From the FDA label

How to use Saxenda

Saxenda's FDA-approved Instructions for Use cover one product: pen. Each is below in the label's own words. Talk to your healthcare provider about how to inject it the right way.

The label's pictures are in the original: FDA label on DailyMed (Novo Nordisk Pharmaceutical Industries, LP), revised , version 22. Read every day: a new FDA version updates this page by itself.

Instructions for Use

Saxenda: pen

Every step, in the label's own words
  • Instructions for Use
  • Read these instructions carefully before using your Saxenda® pen.
  • Do not use your pen without proper training from your healthcare provider. Make sure that you know how to give yourself an injection with the pen before you start your treatment.
  • If you are blind or have poor eyesight and cannot read the dose counter on the pen, do not use this pen without help. Get help from a person with good eyesight who is trained to use the Saxenda pen.
  • You can refresh your training at any time by watching the online training video at www.saxenda.com.
  • Start by checking your pen to make sure that it contains Saxenda, then look at the pictures below to get to know the different parts of your pen and needle.
  • Your pen is a prefilled, dial-a-dose, single-patient-use pen. It contains 18 mg of liraglutide, and you can select doses of 0.6 mg, 1.2 mg, 1.8 mg, 2.4 mg and 3 mg. Your pen is made to be used with disposable needles up to a length of 8 mm. Pen needles are not included with your Saxenda pen.
  • Supplies you will need to give your Saxenda injection:
  • Saxenda pen
  • a new disposable needle
  • alcohol swab
  • cotton ball or gauze
  • sharps disposal container for throwing away used Saxenda pens and needles.
  • See “Always dispose of the needle after each injection” at the end of these instructions.
  • Step 1. Prepare your pen with a new needle • Wash your hands with soap and water. • Check the name and colored label of your pen, to make sure that it contains Saxenda. This is especially important if you take more than 1 type of medicine. • Pull off the pen cap.
  • Check that Saxenda in your pen is clear and colorless. Look through the pen window. If Saxenda looks cloudy, do not use the pen.
  • Take a new needle, and tear off the paper tab.
  • Push the needle straight onto the pen. Turn until it is on tight.
  • Pull off the outer needle cap. Do not throw it away.
  • Pull off the inner needle cap and throw it away. A drop of Saxenda may appear at the needle tip. This is normal, but you must still check the Saxenda flow, if you use a new pen for the first time. Always use a new needle for each injection. This will prevent contamination, infection, leakage of Saxenda, and blocked needles leading to the wrong dose. Never use a bent or damaged needle. Do not attach a new needle to your pen until you are ready to take your injection.
  • Step 2. Check the Saxenda flow with each new pen. • Check the Saxenda flow before your first injection with each new pen. If your Saxenda pen is already in use, go to Step 3 “Select your dose”. • Turn the dose selector until the dose counter shows the flow check symbol ( ).
  • Hold the pen with the needle pointing up. Press and hold in the dose button until the dose counter shows 0. The 0 must line up with the dose pointer. A drop of Saxenda will appear at the needle tip. • If no drop appears, repeat Step 2 above as shown in Figures G and H up to 6 times. If there is still no drop, change the needle and repeat Step 2 as shown in Figures G and H 1 more time. Do not use the pen if a drop of Saxenda still does not appear. Contact Novo Nordisk at 1-844-363-4448. Always make sure that a drop appears at the needle tip before you use a new pen for the first time. This makes sure that Saxenda flows. If no drop appears, you will not inject any Saxenda, even though the dose counter may move. This may mean that there is a blocked or damaged needle. A small drop may remain at the needle tip, but it will not be injected. Only check the Saxenda flow before your first injection with each new pen.
  • Step 3. Select your dose • Turn the dose selector until the dose counter shows your dose (0.6 mg, 1.2 mg, 1.8 mg, 2.4 mg or 3 mg). Make sure you know the dose of Saxenda you should use. If you select the wrong dose, you can turn the dose selector forward or backwards to the correct dose. Always use the dose counter and the dose pointer to see how many mg you select. You will hear a “click” every time you turn the dose selector. Do not set the dose by counting the number of clicks you hear. Do not use the pen scale to set the dose. It does not show exactly how much Saxenda is left in your pen. Only doses of 0.6 mg, 1.2 mg, 1.8 mg, 2.4 mg or 3 mg can be selected with the dose selector. The selected dose must line up exactly with the dose pointer to make sure that you get a correct dose. The dose selector changes the dose. Only the dose counter and dose pointer will show how many mg you select for each dose. You can select up to 3 mg each dose. When your pen contains less than 3 mg the dose counter stops before 3 mg is shown. The dose selector clicks differently when turned forward, backwards or past the number of mg left. Do not count the pen clicks.
  • How much Saxenda is left? • The pen scale shows you about how much Saxenda is left in your pen.
  • To see how much Saxenda is left, use the dose counter: Turn the dose selector until the dose counter stops. If it shows 3, at least 3 mg are left in your pen. If the dose counter stops before 3 mg, there is not enough Saxenda left for a full dose of 3 mg. If you need more Saxenda than what is left in your pen Only if trained or told by your healthcare provider, you may split your dose between your current pen and a new pen. Use a calculator to plan the doses as instructed by your healthcare provider. Be very careful to calculate correctly. If you are not sure how to split your dose using 2 pens, then select and inject the dose you need with a new pen.
