What is the Saxenda Weight Loss Injection Pen?

Saxenda is a weight loss injection that helps adults with issues surrounding obesity. It is suitable for the following groups:

• Adults who have a BMI of over 27 and have weight-related health conditions. (e.g. high blood pressure, type-2 diabetes, high cholesterol)
• Adults who have a BMI of over 30 (this is the boundary for obesity)

Your BMI takes into account your height and weight and is a good indication of whether you are overweight or underweight. If you think that you are overweight or obese and would like to try Saxenda, one of our consultants is on hand to discuss this weight loss medication with you.

You should use Saxenda at the same time as consuming a reduced-calorie diet and increasing your physical activity.

For more information, take a look at our ‘What is Saxenda’ page on our sister website. 

How Does Saxenda Work?

Saxenda (liraglutide, 6mg/ml) is a self-injectable weight loss treatment. It contains the active ingredient liraglutide, which is very similar to a naturally occurring hormone in your body called GLP-1.

After a meal, GLP-1 is naturally released from your intestines to help regulate your blood sugar levels and reduce the amount of glucagon in your body. Glucagon is a naturally occurring hormone that works by inhibiting the action of insulin. As a result, it makes you feel less hungry, slows down the emptying of your stomach, and makes you feel ‘fuller’ for longer.

How Long Does Saxenda Take to Work?

Most people who take Saxenda use it long-term, usually for at least a few months. However, you should start to see some noticeable improvements after a few weeks of taking Saxenda.

There is no strict rule for when to take Saxenda, but it is recommended to take it at the same time each day.

Saxenda and Alcohol

To see the best results and to limit the chance of side effects, try to avoid alcohol while taking Saxenda. Alcohol does not directly interact with the medicine, but it can increase the risk of low blood sugar. If you do drink, make sure that you eat at the same time and do so in moderation.

Saxenda Weight Loss Reviews

Saxenda injection reviews are generally positive. Most people notice a change relatively quickly, much more so than if they were just making lifestyle changes.

However, quite a few reviewers do report mild nausea, which is a common and usually mild side effect. Most people who have reported this side effect state that it passes after a short period.

In a 56 week study conducted by the company responsible for the production of Saxenda, 3731 patients of varying backgrounds took part. Of these patients, 3 out of 5 people lost 12 lb (5.4 kg), 1 out of 3 lost 23 lb (10.4 kg), and 6% of participants achieved weight loss of 47 lb (21.3 kg) or more.

How Much Does Saxenda Cost?

Saxenda comes in a 3ml pre-filled injection pen, with costs starting at £84.99 per pen. You have the choice of buying between one and five pens. When you first start Saxenda, a single pen will last for 17 days.

Saxenda Dosing

Most people who take Saxenda have one dose a day. At first, you will take a lower dose and gradually increase. The dosing schedule below should be followed for safe use.

How to Take Saxenda

Saxenda comes in a 3ml pre-filled injection pen. The pen contains a clear, colourless or almost colourless solution.

All pens need needles for injecting. You will need to store your Saxenda pre-filled pen in a refrigerator (2°C to 8°C) before your first use. Once you start using the pen, you can keep it for 1 month either at room temperature (2 to 30°C) or in a refrigerator (2°C to 8°C). Do not freeze.

When you take Saxenda, you need to gradually increase your dose in 0.6mg intervals until you reach what is called the maintenance dose at 3mg daily. This is the dose at which you will continue to take Saxenda. You increase your dose as follows:

• Week 1 – 0.6mg as a once-daily injection
• Week 2 – 1.2mg as a once-daily injection
• Week 3 – 1.8mg as a once-daily injection
• Week 4 – 2.4mg as a once-daily injection
• Week 5 onwards – maintenance dose of 3.0mg as a once-daily injection

Increasing the dose slowly over time should minimise any unwanted side effects, such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. As you increase your dose, if you find that you cannot tolerate your side effects, you should stay on the same dose for 2 continuous weeks.

If, after 2 weeks, your side effects are still not tolerable, you should consider stopping treatment.

The maximum recommended daily dosage of liraglutide is 3.0mg. Try to take it at the same time each day, picking a time that works for you, with or without food or drink.

You must continue with your new diet and exercise regime while you are taking Saxenda.

Always use Saxenda exactly as your prescriber has told you. Check with your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse if you are unsure.

When you first start Saxenda, a single pen will last 17 days and the first full pack of five pens will last six weeks. Once you have achieved the maintenance dose, a pack of five pens will last 30 days.

Please watch the video on how to administer Saxenda for more information.

Where Do I Inject Saxenda?

Please read the patient information leaflet here before using and watch the video.

