Liraglutide (generic Saxenda) injections

Liraglutide is a prescription injectable medication that is used for weight loss and type 2 diabetes. It works by mimicking a naturally occurring hormone in the body called GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide 1), which controls your appetite and regulates your blood sugar levels. This helps you lose weight by making you feel full for longer, as well as reducing food cravings.

What is liraglutide used for?

Weight loss – Liraglutide is used to help those who are overweight or obese lose weight. Liraglutide can be prescribed for weight loss through ZAVA if you have a body mass index (BMI):

• between 27kg/m² and 30kg/m², and a health condition which can affect your weight, such as high blood pressure
• of over 30kg/m²

It’s prescribed as a self-administered daily injection, commonly under the brand name Saxenda and more recently as a generic medication called Nevolat, as Saxenda is long-term out of stock. Liraglutide is also known as ‘generic Saxenda’, as they contain the same active ingredient and work in the exact same way. The only difference is that liraglutide is available at a lower price.

Type 2 diabetes – Liraglutide is also prescribed to help those with type 2 diabetes to improve and manage their blood sugar levels, usually when other methods such as changes in diet have not been successful. This is usually prescribed as an injection, most commonly under the brand name Victoza.

Liraglutide supports weight loss in several ways:

• adjusting brain chemistry – liraglutide helps to reduce your appetite by triggering certain receptors in the brain, which send signals to your body to make you feel less hungry
• suppressing your appetite – by making you feel more full after a meal and less hungry in between meals, liraglutide makes it less likely that you will overeat or snack
• slowing how fast your stomach empties – liraglutide slows down the rate at which your body moves food from your stomach to your intestines, keeping you feeling fuller for longer
• improving insulin response – by increasing the amount of insulin your body produces when your blood sugar levels are high, such as after eating a meal, liraglutide helps to move glucose (sugar) out of your blood and into your cells, lowering your blood sugar levels
• lowering glucagon secretion – liraglutide reduces the amount of glucagon your body produces, which is a hormone that increases the amount of glucose in your body, helping to control your blood sugar levels

All of these actions help you reduce your calorie intake, which forces your body to burn fat for energy, leading to weight loss.

The appetite-suppressing effects of liraglutide last for around 24 hours. This is why it is meant to be taken once per day.

The half-life of liraglutide is 13 hours, meaning it would take 13 hours for the amount of liraglutide in your body to reduce by half. This means that it would take around 2 days for a dose of liraglutide to completely leave your body.

Liraglutide is a fast-acting medication, and you should start feeling the appetite-suppressing effects of liraglutide within a few hours after your first dose. However, it usually takes 4 to 8 weeks before you start seeing weight loss results.

Liraglutide is a highly effective medication for weight loss, and you can expect to lose at least 5% of your starting body weight after 12 weeks of using it.

A clinical study on the effectiveness of liraglutide for weight loss over 56 weeks proved that liraglutide resulted in the following significant weight loss results for most patients:

• over 60% of participants lost 5% or more of their starting weight
• over 30% of participants lost 10% or more of their starting weight
• 15% of participants lost 15% or more of their starting weight

You can follow this step-by-step guide on how to inject liraglutide:

1. Make sure your medication is clear and colourless. If it is cloudy or has a colour, then you should not use that dose.
2. Pull off the protective pen cap concealing the needle. If this is not your first dose with this pen, you will need to attach a new needle by removing the paper seal and pushing it onto the pen. You should always use a new needle for each dose.
3. Prime your pen, check the flow of your injection pen by turning the dose selector until the dose shows the flow check symbol. Hold it so the needle is pointing up and press until you see a drop of medicine come out of the tip of the needle. This is how you know your pen is ready and safe to use.
4. Twist the dose selector at the bottom of the pen until you select the correct dose, as prescribed by your doctor.
5. Insert the needle into your skin at a 90-degree angle, and then press and hold the dose button for 6 seconds.
6. Remove the needle from your skin and dispose of it safely in a sharps bin.

Liraglutide weight loss injections come in the form of pre-filled injectable pens that you self-administer once per day. When you receive your medication, there will be detailed instructions on how to safely inject yourself with the correct dose.

