One day you wake up and decide to change your life once and forever. Maybe you have already tried to lose some weight on your own and failed.
And now you can achieve your goals with your new friend for the next few months – Saxenda! So, tomorrow is your first dose of Saxenda!
Before starting your weight loss journey, it would be better to know the Saxenda dosing schedule, where to inject Saxenda, the proper drug storage, and the best Saxenda pen doses to lose weight fast.
Let’s find out all you need to know about this weight loss medication if you are a Saxenda Beginner.
Saxenda dosing schedule
Saxenda starting dose is 0.6 mg/day. The maximum dose that can be set is 3.0 mg. So, you should start your Saxenda first week with 0.6 mg: no more, no less. Please note that the interval between increases should not be less than one week!
Let’s see the Saxenda dosage chart.
| Indicators | Dose, mg | Weeks |
| Dose increase within 4 weeks | 0.6 | 1 |
| 1.2 | 2 | |
| 1.8 | 3 | |
| 2.4 | 4 | |
| Therapeutic dose | 3.0 | |
Can I split my Saxenda dose?
It is not recommended to split the dose. You should strictly follow the instruction.
If you ask, “can I split my Saxenda dose if I need to inject more medicine than is left in the pen?” Then, the answer is “yes.”
If a doctor or a nurse has trained you, you can divide the drug dose between two needle pens (the one that is currently in use and the new one).
Use the calculator to plan doses. Be very careful to calculate the dose correctly.
If you are unsure on the actual Saxenda split dose that you plan to inject using two pens, set and inject the total amount with a new pen.
Saxenda missed dose
What to do if you miss injecting? Did 12 hours pass since your last dose?
If less than 12 hours – inject a new dose as soon as possible. If more – you should not take the missed dose but resume the drug at the next scheduled dose.
So, you’d better skip the Saxenda missed dose and return to your regular schedule the next day. Do not take an additional or increased amount to compensate for the missed one.
Where to inject Saxenda?
The drug is intended only for subcutaneous injection. It shouldn’t be injected intravenously or intramuscularly.
Saxenda injection sites are the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm.
Saxenda injection sites thigh
You can choose on your own the Saxenda injection sites: thigh, abdomen, or arm. The thigh is the most popular one. To find the proper place, inject the subcutaneous fatty tissue into the upper thigh.
How long does a Saxenda pen last?
Saxenda has a syringe pen for all possible dosages. The pre-filled pen usually contains 18 mg of liraglutide. However, you may find the other dosages. So, how long does one Saxenda pen last? Let’s calculate together.
How many doses are in a Saxenda pen?
One more question about the Saxenda pen: how many doses are in one? To determine how many Saxenda doses per pen you can inject, you must know the amount of one dose. For example, if your pen is 18 mg and your dosage is 1.8 mg per day, one Saxenda pen is enough for ten days.
How many 0.6 doses are in the Saxenda pen?
To calculate how many 0.6 doses in a Saxenda pen you get, you must divide 18 (or the amount of liraglutide in your pen) by 0.6. Thus, the answer is 30 doses if your pen has 18 mg of liraglutide.
How long does a Saxenda pen last at 1.2?
Are you interested in how long does a Saxenda pen last at 1.2? The answer is 15 days if you have an 18 mg pen.
How long does one box of Saxenda last?
Usually, there are five pens in the box. But again, different manufacturers may have other packages.
To answer the question “How long does one box of Saxenda last?” you need to know your daily dosage and the initial amount of liraglutide in the pen.
Use the formula mentioned above: divide the amount in the pre-filled pen (for example, 18 mg of liraglutide) by your daily dosage (for example, 1.8 mg of liraglutide) and multiply by the amount of the pens in the box (for example, 5).
You can also calculate how many Saxenda pens per month you need using this formula.
Does Saxenda need to be refrigerated?
According to the guideline, unopened Saxenda storage should be done in a refrigerator until the first time you use it.
Can you keep Saxenda not refrigerated after you start using it? So, let’s find out how to store Saxenda.
How long can Saxenda be out of the fridge?
We wouldn’t recommend using unopened medication if stored out of the fridge. But after the first usage, you can keep it at room temperature. Use opened Saxenda within one month. Close the pen with a cap to protect it from light.
Can Saxenda be stored at room temperature?
Do you keep Saxenda refrigerated and how long can Saxenda be out of the refrigerator? Or can Saxenda be stored at room temperature? It’s at your discretion. Once you open the Saxenda pen, it should be held at a temperature not exceeding 30° C or in a refrigerator (at a temperature of 2° C to 8° C). But do not freeze the medication.
The Bottom Line
In conclusion, Saxenda is a good weight loss drug that has shown its effectiveness in many studies. Yes, it has different possible adverse reactions like any other medication has. We recommend visiting your doctor before you start any anti-obesity treatment.
Listen to your doctor, follow the dosage regimen, start a healthy diet, and add some physical activity, and you will get the body of your dream!
