FAQ

Saxenda (liraglutide) injection 3 mg is an injectable prescription medicine that may help some adults with excess weight (BMI ≥25) who also have weight-related medical problems or obesity (BMI ≥30) lose weight and keep the weight off. Saxenda should be used with a reduced-calorie meal plan and increased physical activity.

• Saxenda is not for the treatment of type 2 diabetes
• Saxenda and Victoza® (used in type 2 diabetes) have the same active ingredient, liraglutide, and should not be used together
• Saxenda should not be used with other GLP-1 receptor agonist medicines
• It is not known if Saxenda is safe and effective when taken with other prescription, over-the-counter, or herbal weight-loss products
• It is not known if Saxenda® changes your risk of heart problems or stroke or of death due to heart problems or stroke
• It is not known if Saxenda can be used safely in people who have had pancreatitis
• It is not known if Saxenda is safe and effective in children under 18 years of age. Saxenda is not recommended for use in children

Reducing your waistline isn’t the only impact of weight loss. Taking off weight and keeping it off may help improve conditions such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels. Annlynnsolutions will discuss this with you and advise on lifestyle changes

Saxenda is not indicated for the treatment of high blood pressure or high cholesterol. It is not known if Saxenda changes your risk of heart problems or stroke or of death due to heart problems or stroke

Chronic diseases like obesity usually require long-term treatment. Your Annlynnsolutions will create a plan tailored to your weight-management goals. You’ll need to have regular contact with Annlynnsolutions. We will speak with you after one week then we will review you monthly to track your progress. We will renew your prescription regularly depending on your needs, however, if Saxenda is not working for you we will advise you and will no longer be able to prescribe the medications.

To work out your body mass index (BMI) your need your height and weight and use our calculator. This determines if you are able to use the medication

Saxenda is a once-daily, self-injectable medicine that comes in a prefilled pen. It is injected just under the skin. Your nurse will teach you how to inject Saxenda before you use it for the first time. You will be given clear written Instructions for Use and a contact number should you be having problems. We will always be here to help you. Never share your Saxenda pen or needles with another person. You may give an infection to them, or get an infection from them

Inject your dose just under the skin (this is called a subcutaneous injection) in your stomach area (abdomen), upper leg (thigh), or upper arm as instructed by Annlynnsolutions. The needles are very small so you will not be injecting into a vein or muscle.

The starting dosage is 0.6 mg per day for 1 week. Annlynnsolutions will advise you if and when your dose needs to be increased. The maximum daily dose you can reach in one day is 3mg’s – however you should slowly increase the dose as advised by the nurses. The dosing schedule is designed to help minimize gastrointestinal side effects. It is possible to achieve your weight loss goals at a lower dose and you may also be maintained on that dose and not necessarily move up the ladder. Below shows how a schedule can be escalated – your schedule will fit with your needs

Saxenda can be taken at any time, independent of meals. Once on Saxenda, it is good practice to take it at the same time daily as it will help you to remember and it will be more convenient for you.

After your injection is complete, carefully remove the needle from the pen. To avoid needlesticks, do not put the needle cap back on the needle. Immediately place the needle in a sharp’s container provided on your private prescription. Put the pen cap back on your pen after each use to protect Saxenda from light. NEVER throw used needles in household rubbish or recycling bins

Store new, unused Saxenda pens in the refrigerator between 2°C to 8°C. After first use, you can store at room temperature between 15°C to 30°C. Pens in use should be emptied and disposed of after 30 days even if they still have Saxenda left in them. DO NOT ALLOW SAXENDA as it cannot be used after thawing. Always ensure the pen is stored with the lid on

Annlynnsolutions will prescribe the smallest needles for you which are 4mm. They should only be used once and disposed of using correct procedure. DO NO REUSE NEEDLES

This will depend on what dose you are on – see table below  

0.6 mgs	4 weeks
1.2 mgs	2 weeks
1.8 mgs	9 days
2.4 mgs	7 days
3mgs	6 days

Nausea is the most common side effect when first starting Saxenda, this should decrease over time in most people as their body gets used to the medicine. If you do experience nausea, here are some things that may help:

• Eat bland, low-fat foods, like crackers, toast, and rice
• Eat foods that contain water, like soups and gelatin
• Don’t lie down after you eat
• Reduce your portion size
• Reduce fat intake as much as possible

