What you’ll learn:
- Saxenda® starts at a low dose and increases gradually to maximize results while minimizing side effects.
- Clinical trials show that, when paired with healthy habits, people on the full 3 mg dose of Saxenda® lost an average of 8% of their body weight over 56 weeks.
- Staying consistent with lifestyle changes and getting ongoing support from your provider can make all the difference in your weight loss journey.
If diet and exercise haven’t done enough to help you lose weight, taking a GLP-1 medication may help. While popular options like Wegovy® (semaglutide) and Zepbound® (tirzepatide) often come to mind, there’s another FDA-approved option for weight management: Saxenda®.
Like Wegovy® and Zepbound®, Saxenda® is a GLP-1 receptor agonist, which means it mimics the hormone GLP-1 to help reduce appetite, slow digestion, and regulate blood sugar. Reaching the best dose for weight loss is a gradual process called titration. You’ll start at a low dose and increase slowly over time to find the amount that promotes steady weight loss—typically 1 to 2 pounds per week—while minimizing side effects.
One key difference is that Saxenda® is taken as a daily injection, not weekly, like Wegovy® and Zepbound®. That’s because its active ingredient, liraglutide, doesn’t stay in the body as long as newer GLP-1 medications like semaglutide or tirzepatide.
In this guide, we’ll walk through Saxenda®’s step-by-step dosing schedule, explain how it works, and outline what to expect in terms of side effects and results.
How Saxenda® dosing works
Saxenda® follows a structured dosing plan designed to minimize side effects while building toward the most effective dose. Let’s take a look at what that could look like.
- Starting dose: Everyone begins with the same starting dose of 0.6 mg once a day for the first week. This dose is designed to help your body get used to the medication.
- Dose escalation schedule: Your dose will usually increase each week over the first month. If you’re getting the results you want and are comfortable with the side effects, you can stay at your current dose for longer.
- Maintenance dose: The maintenance dose is the one that gives you the best results while keeping the side effects at a minimum.
- Maximum recommended dose: The highest dose of Saxenda® approved by the FDA is 3 mg daily.
Here’s an overview of what your typical dose escalation schedule might look like with Saxenda®, though again, work with your doctor to find the one that works best for you:
| Week | Dose |
|---|---|
| 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 | 3 mg once daily |
Will your cost increase as your dose increases?
Yes. While Saxenda® pens are prefilled and priced the same, as you increase your dose, each pen will be used up faster. Each Saxenda® pen equals 18 mg of liraglutide. Below is a breakdown of how long a pen lasts at each dose, how many pens you’ll need per month, and the estimated cost (assuming a retail price of $1,350 per 5-pen pack, or $270 per pen):
| Daily dose (mg) | Days per pen | Pens per month | Approx. weekly cost ($) | Approx. monthly cost ($) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.6 mg | 30 | 1 | $63 | $270 |
| 1.2 mg | 15 | 2 | $126 | $540 |
| 1.8 mg | 10 | 3 | $189 | $810 |
| 2.4 mg | 7.5 | 4 | $252 | $1,080 |
| 3.0 mg | 6 | 5 | $315 | $1,350 |
Read more about the costs of Saxenda® and whether insurance is likely to cover it.
How long will one pack of Saxenda® last?
How long it takes to finish a pack depends on where you are in your dosing schedule. During the first few weeks, when you’re using lower doses, it might stretch a little further. But once you’re on the full 3 mg maintenance dose, a 5-pen pack typically lasts about 30 days.
Saxenda® dose for diabetes vs. weight loss
If your goal is weight loss, you’ll start Saxenda® at 0.6 mg once daily. Your provider will increase the dose weekly in small steps—usually by 0.6 mg at a time—until you reach 3.0 mg daily. This helps your body adjust gradually, so side effects like nausea or digestive issues are easier to manage. The goal with Saxenda® is to reach and stay at the recommended 3.0 mg daily dose. If you’re unable to tolerate the full dose or are not seeing expected weight loss results, your provider may discuss other options.
If your goal is to manage type 2 diabetes, your provider may recommend Victoza®. Victoza contains the same active ingredient (liraglutide) but is designed to improve glycemic control and reduce cardiovascular risk in people with type 2 diabetes. You can learn more about Victoza® here.
What are the most common side effects of Saxenda® by dose?
Experiencing side effects is common when starting Saxenda®. Slowly increasing the dose helps reduce them, especially the digestion-related ones, but they can still happen at any dose. Knowing what to expect can make the process feel more manageable and help you stay on track.
