Saxenda Side Effects

As with all medications, Saxenda can also cause side effects. The dosage is therefore built up slowly, so that you have the least chance of side effects. The most common side effects of Saxenda are: headache, nausea, diarrhea, constipation and vomiting. These side effects usually disappear after a few days or weeks.

If you have any questions about side effects or if you experience (too many) side effects, contact your doctor, pharmacist or coach. You can also report side effects directly via the Netherlands Side Effects Centre Lareb, website www.lareb.nl. By reporting side effects you can help us obtain more information on the safety of this medicine. A full list of side effects can be found in the package leaflet.

Saxenda dosage

Dosage schedule for use with adults
The dosage of Saxenda is 0.6 mg, 1.2 mg, 1.8 mg, 2.4 mg or 3 mg. The dosage schedule for use in adults is shown below.

You slowly increase the dosage over 5 weeks from 0.6 mg to the maximum dosage of 3.0 mg.

Week 1 – 0.6 mg – once daily
Week 2 – 1.2 mg – once daily
Week 3 – 1.8 mg – once daily
Week 4 – 2.4 mg – once daily
Week 5 – 3.0 mg – once daily (maintenance dose)

3.0 mg per day is the maximum permitted dose. Always use this medicine exactly as your doctor has told you.

The dosage schedule is designed to minimize the chance of side effects when starting Saxenda. Because you increase the dosage slowly, your body can adjust to the medication and you have less chance of developing side effects. If you suffer from side effects, your doctor can adjust the dosage schedule in consultation with you.

Storage advice

Before use:
Store Saxenda in the refrigerator at a temperature of 2°C to 8°C before first use. Do not store in the freezer or near the freezer compartment. Saxenda loses its effectiveness when frozen.

During use:
After first use, Saxenda can be stored for one month below 30°C or in a refrigerator (2°C – 8°C). Keep the cap on the pen in order to protect from light.

Do not use this medicine after the expiry date.
This can be found on the label of the pen and on the carton after EXP. There is a month and a year. The last day of that month is the expiry date.

Did you forget to take Saxenda?
If you forget a dose and remember within 12 hours of when you usually take it, inject your medicine as soon as you remember. However, if it is more than 12 hours since you should have taken Saxenda, skip the missed dose and inject your next dose at the usual time the following day. Do not take a double dose the following day to make up for a forgotten dose. Also, do not increase your dose the following day to make up for a forgotten dose.

Needles for your Saxenda pen
The pen is designed to be used with NovoFine® disposable needles between 4 and 8 mm long and 3032G gauge. A new needle should be used for each injection. The pen and needles should never be shared with others.

Are you going on a trip?
Are you going on a trip soon? Then good preparation is essential. In addition to the normal storage conditions, sometimes extra measures need to be taken on holiday to protect Saxenda from freezing or to prevent Saxenda from exceeding 30°C, for example:
store in a cool box/cool bag.

In addition, the following should be noted: you should not take Saxenda:

• place in direct sunlight.
• store in a car parked in the sun.
• Place directly against the cooling element in a cool box or cool bag to prevent freezing.
• store in a car that is exposed to freezing temperatures (for example on a winter sports holiday).
• take with you in the hold of an aircraft due to freezing.

Programs and prices

• The medication will be delivered to your home cooled.
• Before each program an intake will take place. During our intake our doctor will look at your medication use, health and habits.
• After this, additional research will be conducted using blood tests.
• Once the blood test is known, certain supplements will be prescribed and the entire process will be carefully discussed with you.
• You will return for a check-up once a month to discuss your progress.
• You can choose to only lose weight, but also to pay attention to your contour and skin.
• The Lose Weight Only program is mainly used when someone only wants to lose weight, focusing on progress, health, habits and of course nutrition.

Curve and shape

• We not only look at your excess weight and health, but we also help you during your weight loss race with the contouring and firming of your body and skin to achieve the best version of yourself.
• You will be coached, treated and monitored, and side effects and blood tests will be monitored.
• This is a tailor-made program, so the costs can vary per person. Because everyone has different wishes and needs different treatments.