Saxenda Reviews: How Good Is Saxenda For Weight Loss?

Managing a complex health condition such as obesity can be challenging due to its many causes and the time and commitment required to lose weight. In the UK alone, it is estimated that 1 in 4 adults are living with obesity and have weight-related health conditions or are at a high risk of developing weight-related health conditions. 

The best option to treat obesity and excess weight is to change your lifestyle. However, when these efforts are not producing results, weight loss medications such as Saxenda (liraglutide) can be used in conjunction with lifestyle changes to lose and manage weight. 

In fact, due to Saxenda's popularity and effectiveness for off-label use, there is currently a global shortage of this injectable weight loss medication. 

In this article, we discuss what Saxenda is, and how it works and share real UK Saxenda weight loss reviews so that you can make an informed decision about the right weight loss medication for you. Keep in mind that everyone's weight loss journey looks different. If you are unsure about where to start or how to continue, talk to your pharmacist or doctor. 

Saxenda overview: what is it and how to use it?

Active ingredients

The active ingredient in Saxenda is liraglutide, which is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor. 

What does Saxenda treat?

Saxenda is used in conjunction with increased physical activity and diet to help manage weight in: 

• Adults who have obesity (BMI of 30 or more)
• Adults who are overweight (BMI between 27 and 30) and have weight-related health conditions such as high blood pressure (hypertension), diabetes, high cholesterol levels or obstructive sleep apnoea
• Adolescents 12 years and older with obesity and who weigh more than 60kg

It is not known if Saxenda is safe for use in 12-17-year-old children with type-2 diabetes or in children under the age of 12 years old. 

How does Saxenda work?

Saxenda is a prescription medication available as a pre-filled injectable pen. Its active ingredient is ligarglutide and it comes as a 3mg injection. 

Liraglutide belongs to a class of medications called a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist. It acts similarly to the naturally occurring hormone GLP-1 that is released from the intestines after a meal to help you control blood sugar levels and reduce the amount of glucagon in the body. This results in you feeling less hungry and helps control cravings. 

Ligarglutide also slows down how fast the stomach empties, leaving you feeling fuller for longer. 

Saxenda is intended to be used with physical activity and a reduced calorie-diet, as it is not a “magical weight loss pill” but rather a tool to help you reach your weight loss goals. 

How much Saxenda can be prescribed on the NHS?

Saxenda can only be prescribed on the NHS through a specialist weight management service. Normally, this medication will only be prescribed if you meet the following criteria: 

• Treatment options such as Orlistat have not worked 
• Diet and exercise have not worked 
• Weight loss surgery is not an option 
• You have pre-diabetes 
• You have a high risk of developing heart disease (cardiovascular disease)
• You have a BMI of 35 or higher, or you are of black African, South Asian, Chinese, or African-Caribbean origin with a BMI of 32.5 or higher

You need to be referred to the specialist weight management service by either your doctor or another clinician. 

Dosage and usage recommendations

Saxenda treatment always begins at a low dose, which slowly increases over the first five weeks of treatment. The dose is then maintained at 3mg unless otherwise directed by your doctor.

• Week 1 - Starting dose of 0.6mg once daily
• Week 2 - 1.2mg once daily
• Week 3 - 1.8mg once daily
• Week 4 - 2.4mg once daily
• Week 5+ - 3mg once daily

Once you reach the recommended dose of 3mg, keep using this dose until the end of your treatment period. Do not increase the dose past 3mg. Your doctor will tell you how much Saxenda you need to use weekly and asses your weight loss treatment on a regular basis.

Saxenda also comes in a prefilled injection pen given under the skin (subcutaneous injection). The best places to inject your medication are the front of your abdomen (waist), the upper arm or the front of your thighs. It is important not to inject Saxenda into any veins or muscles.

We recommend reading the Patient Information Leaflet for detailed instructions before using the pen for the first time.

If you inject more Saxenda than prescribed, immediately call your doctor or go to A&E.

Here’s what to do if you forget to take your dose of Saxenda:

• If you remember within 12 hours of your next dose, you can inject the missed dose
• If more than 12 hours have passed since your missed dose, skip it and inject your next dose the following day

It is important to not take a double dose or increase your dose to make up for the missed dose. Do not stop using Saxenda without talking to your pharmacist or doctor.

How long does it take for Saxenda to start working?

As Saxenda is taken in such low doses, it may take a few weeks before you notice any weight loss. Typically, weight loss with Saxenda takes several weeks.

When first starting Saxenda injections, the gradual dose increase is designed to help manage side effects such as nausea, which decrease over time as you get used to the medication. However, if you experience persistent nausea and uncomfortable side effects, talk to your pharmacist or doctor about nutrition and any alternative options to help manage symptoms.

During a 56-week study of 3,721 adult patients, 3 out of 5 adults taking 3mg of Saxenda experienced weight loss of 5% or more of their starting weight, or an average of 5.4kg (12 lbs). 1 out of 3 patients taking Saxenda experienced weight loss of 10% or more.

You will also have a 16-week check-up with your pharmacist or doctor where they will discuss if Saxenda is working for you.

How long does Saxenda last?

At the start of your treatment, a pre-filled Saxenda pen should last you around 17 days. Once you have reached the optimum daily dose of 3.0mg, the pen will last 6 days. Therefore, during the maintenance phase of your weight loss treatment, you will need 5 pens for 30 days. It is essential to keep your Saxenda pens in refrigerated storage as instructed.

Side effects and disadvantages

As with any medication, Saxenda can cause side effects; however, not everyone may experience them. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about the possible side effects of this medication.

