Saxenda Tracker App
Track Liraglutide 3 mg Doses, Weight Loss, and Side Effects in Shotlee
Saxenda (liraglutide 3 mg) is a once-daily GLP-1 injection approved by the FDA in December 2014 for chronic weight management in adults with obesity or overweight with at least one weight-related condition. The SCALE-Obesity trial (N=3,731) demonstrated 8.4% mean weight loss at 56 weeks versus 2.8% with placebo. Track your 5-step dose escalation and weekly weight in Shotlee.
What Is Saxenda (Liraglutide 3 mg)?
Saxenda is the brand name for liraglutide 3 mg, a GLP-1 receptor agonist administered as a once-daily subcutaneous injection. It is approved for chronic weight management in adults with a BMI of 30 or higher, or 27 or higher with at least one weight-related comorbidity such as hypertension, dyslipidaemia, or type 2 diabetes. The active molecule is the same as Victoza (liraglutide 1.2/1.8 mg for T2D), but at a higher therapeutic dose targeting obesity.
Liraglutide works by mimicking native GLP-1, a gut-derived incretin hormone that acts on hypothalamic appetite centres to reduce hunger and increase satiety. Unlike weekly GLP-1 agents, Saxenda requires a daily injection and a 5-step escalation protocol over 5 weeks to minimise GI side effects. It was largely the predecessor of Wegovy (weekly semaglutide) and remains widely prescribed globally, particularly where semaglutide is in short supply.
Saxenda 5-Step Dose Escalation
Initiation dose to improve GI tolerability. Inject once daily at any time of day, with or without food.
First escalation step. Continue daily injection. Monitor for nausea, which typically peaks in the first 2 weeks.
Mid-escalation dose. Some patients achieve adequate weight loss at this dose before reaching target.
Near-target dose. Most of the therapeutic benefit of Saxenda is achieved between 2.4–3.0 mg.
Full therapeutic dose. SCALE-Obesity enrolled patients at 3.0 mg maintenance. Reassess if less than 4% weight loss at 16 weeks.
SCALE-Obesity Trial Results (56 Weeks)
What to Track in Shotlee
Daily injections require daily accountability. Shotlee keeps your Saxenda protocol organised from week one.
Protocol FAQs
In the SCALE-Obesity trial (N=3,731), the mean weight loss at 56 weeks was 8.4% of body weight on liraglutide 3 mg vs 2.8% with placebo. 63.2% of patients lost 5% or more of body weight. Individual results vary based on diet, activity, and adherence.
Appetite suppression begins within the first week, but meaningful weight loss typically becomes visible from week 4–8 onward. Clinical guidelines recommend assessing response at 16 weeks: if you have not lost at least 4% body weight, dose adjustment or discontinuation should be considered.
Nausea (39.3%), diarrhoea (20.9%), constipation (19.4%), vomiting (15.7%), and injection site reactions are most common in the SCALE trials. GI side effects are worst during dose escalation and typically improve with time. Log them in Shotlee to share with your prescriber.
No. Wegovy (semaglutide 2.4 mg weekly) demonstrated 14.9% mean weight loss in STEP-1, roughly double the 8.4% seen with Saxenda. However, Saxenda remains relevant where semaglutide is unavailable or unaffordable, and for patients who have previously responded well to liraglutide.
Yes. Unlike some GLP-1 agents, Saxenda can be injected at any time of day, with or without food. The key is consistency — inject at the same time each day. Use Shotlee to set daily reminders and maintain a consistent injection schedule.
Track Your Saxenda Protocol in Shotlee
Log daily injections, weekly weight, and side effects in the free app built for GLP-1 users.
