Saxenda UK is a self-injected prefilled pen used once daily. It contains the active substance Liraglutide and helps aid adults with excess weight (BMI ≥28) who also have weight-related medical problems or those with  obesity (BMI ≥30)  to lose weight and keep the weight off.

Saxenda should be used with a reduced-calorie meal plan and increased physical activity.Saxenda is not for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and should not be used with any other GLP-1 receptor agonist used in the treatment of Type 2 diabetes eg Victoza, Byetta, Bydureon, Lixumia, Trulicity or Ozempic).If you are diabetic then we will only supply Saxenda if your diabetes is controlled by diet alone and you are not on any medication for it.  This is because it will affect your diabetes control and adjustments to your usual medicines may be needed.

Saxenda contains the active ingredient Liraglutide.

GLP-1 is a hormone that is released within the body in response to food intake and acts as a physiological regulator of appetite.

Saxenda(Liraglutide) is 97% similar to GLP-1 and works in the brain to decrease appetite and thereby reduce food intake resulting in weight loss.

Saxenda should be used alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity for chronic weight management in adult patients with an initial body mass index, BMI of 30 (obese) or 27 or greater (overweight) in the presence of at least one other chronic health condition (eg, high blood pressure, diabetes, or high cholesterol).

Once your BMI has reduced to a healthy value where you are no longer overweight (BMI 18.5-24.9) our doctor will no longer be able to prescribe Saxenda for you. Hopefully, the healthy habits that you have acquired on your weight loss journey will enable you to maintain your weight loss.

You should only continue using Saxenda if you have lost at least 5% of your initial body weight after 12 weeks on the 3 mg/day dose

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.

Push the needle all the way into the skin at a 90º angle.

Once you have injected the Saxenda, 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.

You can order an individual pen, 2, 3, 4 or 5 pens at once.

You use a gradually increasing dose over the first 5 weeks.

If you are just starting to use Saxenda then a single pen should last 17 days and a pack of 5 pens should last 44 days.

Once you are on the full dose, a pack of 5 pens should last 30 days

You should follow a 4-week dose escalation to reach the fully effective 3-mg dose. The 4-week dose-escalation period can reduce the likelihood of gastrointestinal symptoms.

The Saxenda starting dose is 0.6 mg subcutaneously, SC, per day for 1 week.

You should increase the dose by 0.6 mg each week until the full maintenance dose of 3 mg is reached.

By the start of the fifth week you should be on the maximum maintenance dose.

• Week 1 – 0.6 mg SC once daily x 7 days
• Week 2 – 1.2 mg SC once daily x 7 days
• Week 3 – 1.8 mg SC once daily x 7 days
• Week 4 – 2.4 mg SC once daily x 7 days
• Week 5 onwards ı 3.0 mg SC once daily 

You should have lost at least 5% of your starting body weight by week 12 if you want to continue with Saxenda.

Saxenda can be taken at any time of the day, with or without food and drink, but you must stick to taking it at the same time each day such as at breakfast or bedtime. Choose a time of the day that works best for you.

If you forget to take a dose, but remember within 12 hours of when you would usually take it, take the missed dose as soon as you remember.

If more than 12 hours have passed since you would usually take it, skip the dose and continue like normal the next day.

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

If you use more Saxenda than you should, talk to your 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).

Saxenda needs to be stored in a fridge and so it will be delivered in temperature controlled packaging. The packaging has a limited life span and therefore, if you select having it delivered to a pickup shop then you must collect it on the day that it’s delivered there and refrigerate it as soon as possible.

Also, because Saxenda is temperature sensitive, if you order after 4pm on Thursday it will be sent out on Monday for free tracked delivery on Tuesday. You can upgrade to a Saturday delivery for only £4.

Do not use Saxenda 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.

Before first use: Store in a refrigerator (2°C to 8°C). Do not freeze. Keep away from the freezer compartment.

Once you start using the pen: You can keep the pen for 1 month when stored at a temperature below 30°C or in a refrigerator (2°C to 8°C). When you are not using the pen, keep the pen cap on in order to protect it from light. Do not use this medicine if the solution is not clear and colourless or almost colourless.