Saxenda starts at 0.6 mg once daily. The maintenance dose is 3 mg once daily (children who cannot tolerate 3 mg may stay on 2.4 mg), and the maximum is 3 mg once daily. If a step is not tolerated, the label allows delaying the next increase by about a week. Adults who cannot tolerate 3 mg should stop, and the label says to stop if you have not lost at least 4% of your starting weight after 16 weeks.
Saxenda dose at a glance
| Form | Multi-dose prefilled pen, subcutaneous injection |
|---|---|
| Starting dose | 0.6 mg once daily |
| Maintenance | 3 mg once daily (children who cannot tolerate 3 mg may stay on 2.4 mg) |
| Maximum | 3 mg once daily |
| How often | Once daily, any time of day, without regard to meals |
Checked against the Saxenda FDA label dated February 25, 2026. How long it keeps out of the fridge is on the Saxenda storage page.
Saxenda (liraglutide) dosing chart
FDA-labeled titration schedule — the standard step-up most prescribers follow to limit nausea. Your prescriber may adjust the pace to your tolerance.
| Phase | Dose | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | 0.6 mg/day | — |
| Week 2 | 1.2 mg/day | — |
| Week 3 | 1.8 mg/day | — |
| Week 4 | 2.4 mg/day | — |
| Week 5+ | 3 mg/day | Maintenance dose for adults; the lower doses are for titration only. |
Maximum approved Saxenda dose: 3 mg once daily. Source: FDA prescribing information.
Your Saxenda titration calendar
Enter your start date to see the exact dates your dose steps up — and when to reorder so you don't run out mid-titration. Built from the FDA-labeled schedule above.
Reorder tip: a pen typically covers ~4 weeks, so request your next fill about a week before you run out to avoid a gap during titration. This calendar is the standard label schedule — your prescriber may titrate slower for tolerability. General information, not medical advice.
How to inject Saxenda
- Inject under the skin of the abdomen, thigh or upper arm once a day, at any time and without regard to meals. Changing the site or the time needs no dose change.
- Rotate injection spots within the same area: the label links repeated injection into one spot to cutaneous amyloidosis, lumps under the skin.
- Use only if the solution is clear and colorless.
What if you miss a dose?
Skip the missed dose and take the next one as scheduled, with no extra or larger dose. If more than 3 days have passed since your last dose, restart at 0.6 mg a day and step up again.
Saxenda pen colors — which pen is which dose
Saxenda is a multi-dose pen — the label color marks the strength; you dial your dose on the pen. Always confirm the strength printed on your carton; formats can change.
| Dose strength | Pen / cap color |
|---|---|
| 0.6 / 1.2 / 1.8 / 2.4 / 3.0 mg (single pen) | grey label |
Storage: Refrigerate before first use; after first use, up to 30 days at ≤86°F. Quick check: Daily injection — confirm dose dial clicks audibly per 0.6-mg increment up to your prescribed dose.
FAQ about Saxenda dosage
Can I change the day or time I take Saxenda?
Take it at any time of day. Moving the time or the injection site needs no dose change.
What happens if I take too much Saxenda?
Overdoses of liraglutide have caused severe nausea, severe vomiting and severe low blood sugar. Call Poison Help (1-800-222-1222) or get medical care.
Is Saxenda dosed differently for kidney or liver problems?
The label reports limited experience in kidney impairment, including end-stage kidney disease, and advises caution in liver impairment.
Can children take Saxenda?
Approved from age 12 for children above 60 kg with obesity. Escalation may take up to 8 weeks, and 2.4 mg a day is allowed if 3 mg is not tolerated.
Always follow your prescriber's specific dosing instructions over generic guides. Full medical disclaimer.