Liraglutide Doses: What You Should Know About Administration and Dosage Guidelines

If you're thinking about Liraglutide to support your weight loss journey, you likely have some questions about how it all works. In this post, we share what to expect from your dosing schedule, how to check and prepare your medication dose, and a handy guide to self-injecting at home. 

What is liraglutide?

Liraglutide is the active ingredient in our Compounded* Liraglutide with B12, an injectable weight loss medication. It’s a GLP-1 receptor agonist, meaning it supports weight loss by mimicking a hormone called GLP-1 to decrease appetite and curb cravings. Paired with a nutritious, calorie-controlled diet and regular physical exercise, Compounded* Liraglutide with B12 could help you lose 8% of your body weight in just over a year. [1]

At ZipHealth, we prescribe Compounded* Liraglutide with B12. This is an easy-to-use daily GLP-1 injection enriched with vitamin B12 to help minimize side effects. It contains the same active ingredient found in Saxenda (the leading brand name), but for up to 93% less of the cost. 

Your dose and treatment plan will be carefully put together and adjusted over time by your healthcare provider to make sure you get the best results and reliable access to GLP-1 medication. 

Who can take Compounded Liraglutide with B12?

Historically, liraglutide was developed and prescribed for adults with type 2 diabetes. It's now been approved as a weight loss medication. 

Our ZipHealth qualified healthcare clinicians prescribe liraglutide to people who are overweight or living with obesity. Typically, this means they have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of over 30 or over 27 in the presence of a weight related health issue like high blood pressure or pre-diabetes. 

How is Compounded Liraglutide with B12 taken?

A daily subcutaneous injection taken under the skin, Compounded* Liraglutide with B12 is self-administered at home. It may seem daunting at first, but it’s a simple process that becomes second nature. You can take the injection at any time of day that’s convenient for you, though it should be taken at the same time each day to maintain a consistent level of medication in the body. Many people prefer to take their injection in the evening so that they sleep through any side effects.

Understanding liraglutide dosing

Your healthcare provider will start you on a low dose of approximately 0.6 mg (0.2 ml) in the first week of treatment, allowing your body to adjust to the new medication. From there, the dose will be gradually increased over time to minimize the potential risk of unpleasant side effects like nausea. From week five onwards, you’ll likely be prescribed a dose of 3.0mg (1.0ml) per day, and your provider will settle you on a maintenance dose depending on how your body responds. At ZipHealth, our team will guide you through the entire journey to ensure your dose is working effectively at every step.

A standard dosing regimen and dose adjustments for adults look like this:

• Week 1: 0.6 mg once daily (20 units)
• Weeks 2: 1.2 mg once daily (40 units)
• Weeks 3: 1.8 mg once daily (60 units)
• Week 4: 2.4 mg once daily (80 units)
• Week 5+: 3 mg once daily (100 units)

If an increased dose causes side effects that interfere with your daily life at any stage, you can delay your dose increase for another week.

How long can I take Compounded Liraglutide with B12?

As long as the body responds well and the medication achieves its desired results, the treatment can be used for months or even years until a healthy weight is achieved. 

Administration of Compounded Liraglutide with B12

It’s important to follow your healthcare provider’s instructions carefully to ensure proper dosage and safety. Most people inject their medication at the same time each day, into the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm, rotating sites to avoid irritation.

Using the injection pen

• Always use a new needle with each injection.
• Dial the prescribed dose using the pen’s dosing dial before injecting.
• Ensure the pen is working properly by performing an air shot (priming) if instructed.
• Dispose of used needles in a proper sharps container.

Proper injection techniques

• Wash your hands and clean the injection site with an alcohol swab.
• Pinch the skin gently and insert the needle at a 90° angle.
• Push the plunger slowly and steadily.
• Wait a few seconds before removing the needle to allow full absorption.
• Do not reuse needles, and always dispose of them safely.

Handling and storage guidelines

• Store liraglutide in the refrigerator (2–8°C / 36–46°F).
• Inject the medication immediately after drawing the dose.
• Do not freeze liraglutide or expose it to direct sunlight or heat.
• Keep the pen cap on when not in use to protect it from light and contamination.

