Saxenda® Injectable Pen

Liraglutide, the active ingredient in Saxenda, is a GLP-1 receptor agonist that mimics the action of the naturally occurring GLP-1 hormone that is released after eating. By activating GLP-1 receptors in the brain, it signals feelings of fullness and helps reduce hunger levels.

Liraglutide also slows gastric emptying, delaying the movement of food from the stomach to help you feel fuller for longer after eating.

Both of these effects of Saxenda can help you feel full while eating less, making it easier to maintain a calorie deficit to lose weight.

Saxenda is more effective when taken alongside a calorie-controlled diet and regular physical activity.

Saxenda is a clinically proven and effective treatment for weight loss.

Clinical trials show that patients taking the maximum 3mg dose of Saxenda lost up to 9.2% of their starting weight after 56 weeks.^[1]

Many patients also achieved significant improvements in blood pressure and cholesterol levels.^[2]

Results can vary and depend on diet, level of physical activity and consistency with treatment.

Saxenda should be taken alongside a balanced, calorie-controlled diet and regular exercise for the best results.

In contrast, Mounjaro, an alternative weight loss injection that contains tirzepatide, is clinically proven to help lose up to 22.5% of your body weight.

You may notice a reduction in appetite within the first few days of starting Saxenda.

In clinical trials, some patients lost around 3.5% of their body weight during the first month of treatment.^[1]

However, significant weight loss is typically noticed after three to four months of consistent treatment.

Clinical trials show you could lose up to 9.2% of your starting body weight after 56 weeks.^[1]

Your own results may vary depending on:

• how well you tolerate the medication
• your diet and calorie intake
• your level of physical activity
• your consistency with treatment

If you stop taking Saxenda, its appetite-suppressing effects will gradually wear off. You may feel hungrier, making it easier to overeat and regain weight.

In a clinical trial, patients who switched to a placebo after week 20 regained 6.9% of their body weight.^[2] Another trial found that patients regained 67% of the weight they lost after stopping treatment.^[3]

You should not stop taking Saxenda without consulting a healthcare professional. Stopping treatment suddenly can cause digestive issues such as nausea or diarrhoea.

Consult with our clinical team or a healthcare professional before making any changes to your treatment.

Saxenda is licensed by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) in the UK.

This means they have approved Saxenda as a safe and effective treatment for weight loss.

Like all medications, Saxenda can cause side effects in some patients. These are usually mild and improve over time as you adjust to the medication.

Saxenda is taken as an injection using a pre-filled pen. It should be injected once a day, every day.

To avoid skin irritation, you should rotate (change) where you inject each time.

If you choose to use the same injection site every time, you should leave a finger’s width (around 2cm) from the previous spot you injected.

Refer to the patient information leaflet for further instructions.

Saxenda should be injected subcutaneously (under the skin) into the:

• abdomen (stomach)
• thighs
• upper arms

You may need someone to help if you decide to inject into the upper arms, as they can be difficult to reach on your own.

You can choose to inject at any time of the day that suits you best. You can take Saxenda with or without food or drink.

However, you should inject Saxenda around the same time each day to keep a steady level of medication in your body.

Saxenda treatment begins with a 0.6mg daily dose for the first week.

If the medication is well tolerated, the dose is increased by 0.6mg each week until you reach the full 3.0mg daily maintenance dose.

This schedule helps your body adjust to the medication and reduces the risk of side effects.

No. Saxenda and Wegovy contain distinct active ingredients and are taken on different schedules.

Saxenda contains liraglutide and is injected daily. Wegovy contains semaglutide and is injected weekly.

Both treatments work by reducing appetite and slowing stomach emptying.

Wegovy was shown to be more effective than Saxenda in clinical trials. Wegovy patients lost 15.8% of their body weight on average, compared to 6.4% while taking Saxenda.^[3]

If you are considering Saxenda for weight loss, Pharmica prescribes more effective treatments such as Wegovy.

Complete our free online consultation to find out which treatment is most suitable for you.

No. Saxenda and Ozempic contain different active ingredients.

Saxenda contains liraglutide, while Ozempic contains semaglutide.

Saxenda is also licensed in the UK specifically for weight loss. Ozempic is licensed to treat type 2 diabetes, but not weight loss.

No. Saxenda and Mounjaro are different medications.

Saxenda contains liraglutide, which mimics the GLP-1 hormone only. Mounjaro contains tirzepatide and has a dual action, meaning it mimics both GLP-1 and GIP hormones.

This dual action could be why patients lost more weight while taking Mounjaro in clinical trials.