• Saxenda is administered once daily.
• Inject your dose of Saxenda under the skin (subcutaneous injection) in your stomach area (abdomen), upper leg (thigh), or upper arm. It is also recommended that you alternate the site at which the injection is made.

Do not inject into a vein or muscle.

• Pinch the skin and push the needle all the way into the skin at a 90º angle
• Let go of the pinched skin. Inject the Saxenda and leave the syringe in place while you count slowly to 6 to make sure the full dose is delivered
• If the disposable needle found at the tip of one of your Saxenda pens bends out of shape whilst you are trying to use the pen, you should discard the needle and use a new one
• Never share your Saxenda pen or needles with another person. You may give an infection to them, or get an infection from them

How to Store Saxenda

Store Saxenda in a refrigerator before using it for the first time. After your initial use, you can store the medication either at room temperature or in your refrigerator. Keep it protected from heat and sunlight.

Needle Disposal (Needle Bin)

Every time you use Saxenda, you must use a needle. After each dose, the needle CANNOT be reused and must be disposed of appropriately using the sharps bin that is provided with the treatment.

If your sharps bin is full, you must dispose of it appropriately. Each county across the UK works differently, some areas allow you to dispose of needles at your local surgery, some at your pharmacy and others require you to contact your local council for a collection.

Further information can be found on the NHS website on “How Should I Dispose of Used Needles or Sharps“

Every council website will have information about how to dispose of your sharps bin, You can find your local council website by visiting the Find Your Local Council page on the UK government website.

If you are struggling to find somewhere in your local area to dispose of your sharps bin, please send us an email to hi@onlinemesnclinic.co.uk with the subject line “Local Sharps Bin Disposal,” including your name address, contact telephone number, and order number, and a member of our team will get in touch to tell you where to go in your area.

Under no circumstances (unless your locality has instructed you to do so) should your full sharps bin be disposed of with the rest of your household waste or in public/private bins.

Saxenda Side Effects

As with most medications, there are a few side effects that you should consider when taking Saxenda. Most of these potential side effects are mild, with many people who take Saxenda not experiencing any side effects at all.

Common and Mild Side Effects of Saxenda

• Nausea (probably the most common), which should weaken as you continue the course of Saxenda
• Vomiting
• Diarrhoea
• Flatulence
• Heartburn
• Constipation

If you experience diarrhoea or vomiting persistently, you may become dehydrated. Make sure that you are drinking as many fluids as possible to combat this. Contact your doctor if you experience dehydration symptoms that are not relieved by water. Dehydration symptoms include dry mouth, unusual thirst, lightheadedness, and headaches.

Serious Side Effects to Saxenda

• Change in the colour or amount of urine (this can indicate kidney problems)
• Fast or irregular heartbeats
• Unusual and dramatic changes in your mood
• Yellow eyes or skin (this can indicate liver issues)
• Sweating, blurred vision, tingling, shaking, or dizziness – these are signs of low blood sugar

If you experience these, seek medical attention immediately. Go to A&E or call 999 if you experience persistent nausea or vomiting and severe stomach pain. These symptoms indicate pancreatitis or gallbladder disease.

You are unlikely to have an allergic reaction while taking Saxenda. However, it’s important to be aware of the symptoms of an allergic reaction. If you experience itching or swelling around the face, difficulty breathing, severe dizziness, or an unexplained rash, seek medical help immediately.

Precautions When Taking Saxenda

Saxenda contains liraglutide. Do not take Saxenda if you have a known allergy to liraglutide. If you are allergic to any other medication, make sure that your doctor knows, as there may be inactive ingredients in Saxenda that make it unsuitable for your consumption.

If you have or have experienced the following conditions, make sure that you consult a doctor before trying Saxenda:

• Pancreatitis
• Depression or other mental disorders
• Gastroparesis or other stomach or intestinal disorders
• Kidney disease
• Liver conditions
• Diabetes – your doctor may still advise that you take Saxenda, but you will need to regularly check your blood sugar and consult your doctor. You also shouldn’t take Saxenda with some diabetic medicine

Do not use this medication if you are pregnant or if you suspect that you may be pregnant. It is also generally not advised to be taken while breastfeeding, as studies about whether it passes into breast milk are inconclusive.

Saxenda Drug Reactions

If you take any other medication, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs, or herbal remedies, consult your doctor. Certain drugs react with Saxenda, and your doctor will have the most up-to-date information on which drugs to avoid.

Diabetes medications, including insulin, glyburide, exenatide, and dulaglutide, are known to interact with Saxenda. Consult your doctor if you take any of these medications or anything else for diabetes.

Saxenda PIL

It is important to read the Patient Information Leaflet (PIL) before taking any medicines. These can be found in the packaging or by searching at medicines.org.uk.

• Saxenda Patient Information Leaflet