  • Step 4. Inject your dose • Choose your injection site and wipe the skin with an alcohol swab. Let the injection site dry before you inject your dose. • Insert the needle into your skin as your healthcare provider has shown you. • Make sure you can see the dose counter. Do not cover it with your fingers. This could stop the injection.
  • Press and hold down the dose button until the dose counter shows 0. The 0 must line up with the dose pointer. You may then hear or feel a click.
  • Keep the needle in your skin after the dose counter has returned to 0 and count slowly to 6. • If the needle is removed earlier, you may see a stream of Saxenda coming from the needle tip. If this happens, the full dose will not be delivered.
  • Remove the needle from your skin. If blood appears at the injection site, press lightly with a cotton ball or gauze. Do not rub the area. Always watch the dose counter to know how many mg you inject. Hold the dose button down until the dose counter shows 0. How to identify a blocked or damaged needle? • If 0 does not appear in the dose counter after continuously pressing the dose button, you may have used a blocked or damaged needle. • If this happens you have not received any Saxenda even though the dose counter has moved from the original dose that you have set. How to handle a blocked needle? Change the needle as described in Step 5 and repeat all steps starting with Step 1: “Prepare your pen with a new needle”. Make sure you select the full dose you need. Never touch the dose counter when you inject. This can stop the injection. You may see a drop of Saxenda at the needle tip after injecting. This is normal and does not affect your dose.
  • Step 5. After your injection • Carefully remove the needle from the pen. Do not put the needle caps back on the needle, to avoid needle sticks.
  • Place the needle in a sharps container right away to reduce the risk of needle sticks.
  • Put the pen cap on your pen after each use to protect Saxenda from light.
  • If you do not have a sharps container, follow a 1-handed needle recapping method. Carefully slip the needle into the outer needle cap. Dispose of the needle in a sharps container as soon as possible. Never try to put the inner needle cap back on the needle. You may stick yourself with the needle. Always remove the needle from your pen. This prevents contamination, infection, leakage of Saxenda, and blocked needles leading to the wrong dose. If the needle is blocked, you will not inject any Saxenda. Always dispose of the needle after each injection. • Do not throw away in the household trash. Put the needle and any empty Saxenda pen or any pen used for 30 days still containing Saxenda in an FDA-cleared sharps disposal container right away after use. • If you do not have an FDA-cleared sharps disposal container, you may use a household container that is: o made of a heavy-duty plastic o can be closed with a tight-fitting, puncture-resistant lid, without sharps being able to come out o upright and stable during use o leak-resistant o properly labeled to warn of hazardous waste inside the container. • When your sharps disposal container is almost full, you will need to follow your community guidelines for the right way to dispose of your sharps disposal container. There may be state or local laws about how you should throw away used needles and syringes. For more information about the safe sharps disposal, and for specific information about sharps disposal in the state that you live in, go to the FDA’s website at: http://www.fda.gov/safesharpsdisposal. • Do not dispose of your used sharps disposal container in your household trash unless your community guidelines permit this. Do not recycle your used sharps disposal container. • Safely dispose of Saxenda that is out of date or no longer needed.
  • Important • Caregivers must be very careful when handling used needles to prevent needle sticks and cross infection. • Never use a syringe to withdraw Saxenda from your pen. • Always carry an extra pen and new needles with you, in case of loss or damage. • Always keep your pen and needles out of reach of others, especially children. • Do not share your Saxenda pen or needles with anyone else. You may give an infection to them or get an infection from them. • Always keep your pen with you. Do not leave it in a car or other place where it can get too hot or too cold.
  • Caring for your pen • Do not drop your pen or knock it against hard surfaces. If you drop it or suspect a problem, attach a new needle and check the Saxenda flow before you inject. • Do not try to repair your pen or pull it apart. • Do not expose your pen to dust, dirt or liquid. • Do not wash, soak, or lubricate your pen. If necessary, clean it with mild detergent on a moistened cloth. How should I store my Saxenda pen? • Store your new, unused Saxenda pens in the refrigerator at 36°F to 46°F (2°C to 8°C). • Store your pen in use for 30 days at 59ºF to 86ºF (15ºC to 30ºC) or in a refrigerator at 36°F to 46°F (2°C to 8°C). • The Saxenda pen you are using should be thrown away after 30 days, even if it still has Saxenda left in it. • Do not freeze Saxenda. Do not use Saxenda if it has been frozen. • Unused Saxenda pens may be used until the expiration date printed on the label, if kept in the refrigerator. • Keep Saxenda away from heat and out of the light.
  • This Instructions for Use have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Revised: 06/2026
Questions

Using Saxenda: common questions

How do you inject Saxenda?

Follow the FDA-approved Instructions for Use for your product, listed on this page. Your healthcare provider should show you how before your first dose.

Does Saxenda come with needles?

From its Instructions for Use: Pen needles are not included with your Saxenda pen.

Do you need to change where you inject Saxenda?

From its FDA label: Rotate injection sites within the same region in order to reduce the risk of cutaneous amyloidosis [see Adverse Reactions (6.2)] .

GLPcompare is an informational data platform, not a medical provider or pharmacy. Nothing here is medical advice, a diagnosis, or a recommendation to start, stop, or change any treatment. Data is aggregated from public sources and can be incomplete or out of date. Always confirm with a licensed clinician and the current FDA label.