Saxenda

Saxenda is a prescription, once-daily injectable medicine used for chronic weight management alongside lifestyle changes. Ships from Canada to US, and the service model may help people using cash pay without insurance. This page summarizes how the medicine works, practical dosing basics, storage, and safety topics to review before arranging a prescription through our platform.

What Saxenda Is and How It Works

This product contains liraglutide, a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1, a gut hormone) receptor agonist. In plain terms, GLP-1 medicines can help regulate appetite and food intake by acting on brain pathways involved in hunger and satiety. They can also slow gastric emptying (how quickly the stomach empties), which may affect how full someone feels after eating.

The treatment is intended for long-term weight management when used with a reduced-calorie eating plan and increased physical activity. It is not the same as short-term “diet pills,” and it is not insulin. Results and tolerability vary, and the official prescribing information is the reference for approved use.

Why it matters: Understanding the mechanism helps explain common stomach-related side effects.

Prescription information may be confirmed with the prescriber when required.

Who It’s For

This medicine is indicated for chronic weight management in certain adults with obesity, or with overweight plus at least one weight-related health condition, when used with lifestyle changes. Some jurisdictions also include certain adolescents (for example, ages 12 years and older) who meet specific clinical criteria. Eligibility details and documentation requirements come from the local product monograph and the prescriber’s assessment.

At a high level, it should not be used by people with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or in patients with Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2). It is also not used during pregnancy, and it should be avoided in anyone with a known serious hypersensitivity to liraglutide or product components. A prescriber will also review whether other GLP-1 receptor agonists are being used, since combining them is generally not recommended.

For condition-specific context and related items, browse the Weight Management hub, or see clinical overviews in the Obesity Hub and Overweight Hub collections.

Dosage and Usage

Saxenda is started at a low dose and increased gradually to improve tolerability. The labeled titration is typically weekly, moving stepwise toward a maintenance dose of 3.0 mg once daily. A prescriber may adjust the pace based on side effects and clinical response, and the product instructions for use should be followed for pen handling and injection steps.

The medicine is given as a subcutaneous injection (under the skin), commonly in the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm. Injection sites should be rotated to reduce local irritation. The pen is designed for one person only and should not be shared, even if the needle is changed. A new sterile needle is used for each injection, and used needles are discarded in an appropriate sharps container.

Quick tip: Keep a simple log of injection time and site rotation.

For general injection technique and site-rotation visuals, the guides Wegovy Injection Guide and Mounjaro Injection Sites can be useful references, even though they discuss other pens.

Strengths and Forms

Saxenda is supplied as a prefilled, multi-dose pen containing a clear solution for subcutaneous injection. The labeled concentration is 6 mg/mL, and each pen contains 3 mL (18 mg total). The pen is designed to deliver multiple dose steps used during titration and maintenance (0.6 mg, 1.2 mg, 1.8 mg, 2.4 mg, and 3.0 mg).

Packaging configurations and included components can vary by supplier and region. A compatible pen needle is required for each injection, and disposal supplies (such as a sharps container) may be needed for safe handling. Product appearance should be checked before use; solutions that are cloudy or contain particles should not be used, per labeling.

Storage and Travel Basics

Before first use, unopened pens are typically stored refrigerated at 2°C to 8°C and kept away from the freezer compartment. Do not freeze the pen; if it has been frozen, it should be discarded according to the product directions. Keep the pen cap on to protect from light.

After first use, the pen may generally be stored either in a refrigerator or at room temperature (not above 30°C), depending on label instructions. Many labels direct discarding an in-use pen after 30 days, even if medicine remains. For travel, protect the pen from temperature extremes, avoid leaving it in a hot car, and keep it in carry-on baggage when flying.

Dispensing is handled by licensed Canadian pharmacies after prescription review.

Side Effects and Safety

Saxenda side effects most often involve the gastrointestinal tract, especially during dose escalation. Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain, indigestion, and reduced appetite are commonly reported. Headache, fatigue, dizziness, and injection-site reactions (such as redness or itching) can also occur. Slower titration and consistent dosing timing may help some people tolerate symptoms, but dosing changes should only be made by the prescriber.

Serious risks require prompt medical assessment. Labeling for GLP-1 receptor agonists includes warnings about thyroid C-cell tumors (based on animal findings), pancreatitis, gallbladder disease, kidney problems (sometimes related to dehydration from vomiting), severe allergic reactions, and potential mood changes. In people using other glucose-lowering medicines, low blood sugar can occur, particularly when combined with insulin or sulfonylureas. Any severe abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, signs of an allergic reaction, or new depression or suicidal thoughts should be treated as urgent.

Drug Interactions and Cautions

This therapy can slow gastric emptying, which may change the absorption of some oral medicines. Extra caution is often needed for drugs with a narrow therapeutic index (where small changes in blood levels matter). A clinician may recommend additional monitoring when starting or adjusting therapy if there are medicines such as anticoagulants being used, or if symptoms (vomiting, reduced intake) could affect hydration and kidney function.

People with diabetes who take insulin or insulin secretagogues may need closer glucose monitoring to reduce hypoglycemia risk, especially during titration. Alcohol use, reduced food intake, and intercurrent illness can complicate glucose control and dehydration risk. For broader context on GLP-1–based options discussed in clinical practice, see Tirzepatide Vs Semaglutide.

Compare With Alternatives

Weight-management treatment selection is individualized and depends on medical history, contraindications, dosing preference, and tolerability. Some alternatives use a weekly injection schedule (for example, semaglutide- or tirzepatide-based therapies), while others are oral medicines with different mechanisms. Differences can include dosing frequency, escalation schedules, common adverse effects, and monitoring needs.

On the CanadianInsulin site, related prescription options may include a weekly GLP-1 product such as Wegovy Details, or a non-GLP-1 oral combination such as Contrave Details. For neutral, longer-form comparisons and discussion points to review with a prescriber, resources include Saxenda Vs Wegovy and Zepbound Vs Ozempic.

Any switch between therapies should be planned by a healthcare professional. Combining multiple prescription weight-loss drugs is not routinely studied, and overlapping adverse effects (especially nausea and dehydration) can increase risk.

Pricing and Access

Saxenda pricing varies based on dose stage, the number of pens supplied, and required accessories such as pen needles. The monthly out-of-pocket amount can also change if a prescriber adjusts the titration pace or maintenance plan. For site-level information on temporary offers, see Current Promotions.

CanadianInsulin operates as a prescription referral platform that coordinates access through licensed Canadian pharmacies. When documentation is required, the prescription may be checked with the prescriber before dispensing. The service is designed for cash-pay access, including for people without coverage. For additional background articles on weight-management therapies, browse Weight Management Articles.

Authoritative Sources

The most reliable details on indications, contraindications, and handling come from official labeling and curated medical references. These sources are useful when reviewing adverse effects, storage limits, and class warnings.

• Drugs@FDA Listing
• Novo PI PDF
• MedlinePlus Liraglutide Injection

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This content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.