Buy Saxenda Online for Weight Loss

About Saxenda

What is Saxenda?

Saxenda is the brand name for the prescription medication liraglutide. It is used to help people who are overweight or obese lose weight when diet and exercise alone haven’t worked. Saxenda is only prescribed for people with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or above or 27 or above for people with weight-related health problems like sleep apnea or high blood pressure. Saxenda is most effective alongside a calorie-controlled diet and exercise.

How does Saxenda work?

Saxenda works by making you feel less hungry. It mimics a hormone called glucagon-like-peptide (GLP-1), which tells your brain you’re full. This makes it easier to stick to a calorie-controlled diet, which can help you lose weight.

How long does Saxenda stay in your system?

Saxenda stays in your system for around 3 days. This is a lot longer than natural GLP-1 (the hormone that Saxenda mimics), which doesn’t last very long in the body. This is why we often feel hungry again soon after eating.

How long does Saxenda take to work?

Saxenda starts working straight away and can help to reduce your appetite within a few days. You should start to see weight loss results within 2-3 weeks.

After 17 weeks of using Saxenda, you can expect to have lost at least 5% of your starting weight. If you have not, your doctor may want to look at other treatment options.

How effective is Saxenda?

Saxenda is a highly effective treatment for helping you lose weight. A 2015 study monitored weight loss in 3,731 people with a BMI of at least 30 (or 27 with weight-related health problems). The participants were monitored for fifty-six weeks while being treated with daily injections of Saxenda combined with counselling on diet and exercise:

three out of five participants achieved weight loss of 5% or more (an average weight loss of 12lbs)
one in three participants achieved weight loss of 10% or more (an average weight loss of 23lbs)
around 6% of participants achieved weight loss of 20% or more (an average weight loss of 47lbs)

Is Saxenda safe?

Saxenda is a generally safe medication, but it may not be suitable for everyone. Like all medications, Saxenda can cause side effects (listed below). Your doctor will decide if Saxenda is right for you.

How much weight can you lose on Saxenda?

You can expect to lose at least 5% of your starting weight after 17 weeks of treatment with Saxenda. How much weight you lose on Saxenda varies from person to person and depends on other factors like following a calorie-controlled diet and exercising regularly.

How to use Saxenda

Saxenda comes in the form of a pen injector and is injected just under the skin. Your healthcare provider will show you how to inject your medication correctly.

How do I inject Saxenda?

Check you have the right medication, especially if you use any similar injectable pens.
Your medication should be clear and colourless. If there is a change in colour or small bits in the liquid, do not use your medication and talk to your healthcare provider.
Attach a new needle to the pen by tearing off the paper seal, pushing it onto the pen, and turning until it is on tight. Always use a new needle for each injection.
Turn the dose selector until you have the correct dose.
Remove both caps. Insert the needle into the skin at a straight (90 degree) angle
Press the dose button and hold for 6 seconds.
Remove the needle and dispose of it in your sharps bin. (This will be provided by your Saxenda prescriber or health authority).

Where can I inject Saxenda?

You can inject Saxenda into your thigh, abdomen, or upper arm. You should inject it into a different place each day to prevent damage or bruising to the area.

How long does a Saxenda pen last?

When you first start taking Saxenda, your pen will last for 17 days, and a pack of 5 pens for 44 days. When you reach the final dose of 3mg per day, your pen will last for 6 days and a pack of 5 pens for 30 days. A pen will last longer if you develop any side effects and need to slow down the rate that you increase your Saxenda dose.

Saxenda Dosage

The starting dose for Saxenda is 0.6mg per day, gradually increasing by 0.6mg each week over a week over 5 weeks to the maximum dose of 3mg per day.

Saxenda pens come in packs of 5, and each pen contains 3mls of solution at a concentration of 6mg per ml.