Here are the most common side effects of Saxenda®:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Headache
- Stomach pain or discomfort
- Dizziness
- Indigestion
These symptoms were reported most often during the dose escalation period and tended to occur in the early weeks of treatment. They tend to lessen over time as your body adjusts.
How much weight can I expect to lose with Saxenda®?
In a study that lasted just over a year, people taking Saxenda® at the maximum 3 mg dose lost:
- About 8% of their body weight, that’s around 18 pounds for someone starting at 225 pounds.
- 63% lost at least 5% of their body weight
- 33% lost 10% or more,
- 14% lost 15% or more.
These numbers highlight that individual response and lifestyle changes will dictate how much a person loses with Saxenda®. While Saxenda® can help a person lose weight, it works best with a low-calorie diet and healthy lifestyle changes. Balanced eating, physical activity, and stress and sleep management make long-term, sustainable weight loss more likely, even with GLP-1 treatment.
With Saxenda® in particular, if a person hasn’t lost at least 4% of their starting weight after 16 weeks, their provider may recommend stopping Saxenda® or exploring other options.
How do you take Saxenda®: Tips for the best weight loss results
Setting a routine for taking Saxenda® can help you get the most out of it. From when to take it to how to avoid skin irritation, these tips can help make the process smoother.
| Action | Tips and guidance |
|---|---|
| When to take it | Saxenda® is a once-daily injection that can be taken any time of day. Try to take it at the same time every day so it becomes part of your routine. Tip: Linking it to another daily habit, like brushing your teeth, can help you stay on track. We call that habit-stacking at Noom, and it really works! |
| Where to inject | You can inject into your belly, upper arm, or thigh, just under the skin. Choose a comfortable spot and rotate injection sites regularly to keep your skin healthy and avoid bumps or irritation. |
| How to take it | Check the pen – Make sure the liquid is clear and colorless. Wash your hands – Good hygiene helps prevent infection. Attach a new needle – Always use a fresh one for each injection. Clean the skin – Wipe your injection site with an alcohol swab and let it dry. Set your dose – Use the dial to select the dose your provider prescribed. Inject at a 90° angle – Insert the needle into your skin and press the button to inject. Hold for several seconds until the dose counter shows 0 – This helps ensure you get the full dose. Dispose of the needle safely – Use a sharps container. Never reuse needles. |
| How to minimize side effects | Consider evening injections – If you tend to feel nauseated after your dose, taking Saxenda® at night may help you sleep through the discomfort. Stay hydrated – Drinking plenty of water can help with digestion and reduce feelings of nausea, bloating, or constipation. Take your time with dose increases – If you’re feeling unwell after a dose bump, talk to your provider. They may recommend staying at your current dose a bit longer before moving up. |
How to avoid injection site reactions
Mild redness, swelling, or itching at the injection site is pretty normal when starting Saxenda®. These symptoms usually go away as your body adjusts to daily injections. But there are a few things you can do to make the process easier on your skin.
To help prevent irritation or lumps, try these tips:
- Switch up your injection spots regularly—rotate between your stomach, thigh, and upper arm to give each area a break.
- Use a fresh needle every time and inject at a 90-degree angle with steady pressure.
- Skip over irritated areas—don’t inject into bruised, red, or sore spots.
- Let the pen warm to room temperature for about 30 minutes before injecting.
- Clean the area first—use an alcohol swab and let it dry before injecting.
- Avoid rubbing the area afterward, which can make irritation worse.
If you notice redness or swelling that doesn’t go away after a few days, or you see signs of infection like warmth, pus, or worsening pain, reach out to your healthcare provider.
How to care for your Saxenda® pen
Taking care of your Saxenda® pen helps keep the medication safe and effective—plus, it can make your daily routine easier. Here’s what to know about storing, using, and disposing of your pen the right way:
- Before you use a new pen: Store it in the fridge between 36°F and 46°F.
- Once you’re using it: You can keep it at room temperature (59°F to 86°F) or in the fridge, depending on what’s most convenient.
- Use it within 30 days: After you start using a pen, it should be thrown out after 30 days—even if there’s still medication inside.
- Don’t freeze it: Frozen Saxenda® can’t be used. If your pen accidentally freezes, throw it out.
- Keep it clean and dry: Don’t wash or soak your pen. If necessary, you can wipe it gently with a damp cloth and mild detergent.
- Handle with care: Don’t drop your pen or try to take it apart. If you think it’s damaged, attach a new needle and do a flow check before injecting.
