About Saxenda weight loss injection pen

Saxenda is an agonist of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1) and an effective weight loss medicine for adults and teenagers of 12-17 years who have a body weight of 60 kg or 132 pounds. 

Saxenda is a prescribed medicine for long-term weight management and has become more effective with increased physical exercise and a less-calorie diet. 

It contains pre-filled liquid solutions, helping you live a healthy life with healthy weight. So, what is Saxenda? What are its side effects? Let’s figure out more!

Saxenda Highlights

Saxenda (liraglutide) is a self-injectable medication and is used for weight loss in:

• Adults with a BMI (body mass index) of 27 or higher (high blood pressure, type-2 diabetes, high cholesterol).
• Overweight adults with certain medical conditions.
• Children of 12-17 years with a weight of 60 kg or 132 pounds.

However, it is unclear whether Saxenda is effective for children under 12 years or children of 17 years with type 2 diabetes. Saxenda does not treat type 1 or 2 diabetes.

Moreover, Sexanda is similar to Victoza in terms of active ingredients but their strengths and approval conditions differ. So you must not use both drugs together.

Check if your BMI is in a healthy range:

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a simple way to check if your weight is healthy. It's calculated by dividing your weight (in kilograms) by your height (in meters) squared. The BMI categories are:

BMI categories are:

• Underweight: BMI less than 18.5 kg/m²
• Normal weight: BMI 18.5 to 24.9 kg/m²
• Overweight: BMI 25 to 29.9 kg/m²
• Obese: BMI 30 kg/m² or more

Mechanism of Action of Saxenda

Saxenda drug is an agonist of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptors (GLP-1). Liraglutide, the active ingredient in Saxenda, binds to the GLP-1 receptors in brain cells, affecting the part of the brain that normally regulates blood sugar, digestion, insulin level, and feelings of hunger, resulting in reduced appetite and increased feelings of fullness. 

Saxenda slows down your gut and reduces your calorie intake, helping you lose weight effectively.

Ingredients of Saxenda

Saxenda contains two types of ingredients: active and inactive. 

• Active component — liraglutide
• Inactive components — phenol,  disodium phosphate dihydrate, water, propylene glycol, and HCL/NAOH (for pH adjustments)

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonist

A glucagon agonist is a substance that binds to and activates glucagon receptors. Glucagon, a hormone produced by the pancreas, increases blood glucose levels by stimulating the breakdown of glycogen (stored glucose) into glucose in the liver.

An agonist of glucagon mimics this action, promoting the release of glucose into the bloodstream and thus increasing blood sugar levels.

Who Can Take Saxenda?

Saxenda pen is an FDA-approved weight loss drug and is effective for:

Overweight adults with a BMI of 27-30 and certain complications like high cholesterol, diabetes, high blood pressure, or inadequate sleep problems. 

• Obese adults with BMI of 30 or higher.
• Teenagers of 12 years with BMI of 30 or higher. 

Who Should Not Take Saxenda?

You must not take Saxenda if you:

• are pregnant or going to be pregnant in the upcoming days.
• have MTC (medullary thyroid carcinoma) or MEN 2 (Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2).
• are allergic to liraglutide or any other component present in Saxenda.
• have stomach, pancreas, liver, kidneys, or digestive tract problems. 
• are breastfeeding or have a plan to breastfeed your newborn.
• have suicidal thoughts, depression, or other mental issues.

How to Take Saxenda Properly?

Need a refresher on how to use the Saxenda® pen? This video may help. It features instructions on attaching the needle, checking the Saxenda® flow, selecting the dose, injecting the dose, removing the needle, and disposing of the needle.

If you are taking Saxenda, take it properly to avoid any issues. For this:

• Carefully read the instructions mentioned in the patient leaflet.
• Inject the desired dose of Saxenda under the skin in your thigh, upper arm, or belly. 
• Never inject the dose into your muscle or vein.
• Change the skin area each time to avoid skin irritation or lumps formation. 

Also, use a different needle again and again. After injection, discard the used needle and use the new one for the next day. 

• Use Saxenda once per day or according to your doctor's advice. Never exceed the limit.
• If you have any queries, you must consult your doctor. 

What is the cost of Saxenda?

Saxenda is available at Ashcroft Pharmacy in the UK. It comes in a 3ml pre-filled injection pen, starting at £69 each. You can buy between one and five pens. When starting Saxenda, one pen lasts for 17 days.

When can I expect Saxenda to start working?

Saxenda typically begins to show noticeable improvements after a few weeks of use. Most people use Saxenda long-term, usually for several months. It's recommended to take Saxenda at the same time each day for best results.

 Where Is the Cheapest Place to Buy Saxenda in the UK?

So, where can I buy Saxenda? You can buy Saxenda from any pharmacy or online store. The best way is to buy Saxenda online from our UK-registered online pharmacy. We offer free online consultation and fast delivery, making your shopping experience enjoyable.

Saxenda Vs. Wegovy

The notable differences between Saxenda and Wegovy are:

• Wegovy’s active ingredient is semaglutide while Saxenda has liraglutide
• Saxenda is injected daily while Wegovy is taken weekly

Both are effective drugs for weight management that include increased physical exercise and low-calorie diets. Which one is the best? It depends on your age, health conditions, and many other factors. 