Currently, Mounjaro is the most effective weight loss injection licensed in the UK. Patients lost up to 22.5% of their body weight in clinical trials^[4], compared to 6.4% with Saxenda.

Like all medications, Saxenda can cause side effects for some people.

Very common (may affect more than 1 in 10 people) side effects of Saxenda include:

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

Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people) side effects of Saxenda include:

• dyspepsia (indigestion)
• gastritis (inflammation in the lining of the stomach)
• stomach pain or discomfort
• heartburn
• feeling bloated
• flatulence (wind)
• belching
• dry mouth
• feeling weak or tired
• changed sense of taste
• dizziness
• insomnia (difficulty sleeping)
• gallstones
• injection site reactions, such as bruising, pain, irritation, itching, and rash
• hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar)
• increase in pancreatic enzymes, such as lipase and amylase

Most side effects are mild and temporary, improving as your body adjusts to the medication.

You should seek immediate medical attention if you experience:

• breathing problems
• swelling of the face and throat
• fast heartbeat

These could be signs of a severe allergic reaction.

Refer to the patient information leaflet for a full list of Saxenda’s potential side effects. If you are concerned about any symptoms, contact our clinical team for advice.

The length of time a Saxenda pen lasts depends on the dose you’re on.

Each pen should last around 17 days when you’re on the starting 0.6mg dose. Once you reach the maximum 3mg dose, each pen should last around 6 days.

You’ll typically need five Saxenda pens each month when you’re on the maximum dose.

If you’re not losing weight, you might be eating too many calories.

Saxenda helps reduce your appetite, but you won’t lose weight unless you’re in a calorie deficit. This means eating and drinking fewer calories than your body uses.

To help you maintain a calorie deficit, you should:

• eat high-fibre foods such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains to stay fuller for longer
• include lean protein in your diet to help preserve muscle mass, which keeps your metabolism high
• increase your physical activity, so your body burns more calories

Yes, but only under the direction of a healthcare professional. If you are considering switching to Wegovy, our clinical team will make sure it is safe and appropriate for you.

When you switch, you will be prescribed Wegovy at the starting 0.25mg dose, even if you were on a higher dose of Saxenda.

This helps reduce the risk of side effects and lets your body adjust to the new medication.

It is recommended to wait at least two weeks after your last Saxenda dose before starting Wegovy. This ‘washout period’ allows enough time for Saxenda to clear out of your body.

The two medications could interact and cause unwanted effects if you start taking Wegovy too soon.

Thinking about switching from Saxenda to Wegovy? Get started with our free online consultation.

Saxenda and Orlistat contain different active ingredients and work in distinct ways.

Orlistat is a weight loss capsule that reduces the amount of fat you absorb from food. It works by blocking the enzymes in your gut that break down fat.

Orlistat prevents up to 30% of dietary fat from being absorbed. It’s taken orally, up to three times a day with meals.

In contrast, Saxenda is an injectable treatment. It comes in a pre-filled pen that you inject every day.

Saxenda reduces your appetite and keeps food in your stomach for longer. It works by mimicking the GLP-1 hormone, which signals your brain to increase feelings of fullness and slow digestion.

Clinical trials show that injectable weight loss treatments typically produce greater weight loss results than oral capsules such as Orlistat.

However, the best choice for you depends on your eligibility, medical history, and personal preference.

No. Saxenda should not be used during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. There is not enough clinical evidence to suggest that Saxenda is safe for pregnant women and their babies.

If you become pregnant while taking Saxenda, you should stop treatment immediately and speak to a healthcare professional as soon as possible.

Saxenda is only available with a prescription from a licensed UK pharmacy. It can sometimes be prescribed on the NHS, but you must meet strict eligibility criteria.

If you are considering Saxenda for weight loss, Pharmica offers clinically proven alternatives such as Wegovy and Mounjaro.

Complete our free online consultation to find out which treatment is most suitable for you.

1. A Randomized, Controlled Trial of 3.0 mg of Liraglutide in Weight Management, The New England Journal of Medicine, 2015. [Accessed 26th September 2025]
2. Saxenda® Secondary Efficacy End Points, novoMEDLINK, 2023. [Accessed 26/09/2025]
3. Effect of Weekly Subcutaneous Semaglutide vs Daily Liraglutide on Body Weight in Adults With Overweight or Obesity Without Diabetes, JAMA Network, 2022. [Accessed 26/09/2025]
4. Tirzepatide Once Weekly for the Treatment of ObesityThe New England Journal of Medicine, 2022. [Accessed 26/09/2025]