💉 Saxenda (Liraglutide) – Prescription Weight Loss Injection
Saxenda is a prescription injectable medication that contains liraglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist used to help with chronic weight management in adults and adolescents with excess weight or obesity.
It works by regulating appetite and calorie intake, making it easier to reduce body weight when combined with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.
✅ Indications:
- Adults with a BMI ≥30 (obese), or BMI ≥27 (overweight) with at least one weight-related condition:
- Type 2 diabetes
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Adolescents (12–17 years) with obesity and a body weight over 60 kg
📋 Dosage & Administration:
- Form: Prefilled injection pen (3 mL per pen)
- Route: Subcutaneous injection (abdomen, thigh, or upper arm)
- Initial dose: 0.6 mg daily, gradually increased to a maintenance dose of 3.0 mg/day
- Injected once daily, at any time of day, independent of meals
⚠️ Warnings & Side Effects:
- Common side effects: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, low appetite
- May increase risk of thyroid tumors – not recommended for patients with a history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or MEN 2
- Not for use in pregnancy or breastfeeding
- Should be used under close medical supervision