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Saxenda is a once-daily injection that you administer to yourself to aid weight loss. It contains the active ingredient Liraglutide, which is very similar to a naturally occurring hormone in your body called GLP-1. It works by making you feel less hungry, slowing down the emptying of your stomach and making you feel 'fuller' for longer.

Saxenda (liraglutide 6mg/ml) is a self-injectable weight loss treatment. It contains the active ingredient liraglutide which is very similar to a naturally occurring hormone in your body called GLP-1.

After a meal GLP-1 is naturally released from your intestines to help regulate your blood sugar levels and reduce the amount of glucagon in your body. Glucagon is a naturally occurring hormone which works by inhibiting the action of insulin. As a result, it makes you feel less hungry, slows down the emptying of your stomach and makes you feel 'fuller' for longer.

The clinical trials reported clinically significant weight loss and for that reason Saxenda (liraglutide 3.0mg) is now licensed for weight loss. How much weight you lose will and the rate at which you lose it when you take Saxenda depends on a number of factors including your own personal circumstances and how your body responds to Liraglutide, the GLP-1 hormone.

It is important to note that Saxenda skinny jab works for weight loss when it’s used correctly. However, this doesn’t mean that you’ll lose weight if you take liraglutide injections but don’t make any other lifestyle changes. Saxenda is licensed for weight loss in conjunction with a low-calorie diet and exercise, so its optimal efficacy is when they are followed correctly. It is important to follow the dose escalation guidelines which we send to you after you place your order, and which is also found on the patient information leaflet.

Although the majority of patients lose a significant amount of weight, some have shown to be completely unresponsive to liraglutide and do not lose any weight. If you have not lost at least 5% of your body weight after 12 weeks of reaching the 3.0mg dose (which is usually 17 weeks of starting on Saxenda) then Saxenda is not the right weight loss medication for you and you should consider other weight loss strategies, which we can help you with.

As with all medication, Saxenda can be associated with unwanted side effects. Although usually mild, some can be more severe, which may result in your treatment being stopped. You should always read the patient information leaflet fully before you begin treatment.

When you first start your treatment, you may experience some stomach upset, such as vomiting or diarrhoea, and may also lose some bodily fluids. Therefore, it is important to drink plenty of fluids to keep yourself hydrated. Most mild side effects will settle once your body gets used to the new medication. However, if any side effect persists, stop the treatment and talk to a doctor.

Sometimes side effects of Saxenda can be very serious, such as severe allergic reactions. If you get any symptoms, such as problems breathing, swelling of your face or throat, or a fast heartbeat, you must get medical help immediately.

Rarely there have been cases reported of inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis). Pancreatitis is a serious, potentially life-threatening, medical condition. If you experience any of the following side effects stop taking Saxenda immediately and get medical help: severe and persistent pain in the abdomen (stomach area) which might reach through to your back with nausea or vomiting.

Side effects can include, but are not limited to:

Very common side effects (may affect more than 1 user in 10 users)

Nausea vomiting (settles after your body adjusts to treatment)

Diarrhoea or constipation (settles after your body adjusts to treatment)

Common side effects (may affect up to 1 to 10 users)

Low blood sugar. 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

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

Difficulty sleeping (insomnia). This usually occurs in the first 3 months of treatment

Local reactions around the injection site, such as bruising, pain, irritation, itching and rash

Feeling weak or tired

Changed sense of taste

Dizziness

Gallstones

Increase of pancreatic enzymes, such as lipase amylase

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

Dehydration – more likely to occur at the start of treatment and may be due to being sick, having diarrhoea or nausea making you drink & eat less

Thyroid reactions such as goitres or nodules

Pancreatitis

Allergic reactions such as skin rash

Generally feeling unwell

Faster pulse rate

Delay in the emptying of the stomach

Inflamed gall bladder

Rare side effects (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 & easily bruising