Saxenda | Weight Loss Injection

What are Saxenda Pens?

Saxenda is a daily injectable medicine designed for weight loss in people who are or obese (with a BMI that is over 30). They are also known as weight loss pens, weight loss injections and the skinny jab. You can check your BMI here:

Visit the BMI calculator tab to work out your BMI

If your BMI is above 27, but less than 30, then you can use these injections if you have the following weight related medical conditions:

• Type 2 diabetes (including pre-diabetes)
• High blood pressure (hypertension)
• High cholesterol
• Obstructive sleep apnoea

Who can use the “skinny jab”?

This medicine is licenced for people aged 18 years and above.

DO NOT use if you are allergic to liraglutide or any of the other ingredients of this medicine.

It is NOT recommended for people:

• Aged over 75 years
• With heart failure
• With severe stomach or gut problems (e.g. gastroparesis or inflammatory bowel disease)
• Who are pregnant or breastfeeding

How does weight loss injections work?

Saxenda is designed to supress your appetite. It contains the active ingredient liraglutide, which mimics the hormone glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). Liraglutide helps regulate blood sugar by decreasing the production of insulin opposing glucagon. This slows down the emptying of the stomach, meaning you feel fuller for longer.

Is Saxenda Effective?

The weight loss injections are shown to be very effective alongside a calorie controlled diet.

Trials carried out by the manufacturer showed that 6 in 10 people lost 5% or more of their bodyweight, and 1 in 3 people lost more than 10% of their bodyweight.

How to use these Injections

Saxenda is injected daily into the upper arm, abdomen, or the upper thigh. You can use it at any time of the day, and with or without food.  The starting dose is 0.6mg, which is gradually increased at 1 week intervals until you reach 3.0mg, usually around week 5.  Once you reach this dose, you can carry on using Saxenda until your treatment period ends.

Treatment should be discontinued after 12 weeks if you have not lost at least 5% of your bodyweight on the highest dose of 3.0mg.

For full instructions on how to use please see the Saxenda Patient Information Leaflet

How long does each pen last?

Video instructions on how to use Saxenda pen:

https://youtu.be/B1kldLAX2uk

If you are unsure on how to use the pen, or have any questions please contact a member of our team at Click2Pharmacy.

Saxenda Side Effects

Like all medicines this can have side effects too.

The most common side effects are:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Heartburn and indigestion
• Feeling week or tired
• Changes to sense of taste
• Difficulty sleeping (insomnia)
• Pain, swelling and/or bruising at the site of injection
• Low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia)

For detailed information on side effects please read the patient information leaflet at:

Saxenda Alternatives | Weight Loss Pills

This treatment may not be suitable for everyone. Xenical (Orlistat) is an oral capsule that prevents some of the dietary fat from being absorbed into the blood stream. When taken alongside a calorie controlled diet, you can achieve significant weight loss. Xenical is also available from Click2Pharmacy as both over the counter (60mg) and on prescription (120mg).

Saxenda Online | UK Pharmacy

Saxenda is available prescription only at Click2Pharmacy. You will be required to fill in a short online consultation form to check for suitability. Once this is approved by a qualified practitioner, a prescription will be issued and the medication will be dispatched the following the day.

Weight Loss NHS

Weight loss can be challenging at the best of the times. It is always best to try a calorie controlled diet and exercise before considering medical treatments. You can discuss weight loss with your GP or health care practitioner, who can help devise a weight loss plan for you. Alternatively, you can access NHS weight loss information online at:

https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-weight/start-the-nhs-weight-loss-plan/