A step-by-step guide to self-injecting your Compounded Liraglutide with B12

Medication is administered once daily via subcutaneous injection using a disposable needle.

1. Prepare for your injection. Gather your supplies, wash your hands, and check the medication for clarity and expiration.

2. Select and clean your injection site. Choose an injection site (abdomen, thigh, or upper arm) and clean the area with an alcohol swab.

3. Draw up your medication. Attach a new needle to the pen or syringe, and dial or draw up the prescribed dose. If air bubbles are present, gently flick the syringe to move them to the top. 

4. Administer your medication. Insert the needle into your injection site at a 90-degree angle. To inject the medication, slowly push the plunger down and count to

5. Dispose of your medication. Remove the needle and cover it with its cap. Dispose of the needle in a rigid, plastic container.

What to do if you miss a dose

If a dose of Compounded* Liraglutide with B12 is missed, the once-daily schedule should be resumed as prescribed with the next scheduled dose. An extra dose or increase in dose should not be taken to make up for the missed dose.

If more than 3 days have passed since the last dose, patients should restart treatment from the starting dose. This is to reduce the occurrence of digestive symptoms associated with restarting treatment

How will I know if I’ve taken my dose correctly?

• Always double-check your dose of injectable prescription medication before you inject it. 
• Check that you have a 100-unit syringe, marked in intervals of 10 units, up to 100. 

If you're in any doubt:

• Refer to the medication label and your dosing guide.
• Ask your pharmacist or health care provider to explain or demonstrate.
• Double-check the prescribed dose—if in doubt, pause and confirm before injecting.
• Look out for injection site reactions like swelling or redness that worsen after the injection. If you notice anything that doesn't feel right, get in touch with your healthcare provider. 

Safety and side effects

Liraglutide use is associated with some side effects, but ZipHealth's Compounded* Liraglutide with B12 has been formulated with vitamin B12 to help minimize these. Your clinician will start you off on a small dose, that increases gradually over time, to allow the body to get used to the medication without triggering adverse effects. Regular check-ups with are important for monitoring how your body is responding. 

Very common side effects include nausea, diarrhea, constipation, vomiting and headaches.

Signs of rarer but potentially serious side effects such as pancreatitis, acute gallbladder disease, and acute kidney injury may include severe abdominal pain which may spread to the right side/back/shoulder, and possible vomiting. In the case of an anaphylactic reaction you may notice swelling of the mouth, tongue, throat or difficulty breathing. [3]

If you are experiencing any of these side effects, you must seek immediate medical attention by calling 911 or attending the emergency department. 

Used under the careful supervision of a ZipHealth clinician, GLP-1 receptor agonists like Compounded* Liraglutide with B12 can be a powerful aid in helping those with a high Body Mass Index lose weight and prevent weight-related health issues such as cardiovascular disease, gallbladder disease and high cholesterol. 

Head to our website and complete a free consultation to find out which weight loss medication may be suitable for you.

*Compounded drugs are permitted to be prescribed under federal law but are not FDA-approved and do not undergo FDA review for safety, effectiveness, or quality.

References

1. Pi-Sunyer X, Astrup A, Fujioka K, Greenway F, Halpern A, Krempf M, Lau DC, le Roux CW, Violante Ortiz R, Jensen CB, Wilding JP; SCALE Obesity and Prediabetes NN8022-1839 Study Group. A Randomized, Controlled Trial of 3.0 mg of Liraglutide in Weight Management. N Engl J Med. 2015 Jul 2;373(1):11-22. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa1411892. PMID: 26132939 
2. Secher A, Jelsing J, Baquero AF, Hecksher-Sørensen J, Cowley MA, Dalbøge LS, et al. The arcuate nucleus mediates GLP-1 receptor agonist liraglutide-dependent weight loss. The Journal of Clinical Investigation [Internet]. 2014 Oct 1;124(10):4473–88. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4215190   
3. HIGHLIGHTS OF PRESCRIBING INFORMATION These highlights do not include all the information needed to use SAXENDA® safely and effectively. See full prescribing information for SAXENDA. SAXENDA (liraglutide) injection, for subcutaneous use Initial U.S. Approval: 2010. DOSAGE FORMS AND STRENGTHS [Internet]. Available from: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2018/206321s007lbl.pdf