Saxenda Pre-Surgery Hold Window: How Long to Stop Liraglutide 3 mg Before an Operation

What does the Saxenda label say about surgery?

Section 5.9 of the label, 'Pulmonary Aspiration During General Anesthesia or Deep Sedation', states that aspiration has been reported in patients receiving GLP-1 receptor agonists who were undergoing elective surgeries or procedures. The label instructs patients to inform healthcare providers of any planned surgeries or procedures [1]. It contains no dose-based hold schedule.

Gastric emptying and the aspiration warning

Saxenda delays gastric emptying [1]. Separately, the label reports pulmonary aspiration during general anesthesia or deep sedation in patients receiving GLP-1 receptor agonists undergoing elective surgeries or procedures [1]. The label also says Saxenda is not recommended in patients with severe gastroparesis [1].

How long liraglutide stays in the body

The label gives a plasma half-life of about 13 hours after a subcutaneous injection, with peak levels around 11 hours [1]. Saxenda is injected once daily at any time of day, without regard to meals [1].

Dosing after a gap in treatment

For a missed dose, the label says to resume the once-daily regimen with the next scheduled dose and not to give an extra dose to make up for it. The label also says that if more than 3 days have elapsed since the last Saxenda dose, treatment is reinitiated at 0.6 mg daily and escalated on the standard schedule: 0.6 mg, 1.2 mg, 1.8 mg, 2.4 mg, then 3 mg from week 5 [1].

Informing the surgical team

The label instructs patients to inform healthcare providers of any planned surgeries or procedures [1]. Saxenda is liraglutide, injected subcutaneously once daily [1].