Annlynnsolutions work with you to try and minimise any side effects that is why the dosing schedule is individual and designed to reduce the likelihood of gastrointestinal symptoms. Annlynnsolutions will be in regular contact with you to ensure your comfort. You will have already filled in the extensive Health Form and the nurses will be able to discuss any potential interactions that may occur from medication you are already taking if it has been prescribed by your GP. Please inform Annlynnsolutions should your medication change whilst on the treatment regime. Common side effects of Saxenda include nausea, diarrhoea, constipation, headache, vomiting, low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), decreased appetite, upset stomach, tiredness, dizziness, stomach pain, and changes in enzyme (lipase) levels in your blood. Nausea is most common when first starting Saxenda but decreases over time in most people as their body gets used to the medicine. Tell Annlynnsolutions if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away

Saxenda will not work alone you will need to work with it. Annlynnsolutions will provide dietary support by using The Carbs and Cals method used in diabetes to support your dietary changes. Depending on your local area there may be activities and facilities that you can access free of charge to complement your action plan. Annlynnsolutions can also recommend you to other private professionals such as a Cognitive Behavoural Therapist or Dietician at your request.

Saxenda has not been evaluated in combination with other prescription weight-loss medicines or weight-loss supplements. Saxenda has the potential to change how other medicines are absorbed. Use caution when taking Saxenda with oral medicines (these were asked for on your Health Form before you were prescribed this medication to ensure safety). Tell Annlynnsolutions about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Your Saxenda can stay out of the fridge for up to 30 days – you must take your medication and needles through customers with you do not pack it into your suitcase. It is advised to take this in a separate bag. Annlynnsolutions will give you a letter regarding travel with this type of letter for a small charge to allow a smooth process when going through customs

Serious side effects may happen in people who take Saxenda, including: Possible thyroid tumors, including cancer. Tell Annlynnsolutions if you get a lump or swelling in your neck, hoarseness, trouble swallowing, or shortness of breath. These may be symptoms of thyroid cancer. In studies with rats and mice, Saxenda and medicines that work like Saxenda caused thyroid tumors, including thyroid cancer. It is not known if Saxenda will cause thyroid tumors or a type of thyroid cancer called medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) in people. Do not use Saxenda if you or any of your family have ever had MTC, or if you have an endocrine system condition called Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2).

• you or any of your family have a history of MTC
• you have MEN 2. This is a disease where people have tumors in more than one gland in their body
• you are allergic to liraglutide or any of the ingredients in Saxenda®. Symptoms of a serious

allergic reaction may include: swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat, fainting or feeling dizzy, very rapid heartbeat, problems breathing or swallowing, and severe rash or itching Talk with Annlynnsolutions if you are not sure if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. Saxenda may harm your unborn baby

• possible thyroid tumors, including cancer
• inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis). Stop using Saxenda and call your GP right away if you have severe pain in your stomach area (abdomen) that will not go away, with or without vomiting. You may feel the pain from your abdomen to your back
• gallbladder problems. Saxenda may cause gallbladder problems, including gallstones. Some gallbladder problems need surgery. Call your GP if you have any of the following symptoms: pain in your upper stomach (abdomen), fever, yellowing of your skin or eyes (jaundice), and clay-coloured stools
• increased heart rate. Saxenda can increase your heart rate while you are at rest. Annlynnsolutions may check your heart rate while you take Saxenda. Tell your GPif you feel your heart racing or pounding in your chest and it lasts for several minutes when taking Saxenda
• kidney problems (kidney failure). Saxenda may cause nausea, vomiting, or diarrhoea leading to loss of fluids (dehydration). Dehydration may cause kidney failure, which can lead to the need for dialysis. This can happen in people who have never had kidney problems before. Drinking plenty of fluids may reduce your chance of dehydration. Call your GP if you have nausea, vomiting, or diarrhoea that does not go away, or if you cannot drink liquids by mouth
• serious allergic reactions. Serious allergic reactions can happen with Saxenda.
• depression or thoughts of suicide. You should pay attention to any mental changes, especially sudden changes, in your mood, behaviours, thoughts, or feelings. Call your GP right away if you have any mental changes that are new, worse, or worry you