Where can I inject liraglutide?

You can inject liraglutide into your upper arm, thigh, or stomach. The best place to inject liraglutide is your stomach, though you should inject it into a different part of your stomach, arm, or thigh every time to prevent bruising or other irritation. The injection goes just beneath the skin, so it is not a deep injection. As it’s difficult to reach your upper arm, it’s best to use this area only if you have help.

When should I inject liraglutide?

You should inject your dose of liraglutide at the same time every day. This helps to regulate the amount of liraglutide in your system across the day, making it more effective in helping you lose weight.

You do not need to take liraglutide immediately before or after a meal. The best time to inject liraglutide is whenever it’s the most convenient for you, such as in the morning before you eat breakfast.

How long do I need to take liraglutide for?

You need to take liraglutide for 4 to 8 weeks before you start seeing noticeable weight loss results. If you do not lose at least 5% of your starting weight after 12 weeks of taking liraglutide, you should speak with your doctor to see if this medication is working properly for you.

Liraglutide is meant to be used as part of a long-term weight management plan. You may need to take liraglutide for months or even years to bring your weight down enough to reach your goal weight.

Is liraglutide available as a tablet?

No, liraglutide is not currently available for weight loss as a tablet. It is only available as an injection. There is a liraglutide tablet for managing diabetes called ‘Victoza’, but this tablet is not licensed for weight loss in the UK.

Weight loss tablets that are available in the UK include:

• alli
• Mysimba
• Orlistat
• Xenical

Generic liraglutide is available in 5 different dosages. The standard liraglutide dosage plan is:

• Week 1: 0.6mg daily
• Week 2: 1.2mg daily
• Week 3: 1.8mg daily
• Week 4: 2.4mg daily
• Week 5 onwards: 3.0mg daily – this is the maintenance dose, which is what you will stay on until you reach your weight loss goal

You will always start at the lowest dose (0.6mg), which is gradually increased over your first few weeks of treatment until you are taking the highest dose (3.0mg). This is so your body can get used to liraglutide, helping to reduce the chance of side effects.

You’ll need to adjust the dose on your pens as you go through the first 5 weeks of treatment. For more information on how to adjust your dose, read our section on “How to take liraglutide”. You should never change your dose unless instructed by your doctor.

Liraglutide is a prescription-only medication, which means you can only get it if you have a prescription from a doctor. You can request liraglutide for weight loss from registered online prescribers, such as ZAVA. You may also be able to get it on the NHS after being referred to a specialist weight loss clinic.

Can I buy liraglutide online?

Yes, you can request liraglutide injections for weight loss online safely and legally. Trusted and regulated providers, such as ZAVA online doctor, can approve liraglutide treatment online. To request liraglutide from ZAVA online doctor, you can follow these simple steps:

1. Complete a short medical questionnaire to provide our doctors with information about your health and medical history.
2. Log in or sign up and make payment.
3. Our doctors will assess your responses and approve liraglutide if it is safe and appropriate for you.
4. Your medication will be delivered to an address of your choice.

Can I buy liraglutide over-the-counter?

No, liraglutide is a prescription-only medication. This means that you need a doctor to prescribe this medication before you can get it. You will not be able to go to a pharmacy and get liraglutide without a prescription.

Can I get liraglutide on the NHS?

You may be able to get liraglutide, and other weight loss injections on the NHS. However, its availability will depend on where you live and whether you meet the NHS’s prescribing criteria.

You will need to make an appointment with your GP, who will then refer you to a weight loss specialist clinic. You may also need to prove that you have made significant attempts to lose weight previously, through lifestyle changes such as dieting and exercise.

Liraglutide, like other weight loss medications, can cause side effects in some people. In most cases, the side effects are mild and will go away as your body gets used to the medication, but in rare cases may cause more serious complications. Taking your medication as directed by your doctor will reduce the likelihood of side effects.

