Saxenda dosage
Initiate SAXENDA with a dose of 0.6 mg daily for one week. For pediatric patients, the recommended maintenance dosage of SAXENDA is 3 mg daily.
Word for word from the FDA label on DailyMed (Novo Nordisk Pharmaceutical Industries, LP), revised , version 22. Read every day: a new FDA version updates this page by itself.
Saxenda dosage chart
The soonest the label's schedule allows. A clinician can go slower.
| When | Dose |
|---|---|
| Week 1 | 0.6 mg |
| Week 2 | 1.2 mg |
| Week 3 | 1.8 mg |
| Week 4 | 2.4 mg |
| Week 5 on | 3 mg |
Saxenda dosing and administration
Important Administration Instructions
- Prior to initiation of SAXENDA, train patients on proper injection technique. Refer to the accompanying Instructions for Use for complete administration instructions with illustrations.
- Inspect SAXENDA visually prior to each injection. Only use if solution is clear, colorless, and contains no particles.
- Administer SAXENDA in combination with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.
- Inject SAXENDA subcutaneously once daily at any time of day, without regard to the timing of meals.
- Inject SAXENDA subcutaneously in the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm. No dosage adjustment is needed if changing the injection site and/or timing.
- Rotate injection sites within the same region in order to reduce the risk of cutaneous amyloidosis [see Adverse Reactions (6.2)] .
- If a dose is missed, resume the once-daily regimen as prescribed with the next scheduled dose. Do not administer an extra dose or increase the dose to make up for the missed dose.
- If more than 3 days have elapsed since the last SAXENDA dosage, reinitiate SAXENDA at 0.6 mg daily and follow the dosage escalation schedule in Table 1 , to reduce the risk of gastrointestinal adverse reactions associated with reinitiation of treatment.
Dosage in Adults and Pediatric Patients Aged 12 Years and Older
- Initiate SAXENDA with a dose of 0.6 mg daily for one week. Then follow the dosage escalation schedule in Table 1 to reduce the risk of gastrointestinal adverse reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.7), Adverse Reactions (6.1)].
Table 1. Dosage Escalation Schedule
| Week | Daily Dose |
|---|---|
| 1 | 0.6 mg |
| 2 | 1.2 mg |
| 3 | 1.8 mg |
| 4 | 2.4 mg |
| 5 and onward | 3 mg |
- Adult Patients
- For adults, the recommended dosage of SAXENDA is 3 mg daily, lower dosages are for titration only.
- Discontinue SAXENDA if the patient cannot tolerate the 3 mg dosage.
- If patients do not tolerate an increased dose during dosage escalation, consider delaying dosage escalation for approximately one additional week.
- Evaluate the change in body weight 16 weeks after initiating SAXENDA and discontinue SAXENDA if the patient has not lost at least 4% of baseline body weight, since it is unlikely that the patient will achieve and sustain clinically meaningful weight loss with continued treatment.
- In adult patients with type 2 diabetes, monitor blood glucose prior to starting SAXENDA and during SAXENDA treatment.
Pediatric Patients
- For pediatric patients, the recommended maintenance dosage of SAXENDA is 3 mg daily. Pediatric patients who do not tolerate 3 mg daily may have their maintenance dose reduced to 2.4 mg daily. Discontinue SAXENDA if the patient cannot tolerate the 2.4 mg dose.
- If pediatric patients do not tolerate an increased dose during dosage escalation, the dose may also be lowered to the previous level. Dosage escalation for pediatric patients may take up to 8 weeks.
- Evaluate the change in BMI after 12 weeks on the maintenance dose and discontinue SAXENDA if the patient has not had a reduction in BMI of at least 1% from baseline, since it is unlikely that the patient will achieve and sustain clinically meaningful weight loss with continued treatment.
Source: Saxenda prescribing information (FDA label on DailyMed), revised 2026-02-25
Saxenda strengths and forms
Injection: 6 mg/mL clear, colorless solution in a 3 mL prefilled, single-patient-use pen that delivers doses of 0.6 mg, 1.2 mg, 1.8 mg, 2.4 mg, or 3 mg.
Source: Saxenda prescribing information (FDA label on DailyMed), revised 2026-02-25
How to store Saxenda
How Supplied
SAXENDA injection: 6 mg/mL clear, colorless solution in a 3 mL single-patient-use prefilled pen that delivers doses of 0.6 mg, 1.2 mg, 1.8 mg, 2.4 mg or 3 mg is available in the following package sizes:
3 x SAXENDA pen NDC 0169-2800-13
5 x SAXENDA pen NDC 0169-2800-15
Recommended Storage
Prior to first use, SAXENDA should be stored in a refrigerator between 36ºF to 46ºF (2ºC to 8ºC). Do not store in the freezer or directly adjacent to the refrigerator cooling element. Do not freeze SAXENDA and do not use SAXENDA if it has been frozen.
After initial use of the SAXENDA pen, the pen can be stored for 30 days at controlled room temperature 59°F to 86°F (15°C to 30°C) or in a refrigerator 36°F to 46°F (2°C to 8°C). Keep the pen cap on when not in use. Protect SAXENDA from excessive heat and sunlight. Always remove and safely discard the needle after each injection and store the SAXENDA pen without an injection needle attached. This will reduce the potential for contamination, infection, and leakage while also ensuring dosing accuracy.
Source: Saxenda prescribing information (FDA label on DailyMed), revised 2026-02-25
Saxenda dosing: common questions
What should you expect in the first week of Saxenda?
From its FDA label: Initiate SAXENDA with a dose of 0.6 mg daily for one week. Your clinician may adjust this.
What is the starting dose of Saxenda?
Initiate SAXENDA with a dose of 0.6 mg daily for one week.
What is the maximum or maintenance dose of Saxenda?
For pediatric patients, the recommended maintenance dosage of SAXENDA is 3 mg daily.
What if you miss a dose of Saxenda?
If a dose is missed, resume the once-daily regimen as prescribed with the next scheduled dose.
How long can Saxenda stay out of the fridge?
After initial use of the SAXENDA pen, the pen can be stored for 30 days at controlled room temperature 59°F to 86°F (15°C to 30°C) or in a refrigerator 36°F to 46°F (2°C to 8°C).
Where do you inject Saxenda?
Inject SAXENDA subcutaneously in the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm.
When should you take Saxenda?
Inject SAXENDA subcutaneously once daily at any time of day, without regard to the timing of meals.
How do you use Saxenda?
From its FDA-approved Medication Guide: Read the Instructions for Use that comes with SAXENDA. Use SAXENDA exactly as your healthcare provider tells you to. Your healthcare provider should show you how to use SAXENDA before you use it for the first time. Use SAXENDA with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity. SAXENDA is injected under the skin (subcutaneously) in your stomach area (abdomen), upper leg (thigh), or upper arm. Do not inject into a muscle (intramuscularly) or vein (intravenously). SAXENDA is injected 1 time each day, at any time during the day. Start SAXENDA with 0.6 mg per day in your first week. In your second week, increase your daily dose to 1.2 mg. In the third week, increase your daily dose to 1.8 mg. In the fourth week, increase your daily dose to 2.4 mg and in the fifth week onwards, increase your daily dose to the full dose of 3 mg. After that, do not change your dose unless your healthcare provider tells you to.
Dosing is decided by your clinician. This is the label's text for reference, not instructions for you.