- Protect from heat and light: Store it away from direct sunlight and never leave it in a hot place (like your car or near a heater).
- Keep it capped and out of reach: Always put the cap back on after use and store it somewhere safe, away from kids and pets.
What happens if you miss a dose?
If you miss a Saxenda® dose, you can usually get back on track without much trouble as long as you follow the right steps. Here’s what the official prescribing information recommends:
| Situation | What to do | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| You missed one dose, and it’s been less than 3 days | Just take your next dose at your usual time. Don’t double up or take more to make up for it. | Doubling up increases your risk of side effects like nausea or vomiting. |
| You’ve missed 3 or more days | Check in with your healthcare provider before restarting. You’ll likely need to go back to the starting dose (0.6 mg) and slowly work your way back up. | Restarting at a lower dose helps your body readjust and reduces the chance of GI side effects. |
| Thinking of taking an extra dose to catch up? | Don’t. Always stick to your prescribed dose. | Extra doses increase the risk of side effects and don’t lead to faster weight loss. |
Tip: Consider setting a daily alarm, storing your pen where you’ll see it, or linking your dose to a fixed part of your routine. These small habits can make it easier to stay consistent.
Saxenda®: Warning and precautions
Most people tolerate Saxenda® well, especially when increasing the dose slowly. But like all medications, Saxenda® can carry serious risks in rare cases. These side effects aren’t tied to a specific dose and can happen at any point during treatment.
If you experience any of the symptoms below, stop taking Saxenda® and contact your healthcare provider or seek emergency care right away:
- Pancreatitis: Look out for severe abdominal pain that may spread to your back, especially if it comes with nausea or vomiting.
- Gallbladder problems: Rapid weight loss and GLP-1 medications like Saxenda® may raise your risk of gallstones or gallbladder inflammation. Symptoms can include right-sided stomach pain, fever, yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice), or pale, clay-colored stools.
- Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia): This is more common if you’re also using other diabetes medications. Signs include shakiness, sweating, a fast heartbeat, blurred vision, or feeling dizzy or confused.
- Kidney issues: Ongoing nausea, vomiting, or dehydration can lead to kidney problems. Watch for swelling in your legs or feet, decreased urination, or feeling unusually tired.
- Serious allergic reactions: Although rare, Saxenda® can trigger reactions like swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat; difficulty breathing; rash; or itching. These require immediate medical attention.
- Increased heart rate: Some people experience a faster resting heart rate or feel like their heart is racing. Let your provider know if this happens.
- Mood changes or suicidal thoughts: Especially in adolescents, there’s a risk of new or worsening depression or suicidal thinking. Report any sudden shifts in mood, behavior, or mental health to your provider.
- Thyroid tumors, including cancer: Liraglutide has been linked to thyroid C-cell tumors in animal studies. While it’s unclear if this applies to humans, Saxenda® shouldn’t be used if you or a family member has had medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2). Call your provider if you notice a lump in your neck, trouble swallowing, hoarseness, or shortness of breath.
These side effects are rare, but it’s important to know what to watch for. Your provider will review your medical history and help you decide if Saxenda® is a good fit for you.
Signs and symptoms of a Saxenda® overdose
Accidentally taking too much Saxenda® can lead to serious side effects, so it’s important to stick to your prescribed dose. Even one extra injection could trigger side effects.
The most common signs of a Saxenda® overdose include severe nausea, ongoing vomiting, and low blood sugar symptoms like shakiness, sweating, or a fast heartbeat. These symptoms may feel intense and should not be ignored.
If you think you may have taken too much, contact your healthcare provider or call the Poison Help Line at 1-800-222-1222 right away. You can also ask your provider or pharmacist if you’re unsure about your dosage—don’t try to guess or adjust your dose on your own.
Getting the most out of Saxenda® weight loss treatment
Reaching the dose that works best for you is a key part of seeing progress with Saxenda®. Long-term weight loss benefits come from consistently taking your Saxenda® dose. Staying on track with your injections, following your doctor’s dose escalation plan, and working closely with your provider all help set the foundation for meaningful results.
If you’re not feeling your best or struggling with side effects, talk to your healthcare provider. They can help adjust your plan so it stays manageable and effective, whether that means slowing your dose increases or possibly exploring other GLP-1 medication options.
Saxenda® can be a powerful tool for weight loss, but everyone’s experience is unique. Want more personalized support? If you qualify for Noom Med, a licensed clinician can walk you through your options and prescribe medication if needed. They’ll help you build a weight loss program that works and gets you on the way toward reaching your goals.
