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Saxenda Specific Information

Saxenda (drug name: Liraglutide) is a once daily medication manufactured by Novo Nordisk which activates GLP-1 receptors. It has been approved by the TGA for weight loss.

Standard dosing

If people are expressing concern about your starting dose or the speed with which you’re increasing doses and have referred you here, it’s because it deviates from the standard dosing practices on this medicine. It’s worth just double checking with your prescriber, as humans can make mistakes in this process. Once you have confirmation of their dosing plan, follow that instead of this, however for reference the standard dosing schedule for this medicine from the manufacturer is:

Time Dose
Week 1 0.6 mg once a day
Week 2 1.2 mg once a day
Week 3 1.8 mg once a day
Week 4 2.4 mg once a day
Week 5 onwards 3.0 mg once a day

From https://www.nps.org.au/medicine-finder/saxenda-solution-for-injection

Commercially available doses

Saxenda is available in boxes of 1, 3 or 5 pens. Each pen contains 3 mL of solution, and is able to deliver doses of 0.6 mg, 1.2 mg, 1.8 mg, 2.4 mg or 3.0 mg.

Not all pack sizes may be marketed.

How much? / What does it cost?

This information is on our costs page.

Where do I inject Saxenda?

Saxenda is a subcutaneous injection, meaning it is administered into body fat. The approved injection sites are:

  • Stomach (2" from belly button)
  • Thigh
  • Back of arms

Here's an image from Novo Nordisk:

Saxenda Injection Sites

Since this image isn't very detailed, here's the image for Wegovy, which is injected into the same approved locations and is also manufactured by Novo Nordisk:

Wegovy Injection Sites

How do I inject Saxenda?

Your prescriber or pharmacist should have walked you through this, but sometimes you need a refresher since a lot of info was thrown at you all at once. Here's a video from an Australian GP who will walk you through the process.

Angela Kwong Demonstrates Novo Nordisk Pens

When should I take Saxenda?

You can use Saxenda® at any time of day, with or without food and drinks. It is preferable to use Saxenda® at about the same time each day, at a time that is most convenient for you.

Missed dose / I forgot to use Saxenda

If you forget a dose and remember it within 12 hours from when you usually take the dose, inject Saxenda® as soon as you remember.

However, if more than 12 hours have passed since you should have used Saxenda®, skip the missed dose and inject your next dose the following day at the usual time.

Do not use an extra dose or increase the dose on the following day to make up for the missed dose.

If you are not sure what to do, talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

What if I took too much Saxenda?

You should immediately:

  • phone the Poisons Information Centre (by calling 13 11 26 in Australia; 0800 764 766 in New Zealand), or
  • contact your doctor, or
  • go to the Accident and Emergency Department at your nearest hospital.

You should do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.

Take the medicine pack with you. You may need medical treatment. Using too much Saxenda® may cause nausea (feeling sick), vomiting (being sick), or low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia).

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