Saxenda® Injection for Weight Management

What Saxenda® Is and How It Works

Saxenda® is a prescription liraglutide injection for chronic weight management when used with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity. This page helps compare Saxenda price, dosing, and safe use while offering access from Canada with US delivery from Canada via prompt, express, cold-chain shipping. Many patients review the Saxenda price without insurance to plan budgets and discuss options with a clinician.

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The active ingredient in this Saxenda medication is liraglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist. It works by acting on appetite centers in the brain and by slowing gastric emptying, which helps reduce calorie intake and increase fullness. The standard maintenance dose is 3 mg once daily, often described as liraglutide 3 mg weight loss therapy. Saxenda injections are given subcutaneously and are not insulin, and Saxenda is not approved for treating diabetes.

People often compare daily Saxenda to weekly treatments. For a deeper look at differences, see Wegovy vs Saxenda. For background on this medicine class, read GLP 1 Drugs.

Who Saxenda® Is For

Saxenda is indicated for chronic weight management in adults with obesity (BMI 30 or greater) or overweight (BMI 27 or greater) with at least one weight-related condition such as hypertension, type 2 diabetes, or dyslipidemia. It is also approved for pediatric patients 12 to 17 years with obesity, when specific BMI and body-weight criteria are met, alongside diet and activity changes.

Do not use Saxenda if there is a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or if diagnosed with Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN2). It should not be used during pregnancy. Avoid use if there was a previous serious hypersensitivity reaction to liraglutide or to any component of the pen. Saxenda is not indicated for type 1 diabetes and should not be combined with other GLP-1 medicines. People with a history of pancreatitis, gallbladder disease, severe gastrointestinal disease, or suicidal thoughts should discuss risks and monitoring with a clinician.

Dosage and Usage

Saxenda is a once-daily subcutaneous injection. Injections may be given in the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm, without regard to meals, at about the same time each day. The dose is increased weekly to improve tolerability. The typical schedule is:

• Week 1: 0.6 mg once daily
• Week 2: 1.2 mg once daily
• Week 3: 1.8 mg once daily
• Week 4: 2.4 mg once daily
• Week 5 and onward: 3 mg once daily (maintenance)

Do not exceed 3 mg per day. If dose escalation is not tolerated, clinicians may pause at a lower step until symptoms improve. Use Saxenda only as prescribed and do not share the pen. Saxenda 6 mg/mL is supplied in a 3 mL prefilled pen (18 mg total per pen), often described as Saxenda 18mg 3ml. The pen dial delivers 0.6 mg increments used during titration and maintenance at 3 mg.

Strengths and Forms

Saxenda is available as a multi-dose prefilled pen for subcutaneous injection. Availability may vary.

• 6 mg/mL solution in a 3 mL prefilled pen (18 mg total per pen)
• Dose dial supports 0.6 mg, 1.2 mg, 1.8 mg, 2.4 mg, and 3 mg settings

Pen needles are typically not included and may be purchased separately if required.

Missed Dose and Timing

Take the daily dose at around the same time each day. If a dose is missed and remembered the same day, administer it when remembered. If it is nearly time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume the regular schedule. Do not take two doses on the same day. After several missed days, consult the prescriber or the official label before resuming to reduce gastrointestinal side effects.

Storage and Travel Basics

Keep unused pens refrigerated at 2°C to 8°C. Do not freeze. Protect pens from light and keep the cap on. After first use, keep the pen capped and store either in a refrigerator or at room temperature up to 30°C. Discard the pen 30 days after first use or if exposed to temperatures outside the recommended range. Store your pen without a needle attached.

For travel, carry your medicine with a cold source when needed for unused pens, and avoid placing it in checked luggage where temperatures can vary. Keep your supplies together with spare needles and a safe container for sharps. When in doubt, follow the storage directions on the label during trips.

Pen Handling and Sharps Disposal

Review the Instructions for Use that come with the pen before first injection. General handling steps include:

• Inspect the solution; it should be clear and colorless, without particles.
• Attach a new sterile needle for each injection.
• Prime the pen as directed before the first use to check flow.
• Rotate injection sites within the same region to reduce local reactions.
• Remove and safely dispose of the needle after each injection.
• Never share a pen or needles to prevent infections.
• Place used needles in an FDA-cleared sharps container or a sturdy, puncture-resistant alternative if allowed by local rules. Follow community guidance for disposal.

