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Saxenda is a prescription weight loss treatment that comes in the form of a pre-filled injection pen. It belongs to a class of medicines called GLP-1 receptor agonists, these medicines regulate your appetite.
It is used to aid weight loss when combined with a healthy diet and exercise. It also helps to control your blood sugar levels.
Saxenda was approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) on the 23rd March 2015. You can purchase Saxenda weight loss injections online at euroClinix after completing an online consultation for weight loss.
Saxenda works by mimicking the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), which is naturally produced by the body and helps regulate your appetite.
How Saxenda works
Active ingredient
Saxenda contains the active ingredient Liraglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist.
Regulates appetite
Saxenda acts on appetite receptors in the brain to regulate appetite. This may help you eat fewer calories and lose weight.
Slowed digestion
It slows down digestion, and delays stomach emptying. This makes you feel fuller and less hungry.
Blood sugar control
Saxenda increases insulin levels in your body, which decreases your blood sugar (glucose) levels.
This supports weight loss when combined with a healthy diet and exercise.
There are many benefits of using this weight loss injection, including:
Saxenda helps to reduce hunger cravings, leading to eating less food. This helps patients to follow a low-calorie diet and achieve weight loss results.
Saxenda is only injected once a day, making it easy to incorporate in your daily routine. It can also be injected in the morning or evening, depending on your schedule.
Saxenda comes in a pre-filled injection pen with an adjustable dose. This means that you don’t need to mix or prepare the medicine before use.
Although Saxenda is not a diabetes treatment, it can improve blood sugar levels, which may reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Studies have shown that Saxenda helps maintain weight loss over the long term when used consistently.
This medicine should be used together with a healthy diet and physical activity, which encourages a healthier lifestyle.
Multiple clinical trials have demonstrated that Saxenda is effective for people looking to lose weight.
In one clinical trial, 3,731 adults with a BMI of 30 or at least 27 with other health conditions, were assigned to either using Liraglutide (Saxenda) or a placebo for 56 weeks, alongside diet changes and exercise. The following results were observed:
Saxenda was also useful in helping patients keep the weight off. In a study of people taking Saxenda for 3 years, the following was observed:
Saxenda long term weight loss study results
Year 1 results
56% of patients achieved weight loss of ≥ 5%
The percentage of patients who maintained ≥ 5% weight loss at 3 years was the following:
All patients followed a reduced-calorie meal plan and increased physical activity
When combined with long-term lifestyle changes, Saxenda can be part of a sustainable weight loss plan.
Saxenda is suitable for adults looking to lose weight. To find out if this medicine is right for you, you must complete an online consultation with one of our registered doctors.
The Saxenda eligibility criteria includes people with:
You should not use Saxenda if you:
You must consult a doctor first if you:
If you have any other medical conditions not mentioned above, speak to your healthcare provider before using this medication.
A Saxenda pen can deliver doses of 0.6mg, 1.2mg, 1.8mg, 2.4mg or 3mg. The starting dose is 0.6mg.
It is a daily injection, and the dose of Saxenda will increase each week until you reach the recommended daily maintenance dose of 3mg.
There is a table in the patient information leaflet that will make these instructions easier to follow. Or, you can follow our guide below.
It’s important to familiarise yourself with the pen before injecting it, as there are several components.
See below for a diagram of a Saxenda pen:
Always use this medicine exactly as your doctor has told you. If you are not sure of how to use it, speak to your doctor or pharmacist. Make sure you also read the patient information leaflet carefully before starting this medication as it contains more detailed information on how to administer it.
Saxenda must be injected daily at around the same time each day. You can inject it with or without food and drink.
