Saxenda (Liraglutide) Weight Loss Injections - Currently Unavailable

It is a GLP-1 medication, where the active ingredient, liraglutide, is able to mimic the GLP-1 hormone found naturally in our bodies. When we eat, this hormone is released into the bloodstream, where it reduces our appetite and slows down how quickly the food leaves the stomach. This allows the feeling of being full to last longer and in turn, it reduces the need to eat as frequently. Liraglutide enhances glucose-dependent insulin secretion, slows gastric emptying, and acts on appetite centres to reduce energy intake.

By not wanting to eat as often and having smaller portions, your calorie intake reduces leading to weight loss.

While Saxenda is currently unavailable in many pharmacies due to ongoing supply shortages, it’s helpful to understand the typical Saxenda injection price for when it becomes available again.

Saxenda is a daily weight loss injection supplied in pre-filled pens. The lifespan of each pen depends on your daily dosage:

• At lower doses during the initial titration period, one pen can last up to 17 days.

• Once you reach the full maintenance dose of 3.0 mg per day, a single pen may last only around 6 days.

Based on this, the Saxenda 5 pens price, which often estimates the monthly cost of supply, can range from £245 to £300. This does depend on how many pens are needed and your prescribed dosage, which increases gradually during the first few weeks of treatment.

If you’d prefer a weight loss option that doesn’t involve needles, there are alternatives. While the effectiveness is lower, many don’t have the strict eligibility criteria such needing to have a comorbidity. This is where a health condition is made worse by having excess weight such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure or sleep apnoea.

The capsule options reduce the fat absorption in the intestines, with the current products available without prescription:

• Alli

• Orlos

• Formoline

Switching from Saxenda to another weight loss treatment

It is possible to switch from Saxenda to another GLP-1 medication such as Wegovy or Mounjaro but it does need to be done under medical supervision. Your doctor will do a consultation, where they can determine which alternative medication is better suited based on your medical history, weight loss goals and eligibility factors.

When comparing each weight loss injection, they have different efficacy rates based on the strength and what the active ingredient is. A study on the effectiveness for adolescents aged 12-17 taking Saxenda, found that 43% of patients had a 5% weight loss. This was over a 56 week period and this was compared to 19% of patients seeing similar results with a placebo.

For the adult clinical trials, those who used the Saxenda (daily injection) along with a calorie controlled diet and exercise achieved 8% weight loss during a 56 week period. 

This is a modest amount of weight loss compared to the other GLP-1 injectable medications that were used alongside a calorie controlled diet and  exercise plan. Wegovy trial patients were able to lose 17.4% of their body weight over 68 weeks and Mounjaro trial patients lost around 22.5% over a similar period. Both of these were weekly injections that patients may prefer over daily injections. 

While Saxenda remains an effective option for weight loss, for those who are starting injectable weight loss medication, the newer options may provide greater results, depending on individual health and goals.

Saxenda can be taken by adults, over the age of 18 who have:

• A BMI over 30 or

• A BMI over 27 with pre-existing weight related health conditions

What makes the Saxenda injection different to the other GLP-1 medications, is that children matching a certain criteria can take it. They include:

• Children aged between 12-17

• Weighing above 132lbs, 60kg or 9st 6lbs

• Who are not type 2 diabetic

Who isn't Saxenda suitable for?

Saxenda is unsuitable for:

• Those who have a family history of 

  • multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2) or

  • medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC).

• Women trying to become pregnant

• Pregnant women

• Breastfeeding mothers

• Kidney or liver issues

• Anyone who is allergic to any of the ingredients, including the active ingredient liraglutide

If you have any of the following conditions, you are advised to speak about during your consultation: 

• Thyroid issues

• Heart disease

• History of pancreatitis or gallbladder disease: discuss with prescriber (inflammation of the pancreas) 

• Not recommended in children under 12 years.

It doesn't mean you're automatically ineligible for the medication but you might need more support while taking Saxenda.

During your appointment with the doctor, they will go through how to inject your Saxenda dose. You can use this as an additional guide.

Preparing your Saxenda injection

1. Wash your hands with warm soapy water or with an alcohol wipe, as this is to prevent infection

2. Check Saxenda pen for the correct dosage and that it hasn't expired. The expiration date is printed near the barcode on the side of the pen. Expired medication is not safe to take and loses its effectiveness

3. Check the pen solution through the window, it needs to be clear and colourless. Contaminated solution can be cloudy or discoloured or even have particles inside. If your pen has this, do not use it and use a new pen

4. To attach a new needle, you need to remove the protective seal from a new needle. Attach it to the pen and twist it on tightly to stop it moving, coming off or leaking any medication.

5. Turn the dial selector to get to your scheduled Saxenda dose

6. Remove the outer cap and keep it one side, it is needed later. Remove the inner cap and discard. 

This now reveals the needle and you have set up the Saxenda pen, ready for injecting.

Injecting your Saxenda dose

7. Clean the injection site with warm, soapy water or with an alcohol swab, in a circular motion for 10 seconds. This ensures the area is thoroughly clean. If you used alcohol to disinfect the area, allow 30 seconds for the alcohol to dry and evaporate. This can reduce the sting you feel when injecting. 

8. Insert the needle into a fatty area, not the muscle. If you have thinner skin or less fatty tissue, pinch or fold the skin to ensure that the needle goes into a fatty area. Hold the pinched skin throughout the injection process

9. Press and hold the Saxenda injection button until the dose counter displays 0. Count an extra 6 seconds, while the needle is still injected to make sure the full dose has been administered 

10. Remove the needle in a straight line and apply pressure with a cotton ball if there is any blood

11. The outer cap you kept from earlier, put this back on the pen. This prevents any accidental pricks from the needle and makes disposal safer for everyone

12. Dispose of your needle and pens in the sharps box, ready for collection when full

As your Saxenda dose increases, it's common to experience some side effects while your body adjusts. Many patients report that these Saxenda side effects ease over time. If your symptoms last longer than expected or begin to affect your daily life, speak to your doctor for support and guidance.

Common Saxenda side effects include:

• Nausea

• Vomiting

• Diarrhoea

• Constipation.

• Feeling weak or tired

• Dizziness

• Insomnia

• Injection site reactions such as bruising, pain or a rash

To manage the side effects of taking a GLP-1 medication like Saxenda, patients found blander food and smaller portions were easier to manage. It helps to manage side effects on their own during the initial stages and the Saxenda dose increases.

Staying hydrated can alleviate many of the Saxenda side effects such as nauseas, vomiting and diarrhoea but these symptoms can lead to dehydration if left untreated. If you experience constipation, increasing your fluid intake can also support digestion and promote regular bowel movements.

Rare or serious Saxenda side effects include:

• Allergic reaction or anaphylaxis - If you experience this, stop taking the medication and contact emergency services for immediate help

• Depression or suicidal thoughts - If you experience this, please speak to your doctor immediately and stop taking the medication

• Pancreatitis - If you experience severe abdominal pain, with or without vomiting

• Thyroid tumours or cancer - If you experience swelling or a lump in your throat

• Gallbladder issues

• Kidney issues and failure

• Increased heart rate

This is not a complete list. Read the patient leaflet for full safety information and seek urgent care for severe symptoms.