Saxenda
Saxenda is an injectable prescription medication which is used to help obese or overweight adults lose weight.
What is Saxenda?
Saxenda (liraglutide) is an injectable prescription medication which is used to help obese or overweight adults lose weight and keep the weight off. The Victoza brand of liraglutide is currently being used in the UK by diabetic patients to help treat type 2 diabetes, but has become licensed in the UK as of January 2017 as a weight loss treatment.
Liraglutide is similar to a hormone which is found in the body to help control blood sugar level, insulin level and aids with digestion. It should be taken in adjunction to a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity, to see the optimum benefits of the medication.
Saxenda is an injectable solution which is to be administered for weight management of adult patients with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of ≥ 30kg/m² or ≥ 27kg/m² in the presence of any other weight-related issues such as high blood pressure or pre-diabetes.
This treatment is to be injected under the skin (subcutaneous injection) in the stomach area, upper leg or upper arm, and must not be injected into a vein or muscle and kept refrigerated.
How to Use Saxenda
Saxenda is to be stored in the fridge at all times and protected from moisture, heat and sunlight.
When first starting Saxenda, the starting dose is 0.6mg once a day, for at least one week. You should increase your dose by 0.6mg each week until you reach the recommended dose of 3.0mg once a day. Once the recommended dose of 3.0mg in week 5 of treatment has been reached, you must keep using this dose until your treatment period ends. The dose must not be increased further.
Week 1 – 0.6mg once a day
Week 2 – 1.2mg once a day
Week 2 – 1.8mg once a day
Week 4 – 2.4mg once a day
Week 5 onwards – 3.0mg once a day
Side Effects
Like all medication, there is some risk of side effects such as; stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, heartburn, constipation, diarrhoea, rash and dizziness. If you feel you are suffering from any uncommon side effects, contact your doctor for advice straight away.
Read the patient information leaflet for a full list of side effects.
Prices
| Medication | Quantity | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Saxenda | 1 | £79.95 |
| Saxenda | 2 | £159.95 |
| Saxenda | 5 | £299.95 |
Patient Information
Always read the patient information leaflet before commencing treatment. The patient information can be found here .
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