How overweight do you have to be to get Saxenda?

Saxenda® is an injectable prescription medicine used for adults with excess weight (BMI ≥27) who also have weight-related medical problems or obesity (BMI ≥30), and children aged 12-17 years with a body weight above 132 pounds (60 kg) and obesity, to help them lose weight and keep the weight off.


Can you use Saxenda if you are not obese?

Saxenda® isn't suitable for everybody trying to lose weight. It can only be prescribed for people with: A BMI of 30 and over. A BMI of 27 to 30 and have a weight-related 'co-morbidity' (e.g., high blood pressure, high cholesterol, sleep apnoea)

Who is a good candidate for Saxenda?

Patients with a BMI of ≥30 kg/m2 or ≥27 kg/m2 with 1 or more weight-related comorbidities may be candidates for treatment with Saxenda® as an adjunct to a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.


Who Cannot use Saxenda?

The use of Saxenda® is not recommended if you have severe heart failure. There is little experience with this medicine in patients of 75 years and older. It is not recommended if you are 75 years or older. There is little experience with this medicine in patients with kidney problems.

Is Saxenda covered by insurance for weight loss?

Many commercial health insurance plans will cover a Saxenda prescription but often require prior authorization. Medicare Part D does not cover weight management prescription medications such as Saxenda. Depending on the state, Medicaid plans may or may not cover weight loss medications.


Learn How to Use the Once-Daily Injection Pen



How do I get my insurance to pay for Saxenda?

You can submit a request for coverage with the help of your health care provider. Just print out this sample letter that he or she can use as the basis for a note on their own letterhead. Then bring it to your benefits or human resources manager.

Will my doctor prescribe me Saxenda?

Saxenda is only prescribed for people with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or above or 27 or above for people with weight-related health problems like sleep apnea or high blood pressure. Saxenda should be used alongside a calorie-controlled diet and exercise.

What are the dangers of Saxenda?

The most common side effects of Saxenda® in adults include nausea, diarrhea, constipation, vomiting, injection site reaction, low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), headache, tiredness (fatigue), dizziness, stomach pain, and change in enzyme (lipase) levels in your blood.


Does Saxenda work immediately?

Unfortunately, Saxenda won't often work immediately. Some people do feel the effects of the medicine within the first 1-3 days of taking it, but any weight loss probably won't be evident for a little while yet. Saxenda contains Liraglutide which is a GLP-1 receptor agonist.

How do I qualify for weight loss prescription?

Your doctor may prescribe you medicine to treat your obesity if you have:
  1. A BMI of 30 or greater.
  2. A BMI of 27 or more and you have a disease or condition that may be related to your weight (this could include diabetes or high blood pressure).


How long can you stay on Saxenda?

How Long Can I Use Saxenda® For? There is no set time limit for treatment with Saxenda however you should only continue using it for longer than 12 weeks if you demonstrate a weight loss of 5% when used in conjunction with a calorie-controlled diet and regular exercise.


What is better than Saxenda for weight loss?

Although Wegovy and Saxenda work the same, their results may be different. A recent 68-week study compared both medications head-to-head in over 300 adults. The results showed that, when combined with diet and exercise, people taking Wegovy had lost significantly more weight compared to those taking Saxenda.

What is the average weight loss with Saxenda?

People taking Saxenda lost about 3% to 4% more weight than people taking a placebo. In another study, adults without Type 2 diabetes lost an average of 8% of their initial body weight. This was about 5% more weight loss than the placebo group.

What happens if I stop Saxenda suddenly?

Upon stopping Saxenda (liraglutide), people are likely to regain the weight lost. This is why it's important to work with your provider to learn how to use diet and exercise to maintain your weight.


Is Saxenda just insulin?

No, Saxenda isn't a type of insulin. Insulin is a hormone that helps manage your blood sugar level. Instead, Saxenda is a type of drug called a GLP-1 agonist. GLP-1 is another hormone that helps manage blood sugar levels.

What foods should I avoid on Saxenda?

Foods to avoid while on Saxenda® to reduce side effects
  • Avoid fried, greasy, or fatty foods and foods high in sugar: These tend to be the toughest for your body to digest and the most likely to cause nausea while taking a GLP-1 medication.
  • Eat slowly, and eat smaller meals.
  • Eat foods that are light and bland.


How many Saxenda pens do I need for a month?

Depending on how many days are in each month to follow, you'll normally need 4 – 5 pens to get you through the whole month. As we mentioned earlier, 5 pens will give you 30 days of treatment when you're taking 3mg of Liraglutide a day, so 5 pens will make up your usual monthly treatment.


What happens if you stop Saxenda cold turkey?

Will I get withdrawal symptoms if I stop taking Saxenda? Saxenda is not an addictive medication, so you will not get withdrawal symptoms when you stop taking it. However, the changes in the hunger hormones in your body may impact your digestive system for a few days and can cause sickness.

How do I get Saxenda prescribed?

Saxenda must be prescribed by a registered prescriber. This could be a doctor, pharmacist, nurse prescriber, or independent prescriber.

How much do you pay for Saxenda?

What is a 30-day supply of Saxenda? The list price of Saxenda is $1,349.02. If you have insurance coverage, they may help cover part of the cost. There is also a savings card offered through NovoCare.


Is there a pill form of Saxenda?

No, Saxenda doesn't come in pill form. It's only available as a liquid solution inside an injection pen. Saxenda contains the active drug liraglutide, which is a protein-based drug. If taken by mouth, it would be quickly broken down by your digestive system.

What is a cheaper alternative to Saxenda?

Phentermine was associated with a 8 to 11% weight reduction in a study. Adipex-P has a convenience advantage over Saxenda by being a once-daily pill and an economic advantage by costing much less than Saxenda.

What is a 30 day supply of Saxenda?

Once you're past the 4-week dose-escalation period and have achieved the maintenance dose, a 3ml pre-filled injection pen lasts 6 days and a pack of five pens lasts 30 days.