The dose increases as follows:

Week	Dose (mg)
1	0.6
2	1.2
3	1.8
4	2.4
5	3

How to buy Saxenda

Saxenda is a prescription-only medication, meaning you can only buy it if it has been prescribed by a doctor.

Can you buy Saxenda online?

You can buy Saxenda online from Superdrug online doctor by following these simple steps:

Complete a short medical questionnaire
Our GMC registered doctors will review your questionnaire and prescribe a suitable treatment
You can collect your medication from any Superdrug store or arrange for it to be delivered free to your home

Can you buy Saxenda over the counter?

Saxenda is not available to buy over the counter without a prescription.

Can you get Saxenda for free on the NHS?

Saxenda is available for free on the NHS for people who meet the following criteria:

A BMI of at least 30, or between 27 and 30 if you have a weight-related health condition such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or sleep apnoea.
For people of South Asian, Chinese, Black African, and African-Caribbean origin, a BMI of 27.5 or above.
Pre-diabetes (non-diabetic high blood sugar)
A high risk of heart disease and stroke due to factors like high blood pressure or high cholesterol.

NHS weight management services can prescribe Saxenda in specialist centres. It is prescribed in combination with a calorie-controlled diet and exercise programme.

Saxenda Side Effects

Like all medications, Saxenda can cause side effects.

Very common side effects (may affect more than one in ten people) include:

nausea (feeling sick)
vomiting (being sick)
headache
diarrhoea
constipation

These side effects usually go away on their own after a few days or weeks. If you are worried about side effects, or if they are getting worse or not going away, talk to your healthcare provider.

Other common side effects (may affect up to one in ten people) include:

dizziness
changes to your taste or a dry mouth
low blood sugar
passing more wind or belching
indigestion
stomach pain or bloating
gallstones
tiredness
redness or inflammation at injection sites

Talk to your doctor if you have any of the following symptoms:

stomach pain
indigestion (heartburn)
feeling bloated
passing more gas (flatulence) or burping more than usual
dry mouth
feeling tired or having low energy
change in your sense of taste
feeling dizzy
difficulty sleeping
feeling shaky, sweaty, fast heartbeat, changes in vision, extreme hunger, nausea, weakness, or difficulty concentrating. These can be signs of low blood sugar and can come on very quickly. If you experience these symptoms, stop Saxenda, contact a doctor and follow your doctor's advice about treating low blood sugar.

Uncommon side effects (may affect up to 1 in 100 people) include:

pancreatitis
dehydration, usually due to vomiting or diarrhoea
delayed stomach emptying
inflammation of the gallbladder
allergic reactions such as skin rash
malaise (feeling generally unwell)
fast heartbeat

Rare side effects (may affect up to 1 in 1000 people) include:

reduced kidney function or acute kidney failure. Symptoms may include peeing less than usual, feeling sick, feeling drowsy, bruising easily, and a metallic taste in the mouth.

Rarely, severe inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis) can occur while using Saxenda. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:

severe pain in the upper part of your abdomen that may radiate to your back
nausea and vomiting
fever
fast heartbeat

Very rarely, a severe allergic reaction called anaphylaxis can occur. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:

raised red, itchy rash (hives)
severe dizziness
difficulty breathing
swelling of the face, lips, and tongue
collapse

Who can use Saxenda?

Saxenda may not be suitable for everyone. Always tell your doctor about any medical conditions, allergies, and other medications you are taking before using Saxenda. Saxenda is not safe for you to use if you:

have ever had an allergic reaction to Saxenda or any of its ingredients (disodium phosphate dihydrate, propylene glycol, phenol, hydrochloric acid, or sodium hydroxide)
are pregnant or breastfeeding

Saxenda has been shown to cause a type of thyroid tumour in rats and mice. Though there is no evidence that it causes the same in humans, this medication is not recommended for people with:

thyroid cancer
history of thyroid cancer

Tell your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms while using Saxenda:

Difficulty swallowing.
Growths or lumps in the neck.
Hoarseness or loss of voice.
Shortness of breath.

