In Australia, the duration a Saxenda pen lasts depends on your treatment phase and dosage:
Once you're past the 4-week dose-escalation period and have achieved the maintenance dose, a 3ml pre-filled injection pen lasts 6 days and a pack of five pens lasts 30 days.
When you start your treatment for weight loss with Saxenda, one pen should last around 17 days. But as you get to the maximum maintenance dose of 3.0 mg, the lifespan of one pen will shorten to 6 days. So, when you get to the maintenance phase of your treatment, you'll need 5 pens for 30 days.
You can use Saxenda® at any time of day, with or without food and drinks. It is preferable to use Saxenda® at about the same time each day, at a time that is most convenient for you. Only continue using Saxenda® if you have lost at least 5% of your initial body weight after 12 weeks on the 3.0 mg/day dose.
If the plunger is at the bottom, there is no medication left. If you try to dial another dose, you will feel resistance and not be able to turn to the dial. Each Saxenda pen contains 18 mg of medication, so if you are taking 3 mg per day for a 30-day supply you'll need a total of 5 pens.
Ozempic tends to result in more weight loss than Saxenda, and it's more cost-effective per pound lost. However, it's a once-weekly injection, while Saxenda requires daily dosing, which may affect user preference.
Generally, you should cut down on, or try to avoid the following foods when taking Saxenda:
Drink enough water to avoid dehydration
When starting Saxenda, it can cause nausea (feeling sick), vomiting (being sick) and diarrhoea (runny poo) that can last for a few days. This increases your risk of dehydration, which can cause serious kidney problems. Be sure to drink plenty of water or non-sugary beverages.
For most people, this occurs after 4-8 weeks. Clinical trials have shown that people who use Saxenda alongside a healthy lifestyle can lose, on average, 5% of their body weight in 8 weeks, 7% in 16 weeks, 8% in 24-36 weeks, and 9% in 56 weeks.
Liraglutide (Victoza, Saxenda) can interact with insulin, sulfonylureas, and glinides. It can also interact with oral medications and those that raise blood glucose (sugar) levels, such as prednisone and metoprolol. These interactions can usually be managed with dosage adjustments and blood sugar monitoring.
Common Reasons Saxenda Makes You Feel Hungry
Insufficient dose escalation is a frequent cause; Saxenda requires gradual titration from 0.6 mg daily up to the maintenance dose of 3.0 mg daily over five weeks. Patients who remain on lower doses may not achieve adequate GLP-1 receptor activation for appetite suppression.
There aren't any known interactions between Saxenda and alcohol. However, your doctor may advise you to avoid or limit alcohol consumption during Saxenda treatment. This is because drinking alcohol while taking the drug may worsen some of Saxenda's side effects.
Saxenda can make you tired until you get used to the medication. To limit any tiredness, try to get at least 8 hours of sleep, eat a healthy and balanced diet and keep active.
Saxenda is given as an injection under the skin (subcutaneous injection). The best places to inject are the front of your waist (abdomen), the front of your thighs or your upper arm. Change the place where you inject each day to reduce the risk of developing lumps. Do not inject into a vein or muscle.
Top-Rated Weight Loss Injections
Double dosing may cause severe gastrointestinal symptoms, dehydration, and increased hypoglycaemia risk when used with sulphonylureas or insulin. Seek urgent medical attention if you experience severe persistent abdominal pain after resuming Saxenda, as this may indicate pancreatitis.
What time should Saxenda® be dosed? Saxenda® can be taken at any time, independent of meals. It's best to be taken at the same time every day, at a time that's convenient and easy to remember.
Kelly Clarkson uses a prescription weight-loss medication, but specified it's not Ozempic, though she hasn't revealed the exact drug; it helps her body break down sugar, a necessity due to pre-diabetes, alongside healthy habits like a high-protein diet, increased walking, and a better lifestyle after moving to New York. Her doctor encouraged medication due to concerning blood work, leading her to start after a health scare prompted change, though she initially hesitated due to thyroid issues.
Does the NHS restrict weight loss injections based on age? No, NHS and NICE guidance do not specify an upper age limit, but treatment decisions must be clinically appropriate and individualised, considering whether weight loss will meaningfully improve health outcomes and quality of life.
The 3-3-3 rule for weight loss is a simple, habit-based method focusing on three key areas: 3 balanced meals a day, 3 bottles (or ~1.5L) of water by 3 PM, and 3 hours of physical activity per week, aiming for consistency over complex diets. It simplifies fat loss by establishing rhythm through consistent eating, adequate hydration to support metabolism, and regular movement, promoting sustainable health without intense calorie counting or restrictive rules, says Five Diamond Fitness and Wellness, Joon Medical Wellness & Aesthetics, and EatingWell.
Foods to avoid while on Saxenda® to reduce side effects
For weight loss, the best alcohol choices are low-calorie, low-sugar options like spirits (vodka, gin, whiskey) mixed with soda water/diet mixers, light beer, hard seltzers, or dry wines/champagne, focusing on minimal sugar and avoiding creamy, sugary cocktails which add significant calories. Pure spirits (vodka, tequila, gin, whiskey) have about 100 calories per 1.5 oz serving with zero carbs, making them great choices, especially when drunk neat or on the rocks.
Nausea is the most common side effect when first starting Saxenda®. If you (or your teen) experience nausea, speak with your respective health care providers about ways to manage it. They may suggest some of the following: Eat bland, low-fat foods, like crackers, toast, and rice.
On Saxenda, we recommend adding the following foods to your diet: High-quality protein sources: Fish, meat, eggs, tofu, tempeh, yoghurt, cheese, and seafood.
5 tips to reduce side effects on Saxenda
Here are some other things you can do to feel better: Eat regularly. Skipping meals can cause low blood sugar, which can worsen symptoms like nausea, says Abayev.