How long does Saxenda stay in your system?

Different weight loss medications work for different amounts of time before your body clears them out of your system, and this can influence how often you need to take the drug. We spoke with Dr. Yael Cooperman, MD, about how long Saxenda stays in your system. 

It takes about three days for Saxenda to be cleared from your body. Saxenda (generic name liraglutide) is a medication used to treat overweight and obesity and is prescribed for once-daily administration. Unlike similar medications like Wegovy, which is administered once a week, Saxenda must be administered daily because it has a half-life of 13 hours. Half-life is one method scientists and doctors use to describe how long a medication remains in the body. In the case of Saxenda, the liver clears the drug out of the bloodstream at a rate that results in half the drug being cleared in 13 hours and the entirety of the dose being cleared after about three days if you stop taking the medication. Keep in mind that while that’s true for a single dose, when the medication is used consistently, liraglutide will reach something called a “steady state” in the bloodstream to make sure the effects of the medication don’t fluctuate, and the drug dosing has been designed to support consistent medication availability in your system.

Semaglutide, the active ingredient in Wegovy and Ozempic, has a significantly longer half-life of seven days, which is why it’s administered weekly. This can be a better option for some people who wish to avoid daily treatment. 

If you’re interested in stopping your medication, speak with your healthcare provider first. If you’re experiencing side effects from Saxenda, they may be able to adjust your dosage to alleviate them as your body gets used to the medication.

---

How we reviewed this article

Every article on Health Guide goes through rigorous fact-checking by our team of medical reviewers. Our reviewers are trained medical professionals who ensure each article contains the most up-to-date information, and that medical details have been correctly interpreted by the writer.

Editorial Guidelines | Medical Review Process

Current version

September 18, 2023

Written by

Yael Cooperman, MD

Fact checked by

Felix Gussone, MD

---

About the medical reviewer

Felix Gussone, MD, Ro

Felix Gussone is a physician, health journalist and a Manager, Medical Content & Education at Ro.