What is Liraglutide (Saxenda) used for?
Liraglutide, sold under the brand name Saxenda, is an injectable non-insulin medicine that is used to control blood sugar in type 2 diabetic patients. This medication is usually prescribed together with a proper diet and exercise program to treat type 2 diabetic patients when other diabetes drugs have failed to work. Liraglutide can be administered alone or together with other prescription diabetes drugs. However, this drug should not be used to treat type 1 diabetic patients. This is because people with type 1 diabetes cannot produce insulin naturally. This injectable drug works by stimulating the pancreas to release insulin when the blood sugar level rises. This medication also works by reducing the amount of glucose that your liver produces, which helps to reduce high blood sugar levels.
Liraglutide dosage
Liraglutide comes in prefilled pens that are supposed to be administered subcutaneously, preferably in your thigh, stomach, and upper arm. This drug is normally injected once every day together with food or without. It is advisable you inject Saxenda at the same time daily. Your dosage will be based on your age, how you respond to the initial dose, severity of your condition, and other conditions you have. To reduce the chance of side effects, your doctor may start you at a dose of 0.6mg daily for 1 week. After the first week, your dosage may be increased to 1.2mg daily. In case this dose doesn’t work, you may be asked to take a maximum dose of 1.8mg once every day.
Disclaimer: Please note that the contents of this community article are strictly for informational purposes and should not be considered as medical advice. This article, and other community articles, are not written or reviewed for medical validity by Canadian Insulin or its staff. All views and opinions expressed by the contributing authors are not endorsed by Canadian Insulin. Always consult a medical professional for medical advice, diagnosis, and treatment.
