Liraglutide Dosing Calculator

Dose

0.6-3.0 mg

Frequency

Once daily

Duration

Ongoing

Route

Subcutaneous

Uses compounded multi-dose vials; significantly cheaper than branded Saxenda; requires manual syringe measurement

Dose

1.2-1.8 mg

Frequency

Once daily

Duration

Ongoing

Route

Subcutaneous

Some users find adequate appetite suppression at 1.2-1.8 mg daily and remain at sub-maximum doses to minimize side effects and reduce cost

Dose

0.6-3.0 mg

Frequency

Once daily

Duration

Ongoing

Route

Subcutaneous

Since 2025, generic liraglutide (Teva) available at approximately 30% lower cost than Saxenda; same escalation schedule

Dose

Start 0.6 mg daily SC for 1 week, then increase to 1.2 mg daily. May increase to 1.8 mg daily after at least 1 week at 1.2 mg if additional glycemic control needed.

Frequency

Once daily subcutaneous injection

Duration

Ongoing; long-term maintenance therapy

0.6 mg is the starting dose for GI tolerability, not a therapeutic dose. The 1.2 mg dose provides clinically meaningful glycemic control for most patients. The 1.8 mg dose provides additional HbA1c reduction.

Dose

Start 0.6 mg daily SC for 1 week, then escalate weekly: 1.2 mg (week 2), 1.8 mg (week 3), 2.4 mg (week 4), 3.0 mg (week 5 onward).

Frequency

Once daily subcutaneous injection

Duration

Ongoing; long-term weight management

Target maintenance dose is 3.0 mg daily. If patient does not tolerate dose increase, delay escalation by 1 week. Discontinue if patient has not lost at least 4% of body weight after 16 weeks at the 3.0 mg dose.

How much bacteriostatic water should I add to a 10 mg vial of Liraglutide?

The community standard is 2 mL of bacteriostatic water for a 10 mg Liraglutide vial. That gives a concentration of 5.00 mg/mL, so a 600 mcg dose is 12 units on a U-100 insulin syringe. Adding 1 mL instead doubles the concentration to 10.00 mg/mL and halves the draw to 6 units. Less water = smaller injection volume but harder to measure precisely.

How many syringe units is a 600 mcg dose of Liraglutide?

On a standard U-100 insulin syringe, a 600 mcg dose of Liraglutide is 12 units when the 10 mg vial is reconstituted with 2 mL of bacteriostatic water (5.00 mg/mL). If you use 1 mL of bac water instead, draw 6 units (10.00 mg/mL).

What is the standard Liraglutide dose?

Community-reported protocols for Liraglutide typically use 0.6 mg–3 mg once daily via Subcutaneous. 600 mcg is a common starting dose. FDA-approved escalation: 0.6 mg x1 week, 1.2 mg x1 week, 1.8 mg x1 week, 2.4 mg x1 week, then 3.0 mg maintenance daily

How long does a vial of Liraglutide last at 600 mcg once daily?

A 10 mg vial of Liraglutide contains roughly 16 doses at 600 mcg per injection. At once daily dosing, that is approximately 16 days (about 2 weeks) of supply per vial. Reconstituted Liraglutide should generally be used within 28 days when refrigerated.

Where do you inject Liraglutide?

Liraglutide is typically injected subcutaneous. Common sites reported in the literature and by users include: Abdomen (at least 2 inches from navel), Front of thigh (middle third), Upper arm (back, upper outer area -- may require assistance). Rotate sites with each injection to reduce localized irritation.

Can I use sterile water instead of bacteriostatic water for Liraglutide?

Bacteriostatic water (containing 0.9% benzyl alcohol as a preservative) is strongly preferred for multi-dose vials like Liraglutide because it inhibits microbial growth and lets a single vial be used over multiple weeks. Sterile water has no preservative and should generally be reserved for single-use preparations only.