begins working with the first dose to help regulate your appetite. However, noticeable weight loss can take several weeks of consistent use combined with lifestyle changes. You will follow a dose-increase schedule over the first five weeks. The full effects are typically seen once you reach the steady maintenance dose as prescribed by your doctor.

Saxenda may interact with alcohol, so it is best to limit your intake or avoid it. Alcohol can affect your blood sugar levels, potentially increasing the risk of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). It also contains calories that can work against your weight loss efforts. Always discuss your alcohol consumption with your doctor before starting this medication.

If you miss a dose of Saxenda, you should take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is less than 12 hours until your next scheduled dose, you should skip the missed dose entirely. Resume your regular daily schedule with the next dose. Never take an extra dose of Saxenda to make up for one you missed.

Saxenda pens that have not been used should be stored in a refrigerator (36°F to 46°F or 2°C to 8°C). Once you start using a pen, you can keep it at room temperature (below 86°F or 30°C) or in the refrigerator. An in-use pen must be thrown away after 30 days. Do not freeze Saxenda.

Saxenda is most effective when used with a reduced-calorie diet and more physical activity. Your doctor will recommend a healthy eating plan to follow. The medication does not require a specific named diet, but it works by helping you stick to a lower calorie intake by reducing your appetite and making you feel satisfied with smaller meals.

Saxenda and Ozempic are not the same, though they belong to the same class of drugs (GLP-1 agonists). Saxenda contains liraglutide and is injected daily specifically for weight management. Ozempic contains semaglutide and is injected weekly, primarily for managing type 2 diabetes, although it also causes weight loss. Your doctor will decide which is right for you.

The Saxenda pen requires single-use needles which must be purchased separately. It is designed for use with NovoFine or NovoTwist needles that are 8 mm or shorter. Always use a new needle for each injection to ensure it is sterile and to prevent the needle from becoming blocked, which could cause incorrect dosing. Your pharmacist can help you get the right needles.

You can inject Saxenda at any time of day that fits your schedule. To help you remember, it is recommended to take it at approximately the same time each day. The medication's absorption and effectiveness are not affected by meals, so you can take it with or without food. Choose a time that is most convenient for you to maintain a consistent routine.

Saxenda carries a boxed warning from the FDA regarding thyroid tumors. In studies with rats, the active ingredient liraglutide caused thyroid C-cell tumors, including thyroid cancer. It is not known if Saxenda has this effect in humans. For this reason, you should not use Saxenda if you or a family member has a history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2).

The most common side effect reported by people using Saxenda is nausea. This side effect is typically strongest when you first begin the treatment or after your dose is increased. For most individuals, the nausea is mild to moderate and temporary. It should decrease as your body gets used to the medication over several days or weeks of use.

A single Saxenda pen contains 18 mg of liraglutide and must be discarded 30 days after the first use. How long it lasts depends on your daily dose. As you start and increase your dose, a pen will last longer. Once you reach the full maintenance dose of 3.0 mg per day, one pen will last for 6 days.

Saxenda is intended for long-term weight management, and stopping the medication may lead to regaining some or all of the lost weight. The drug helps control your appetite, an effect that ends when you stop treatment. To maintain your weight loss, it is important to continue with the healthy diet and exercise habits you developed while using Saxenda.

Saxenda can be prescribed for weight management in many people who also have type 2 diabetes. However, your doctor must closely manage your treatment. If you take other diabetes medicines like sulfonylureas or insulin, your doctor may need to lower their dosage. This adjustment helps prevent your blood sugar from dropping too low (hypoglycemia).

Saxenda is not recommended for use if you are pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. Significant weight loss is not advised during pregnancy. It is not known if Saxenda passes into breast milk or if it can harm a developing baby. You should stop using Saxenda and inform your doctor immediately if you become pregnant while on the medication.