Saxenda has two different storage guidelines depending on whether the pen is unopened or opened (in-use):
After first use, store in a refrigerator or at room temperature between 59 °F and 86 °F (15 °C to 30 °C). Pens in use should be thrown away after 30 days even if they still have Saxenda® left in them. Don't freeze Saxenda®. Saxenda® that has been frozen must not be used.
If Saxenda® was exposed to non-refrigerated temperatures (any temperature above 46 °F), the product must be used or discarded within 30 days. Saxenda® should be inspected for changes such as precipitation, or change in color or clarity that may indicate a loss in potency.
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.
Using expired Saxenda is not recommended under any circumstances. The primary concern with using expired medicine is the potential loss of potency. Over time, the active ingredient liraglutide may degrade, meaning the medicine may not work as effectively to suppress appetite or support weight loss.
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.
Saxenda can be injected any time of day without regard to meals. However, taking it at the same time daily provides consistency. Morning injections may cause fewer gastrointestinal issues.
Saxenda may cause your heart rate to increase. Call your healthcare provider right away if you feel like your heart is pounding or racing when you are not exerting yourself. Liver Damage. Liver damage, also called hepatotoxicity, can happen when taking Saxenda.
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.
Discard Saxenda® after 1 month even if there is still some medicine left in it. Do not use Saxenda® after the expiry date printed on the pen label and carton. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month. Do not use Saxenda® if the solution is not clear and colourless.
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.
Generally, you should cut down on, or try to avoid the following foods when taking Saxenda:
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
Hair shedding can also occur with Saxenda® during rapid weight loss, but this is generally temporary and reversible once eating stabilises. Will hair loss from weight loss injections grow back? Yes — in most cases, hair returns to normal thickness within a few months as the diet stabilises and energy intake improves.
Early signs your liver is struggling often include persistent fatigue, unexplained weight loss, loss of appetite, nausea, abdominal pain/bloating (especially upper right), and itchy skin, with changes in urine/stool color and easy bruising also being key indicators, though sometimes symptoms are absent in early stages. Pay attention to changes like dark urine, pale stools, or jaundice (yellow skin/eyes), as these signal the liver isn't filtering toxins or processing bilirubin properly.
In addition to the planned discontinuation, a shortage of Saxenda® is anticipated in Canada starting as early as October 2025 or sooner.
Additionally, some of the gastrointestinal side effects associated with Saxenda, such as nausea or abdominal discomfort, could potentially disrupt sleep if they occur during the night.
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.
GPs are reminded the GLP-1 receptor agonist Saxenda will no longer be available in Australia by year end. Saxenda will be unavailable for purchase in Australia after December 2025, and GPs are being advised to discuss alternative treatments with patients.
1. Semaglutide (Wegovy®)
Serious side effects of Saxenda® are rare. There have been some reports of severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis). If you experience breathing difficulties or swelling of the face and throat call 999 or visit A&E immediately. Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis) is also a rare but serious side effect.