Preparing your pen
Before injecting, you should prepare the pen by doing the following:
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1. Wash your hands and pull off the pen cap |
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2. Check that the solution in your pen is clear, and not cloudy. |
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3. Take a new needle and remove the paper tab. |
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4. Push the needle onto the pen and turn it to tighten. |
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5. Remove the outer needle cap and keep it aside for later. Then, remove the inner needle cap and throw it away. |
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6. If you’re using a new pen, check the dose counter and turn it to the flow check symbol (past 0). Hold the pen with the needle facing upwards. Then press and hold the dose button until the dose counter returns to 0. A drop of solution should appear at the needle tip. This ensures that the solution flows. |
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7. Select your dose by turning the dose selector until the dose counter shows your dose. You are now ready to inject your dose. |
Injecting your dose
To inject the medicine:
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1. Inject the needle into the upper arm, abdomen or the front of your thigh. You should rotate the injection site each time to prevent injection site reactions and lumps. Do not inject into a vein or muscle. |
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2. Make sure the dose counter is visible, then press and hold down the dose button until the dose counter shows 0. |
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3. Once it shows 0, slowly count to 6 to ensure that you administer the entire dose. |
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4. Remove the needle from your skin and release the dose button. |
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5. On a flat surface, lead the needle tip into the outer needle cap without touching the needle. Then, unscrew the needle and discard it in your sharps bin. |
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6. Put the pen cap on your pen after each use to protect this medicine from light. |
You can inject Saxenda at any time of the day however, it's best to choose a time that fits your routine and stick to it. This will also help you remember to inject the medicine.
The duration of Saxenda use depends on your weight loss progress and your doctor’s advice.
You will start by gradually increasing your dose over four weeks to reduce the risk of side effects. However, if you don’t tolerate it well, your doctor may adjust your dose or stop the treatment.
By 12 weeks on the maintenance dose (3mg), you should have lost at least 5% of your initial body weight. If this is not the case, your doctor may discontinue treatment and talk to you about alternatives.
Tips to use your Saxenda pen correctly
If you forget to inject your daily dose of Saxenda, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if more than 12 hours have passed since your usual time, skip the missed dose and take the next dose as usual on the next day.
Do not take an extra dose of Saxenda or increase the dose on the following day to make up for the missed dose.
If you have not injected Saxenda for 3 days or more, get in contact with your doctor to talk about how to restart treatment.
Saxenda starts working in the body straight away and you may notice changes to your appetite within a few days. Some patients start to see weight loss results within the first 2 weeks of treatment; however, this varies from person to person. Weight loss results also depend on your exercise and adherence to diet.
Most patients notice weight loss once they reach the 3mg dose from week 5 onwards. By week 12, you should have lost at least 5% of your starting weight.
You must exercise and follow a healthy, reduced-calorie diet while on Saxenda to ensure you get the best results. Some lifestyle changes you can make include:
Make sure you practice portion control and mindful eating while taking this medicine. In your diet try to incorporate more:
Aim to do at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity each week, this includes walking, cycling, or swimming.
Alternatively, you can do 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity activity (like jogging or skipping rope) each week.
Try to also incorporate some strength training at least 2 to 3 times per week to preserve muscle while losing weight.
When you first start treatment, you may experience side effects such as nausea and diarrhoea. It’s important to drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration.
Side effects are possible with all prescription medications, including Saxenda. See below for possible side effects:
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These adverse effects usually go away after a few days or weeks. This medicine may cause low blood sugar levels. Symptoms of this may include:
Your doctor will tell you how to treat low blood sugar and what to do if you notice these warning signs.
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If you experience any of the following rare but serious side effects, stop taking this medication and seek emergency medical attention:
This is not a complete list of adverse effects of Saxenda, for the full list please refer to the patient information leaflet.
Some common side effects of this medicine can be managed at home. Find some helpful management tips below:
Starting with a low dose and gradually increasing this should help reduce the chances of nausea. You can also try to eat smaller meals instead of large ones, avoiding greasy, spicy, or rich foods and staying hydrated.
To reduce heartburn, eat smaller portions and chew your food well. Avoid eating spicy, acidic, or fatty foods. Try to avoid lying down immediately after eating. If the changes don’t work, try antacids if approved by your doctor.
Some things you can do to prevent these side effects include avoiding fizzy drinks, eating slowly, avoiding gulping air when drinking, and limiting gas-producing foods like beans and cabbage. Consider simethicone if recommended by your doctor.
Rotate your injection sites regularly to prevent irritation. Make sure to clean the site properly and use ice packs to reduce swelling or bruising.
Tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines, supplements, or natural health products as these may alter the effectiveness of Saxenda or vice versa. Avoid using Saxenda with other weight loss medicines, e.g. Ozempic, Rybelsus, Orlistat, Xenical or Mysimba.
