Question 1

Can I stay on a lower Saxenda dose long term?

Accepted Answer

The FDA label does not describe the lower doses that way. It says the recommended dosage for adults is 3 mg daily and that lower dosages are for titration only, and it says to discontinue Saxenda if the patient cannot tolerate the 3 mg dosage. Children aged 12 and over who cannot tolerate 3 mg may have their maintenance dose reduced to 2.4 mg daily. Any change is a decision for your prescriber.

Question 2

What happens if I cannot tolerate the next dose?

Accepted Answer

The label says that if patients do not tolerate an increased dose during escalation, the prescriber should consider delaying escalation for approximately one additional week. For children, the label also allows the dose to be lowered back to the previous level, and says escalation may take up to 8 weeks.

Question 3

When does my prescriber check whether Saxenda is working?

Accepted Answer

The label sets a checkpoint at 16 weeks for adults: if you have not lost at least 4% of your starting body weight, it says to stop Saxenda, because it is unlikely that continued treatment will produce and sustain clinically meaningful weight loss. For patients aged 12 to 17, the label checks BMI after 12 weeks on the maintenance dose against a 1% reduction.

Question 4

What if I stop for a few days and then restart?

Accepted Answer

The label says that if more than 3 days have passed since your last dose, Saxenda is restarted at 0.6 mg daily and the weekly escalation schedule is followed again. This is to reduce the gastrointestinal side effects that come with restarting. The Medication Guide says to call your healthcare provider if you have missed doses for 3 days or more.

Question 5

Does the time of day change the dose?

Accepted Answer

No. The label says to inject Saxenda once daily at any time of day, without regard to the timing of meals, and that no dosage adjustment is needed if you change the injection site or the timing.

Question 6

Is there a dose higher than 3 mg?

Accepted Answer

Not for Saxenda. The pen delivers 0.6 mg, 1.2 mg, 1.8 mg, 2.4 mg or 3 mg, and 3 mg daily is the recommended adult dosage in the label. Liraglutide is also sold at lower doses under a different brand for type 2 diabetes, which is a separate product with its own label.

Saxenda dosage — 0.6 mg to 3 mg explained

Your step-up schedule

Starting dose vs maximum dose

Weight loss at each dose

When your doctor might change your dose

The step up goes well

A step up is hard to tolerate

More than 3 days without a dose

Common questions

Keep reading

Next step most people take