1. What Zelyssa  is and what it is used for

What Zelyssa is

Zelyssa is a weight loss medicine that contains the active substance liraglutide. It is similar to a natural occurring hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) that is released from the intestine after a meal. Zelyssa works by acting on receptors in the brain that control your appetite, causing you to feel fuller and less hungry. This may help you eat less food and reduce your body weight.

What Zelyssa is used for

Zelyssa is used for weight loss in addition to diet and exercise in adults aged 18 and above who have 

•      a BMI of 30 kg/m² or greater (obesity) or

•      a BMI of 27 kg/m² and less than 30 kg/m² (overweight) and weight-related health problems (such as diabetes, high blood pressure, abnormal levels of fats in the blood or breathing problems during sleep called ‘obstructive sleep apnoea’).

BMI (Body Mass Index) is a measure of your weight in relation to your height.

You should only continue using Zelyssa  if you have lost at least 5% of your initial body weight after 12 weeks on the 3.0 mg/day dose (see section 3). Consult your doctor before you continue.

Zelyssa can be used as an adjunct to a healthy nutrition and increased physical activity for weight management in adolescents from the age of 12 years and above who have:

•      obesity (diagnosed by your doctor)

•      body weight above 60 kg

You should only continue using Zelyssa  if you have lost at least 4% of your BMI after 12 weeks on the 3.0 mg/day dose or maximum tolerated dose (see section 3). Consult your doctor before you continue.

Diet and exercise

Your doctor will start you on a diet and exercise programme. Stay on this programme while you are using Zelyssa .

2. What you need to know before you use Zelyssa

Do not use Zelyssa

– if you are allergic to Zelyssa or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6).

Warnings and precautions 

Talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse before using Zelyssa .

The use of Zelyssa  is not recommended if you have severe heart failure. 

There is little experience with this medicine in patients of 75 years and older. It is not recommended if you are 75 years or older.

There is little experience with this medicine in patients with kidney problems. If you have kidney disease or are on dialysis, consult your doctor. 

There is little experience with this medicine in patients with liver problems. If you have liver problems, consult your doctor.

This medicine is not recommended if you have a severe stomach or gut problem which results in delayed stomach emptying (called gastroparesis), or if you have an inflammatory bowel disease.

People with diabetes

If you have diabetes, do not use Zelyssa as a replacement for insulin.

Inflammation of the pancreas

Talk to your doctor if you have or have had a disease of the pancreas. 

Inflamed gall bladder and gallstones

If you lose substantial weight, you are at a risk of gallstones and thereby inflamed gall bladder. Stop taking Zelyssa and contact a doctor immediately if you experience severe pain in your upper abdomen, usually worst on the right side under the ribs. The pain may be felt through to your back or right shoulder. See section 4.

Thyroid disease

If you have thyroid disease, including thyroid nodules and enlargement of the thyroid gland, consult your doctor.

Heart rate

Talk to your doctor if you have palpitations (you feel aware of your heartbeat) or if you have feelings of a racing heartbeat while at rest during Zelyssa  treatment. 

Loss of fluid and dehydration

When starting treatment with Zelyssa , you may lose body fluid or become dehydrated. This may be due to feeling sick (nausea), being sick (vomiting) and diarrhoea. It is important to avoid dehydration by drinking plenty of fluids. Talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse if you have any questions or concerns. See section 4.

Children and adolescents

The safety and efficacy of liraglutide in children below 12 years of age has not been studied.

Other medicines and Zelyssa

Tell your doctor, pharmacist or nurse if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines.

In particular, tell your doctor, pharmacist or nurse if: 

•      you are taking medicines for diabetes called ‘sulfonylurea’ (such as glimepiride or glibenclamide) or if you are taking insulin – you may get low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia) when you use these medicines with Zelyssa . Your doctor may adjust the dose of your diabetes medicine to prevent you from getting low blood sugar. See section 4 for the warning signs of low blood sugar. If you adjust your insulin dose your doctor may recommend you to monitor your blood sugar more frequently.

•      you are taking warfarin or other medicines by mouth that reduce your blood clotting (anticoagulants). More frequent blood testing to determine the ability of your blood to clot may be required.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding

Do not use Zelyssa if you are pregnant, think that you might be pregnant or are planning to have a baby. This is because it is not known if liraglutide may affect the baby.

Do not breast-feed if you are using Zelyssa .This is because it is not known if liraglutide passes into breast milk.

Driving and using machines

Zelyssa is unlikely to affect your ability to drive and use machines.

Some patients may feel dizziness when taking Zelyssa mainly during the first 3 months of treatment (see section ‘Possible side effects’). If you feel dizziness be extra careful while driving or using machines. If you need any further information, talk to your doctor.

Zelyssa contains sodium

This medicine contains less than 1 mmol sodium (23 mg) per dose, that it is to say essentially ‘sodium-free’.

3. How to use Zelyssa

Always use this medicine exactly as your doctor has told you. Check with your doctor, pharmacist or nurse if you are not sure. 

Your doctor will start you on a diet and exercise programme. Stay on this programme while you are using Zelyssa .

How much to inject

Adults

Your treatment will start at a low dose which will be gradually increased over the first five weeks of treatment. 

•      When you first start using Zelyssa , the starting dose is 0.6 mg once a day, for at least one week. 

