Saxenda
What Is Saxenda
Saxenda is an injectable prescription medication made by Novo Nordisk Canada Inc. and approved in Canada for weight management. The Health Canada approval date was February 26, 2015. Its indications are:
- Adults with body mass index (BMI) ≥ 30 kg/m² (obesity).
- Adults with BMI ≥ 27 kg/m² and at least one weight-related comorbidity (such as hypertension, type 2 diabetes, dyslipidaemia) who have tried lifestyle change and still need help.
- Adolescents aged 12 to less than 18 years with obesity (in Canada additional indication) when other criteria are met.
The medication comes in a pre-filled injection pen that delivers liraglutide (6 mg/mL solution).[1]
Mechanism of action: Saxenda mimics the human GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) hormone. It works by increasing feelings of fullness, reducing hunger, and slowing gastric emptying – all of which support reduced calorie intake. Saxenda is an adjunct therapy – it is in addition to a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity, not a substitute for them.
Buying Saxenda Online
In Canada, you may access Saxenda via telemedicine platforms that offer virtual consultations and online prescription services. On such a platform you usually start with a secure online assessment covering your medical history, BMI, comorbidities, current medications and lifestyle habits. Then you have a video or chat consultation with a Canadian-licensed provider who evaluates whether you meet eligibility for Saxenda, reviews contraindications and determines the dose escalation schedule. If approved, the provider issues a prescription electronically which is forwarded to a Canadian-licensed pharmacy; the medication is then shipped to your home or you can pick it up locally.
Some Canadian telemedicine service advertises 24/7 access, prescription validity up to a year and home delivery as part of the service. Such online access offers convenience – especially for those in remote areas or with busy schedules – but still relies on full medical oversight and prescription writing.
Saxenda Without a Prescription?
Saxenda remains a prescription-only medicine in Canada. Using a telemedicine platform is not equivalent to obtaining it without any medical oversight. A legitimate platform will perform the necessary screening, evaluate BMI and comorbidities, review contraindications, and issue a prescription only if appropriate. Any website offering Saxenda “without a prescription” bypasses Canadian regulatory requirements and may expose you to counterfeit medications or inadequate monitoring. The prescription requirement ensures appropriate dosing, safe escalation, and monitoring of side-effects.
Prices in Canada
The cost of Saxenda in Canada is significant and varies by pharmacy, region, insurance coverage and whether any savings programs apply. According to a Canadian health technology assessment, first-year cost per patient is estimated at approximately CAD $4,389.[2]
Manufacturer list price for a 30-day supply is approximately USD $1,349.02 (which converts into a higher Canadian cost depending on exchange rate and local mark-ups).[3]
Anecdotal pharmacy listing in Canada shows costs of CAD $488 according to a user report on Reddit.[4]
Because private insurance coverage is inconsistent and provincial formularies may not include Saxenda routinely, out-of-pocket cost may fall entirely on the patient in many cases. Checking your pharmacy, your insurance plan and any manufacturer savings program is practical before starting.
Use and Outcomes
Saxenda is used once-daily by subcutaneous injection (typically into abdomen, thigh or upper arm). Dose escalation usually begins at 0.6 mg daily and increases weekly until 3.0 mg daily (or maximum tolerated dose) under medical supervision.
In clinical studies, adults with obesity treated with liraglutide 3 mg once daily (alongside a reduced-calorie diet and physical activity) achieved significant weight reduction over 56 weeks. On average, patients lost about 8% of their baseline body weight, compared with roughly 2.6% with placebo. About 63% of participants achieved at least 5% weight loss, and 33% achieved 10% or more, demonstrating clear efficacy of liraglutide for long-term weight management.[5]
Realistic expectations: the medication can shift the scale, but it will not replace consistent diet and activity changes. Because the mechanism targets appetite and satiety, success hinges partly on adherence and lifestyle. Some users report satiety improvements early, but maintain that the injection is a tool, not a magic bullet. Monitoring progress at 12-16 weeks is advisable – if weight loss is insufficient, the treatment plan may need revisiting.
Side Effects and Contraindications
Common side-effects include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Constipation
- Injection-site reactions
- Headache and dizziness
- Low blood sugar (especially if used with other diabetes drugs)
Serious warnings and contraindications include:
- History or risk of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN2)
- Pancreatitis or gall-bladder disease (previous episodes)
- Severe gastrointestinal disease (gastroparesis)
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding (safety not established)
- Use with other GLP-1 receptor agonists or liraglutide formulations
Experience of People
Real-world reviews are mixed. On WebMD, a user at week 5 wrote: “I have lost 10.4 lbs so far… it helps reduce my appetite and I get full faster,” reporting minimal side effects.[6]
On Drugs.com, another person said: “Fabulous! I have lost 30 kg in six months… initially, side effects were pretty bad with diarrhoea, bloating, and nausea… but I persevered.”[7]
Saxenda blunts appetite and can move the scale, but early GI symptoms and day-to-day injections test commitment and results hinge on sticking with the plan.
Alternatives
If Saxenda isn’t a fit, Wegovy (semaglutide) is a once-weekly GLP-1 option approved in Canada for chronic weight management. Both curb appetite and slow gastric emptying, but Wegovy’s dose peaks higher and trial signals often show greater average weight loss. The trade-offs are practical: daily vs weekly, and different side-effect patterns.
Saxenda vs Wegovy:
- Dosing: Saxenda daily to 3.0 mg; Wegovy weekly to 2.4 mg.
- Effect size: Wegovy typically achieves larger mean losses.
- Tolerability: Both GI-heavy (nausea, diarrhoea/constipation).
- Access/coverage: Both can be costly; plan rules vary.
FAQ
If it’s been <12 hours, take it when remembered. If >12 hours, skip the missed dose and resume your regular time the next day. Do not double-dose.
If you haven’t lost ≥5% of baseline body weight after – 12 weeks on the maintenance dose, guidelines usually advise discontinuation.
No. Do not combine GLP-1 therapies. Saxenda should not be used with other liraglutide or semaglutide-containing products.
Yes – through legitimate Canadian telemedicine platforms and licensed pharmacies that require a prescription. Offers “no-prescription needed” are not compliant and may be unsafe.
Refrigerate unopened pens (2–8 °C). In-use pens can usually be kept at room temperature for a limited time per the label. Do not freeze. Replace needles after each injection; never share pens.
References
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1. Novo Nordisk Canada Inc. PRODUCT MONOGRAPH INCLUDING PATIENT MEDICATION INFORMATION SAXENDA (liraglutide injection). [December 9, 2022].
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2. Silvius, J., Bayoumi, A., Bean, S., Carleton, B., Edwards, A., Gagne, B., et al. [2021]. Liraglutide (Saxenda); CADTH reimbursement recommendation. Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health.
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3. Novo Nordisk A/S. Saxenda liraglutide injection 3 mg; [2024].
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4. Reddit. Canadians – where is the cheapest pharmacy to get saxenda? [2025].
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5. Liraglutide (Saxenda): CADTH Reimbursement Review: Therapeutic area: Chronic weight management in adults.
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6. WebMD. User Reviews for Saxenda (liraglutide).
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7. Drugs.com. Saxenda for Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) User Reviews.