Some interactions with Saxenda may include:
Please note that this medicine may slow stomach emptying, which could affect the absorption of other oral medications. Speak to a healthcare professional if you are concerned about this.
This is not a complete list of interactions. For a full list, please refer to the BNF interaction checker.
For more information, refer to the safety information table below:
Category | Status | Advice |
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Alcohol | Not recommended | While there are no known interactions between alcohol and Saxenda, speak to your doctor before drinking alcohol. Alcohol can worsen some of Saxenda's side effects, including nausea, dizziness and headaches. |
Pregnancy | Avoid | Do not use this medicine if you are pregnant, think that you might be pregnant or are planning to have a baby. |
Breastfeeding | Avoid | Do not use this medicine if you are breastfeeding, as it is not known if Saxenda passes into breast milk. |
Driving | Caution | Saxenda does not affect your ability to drive or use machines. However, dizziness is a potential side effect, especially in the first 3 months. If you feel dizzy, avoid these actions. |
A new and unused Saxenda pen should be stored in the refrigerator between 2°C to 8°C. Once opened, you can keep it in the refrigerator or at room temperature between 15°C to 30°C. Do not freeze Saxenda pens and keep it away from the freezer compartment.
When you are not using the pen, keep the pen cap on to protect it from light. Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date stated on the pen label and carton. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month. You should discard opened pens after 30 days even if there is leftover medicine in the pen.
Dispose of needles in your sharps bin. Do not throw needles out in your household trash or recycling bin. Make sure to follow your local medical waste disposal regulations.
No, Saxenda is a prescription-only medication. It is only available to purchase if you have a valid prescription from a doctor or an online clinic. This is because this medicine can cause potentially dangerous side effects, so a doctor must ensure that the medication is safe and appropriate for you.
To order Saxenda online from euroClinix, follow these simple steps:
Your privacy is our top priority. euroClinix uses secure, encrypted transactions and complies with UK’s medical standards to keep your information confidential.
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The price of Saxenda at euroClinix includes everything you need:
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If this medicine is not right for you, we have other options available to treat high cholesterol. You can find these alternatives in the table below:
Brand | Active ingredient | Form | Dosage | How it works | Price from |
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Saxenda | Liraglutide | Injection | One injection once daily | Reducing your appetite and slowing down how quickly your stomach empties. | - |
Wegovy | Semaglutide | Injection | One injection once weekly | Reducing your appetite and slowing down how quickly your stomach empties. | - |
Mounjaro | Tirzepatide | Injection | One injection once weekly | Reducing your appetite and slowing down how quickly your stomach empties. | - |
Rybelsus | Semaglutide | Tablets | One tablet once daily | Reducing your appetite and slowing down how quickly your stomach empties. | - |
Orlistat (Xenical) | Orlistat | Capsules | One capsule 3 times a day | Prevents the absorption of fat from food in the intestines. | - |
Mysimba | Naltrexone with bupropion | Slow-release tablets | One tablet once a day, gradually increased to 4 tablets a day over 4 weeks | Targets brain activity responsible for appetite and energy use. | - |
Note: You must complete a short online consultation so that our doctor can ensure that the treatment is suitable for you. The above pricing should only be used as a reference. The final decision to issue this treatment lies with the prescribing doctor.
Type of medicine | GLP-1 receptor agonist |
Used for | Weight loss |
Active ingredient(s) | Liraglutide |
Works by | Regulating your appetite, slowing down digestion, and delaying stomach emptying, which aids in weight loss. |
Effective within | Up to 12 weeks |
Available as | Injection |
Available strengths | 0.6mg, 1.2mg, 1.8mg, 2.4mg or 3mg |
Usage | Inject your prescribed dose once daily |
Manufacturer | Novo Nordisk |
Generic available | No |
Storage | New and unused pen: Store in the refrigerator between 2°C to 8°C. Opened pen: Store in the refrigerator or at room temperature between 15°C to 30°C. |
Prescription required? | Yes, get it FREE with our online consultation |
Who is suitable for an online consultation* | Adults with a BMI of 30 and over, or 27 and over with weight-related health conditions |
*Note: Our medical team must review your online consultation before approving this treatment. They will determine if the requested treatment and quantity are safe, appropriate, and effective for you.
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