The most common side effects of Saxenda include:

• Diarrhoea
• Injection site reaction
• Nausea
• Constipation
• Vomiting
• Headache
• Upset stomach
• Tiredness
• Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
• Dizziness
• Stomach pain
• Gallstones
• Difficulty sleeping (insomnia)
• Increase of pancreatic enzymes

Uncommon side effects of Saxenda include:

• Dehydration (loss of fluids)
• Faster pulse
• Inflamed gall bladder
• Generally feeling unwell
• Delay in stomach emptying
• Mild allergic reactions, including skin rash

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you experience persistent common side effects that do not stop.

Severe side effects of Saxenda include:

• Reduced kidney function or acute kidney failure
• Severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis)
• Pancreas inflammation (pancreatitis)
• Severe and persistent stomach pain (abdomen)
• Thyroid cancer and tumours

If you experience any severe side effects when taking Saxenda, seek emergency medical attention or call 999. Please read the Patient Information Leaflet (PIL) for a complete list of all reported side effects for Saxenda.

Interactions with other medications

Before taking Saxenda, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any of the following medications:

• Medications for diabetes, such as insulin or medicines called sulfonylurea, can result in low blood sugar. Your doctor may adjust the dose of your diabetes medication to reduce the risk of low blood sugar.
• Warfarin or any other medicines used to treat blood clots (anticoagulants). You may be required to undergo more frequent blood testing to check the clotting ability of your blood.

If you have taken any medications recently, tell your doctor or pharmacist.

How much does Saxenda cost in the UK?

You can buy Saxenda online from Cloud Pharmacy following an online consultation with one of pharmacists. Prices for a 3ml pre-filled injection pen start from £79.99.

Saxenda reviews: how effective is Saxenda according to real users?

Saxenda reviews for weight loss are positive, with reviewers commenting about the effectiveness of this medication when used with a healthy diet and exercise.

Saxenda reviews: common themes

Customers found that Saxenda is very effective in controlling hunger and they lost weight when using Saxenda with a healthy diet. Another common Saxenda reviews for weight loss theme is the price, with reviewers finding it expensive, especially during the maintenance phase. However, they found it worth the cost overall.

Saxenda reviews: advantages

Reviewers found that Saxenda is “an amazing support” to their diet and exercise in their weight loss journey. Saxenda reviews for weight loss report that the medication worked as per the instructions and they lost weight.

Saxenda reviews: side effects and disadvantages

While Saxenda is known to cause mild side effects such as nausea and headaches, many UK Saxenda pen reviews report no side effects or very few side effects. Where Saxenda reviews said side effects were present, they were manageable.

While many Saxenda real reviews reported how well it works, they found that the price is high, with one commenting that it is unaffordable for medium-to-long-term use.

Saxenda and alcohol reviews

It is advised to avoid drinking alcohol when taking Saxenda, as it can cause side effects such as dizziness, nausea and headaches.

Saxenda weight loss reviews: before and after

One reviewer reported that Saxenda helped them lose 9lbs by controlling their hunger during the night. Another reviewer reported they lost 7lbs in a week.

How effective is Saxenda according to clinical trials and studies?

In a 1-year study, the majority of patients (85%) treated with Saxenda lost an average of 5% of their starting weight. This study was a 56-week, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Saxenda. The study involved 3,731 patients meeting one of the following criteria:

• A BMI of 30 and over and without diabetes
• A BMI of 27 and over with at least one weight-related health condition

Conclusion: Where can you buy Saxenda?

As Saxenda reviews by patients show, Saxenda is an effective weight loss aid that comes in a pre-filled injection pen. It contains the active ingredient liraglutide, which reduces appetite, making you feel full for longer while helping you manage your cravings.

As with any weight loss medication, Saxenda has the best chance of being effective when used alongside lifestyle changes such as improved nutrition and increased exercise.

Cloud Pharmacy is a UK-registered online prescribing service that, after a short online assessment to determine eligibility, provides free online consultations with a pharmacist. From there, we determine if Saxenda is the most appropriate medication to support your weight loss journey. Your Saxenda is then dispensed discreetly with next-day delivery to your UK address.

Cloud Pharmacy also provides patients on their weight loss journey with advice and confidential follow-ups.

Click here to start the process of booking a consultation with Cloud Pharmacy.

FAQs

Does Saxenda stop working?

Take Saxenda exactly as prescribed by your doctor or pharmacist to give it the best chance of working as intended.

If you notice a significant increase in cravings or appetite while taking Saxenda, talk to your doctor or pharmacist, as this may mean Saxenda is not working for you.

Is it worth taking Saxenda?

This will vary from person to person, as everyone is different. According to clinical trials, Saxenda is an effective weight loss medication that can help you lose at least 5% of your weight in 8 weeks. Talk to your doctor or healthcare provider about side effects, risks and your personal weight loss journey to determine if this medication is the most suitable option for you.

Is Saxenda worth the risk?

There is a possible risk of thyroid cancer with Saxenda. Our suggestion is to mention any concerns with your doctor or pharmacist so they can help you make an informed decision based on your medical history.

How much weight can you lose in a month with Saxenda?

During the first month of using Saxenda, you may not notice significant weight loss. During clinical trials, patients saw at least 5% weight loss after 8 weeks. Remember, 3% weight loss is significant enough to reduce your risk of developing weight-related health conditions.

Do you gain weight back after stopping Saxenda?

There is a possibility you will regain weight after stopping Saxenda. Clinical studies found that 18% of people who lost weight and stopped taking Saxenda did regain some weight.

If you are concerned about regaining weight when you complete your Saxenda treatment plan, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about implementing good habits and discipline to give you the best chance of keeping the weight off.