Saxenda Vs. Ozempic

The significant differences between Saxenda and Ozempic are:

• The Ozempic’s active component is semaglutide while Saxenda has an active ingredient of liraglutide
• Saxenda is effective for weight loss while Ozempic is best for adults with type 2 diabetes. Weight management is Ozempic’s secondary function. 
• Saxenda is injected daily while Ozempic is taken weekly.

Author

Saxenda, Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Saxenda should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding due to potential risks. Consult your healthcare provider before starting Saxenda if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.

Saxenda and alcohol

To achieve the best results and reduce the chance of side effects, it's recommended to avoid alcohol while using Saxenda.

While alcohol itself doesn't directly interact with the medication, it can increase the risk of low blood sugar. If you do decide to drink, make sure to eat at the same time and drink in moderation.

Storage of Saxenda Weight Loss Injections 

To store Saxenda injection pens, you must follow the following guidelines:

• Store unopened pens in the refrigerator, but not in the freezer. If your medicine becomes frozen, discard it immediately.
• After the expiration date, never use Saxenda injection pens even if they are unopened. 
• Store in-use Saxenda injection pens at room temperature or in the refrigerator away from the sunlight, heat, and moisture. 
• Use the in-use pens within 30 days. 

Dosage

Saxenda Dose — In-Depth Analysis

Usually, the doctor increases the dose of Saxenda slowly over four weeks. However, the exact dose range depends on the patient’s age, health conditions, and many other factors. The complete details are:

Saxenda Dose for Adults

The dose of Saxenda injections for adults gradually increases over the weeks such as:

• First week: 0.6 mg once per day
• Seconds week: 1.2 mg once per day
• Third week: 1.8 mg once per day
• Fourth week: 2.4 mg once per day
• Fifth week: 3 mg once per day

Saxenda Dose for Children

The dose strength of Saxenda pens for children of 12 years and older over the weeks are:

• First week: 0.6 mg once per day
• Seconds week: 1.2 mg once per day
• Third week: 1.8 mg once per day
• Fourth week: 2.4 mg once per day
• Fifth week: 3 mg once per day

After this, 2.4 or 3 mg once a day is maintained regularly. If maintenance is not tolerable, it is recommended to discontinue the Saxenda medicine.

Missed And Over-Dosage of Saxenda

If you miss your Saxenda dose by mistake, take it when you remember it. If it's too late, skip the missed one and take your regular dose on the following day. Never take an extra dose or two doses at the same time to make up for the missed one. 

Interaction of Saxenda with Other Drugs

If you are taking Saxenda, you must not take it with:

• Insulin
• Diabetes medications include Glucovance, Glucotrol, Avandaryl, DiaBeta, and others.
• Other prescribed drugs
• Vitamins
• Over-the-counter medications
• Herbal products
•  Victoza (contain liraglutide)

Saxenda interacts with these medicines, increasing the risk of side effects and slowing down the whole process. So, consult your doctor for drug interaction management. 

Warnings

Precautionary Measures And Tips for Taking Saxenda

If you are taking Saxenda, follow the below-mentioned tips and precautionary measures for effective results. These include:

• Follow your doctor's guidelines, eat low-calorie meals, and exercise regularly.
• Keep your body hydrated to mitigate the mild side effects.
• In case of serious side effects, visit your health care professional. He will guide you or manage the dose of Saxenda.
• Before injecting your Saxenda pen, wipe your specific skin area with an alcohol swab to avoid any irritation/infection.
• Always discard the used Saxenda pens and needles in a sharp container.  
• Never share or reuse your Saxenda pens or needles to avoid the risk of spreading/getting infections. 
• Moreover, never take Saxenda with other diet/weight loss pills, appetite suppressants, or weight loss products. 
• If a patient does not lose his/her initial body weight (4-5%) within 12 weeks of treatment, stop taking Saxenda. 

Saxenda Side Effects

Besides its advantages, Saxenda causes some mild and sometimes serious side effects. The type and onset of side effects depend on other medications, your age, and health conditions. The details of these side effects are:

Mild Side Effects:

• Nausea 
• Vomiting
• Constipation
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Fever
• Fatigue
• Reaction, itching, or redness at the injection site
• Stomach pain
• Changes in lipase level
• Indigestion 

These side effects disappear within a few hours/days as your body adjusts with Saxenda medications.  

Serious Side Effects:

• Inflammation of the pancreas
• Gallbladder problems
• Hypoglycemia in adults with type 2 diabetes and children of 12 years and older
• Increased heart rate
• Kidney problems
• Serious allergic reaction
• Boxed warning (risk of thyroid cancer)
• Depression or suicidal thoughts

Saxenda is an FDA-approved drug, so you can report serious side effects to the FDA. Moreover, visit your doctor immediately if you experience any of these side effects. 

Please note due to high volumes during a busy month, orders may be delayed by 24-48 hours so please order in advance. Thank you for your understanding.

Once your order has been approved by our UK medical team it will be dispatched via Royal mail. All orders are sent using a tracked and signed for service.

Royal Mail Special Delivery Guaranteed by 1pm | £9.95

Order by the 2:00 PM weekday cut-off time for guaranteed delivery by 1:00 PM the next business day.

Orders placed after the cut-off on Friday will be delivered on Tuesday.

Saxenda Reviews UK

According to recent research in the UK, Saxenda secures a rating of 7.5 out of 10. There are a total of 1442 reviews, 67% are positive, indicating Saxenda is an effective option for weight loss.