Saxenda

The recommended starting dose of Saxenda (Liraglutide) is 0.6 mg daily injected subcutaneously (under the skin) on your stomach area (abdomen), upper thigh, or upper arm, exactly as instructed by your doctor. It can be injected at any time of the day, without regard to meals. After one week, your doctor will increase the dose to 1.2 mg once daily, gradually increasing the dose to the recommended 3 mg daily. This gradual increase of the dose should minimize side effects on the digestive system. Adolescents should follow the same gradual increase in dose. If 3 mg daily produces unacceptable side effects, the dose may be reduced to 2.4 mg daily.

Your doctor or nurse will assist you in the preparation and injection of your first dose (or first few doses) and can teach you how to give yourself the injection at home. Do not attempt to inject Saxenda (Liraglutide) on your own until you completely understand how to inject a dose. If you are unsure of how to prepare or administer a dose, ask a health care professional to clarify for you. If you are having difficulty giving yourself injections, ask a family member or other caregiver for help if they are willing to become involved with your treatment and are willing to learn how to give you your injections.

Use a different injection site for each dose. Avoid injecting Saxenda (Liraglutide) into an area of skin that is sore, red, infected, or otherwise damaged.

Saxenda (Liraglutide) should be clear and colourless. Do not use Saxenda (Liraglutide) if you notice particles or anything unusual in the appearance of the solution.

Many things can affect the dose of medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are taking the medication without consulting your doctor.

It is important to take Saxenda (Liraglutide) exactly as prescribed by your doctor. If you miss a dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. If you miss more than 3 doses in a row, contact your doctor or pharmacist for instructions. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one. If you are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Store Saxenda (Liraglutide) in the refrigerator, do not allow it to freeze, and keep it out of the reach of children. After the first use of the pen, Saxenda (Liraglutide) can be stored at room temperature or in the refrigerator for up to 30 days. To protect Saxenda (Liraglutide) from light, always keep the pen cap on when you are not using it. Always store Saxenda (Liraglutide) without a needle attached to prevent contamination, infection, and leakage.

Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.

In addition to its desired action, this medication may cause some adverse effects, notably: it may cause headaches; it may make you dehydrated; it may cause diarrhea; it may cause indigestion; it may cause dizziness - use caution when getting up from a lying or sitting position and use caution if driving; it may cause nausea and vomiting. Each person may react differently to a treatment. If you think this medication may be causing adverse effects (including those described here, or others), talk to your health care professional. He or she can help you to determine whether or not the medication is the source of the problem.

Each mL of clear, colourless solution contains 6 mg of Saxenda (Liraglutide). Nonmedicinal ingredients: disodium phosphate dihydrate, propylene glycol, phenol, and water for injection.

Do not take Saxenda (Liraglutide) if you:

• are allergic to Saxenda (Liraglutide) or any ingredients of the medication
• are pregnant
• are breast-feeding
• have a personal or family history of Thyroid cancer
• have multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (a disease where people have tumours in more than one gland in their body)

There may be an interaction between Saxenda (Liraglutide) and any of the following:

• acetylsalicylic acid (Asa)
• androgens (e.g., testosterone)
• atypical antipsychotics (e.g., Clozapine, Olanzapine, Quetiapine, Risperidone)
• Basiliximab
• Buserelin
• corticosteroids (e.g., budesonide, Hydrocortisone, Prednisone)
• chloroquine
• Cyproterone
• diabetes medications (e.g., Canagliflozin, glyburide, Linagliptin, insulin, Metformin, Rosiglitazone)
• Danazol
• Disopyramide
• Epinephrine
• estrogens (e.g., conjugated estrogen, Estradiol, ethinyl estradiol)
• Everolimus
• Glucagon
• Goserelin
• Hepatitis C antivirals (e.g., elbasvir, grazoprevir, ledipasvir, sofosbuvir, velpatasvir)
• HIV protease inhibitors (e.g., atazanavir, indinavir, ritonavir, saquinavir)
• hydroxychloroquine
• Lanreotide
• Leuprolide
• loop diuretics (e.g., bumetanide, Furosemide)
• mifepristone
• monoamine oxidase inhibitors (M.O.S. e.g., Moclobemide, Phenelzine, Rasagiline, Selegiline, Tranylcypromine)
• Niacin
• Octreotide
• Pasireotide
• Pegvisomant
• progestins (e.g., Dienogest, Levonorgestrel, medroxyprogesterone, Norethindrone)
• quinine
• quinolone antibiotics (e.g., ciprofloxacin, Norfloxacin, Ofloxacin)
• selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs; e.g., Citalopram, Fluoxetine, Paroxetine, Sertraline)
• Sirolimus
• Somatropin
• sulfonamide antibiotics ("sulfas"; e.g., sulfisoxazole, sulfamethoxazole)
• Sunitinib
• Tacrolimus
• thiazide diuretics (e.g., Hydrochlorothiazide, Indapamide, Metolazone)
• Tramadol
• Triptorelin
• Vorinostat

If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

• stop taking one of the medications,
• change one of the medications to another,
• change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
• leave everything as is.

