Saxenda® (liraglutide injection) is used for chronic weight management in addition to reduced calorie diet and increased physical activity in adults aged 18 and above who have either:
For more resources, including a full list of the risks and benefits of Saxenda, please review the product monograph.
Saxenda® helps adults who have obesity, or who are overweight and also have weight-related medical problems lose weight and keep the weight off. Saxenda® should be used with a reduced calorie diet and increased physical activity.
Liraglutide, the active ingredient in Saxenda, is an acylated human glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist.
GLP-1 is a physiological regulator of appetite and food intake, and the GLP-1 receptor is present in several areas of the brain involved in appetite regulation.
Primarily, Saxenda is used as a weight management treatment in adults with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or greater. In some cases, Saxenda is also used for patients with a BMI between 27 and 30 when these people are experiencing weight-related health conditions.
Less frequently, Saxenda can be used as a weight management treatment in adolescents between the ages of 12-18, who are struggling with weight management using diet and physical activity alone.
It’s important to note that no one should use Saxenda, unless it’s been prescribed by a licensed healthcare practitioner, like the ones at Livewell.
Saxenda is to be injected one time each day, at any time during the day.
Saxenda injections are taken subcutaneously (under the skin). It should not be injected into veins or muscle tissue.
The best places to inject Saxenda are on the front of the thighs, the front of the waist (abdomen), and on the upper arms.
If you have any questions about how to use your Saxenda injections, be sure to talk to your healthcare practitioner from Livewell. They’ll be able to give you any guidance you need to use your medication safely and effectively.
The most common side effects that occur when taking Saxenda include:
If you start to experience any severe side effects, be sure to talk to your practitioner from Livewell right away. They may be able to suggest alternative medications that may work better for you.
There are a number of people who shouldn't take Saxenda, including:
In addition to these concerns, there are some other conditions that patients should be cautious about when using Saxenda. These include:
If you believe that any of these conditions apply to you, be sure to talk to your healthcare practitioner at Livewel before requesting Saxenda.
The cost of Saxenda in Canada will vary; depending on your coverage eligibility, and the province in which you live. The pricing (before insurance coverage) is discussed during your online visit.
Yes, you can. In Canada, the only way for you to get Saxenda online is to first speak with a licensed healthcare practitioner, like the experts at Livewell.
If they believe that Saxenda is right for you, based on your health and medical history, they’ll be able to give you a Saxenda prescription.
No, there’s no reason to waste your day sitting around a busy doctor’s office, or wait weeks for an appointment. Not when you have Livewell on your side.
Just complete a short online assessment, and if your healthcare practitioner believes that Saxenda is right for you, they’ll be able to offer you a prescription.
Best of all, Livewell can deliver your medication directly to your home, at no additional cost to you. Or if you prefer, you can take your prescription to your local pharmacy and buy it there.
The only way to get a Saxenda prescription in Canada is to first speak with a licensed healthcare practitioner, like the ones you’ll find at Livewell.
Livewell makes this process comfortable and seamless, with no long waits and assessments available at your convenience. If your healthcare practitioner believes that Saxenda is right for you, they can provide you with a prescription.
Best of all, Livewell can then discreetly deliver your medication, right to your door. Or if you prefer, you can take your prescription to your local pharmacy and buy it there.
The only way to purchase Saxenda online in Canada is to first speak to a licensed healthcare practitioner.
Livewell's team of expert practitioners are taking the stress out of this process for Canadians, by providing online assessments that can be booked around your schedule.
Just complete your assessment, and if your practitioner thinks Saxenda is a good choice for you, they’ll be able to give you a prescription and ship your medication to your home, at no extra cost.
No, Saxenda isn’t available over-the-counter in Canada. This means, you’ll need a prescription from a licensed healthcare practitioner to be able to access this medication.
Thankfully, Livewell is making this process quick and convenient for Canadians. Just complete an online assessment, and if your practitioner thinks Saxenda is a good choice for your needs (based on your current condition and medical history), they can write you a prescription.
This is a question that’s best asked to your insurance provider, since each person’s specific coverage will vary.
The good news is that if your insurance company does cover Saxenda prescriptions, Livewell can bill your insurer directly, and then deliver your medication right to your home for free.
It's important to note that insurance coverage for online medications through Livewell doesn't include the cost of your assessment.
Livewell is Canada’s first truly integrated healthcare platform. We provide on-demand treatment for everyday health needs like weight loss, mental health, sexual health, and more. Founded in 2019, our digital-first approach to healthcare includes everything from diagnosis to prescription — all accessible from the comfort of home.
Anyone who is 18 years or older older (16 or older for acne and birth control prescriptions), and is located in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Saskatchewan or Ontario. We cannot ship medication outside of these provinces at this time.
No. Livewell provides a faster, hassle-free way for you to get a prescription to certain medications but our service does not replace your primary care provider. For matters that extend beyond obtaining a prescription lifestyle medication safely and easily, we encourage you to consult your primary health practitioner in person — whether for checkups, personal health concerns, or to inform them about the medications you are currently using.
Absolutely. Our online assessments have been designed to ask all the necessary questions required for diagnosis. We've worked with specialist to create an assessment process that can provide sufficient information for the healthcare practitioner to determine whether or not you are eligible for a prescription and craft an appropriate treatment plan.
Call 911 or proceed to your nearest emergency room immediately. Livewell is not intended for medical emergencies. Once the emergency has been addressed or resolved, contact your prescribing practitioner to inform them of your experience as this may impact your current treatment plan.
After creating an account, you will complete a medical assessment for evaluation by one of the Livewell healthcare practitioners.
During your assessment, you will have the opportunity to send your practitioner questions via secure messaging.
In most cases, practitioners will complete your assessment with secure messaging alone but sometimes they may determine you require an audio or video visit and/or further diagnostic testing to help determine the best treatment plan for you.
If your practitioner has determines a prescription treatment is appropriate, they will approve your visit and write you a prescription. Our pharmacy will then ship your prescription to your home.
You’ll be able to message your healthcare practitioner if you have questions about your medication or want to make changes to your treatment at any time.
No. We use an asynchronous telemedicine model so you can complete your online visit in your own time and we save your progress so you can come back later to finish it.
If you are completing a visit in the mental health or weight loss categories, your healthcare practitioner may require a phone or video call to discuss your medical profile further during the assessment process.
Most assessments do not require a phone or video conversation. Once a prescriber has reviewed the info in your assessment they will respond to you via secure instant messages that you can access within your Livewell account.
If you are completing a visit in the mental health or weight loss categories, your healthcare practitioner may require a phone or video call to discuss your medical profile further during the assessment process.
You can expect to receive a response from a healthcare practitioner within 24 hours of submission. If you’ve been waiting longer than this, please email support@joinlivewell.ca and we’ll look into it.
No. A prescription written by a licensed healthcare practitioner is required for all medication currently provided through Livewell’s service. If you already have a prescription with at least one refill remaining, you can transfer it to the Livewell Pharmacy network.
Please email our Customer Support team at support@joinlivewell.ca and they will be able to assist you with the transfer.
Not long. After completing your assessment, a practitioner will generally respond within 24 hours, and often much sooner.
The pharmacy will process and fill your prescription within 2-3 business days of your prescription approval date if there is nothing blocking them from doing so.
All packages are shipped via Express Post, which usually takes 2-3 business days. You will receive an email with your tracking number once your treatment has been shipped.
Absolutely. All Livewell shipments arrive in a nondescript blister package so you can have your medication shipped wherever makes sense for you as long as there is someone there to sign for it.
A signature upon delivery may be required.
There is currently no cost to have your medication sent to you from our Livewell Pharmacy network.
Our pharmacy partners use Canada Post and Fedex for shipping.
Yes, your security is paramount to Livewell’s mission. Personal health information provided during your medical assessment is strictly and legally confidential between you and the Livewell healthcare practitioner.
Beyond that, all your account information (including the medical assessment, credit card, and shipping information, etc.) is also stored safely and securely. Livewell is compliant with all federal and provincial health privacy legislation. It is our duty to protect your data with comprehensive security infrastructure and stringent data policies to ensure it stays private and secure.
Yes! In Canada, only a licensed healthcare practitioner can write a prescription, and only a registered pharmacist can fill that prescription. We are supported by leaders in the Canadian pharmacology and specialized medical fields. Livewell adheres strictly to all the regulations set forth by all applicable Colleges of Pharmacists and Colleges of Physicians and Surgeons in which we operate.
Absolutely. All prescriptions obtained via Livewell are provided by licensed Canadian healthcare practitioners—the same as you would get at a hospital, doctor’s office, or clinic. These practitioners do not provide prescriptions unless they deem it medically safe and appropriate to write them based on your medical profile and assessment answers. Our assessments have been crafted by the experts on our medical team. Finally, all Livewell Pharmacies are provincially accredited just like any retail pharmacy.
Your privacy is our top priority. All your data is 256 bit SSL/TLS encrypted, and we take significant steps to keep your data secure.
Livewell charges a fee for the online visit, but only if and when you are approved by the healthcare practitioner. In most cases the fee is $40 but varies by treatment category. The visit fee includes a prescription valid for up to a year (depending on the condition) and on-going support from the healthcare practitioner or pharmacist.
It depends. Medication costs vary from treatment to treatment but will be in line with what you would pay at a pharmacy in person. You will see the estimated cost of your medication before insurance, during the online visit but will only be charged once approved. Once approved, your prescription will be sent to the pharmacy and we will process the payment and fill the prescription within one to two days.
Keep in mind that you won’t necessarily need to pay the full price yourself. If you have insurance, Livewell’s partner pharmacies will bill your insurer directly. You may also be eligible for financial support in your province.
We accept all major credit cards for any aspect of your treatment not covered by insurance or other financial support
You will be charged for the online visit as soon as it is approved by the healthcare practitioner. From there, and after your prescription is activated by the pharmacy, you will be charged the medication cost for each shipment based on your chosen refill schedule. If you have provided insurance or benefits coverage details, it will be applied according to your plan.
Medication coverage varies greatly between different insurance plans.
The good news is that if you are covered, Livewell can bill your insurer directly, and then ship your medications right to your door at no additional cost to you. We recommend that you upload your private and/or provincial benefit card during the online visit so that our pharmacy partner can apply any coverage you are eligible for before shipping your meds.
Insurance coverage for medications through Livewell doesn't include the cost of your visit.
A Livewell online visit is considered asynchronous since it is conveniently completed through a secure chat bases system. Currently, asynchronous visits are not covered by insurance or provincial health plans so you will be charged a visit fee, depending on the category of treatment you are requesting.
Medication coverage varies greatly between different plans, provinces, and has specific criteria that determine eligibility. For private insurance, we recommend contacting your benefits administrator with your details and the Drug Identification Number (DIN) and the drug name to determine your coverage.