Liraglutide

Other Related Names or Treatments

Saxenda

About Liraglutide

Liraglutide is indicated in adults for weight management, alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity. It is used to help with weight loss in individuals who are obese or overweight and have at least one weight-related condition, such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol.

Liraglutide is a prescription-only medication and may be recommended when other weight loss methods have not been effective or are not well tolerated.

NowPatient offers Liraglutide as a treatment for weight management following an online consultation with a prescriber.

Key facts of Liraglutide

• For the treatment of obesity or overweight with weight-related health conditions
• Liraglutide has some common side effects which include nausea, diarrhoea, constipation, and headache
• Liraglutide may interact with medications that lower blood sugar (such as insulin or sulfonylureas), so always consult your prescribing clinician if you are on any other medication
• It is usually prescribed when lifestyle changes alone are not sufficient
• You should stop using Liraglutide if your prescriber advises that it is no longer needed

Who is Liraglutide suitable for?

Liraglutide is suitable for adults aged 18–75 years who have:

• A BMI of 30 or higher (obese), or
• A BMI of 27 or higher (overweight) with a weight-related condition (e.g. type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, or hypertension)

Adolescents (≥12 years)

Liraglutide may be used as an adjunct to a healthy diet and increased physical activity for weight management in adolescents aged 12 years and older who meet the following criteria:

• Obesity, defined as a BMI corresponding to ≥30 kg/m² for adults based on international cut-off points, and
• A body weight over 60 kg.

Who is Liraglutide not suitable for?

Liraglutide may not be suitable for some people. To make sure it’s safe for you, speak to the NowPatient prescribing clinician before using Liraglutide if you:

• Are pregnant or breastfeeding
• Have a history of pancreatitis
• Have severe gastrointestinal disease
• Have a personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer
• Have liver or kidney disease
• Are using insulin or another GLP-1 receptor agonist
• Are allergic to Liraglutide or any of the ingredients in the formulation
• Have multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2
• Have diabetic ketoacidosis
• Are severely dehydrated or have had frequent vomiting/diarrhoea recently
• Have heart failure (use with caution and under supervision)

How and where to get Liraglutide?

You can buy Liraglutide safely and securely from NowPatient. Start a free consultation today, and if you qualify for treatment, you’ll only pay for the cost of the medication. Delivery is made directly to your home or office from our registered pharmacy.

Our service is certified, safe, and effective. If you book a consultation with a prescribing clinician to support weight loss, you can discuss whether Liraglutide is the right option for you.

At the end of the consultation, the clinician will decide if a treatment plan is suitable. If approved, they will issue a prescription, which can be ordered, paid for, and delivered to your address by NowPatient.

Dosage and strength for Liraglutide for weight management

Liraglutide is available as a pre-filled injection pen containing 6 mg/ml of solution.

• The starting dose is 0.6 mg once daily
• The dose is increased by 0.6 mg each week until the recommended daily dose of 3.0 mg is reached
• It is injected subcutaneously (under the skin) into the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm, once a day at the same time

Your prescribing clinician will provide full instructions.

What happens if you use too much Liraglutide?

Using more than the prescribed amount of Liraglutide won’t speed up weight loss and can increase the risk of side effects, such as nausea, vomiting, and low blood sugar.

If you believe you’ve used too much, contact your doctor or reach out to one of our prescribing clinicians.

What are the side effects of Liraglutide?

Common side effects include :

• Nausea
• Diarrhoea or constipation
• Headache
• Indigestion
• Dizziness
• Fatigue
• Injection site reactions
• Vomiting
• Difficulty sleeping (insomnia). This usually occurs during the first 3 months of treatment
• Dry mouth

More serious side effects include :

• Pancreatitis (inflamed pancreas)
• Gallbladder disorders
• Signs of low blood sugar (dizziness, sweating, confusion, especially if taken with diabetes medication)
• Allergic reactions

If you experience any serious side effects, you should contact NHS 111.

If you experience a serious allergic reaction, seek emergency help by calling 999. Warning signs include:

• Your lips, mouth, throat or tongue suddenly become swollen
• You’re breathing very fast or struggling to breathe (you may become very wheezy or feel like you’re choking or gasping for air)
• Your throat feels tight or you’re struggling to swallow
• Your skin, tongue or lips turn blue, grey or pale (if you have black or brown skin, this may be easier to see on the palms of your hands or soles of your feet)
• You suddenly become very confused, drowsy or dizzy
• Someone faints and cannot be woken up

Always report adverse effects to the MHRA Yellow Card reporting system. You can read more about this here: How and where do I report side effects of my medication?

Information about using Liraglutide with other medications

Liraglutide may interact with:

• Insulin or sulfonylureas (risk of low blood sugar)
• Other GLP-1 receptor agonists (should not be used in combination)

Always let your prescriber know about any other medications, including over-the-counter supplements.

Why might Liraglutide not work for weight loss?

Liraglutide may not work for everyone. Reasons include:

• Not reaching the full dose (3.0 mg daily)
• Not combining the treatment with diet and exercise
• Individual variation in response
• Drug interactions

If, after 12 weeks at the full dose, you haven’t lost at least 5% of your body weight, your clinician may advise stopping the treatment.

Can Liraglutide be used long term?

Liraglutide can be used long term if it continues to be effective and well-tolerated. However, long-term use should always be monitored by a healthcare professional.

For weight management, treatment is usually continued as long as you are losing weight or maintaining your weight loss. Your clinician may recommend stopping Liraglutide if you have not lost a meaningful amount of weight (usually at least 5% of your starting weight) after 12 weeks at the full dose.

How to store Liraglutide

• Store in the refrigerator (2°C–8°C) before first use
• After first use, it can be kept at room temperature (up to 30°C) for up to 30 days
• Do not freeze
• Keep out of reach of children
• Dispose of unused pens properly—ask your pharmacist how to do this safely

Is there a herbal Liraglutide?

No. Herbal Liraglutide does not exist. Any product claiming to be a herbal version may be counterfeit and unsafe.

Should I avoid any particular food or drink when using Liraglutide?

You can eat and drink normally while using Liraglutide. However, avoid high-fat meals that may worsen nausea. There are no specific food or drink restrictions, but a healthy, calorie-controlled diet is essential for the treatment to be effective.

What lifestyle changes can I make to help with weight management?

• Eat a balanced, reduced-calorie diet
• Exercise regularly (aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate activity per week)
• Drink water instead of sugary drinks
• Track your food intake and weight
• Get adequate sleep and manage stress
• Avoid alcohol or limit intake to reduce calorie consumption

Alternatives to Liraglutide

Alternatives for the treatment of weight management include:

• Orlistat (oral tablet)
• Semaglutide (Wegovy) – once-weekly injectable
• Mysimba (naltrexone/bupropion combination tablet)
• Tirzepatide (Mounjaro) – once-weekly injectable