Saxenda may not be safe for you if you:

have heart failure
are over 75 years of age
are taking other medications to help you lose weight
are taking medications, or have an endocrine disorder that cause you to gain weight
have problems with your liver or kidneys
have inflammatory bowel disease
have diabetic gastroparesis (delayed stomach emptying due to diabetes)
have ever had inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis)
have gallbladder disease or gallstones
have ever had thyroid cancer
have palpitations (awareness of your heartbeat or a fast heartbeat)

Interactions with other medications

Saxenda may interact with some other medications, meaning it may change how your medications work or make some side effects worse. Always tell your doctor about any other medications you are taking including herbal supplements and over-the-counter medications. Saxenda may interact with the following medications:

Diabetes medications including insulin and oral sulfonylureas like glimepiride or glibenclamide.
Blood thinners such as warfarin.

Saxenda Alternatives

Alternatives to Saxenda are Ozempic and Mysimba. All these medications help with weight loss when used in combination with a calorie-controlled diet and regular exercise. They all work in slightly different ways, and which one is right for you will depend on your individual needs. Talk to your GP or healthcare provider about which medication is best for you.

Ozempic vs Saxenda

Ozempic (semaglutide) is a medication that was originally used to lower blood sugar in people with type two diabetes. It works by stimulating insulin production in the pancreas, reducing the amount of glucagon (a hormone that increases sugar levels in your blood) you make, and slowing the release of food from your stomach. This helps to reduce spikes in blood sugar and keeps you feeling full for longer after eating. Like Saxenda, Ozempic also mimics the hormone GLP-1 and makes you feel less hungry. The main benefit of Ozempic over Saxenda is that it lasts longer and only needs to be injected once a week. This medication may be better for you if you don’t want to inject it every day.

Mysimba vs Saxenda

Mysimba (naltrexone hydrochloride and bupropion hydrochloride) is a slow-release tablet that suppresses your appetite and makes you feel full for longer. The starting dose is one tablet in the morning, increasing over four weeks to two tablets twice a day. Mysimba may be a good choice for people who don’t want to take injections.

Victoza vs Saxenda

Unlike the medications discussed above, Victoza isn’t prescribed for weight loss but is used to help control blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes. Victoza contains the same active ingredient as Saxenda (liraglutide) but is given in smaller amounts.

Sources

Saxenda (2019) medicines.org [Accessed March 2022] Liraglutide Injection (2021) Medline Plus [Accessed March 2022] Healthy Weight loss Maintenance with Exercise, Liraglutide, or Both Combined (2021) PubMed [Accessed March 2022] Obesity Treatment (2019) NHS [Accessed March 2022] Saxenda Patient Information Leaflet (2021) medicines.org [Accessed March 2022]

How Saxenda Works (2021) saxenda.com [Accessed March 2022] Health Survey for England 2019 (2020) NHS Digital [Accessed March 2022 ] Liraglutide for weight management (2017) PubMed [Accessed March 2022] A Randomized, Controlled Trial of 3.0 mg of Liraglutide in Weight Management (2015) The New England Journal of Medicine [Accessed March 2022] Ozempic 1mg (2021) medicines.org [Accessed March 4th, 2022] Mysimba 8mg/90mg (2021) medicines.org [Accessed March 2022] Victoza 6mg/ml (2020) medicines.org [Accessed March 2022] Liraglutide for managing overweight and obesity (2020) NICE [Accessed May 2022]

About Online Doctor

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Reviewed by: Dr Clair Grainger in line with the Superdrug Online Editorial Process.

GMC no. 7041314

Dr Grainger studied at the University of Edinburgh and worked in hospitals before becoming a GP. She has an interest in respiratory, and sexual and reproductive health.

Last reviewed on: 18/05/22

3 pens	£149.99 (£49.99 per pen)
5 pens	£239.99 (£47.99 per pen)

Saxenda