Legal classification: ℞
Adults: Give by SC inj into abdomen, thigh, or upper arm once daily. Escalate dose gradually. Week 1: 0.6 mg daily; Week 2: 1.2 mg daily; Week 3: 1.8 mg daily; Week 4: 2.4 mg daily; Week 5 and onward: 3 mg daily. Delay dose escalation 1 week if increased dose not tolerated; discontinue if 3 mg not tolerated. If >3 days elapsed since last dose, reinitiate at 0.6 mg/day, then titrate. Evaluate response after 16 weeks. Discontinue if ≥4% weight loss is not achieved.
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Children: Not recommended.
Contraindication(s): History (personal or family) of medullary thyroid carcinoma. Multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2. Pregnancy (Category X).
Warnings/precautions: Inform patients of thyroid cancer risk and symptoms. Monitor for signs/symptoms of pancreatitis; discontinue if suspected; do not restart if confirmed. Risk of acute gallbladder disease. History of suicidal attempts or ideation: avoid. Monitor for emergence or worsening depression, suicidal thinking or behavior; discontinue if occurs. Monitor blood glucose prior to and during treatment in type 2 diabetics. Monitor heart rate periodically; discontinue if sustained increases. History of angioedema with other GLP-1 receptor agonist. Discontinue if hypersensitivity reactions occur. Renal or hepatic impairment. Gastroparesis. Nursing mothers: not recommended.
Interaction(s): Risk of hypoglycemia with concomitant insulin secretagogues (eg, sulfonylureas); consider reducing their doses by ½. May affect absorption of other oral drugs (delayed gastric emptying).
Adverse reaction(s): Nausea, hypoglycemia, diarrhea, constipation, vomiting, headache, decreased appetite, dyspepsia, fatigue, dizziness, abdominal pain, increased lipase.
How supplied: Multi-dose, pre-filled pen (3mL)—3, 5
For more information, call (800) 727-6500 or visit www.Saxenda.com
