How to Inject Saxenda in 7 Easy Steps (Plus, Where to Inject It)

Saxenda (liraglutide) is an injectable medication that's FDA approved for chronic weight management in certain adults and adolescents age 12 and older. It was the first medication in its class approved for this use.

Before you started Saxenda, there's a good chance a healthcare professional reviewed how to inject your doses. But if you're looking for a refresher, you've come to the right place. Here, we detail the steps on how and where to inject Saxenda.

How to inject Saxenda in 7 steps

Before getting started, decide where you'll be injecting Saxenda. You can choose from the stomach, thigh, or upper arm. Saxenda is a once-daily injection. You can inject it anytime of day, with or without food. Try to inject your doses around the same time each day.

Once you've picked your injection site, follow the seven steps below to properly inject Saxenda.

Good to know: It's ideal to store unopened Saxenda pens in the fridge. Once you start using a pen, you can keep it at room temperature for up to 30 days. Keeping your in-use Saxenda pen at room temperature can help make injections more comfortable.

1. Gather your supplies

Gather the following supplies to prepare for your Saxenda injection:

• The Saxenda pen you'll be using

• Alcohol swabs

• Gauze pads

• A fresh pen needle

• A disposal container

• A small bandage

Saxenda is a multiple-dose pen. This means you'll use it more than once. Before setting up to inject, check to see if there's enough Saxenda left for your dose. There are two ways to do this:

• Check the medication window. There are lines marked with numbers on the medication window. They mark the number of milligrams left in the pen. If the liquid inside reaches at least the 3 mg line, there's enough for your dose.

• Use the dose counter to check. Turn the dose selector. If the dose counter shows the number "3," there's at least 3 mg left in the pen. If there's less than 3 mg left in the pen, the counter will stop at the number that represents the number of milligrams left. Just remember to turn the dose selector back to "0" before injecting your dose.

It's a good idea to inspect your Saxenda pen before each use. Check your pen's expiration date. And make sure the liquid inside the medication window is clear, colorless, and free of particles.

2. Attach a new needle

Wash your hands with warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds. You can use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water aren't available.

Saxenda pens don't come with a needle already attached. You'll have to use a new pen needle for each dose. Don't reuse pen needles. This can make injections more painful and lead to infection. It can also cause medication to leak out and the needle to become blocked.

To attach a pen needle, remove the blue Saxenda pen cap and then:

• Pull off the paper covering.

• Push the needle onto your Saxenda pen.

• Turn the pen needle clockwise until it's tight.

• Pull off the outer cap.

• Carefully remove the inner needle cap. It's normal to see a small drop of liquid at the end of the needle once it's attached.

3. Prime your pen if it's the first use

If you're starting a new Saxenda pen, you'll need to "prime" it before administering the first dose. This helps make sure the medication is flowing properly from the pen. If this isn't a new pen, you can skip this step.

Turn the dose selector until you see the flow check symbol (two black dots) in the dose counter. Hold the pen with the needle pointing upward. Press and hold the purple injector button until you see a "0" in the dose counter. If the medication is flowing properly, you'll see a drop of Saxenda at the tip of the needle.

You can repeat this up to 6 times if no drop appears. If the medication isn't flowing after repeated attempts, change the needle and try it again. Contact the manufacturer at 1-844-363-4448 if your Saxenda pen doesn't prime properly.

4. Select your dose

Turn the dose selector until you see your prescribed dose on the counter. If you accidentally turn the selector to an incorrect dose, turn it backward or forward until you see the correct dose.

Saxenda pens can deliver 5 different doses:

• 0.6 mg

• 1.2 mg

• 1.8 mg

• 2.4 mg

• 3 mg

5. Clean the injection site

Wipe the injection site with an alcohol swab. Let it dry naturally. Don't fan or blow on the area to get it to dry quicker. This helps prevent contamination with bacteria or other germs.

6. Inject your dose

Insert the needle into the injection site at a 90-degree angle. Avoid covering the dose counter while administering your dose since this can stop the injection. While the needle is in your skin, press and hold the purple injector button until the counter shows "0." You may hear or feel a click.

To get your full Saxenda dose, leave the needle in your skin for at least 6 seconds. Then remove the needle. It's common to see a drop of blood or fluid. Use a gauze pad to gently dab (not rub) the area. Apply a bandage if needed.

7. Dispose of the needle

Remove the pen needle by carefully twisting it off your Saxenda pen. Throw the needle away in a disposal container. An FDA-cleared sharps container is ideal to use. If you don't have one, you can use a heavy-duty plastic container with a tight-fitting lid, such as a laundry detergent bottle.

Cover your Saxenda pen with the blue pen cap you removed earlier. This protects the medication from light. If your Saxenda pen is empty, discard it in your needle-disposal container. Don't throw empty or expired pens in your regular trash (even if there's no needle attached).

Where can you inject Saxenda?

Saxenda is a subcutaneous (under-the-skin) injection. You can inject it into one of three areas:

• Stomach: above your hip bone, and at least 2 inches away from your belly button

• Thigh: on the outer side of your upper thigh

• Upper arm: on the back of the upper arm, and at least 3 inches below the shoulder and above the elbow

There's no "best" place to inject Saxenda. Studies show no significant difference between how the body absorbs the medication from these areas. Choose whichever injection site is easiest and most comfortable for you.

When self-injecting medications, some people find the stomach area less painful. If you prefer the back of your upper arm, it's recommended to have someone help you with this. It's tricky to reach that area by yourself.

Be sure to change your injection site with each dose. Rotating injection sites can help you get your full dose and lower your risk of skin irritation or damage. You can use the same part of the body. Just choose a different place within that area.

For example, if you use your stomach, imagine a clock where your belly button is. Inject Saxenda where you'd see the number 12 on a clock. The next day, inject where the number 1 would be. Continue rotating injection sites in this manner.

Tips to make sure you receive your full Saxenda dose

Getting your full Saxenda dose helps ensure its effectiveness. The following tips can help you receive your full dose:

• Use a different injection site with each dose.

• Inject your dose into healthy skin. Avoid areas that are bruised, cut, or damaged.

• Use a new pen needle for every dose.

• Prime new pens before their first use.

• Don't cover the dose counter while injecting.

• Leave the pen in your skin for at least 6 seconds after injecting.

How to save on Saxenda

There are ways to save on Saxenda, which is available as a brand-name medication. GoodRx can help you save over 20% off the average retail price of Saxenda. If cost is an issue, consider discussing Saxenda alternatives with your prescriber. Many of these other weight-loss treatments are available as lower-cost generics or have other savings opportunities available.