Saxenda
- Active ingredient
- liraglutide
- Class
- GLP-1 receptor agonist
- Route
- Once-daily subcutaneous injection
- Maker
- Novo Nordisk
Educational only. This is educational, not medical advice. Everyone's body responds differently. Talk to your clinician before starting, stopping, changing, or tapering any medication, and work with your physician and a registered dietitian to personalize your approach.
Overview
Saxenda is liraglutide, an earlier, shorter-acting GLP-1 receptor agonist approved for weight management. Unlike the once-weekly newer drugs, it is injected once daily.
It works through the same GLP-1 pathway but tends to produce smaller average weight loss than semaglutide or tirzepatide, and the daily dosing is less convenient.
Approval and use
| Approved for | Chronic weight management in adults and adolescents |
| Weight use | On-label for weight management. |
Typical titration (informational)
Saxenda escalates over about five weeks from 0.6 mg daily up to a 3 mg maintenance dose.
The prescriber individualizes the pace based on tolerance.
Background only.
Expected timeline
Average weight loss in trials was in the high single digits percent of body weight, less than the newer once-weekly agents.
Common side effects
- Nausea (common early)
- Diarrhea, constipation
- Low blood sugar when combined with other diabetes medicines
- Injection-site reactions
What happens when you stop Saxenda
In the regain meta-analysis, liraglutide 3 mg showed the smallest rebound of the studied drugs (around 1.5 kg), partly because its on-treatment loss is smaller, so there is less to regain.
The maintenance principles are identical: the loss you keep depends on the habits you build, not on which molecule you used.
Cost
Cash price has historically been somewhat lower than the newer agents but still substantial. Verify current pricing.
Frequently asked questions
Why is Saxenda injected daily?
Liraglutide is shorter-acting than semaglutide or tirzepatide, so it requires daily dosing. The newer once-weekly drugs are more convenient and tend to produce more weight loss.
Sources & further reading
Every claim on this page is drawn from peer-reviewed research, clinical trials, or recognized health authorities. Read the source before making any decision about your health.