Benefits

Saxenda supports chronic weight management as an adjunct to diet and activity. Benefits on the label include reduced appetite and lower energy intake, which can help reduce body weight when combined with lifestyle measures. The once-daily pen allows slow dose escalation to improve tolerability. Many appreciate the flexibility of a daily schedule compared with weekly options. For perspective on how daily and weekly GLP-1 medications compare, see Saxenda vs Wegovy.

Side Effects and Safety

• Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
• Constipation or abdominal discomfort
• Decreased appetite
• Headache or dizziness
• Fatigue
• Indigestion or burping
• Injection site reactions

Serious or rare risks include a potential risk of thyroid C-cell tumors (boxed warning), pancreatitis, gallbladder disease, kidney problems, increased heart rate, serious allergic reactions, and suicidal thoughts or behavior. Hypoglycemia can occur more often when used with insulin or sulfonylureas. Seek urgent care for symptoms such as severe abdominal pain, a neck mass or hoarseness, signs of an allergic reaction, or persistent low blood sugar.

Drug Interactions and Cautions

Avoid using Saxenda with other GLP-1 receptor agonists or with liraglutide products for other conditions. Using it with insulin or a sulfonylurea may increase hypoglycemia risk. Because GLP-1 medicines can slow stomach emptying, they may affect absorption of some oral medications, especially those with a narrow therapeutic index. People with pancreatitis, gallbladder disease, severe gastrointestinal disease (including gastroparesis), renal impairment, depression, or suicidal thoughts should discuss suitability and monitoring. Do not use in pregnancy; discuss use during breastfeeding with a clinician.

What to Expect Over Time

Gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea tend to be most noticeable during dose increases and often lessen with time. Weight changes are gradual and depend on lifestyle measures and individual response. Clinicians commonly review progress after several months to decide whether to continue therapy. Ongoing dietary support, activity planning, and regular follow-up help maintain results.

Compare With Alternatives

Several medicines are approved for chronic weight management. Weekly semaglutide is offered as Wegovy®, while tirzepatide is available as Zepbound. A non-GLP-1 oral option is Contrave®, which combines naltrexone and bupropion. Each has different dosing, side effect profiles, and considerations. Discuss which approach aligns with medical history, preferences, and lifestyle.

Pricing and Access

Canadian pricing helps many compare the Saxenda cost, Saxenda price, and Saxenda cash price against US retail options. If researching Saxenda injection price or Saxenda cost per month, check our current pricing for Saxenda from Canada. This service ships to the US with Saxenda US shipping supported by licensed Canadian pharmacies. Ordering is straightforward, with encrypted checkout and prescription verification. If exploring savings with or without insurance, compare Saxenda Canadian pricing and consider how it fits into a long-term plan. You can also browse other Weight Loss Medication Products or review current Promotions for general offers.

When comparing options like liraglutide Saxenda and weekly products, it can help to evaluate overall therapy goals, convenience, and the broader liraglutide weight loss price landscape across alternatives.

Availability and Substitutions

Availability can vary. If Saxenda is temporarily unavailable, a prescriber may recommend an approved alternative suited to the medical profile. Substitutions should be guided by the clinician and aligned with the official label for the chosen medication.

Patient Suitability and Cost Saving Tips

Good candidates typically include adults with obesity, or those with overweight and a related condition, and some adolescents with obesity who meet criteria. People with MTC, MEN2, or who are pregnant should not use Saxenda. Those with pancreatitis history, gallbladder disease, severe gastrointestinal issues, or mood changes need careful evaluation.

To manage costs, consider arranging multi-month quantities when appropriate, which can lower per-shipment fees and reduce ordering frequency. Set refill reminders so your treatment is not interrupted. Discuss coverage, health spending accounts, and therapy goals at routine visits.

Questions to Ask Your Clinician

• Is Saxenda appropriate given current conditions and other medications?
• What signs of pancreatitis, gallbladder disease, or thyroid issues should be watched for?
• How should dosing be adjusted if side effects occur during titration?
• Which injection sites are best, and how should sites be rotated?
• What labs or follow-up visits are recommended over the first few months?
• How does Saxenda compare with alternatives based on personal goals?
• What is the plan if response is limited after several months?

Authoritative Sources

• Novo Nordisk Saxenda Prescribing Information
• FDA DailyMed: Saxenda
• Health Canada Drug Product Database

Start your Saxenda order with US delivery from Canada using prompt, express, cold-chain shipping.