Saxenda (Liraglutide)

Saxenda UK

Saxenda UK is a once-daily injection that you administer to yourself to aid weight loss in conjunction with an active lifestyle and a calorie-controlled balanced diet.. It contains the active ingredient Liraglutide, which is very similar to a naturally occurring hormone in your body called GLP-1. The weight loss injection works by making you feel less hungry, slowing down the emptying of your stomach and making you feel ‘fuller’ for longer.

Saxenda is approved to help you lose weight in conjunction with an active lifestyle and a calorie-controlled balanced diet. Saxenda (Liraglutide) weight loss injections should be taken alongside a calorie-controlled diet and exercise to help you lose weight. Exercise and a balanced diet will help you maintain a healthy weight even when you stop taking your medication.

How Does Saxenda (Liraglutide) Work?

Saxenda (liraglutide 6mg/ml) is a self-injectable weight loss treatment. It contains the active ingredient liraglutide which is very similar to a naturally occurring hormone in your body called GLP-1. After a meal GLP-1 is naturally released from your intestines to help regulate your blood sugar levels and reduce the amount of glucagon in your body. Glucagon is a naturally occurring hormone which works by inhibiting the action of insulin.

How Do I Use Saxenda (Liraglutide)?

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:

• Week 1 – 0.6mg as a once-daily injection
• Week 2 – 1.2mg as a once-daily injection
• Week 3 – 1.8mg as a once-daily injection
• Week 4 – 2.4mg as a once-daily injection
• Week 5 onwards – maintenance dose of 3.0mg as a once-daily injection

Increasing the dose slowly over time should minimise any unwanted side effects, such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea.