Liraglutide (obesity)
SAXENDA
What it isGLP-1 receptor agonist increasing satiety and slowing gastric emptying; chronic weight management.
Why this oneThis is the obesity-labeled formulation of liraglutide rather than its diabetes product.
What limits itNausea and vomiting can halt titration. Gallbladder disease and pancreatitis matter, and delayed gastric emptying complicates anesthesia.
FDA label
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| FDA dosing | Population | Start | Target | Max |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chronic weight management (obesity, or overweight with >=1 weight-related comorbidity) with reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity | Adults | 0.6 mg SC QD for one week | 3 mg QD (escalate weekly: 0.6, 1.2, 1.8, 2.4, 3 mg) | 3 mg QD |
| Chronic weight management (obesity, body weight >60 kg) | Pediatric 12 yr and older | 0.6 mg SC QD for one week | 3 mg QD (may reduce to 2.4 mg QD if 3 mg not tolerated) | 3 mg QD |
Titration Increase dose at weekly intervals per escalation schedule (pediatric escalation may take up to 8 weeks)
Renal Undefined (limited experience in mild, moderate, severe, and ESRD)
Hepatic Use with caution (limited experience in mild, moderate, or severe hepatic impairment)
Instructions
- Inject subcutaneously in the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm once daily, any time of day, without regard to meals
- Rotate injection sites
- If more than 3 days since last dose, reinitiate at 0.6 mg daily and re-escalate
- Not recommended in patients with severe gastroparesis
Contraindications
- Personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2)
Cautions
- Acute pancreatitis
- Acute gallbladder disease
- Hypoglycemia (with insulin secretagogue or insulin)
- Heart rate increase
- Acute kidney injury due to volume depletion
- Severe gastrointestinal reactions
- Hypersensitivity reactions (anaphylaxis, angioedema)
- Pulmonary aspiration during general anesthesia or deep sedation
Adverse reactions
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Vomiting
- Injection site reactions
- Headache
- Hypoglycemia
- Dyspepsia
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Abdominal pain
Pregnancy May cause fetal harm (animal data); weight loss offers no benefit in pregnancy. Discontinue when pregnancy is recognized.
Lactation No human data; liraglutide present in milk of lactating rats. Weigh benefits vs mother's clinical need.
NO BOXED WARNINGS
Classes and tags
Clinical profile
Mechanism of action: Liraglutide (obesity) ballicule