•      Your doctor will instruct you to gradually increase your dose by 0.6 mg usually each week until you reach the recommended dose of 3.0 mg once a day.

Your doctor will tell you how much Zelyssa to use each week. Usually, you will be told to follow the table below.

Once you reach the recommended dose of 3.0 mg in week 5 of treatment, keep using this dose until your treatment period ends. Do not increase your dose further.

Your doctor will assess your treatment on a regular basis.

Adolescents (≥ 12 years)

For adolescents from the age of 12 to below 18 years old a similar dose escalation schedule as for adults should be applied (see above table for adults). The dose should be increased until 3.0 mg (maintenance dose) or maximum tolerated dose has been reached. Daily doses higher than 3.0 mg are not recommended. 

How and when to use Zelyssa

•      Before you use the pen for the first time, your doctor or nurse will show you how to use the pen.

•      You can use Zelyssa at any time of the day, with or without food and drink.

•      Use Zelyssa at about the same time each day – choose a time of the day that works best for you.

Where to inject

Zelyssa is given as an injection under the skin (subcutaneous injection). 

•      The best places to inject are the front of your waist (abdomen), the front of your thighs or your upper arm.

•      Do not inject into a vein or muscle.

This pre-filled syringe is not a child-resistant container. If the seal is broken before first use, contact your pharmacist.

Detailed instructions for use are provided on the other side of this leaflet.

People with diabetes

Tell your doctor if you have diabetes. Your doctor may adjust the dose of your diabetes medicines to prevent you from getting low blood sugar.

•      Do not mix Zelyssa up with other medicines that you inject (e.g. insulins).

•      Do not use Zelyssa in combination with other medicines that contain GLP-1 receptor agonists (such as exenatide or lixisenatide).

If you use more Zelyssa than you should

If you use more Zelyssa than you should, talk to a doctor or go to a hospital straight away. Take the medicine pack with you. You may need medical treatment. The following effects may happen:

•      feeling sick (nausea)

•      being sick (vomiting)

•      low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia). Please refer to ‘Common side effects’ for warning signs of low blood sugar.

If you forget to use Zelyssa

If you forget a dose and remember it within 12 hours from when you usually use the dose, inject it as soon as you remember.

•      However, if more than 12 hours have passed since you should have used Zelyssa, skip the missed dose and inject your next dose the following day at the usual time.

•      Do not use a double dose or increase the dose on the following day to make up for the missed dose.

If you stop using Zelyssa

Do not stop using Zelyssa without talking to your doctor.

If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor, pharmacist or nurse.

4. Possible side effects

Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.

Serious side effects

Some severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) have been reported rarely in patients using Zelyssa. You should see your doctor straight away if you get symptoms such as breathing problems, swelling of face and throat and a fast heartbeat.

Cases of inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis) have been reported uncommonly in patients using Zelyssa . Pancreatitis is a serious, potentially life-threatening medical condition.

Stop taking Zelyssa and contact a doctor immediately if you notice any of the following serious side effects:

•   Severe and persistent pain in the abdomen (stomach area) which might reach through to your back, as well as nausea and vomiting, as it could be a sign of an inflamed pancreas (pancreatitis).

Other side effects

Very common: may affect more than 1 in 10 people

•      Feeling sick (nausea), being sick (vomiting), diarrhoea, constipation, headache – these usually go away after a few days or weeks.

Common: may affect up to 1 in 10 people

•      Problems affecting the stomach and intestines, such as indigestion (dyspepsia), inflammation in the lining of the stomach (gastritis), stomach discomfort, upper stomach pain, heartburn, feeling bloated, wind (flatulence), belching and dry mouth

•      Feeling weak or tired

•      Changed sense of taste

•      Dizziness

•      Difficulty sleeping (insomnia). This usually occurs during the first 3 months of treatment

•      Gallstones

•      Injection site reactions (such as bruising, pain, irritation, itching and rash)

•      Low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia). The warning signs of low blood sugar may come on suddenly and can include: cold sweat, cool pale skin, headache, fast heartbeat, feeling sick, feeling very hungry, changes in vision, feeling sleepy, feeling weak, being nervous, being anxious, confusion, difficulty concentrating and shaking (tremor). Your doctor will tell you how to treat low blood sugar and what to do if you notice these warning signs

•      increase of pancreatic enzymes, such as lipase and amylase.

Uncommon: may affect up to 1 in 100 people

•      Loss of fluids (dehydration). This is more likely to occur at the start of treatment and may be due to being sick (vomiting), feeling sick (nausea) and diarrhoea

•      Delay in the emptying of the stomach

•      Inflamed gall bladder

•      Allergic reactions including skin rash

•      Feeling generally unwell

•      Faster pulse.

Rare: may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people

•      Reduced kidney function

•      Acute kidney failure. Signs may include reduction in urine volume, metallic taste in mouth and easily bruising.

5. How to store Zelyssa

Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children. This pre-filled pen is not a child-resistant container. If the seal is broken before first use, contact your pharmacist.

Do not use Zelyssa after the expiry date which is stated on the pen label and carton after ‘EXP’. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.

Store in a refrigerator between 2°C to 8°C.

After first use, store at a temperature below 30°C and should be used within 30 days.

Do not freeze.  

Protect from light.

Do not use this medicine if the solution is not clear and colourless or almost colourless.

Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help protect the environment.