Some severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) have been reported rarely in patients using Saxenda. 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 Saxenda. Pancreatitis is a serious, potentially life-threatening medical condition.
Stop taking Saxenda 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 :-
Common: side effects which 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 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 which may lead to pancreatitis
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
- 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.
If you want to know more about Saxenda and if it could work for you then call our pharmacy team 0161 491 1899. Your conversation will be in confidence and with discretion.
What is Saxenda?
Saxenda is a self-injected prefilled pen used once daily. It contains the active substance Liraglutide and helps aid adults with excess weight (BMI ≥27) 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).
We know how hard it is trying to achieve weight loss and all the challenges that come with it and we are here to assist you in making the right choices when considering the Saxenda weight loss option.
If you want to know more about Saxenda weight loss options and if it could work for you then call our pharmacy team 0161 491 1899. Your conversation will be in confidence and with discretion.