Saxenda Prefilled Pen

Saxenda is a self-injected, pre-filled pen used once daily. It contains the active substance liraglutide and helps adults with excess weight who also have weight-related medical problems, or adults living with obesity, to lose weight and keep it off.

Saxenda should be used with a reduced-calorie meal plan and increased physical activity.

Saxenda is not a treatment for type 2 diabetes and should not be used with another GLP-1 receptor agonist.

Saxenda contains the active ingredient liraglutide.

GLP-1 is a hormone released by the body in response to food and acts as a natural regulator of appetite. Liraglutide works in the brain to reduce appetite and food intake. It also slows stomach emptying, helping you feel fuller for longer.

Saxenda should be used alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.

Treatment should only continue if you have lost at least 5% of your initial body weight after 12 weeks at the 3mg daily dose.

Read the patient information leaflet and instructions for use before using your pen.

Saxenda is injected once daily under the skin of your stomach, thigh or upper arm. Rotate the exact injection site each day and do not inject it into a vein or muscle.

Insert the needle into your skin as instructed. After pressing the dose button, leave the needle in place and count slowly to six to ensure the complete dose is delivered.

Use a new needle for every injection. Never share your Saxenda pen or needles with another person.

Saxenda is supplied as a pre-filled, multidose injection pen.

Your dose increases gradually during the first five weeks. When beginning treatment, one pen should last approximately 17 days. Once you reach the full 3mg daily dose, a pack of five pens should last approximately 30 days.

Treatment starts at a low dose that increases weekly until the recommended maintenance dose is reached:

1. Week 1: 0.6mg once daily
2. Week 2: 1.2mg once daily
3. Week 3: 1.8mg once daily
4. Week 4: 2.4mg once daily
5. Week 5 onwards: 3mg once daily

The gradual increase can help reduce gastrointestinal side effects. Only increase your dose as directed by your clinician.

Saxenda can be taken at any time of day, with or without food and drink. Choose a convenient time, such as breakfast or bedtime, and try to take it at approximately the same time each day.

If you remember within 12 hours of your usual dosing time, take the missed dose as soon as possible.

If more than 12 hours have passed, skip the dose and continue as normal the following day.

Do not take a double dose or increase your next dose to compensate for one you missed.

If you take more Saxenda than prescribed, contact your doctor or go to hospital. Take the medicine packaging with you.

Before first use, store Saxenda in a refrigerator between 2°C and 8°C. Do not freeze it and keep it away from the freezer compartment.

After starting a pen, you can keep it for one month below 30°C or in a refrigerator between 2°C and 8°C.

Keep the cap on when the pen is not in use to protect it from light. Do not use Saxenda if the solution is not clear and colourless or almost colourless.

Do not use Saxenda after the expiry date printed on the pen label and carton. The expiry date refers to the final day of that month.

Saxenda is delivered in temperature-controlled packaging. If it is delivered to a collection point, collect and refrigerate it as soon as possible.

Once stored outside the refrigerator, a pen must be kept below 30°C and used within one month.

The Saxenda pens are supplied with suitable needles and a yellow sharps bin for disposing of used needles.

Place every used needle directly into the sharps bin. Do not fill it beyond the marked line and never put needles or other sharps in household waste.

Your local council can advise how to arrange collection or disposal of a full sharps bin.

Like all medicines, Saxenda can cause side effects, although not everyone experiences them.

Very common side effects include:

1. Nausea
2. Vomiting
3. Diarrhoea
4. Constipation

These effects usually improve after several days or weeks.

Common side effects include:

1. Indigestion
2. Gastritis
3. Stomach discomfort or pain
4. Heartburn
5. Bloating, wind or belching
6. Dry mouth
7. Weakness or tiredness
8. Changes in taste
9. Dizziness
10. Difficulty sleeping
11. Gallstones
12. Injection-site reactions
13. Low blood sugar

Serious allergic reactions can occur rarely. Seek immediate medical help if you experience breathing problems, swelling of your face or throat, or a fast heartbeat.

Stop using Saxenda and contact a doctor immediately if you develop severe and persistent abdominal pain that may spread to your back, with or without nausea and vomiting. This could indicate pancreatitis.

Read the patient information leaflet for the complete list of side effects.

Nausea is common when beginning Saxenda and usually improves as your body adjusts.

Tips that may help:

1. Eating bland, lower-fat foods such as crackers, toast and rice
2. Choosing foods containing water, such as soup
3. Avoiding lying down immediately after eating
4. Getting some fresh air
5. Drinking sufficient fluids, particularly if you experience vomiting or diarrhoea

Contact your clinician if nausea is severe, persistent or prevents you from staying hydrated.

Saxenda may not be recommended or may require additional caution if you:

1. Are aged 75 or over
2. Have liver or kidney disease
3. Are allergic to liraglutide or another ingredient
4. Have gastroparesis or inflammatory bowel disease
5. Have thyroid disease
6. Take warfarin or another coumarin anticoagulant
7. Have severe heart failure
8. Have pancreatic disease
9. Are pregnant, planning a pregnancy or breastfeeding

Saxenda must not be used as a substitute for insulin or mixed with other injectable medicines.

Your clinician will assess your medical history and current medication before deciding whether Saxenda is suitable.

No. Saxenda is a prescription-only medicine and requires a confidential clinical consultation.

To request Saxenda from Molecule Pharmacy, you must complete an online consultation. A registered prescriber will review your answers to determine whether the medicine is safe and suitable for you.

If approved, a prescription will be issued and the pharmacy will dispense your treatment for delivery.

Read the complete Saxenda Patient Information Leaflet before starting treatment.

The contraindications section from the original page requires clinical review before republication. In particular, liver or kidney disease is not automatically an absolute contraindication in every patient; suitability depends on severity and individual clinical assessment.