Very common side effects of liraglutide (may affect more than 1 in 10 people) include:

• feeling sick (nausea)
• being sick (vomiting)
• diarrhoea
• constipation
• headache

Common side effects of liraglutide (may affect up to 1 in 10 people) include:

• indigestion
• stomach discomfort or pain
• heartburn
• feeling bloated
• gallstones
• feeling weak or tired
• dizziness
• difficulty sleeping
• gallstones
• reactions at the injection site, such as bruising, redness, or itchiness.
• low blood sugar

Uncommon side effects of liraglutide (may affect up to 1 in 100 people) include:

• dehydration
• delay in the emptying of the stomach
• inflamed gallbladder
• feeling unwell
• faster heartbeat
• pancreatitis

Rare side effects of liraglutide (may affect up to 1 in 1000 people) include:

• reduced kidney function
• acute kidney failure

What should I do if I get liraglutide side effects?

Common and uncommon side effects, such as headaches or feeling generally unwell, will usually be mild and get better on their own without any specific treatment. This is because your body needs to get used to the medication, so these side effects will only last up to a few weeks.

When to seek medical attention

For rare side effects, or side effects that are severe or long-lasting, you should stop taking liraglutide and contact your doctor. They will be able to advise you on what your next steps should be, such as changing the dosage of your medication or trying a different weight loss treatment.

You should not use liraglutide if you are allergic to any of the ingredients in the medication, which you can find in the patient information leaflet. When you request this treatment, a doctor will make sure that liraglutide is the right treatment for you if you have other health conditions.

You should speak to your doctor if you take the following medications, as they can interact with liraglutide:

• any prescription treatment for diabetes, as they may cause low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
• anticoagulants

Liraglutide is not suitable for people who are pregnant or breastfeeding. If you think you are pregnant, you should stop taking liraglutide and speak with your doctor. You should also not use liraglutide if you are actively trying to become pregnant.

While liraglutide is a highly effective weight loss medication, it may not be right for everyone. However, there are other options which may be better for you.

Weight loss injections

Wegovy – Wegovy is a weight loss injection that contains the active ingredient semaglutide. You take it once a week, and it works similarly to liraglutide, by reducing your appetite so you feel fuller after a meal.

Mounjaro – Mounjaro is a prescription weight loss injection that contains the active ingredient tirzepatide. You take it once a week. It has only recently been approved for use in the UK for weight loss. It also works by reducing appetite, so you eat fewer calories.

Studies have shown Mounjaro to be the most effective weight loss injection, helping those who use it lose up to 22.5% of their starting body weight.

Weight loss tablets

Xenical – Xenical is a weight loss tablet that contains the active ingredient orlistat, and is manufactured by Roche. This medication reduces the amount of fat your body absorbs from food, which is passed out through your body as stool. Xenical tablets are less effective than liraglutide injections, but may be a good alternative for those who would prefer swallowing a tablet instead of a daily injection.

Orlistat – Orlistat is an unbranded version of Xenical, which means it is available at a lower price. It works in the exact same way as Xenical, and is just as effective.

Mysimba – Mysimba is a weight loss tablet that contains the active ingredients naltrexone hydrochloride and bupropion hydrochloride. It also works by reducing your appetite, similar to weight loss injections.

alli – alli is a branded version of orlistat that is available over-the-counter, so you can get it from a pharmacy without needing a prescription. alli is only available at a dose of 60mg, which is the lowest dose of orlistat for weight loss.

Liraglutide and semaglutide (Wegovy) are GLP-1 receptor agonists which are available as a pen you inject yourself with. However, Wegovy is taken once weekly, but liraglutide is a daily injection.

Studies have shown that Wegovy (semaglutide) is more effective than liraglutide for weight loss results. One study that directly compared weight loss results on both medications found that those on liraglutide lost an average of 8% of their weight, while those on semaglutide lost an average of 21% of their starting weight over the same time period.

Liraglutide and tirzepatide (Mounjaro) are both GLP-1 agonists, but Mounjaro is a dual agonist because it activates both GLP-1 and glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide (GIP) receptors. Also, liraglutide is a daily injection, while Mounjaro is taken weekly.

Research has shown that liraglutide can help you lose up to 8% of your body weight after 68 weeks. However, the average weight loss on 15mg of tirzepatide over 72 weeks is 22.5%. So, tirzepatide can lead to around 15% more weight loss than liraglutide.