An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

Medications other than those listed above may interact with Saxenda (Liraglutide). Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the Nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.

Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or Allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use Saxenda (Liraglutide).

Breast Cancer: There may be an increased risk of developing breast cancer when using Saxenda (Liraglutide). Talk to your doctor if you have any concerns.

Gallstones: Saxenda (Liraglutide) has been associated with an increase in gallstone formation. Gallstones often form when there is significant or fast weight loss. If you experience symptoms of gallstones, such as nausea and vomiting, pain under the right shoulder or between the shoulder blades or severe abdominal pain, contact your doctor as soon as possible.

Heart problems: Saxenda (Liraglutide) may increase heart rate and may affect how electrical impulses travel through the heart muscle. If you have heart disease (e.g., recent Heart Attack, Angina, heart failure) or an abnormal heart rhythm (e.g., heart block or fast heart rate), discuss with your doctor how Saxenda (Liraglutide) may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Saxenda (Liraglutide), and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Intestinal problems: The safety and effectiveness of using Saxenda (Liraglutide) for people with inflammatory bowel disease (e.g., Crohn's Disease, Ulcerative Colitis) or who have slowed movement through the intestinal tract due to diabetes have not been established. If you have digestive system problems, discuss with your doctor how Saxenda (Liraglutide) may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Saxenda (Liraglutide), and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Kidney function: Saxenda (Liraglutide) can cause dehydration as a result of digestive system side effects such as diarrhea, which in turn, can affect kidney function. Make sure you drink enough fluids to prevent dehydration. The safety and effectiveness of using Saxenda (Liraglutide) for people with reduced kidney function has not been studied. If you have reduced kidney function or Kidney Disease, discuss with your doctor how Saxenda (Liraglutide) may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Saxenda (Liraglutide), and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Liver function: The safety and effectiveness of using Saxenda (Liraglutide) for people with reduced liver function have not been studied. If you have reduced liver function or liver disease, discuss with your doctor how Saxenda (Liraglutide) may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Saxenda (Liraglutide), and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Low blood glucose (hypoglycemia): People who use Saxenda (Liraglutide) may experience low blood sugar. This may be more likely if you are also taking a sulfonylurea (e.g., Glyburide, Gliclazide) to control high blood sugar. If you experience symptoms of hypoglycemia such as a cold sweat, nervousness or shakiness, fast heartbeat, headache, hunger, confusion, lightheadedness, weakness, and numbness or tingling of the tongue or lips, contact your doctor.

Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas): Saxenda (Liraglutide) can cause pancreatitis. If you experience symptoms of pancreatitis such as severe and persistent abdominal pain that may move to the back with or without vomiting, contact your doctor immediately. If you have previously had pancreatitis, discuss with your doctor how Saxenda (Liraglutide) may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Saxenda (Liraglutide), and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Thyroid cancer: In rare cases, people have developed thyroid cancer while using Saxenda (Liraglutide). People with a personal or family history of thyroid cancer or people who have multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (a disease where people have tumours in more than one gland in their body) should not use Saxenda (Liraglutide).

Suicidal or depressed behaviour: People using Saxenda (Liraglutide) may experience new or worsening symptoms of Depression, thoughts of self-harm, or change in mood and behavior. If you experience these side effects or notice them in a family member who is taking Saxenda (Liraglutide), contact your doctor immediately.

Pregnancy: Saxenda (Liraglutide) has not been studied for use by pregnant women and should not be used during pregnancy. If you become pregnant while using Saxenda (Liraglutide), contact your doctor immediately.

Breast-feeding: It is not known if Saxenda (Liraglutide) passes into breast milk. If you are breast-feeding and are taking Saxenda (Liraglutide), it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.

Children: Saxenda (Liraglutide) may be used for children and adolescents between the ages of 12 and 18 years, who weigh at least 60 kg. The safety and effectiveness of using Saxenda (Liraglutide) have not been established for children younger than 12 years of age.

Seniors: Seniors may be more likely to experience side effects associated with Saxenda (Liraglutide).

This product must be injected under the skin (subcutaneously), according to the technique you were shown. Be sure to choose a different injection site each time. This medication is typically used only once a day. However, your pharmacist may have suggested a different schedule that is more appropriate for you. Use it regularly and continuously to maintain its beneficial effects. Dispose of used syringes and needles safely. Your pharmacist can tell you the best way to do this. You should take this medication at approximately the same time each day. Like all individuals with diabetes, you should monitor your blood sugar levels regularly using the appropriate device. If you forget a dose, take it as soon as you remember -- unless it is almost time for your next dose. In that case, skip the missed dose. Do not double the next dose to catch up. If more than 3 days have elapsed since the last dose, contact your pharmacist. This medication may be taken with or without food.