,Saxenda

When you receive your Saxenda pen it will come with an official instruction pack to teach you how to use this treatment in detail. However, we’re also going to tell you what you’d need to do to take this medication so you can make an informed decision about your healthcare treatment.

You take Saxenda by using the pen it comes in to inject a dose once a day. You can inject your dose at any time of day, with or without food, so you can choose when you’ll get the most out of this treatment. To inject, you’ll need to follow these steps:

Step 1 – Check the solution in the pen is clear, do not use the pen if the solution is cloudy. Carefully open a new NovoTwist needle and insert it into the pen, turning it until you hear a click to lock it into place, then remove the needle cap and keep it for later, you can throw away the inner needle cap

Step 2 – If you’re using a new pen, check the flow by turning the dose selector until it shows the flow check symbol. Hold the pen with the needle pointing up and press and hold the dose button until the counter returns to 0. If the pen is working properly, you should see a drop of solution at the end of the needle, if not, try again up to 6 times. If the pen still isn’t working, use a new one
Step 3 – Turn the dose selector until the counter shows the dose you need (for example 0.6 for a 0.6mg dose)
Step 4 – Insert the needle into your skin, making sure that you can see the dose counter clearly. Press and hold down the dose button until the counter shows 0, then keep the needle in your skin and slowly count to 6 before removing the

needle
Step 5 – Use the outer needle cap to safely unscrew the needle from the pen and dispose of it carefully. Put the pen cap back on the pen to protect the solution from light between uses

Dosage
Your daily dose of Saxenda will increase over 5 weeks, with each dose injected once a day and no more. You should follow the dosage instructions given to you by your prescriber, but the usual amounts you will use will be as follows:

Week Daily Dose
Week 1 0.6>mg once a day
Week 2 1.2mg once a day
Week 3 1.8mg once a day
Week 4 2.4mg once a day
Week 5 3mg once a day
This is a typical titration plan however some patients may prefer to titrate slower.

 

Injection sites
The best places to inject Saxenda are the front of your waist, the front of your thighs, or your upper arm. You should not inject the solution into a vein or muscle, the treatment is designed to be injected under the skin and nowhere else. If you’re unsure where you should inject this product, ask your prescriber to show you in more detail.

 

Side effects
Like all medications, Saxenda injections can have side effects, although not everyone will experience them. Common side effects you may experience include:

Feeling sick, being sick, diarrhoea or constipation – these will usually go away within a few days or weeks
Stomach and intestinal problems, e.g. indigestion, inflammation of the stomach lining, stomach discomfort, upper stomach pain, heartburn, bloating, wind, belching, dry mouth
Feeling weak or tired
Changes to your sense of taste
Feeling dizzy
Difficulty sleeping, insomnia

Gallstones
Reactions in the area where you’ve injected the needle, e.g. bruising, irritation, itching, rash
Low blood sugar, causing symptoms such as a cold sweat, cool pale skin, headaches, fast heartbeat, feeling sick, feeling very hungry, changes in your vision, feeling sleepy, weakness, nervousness, feeling anxious, feeling confused, difficulty concentrating, shaking
Increase in pancreatic enzymes, e.g. lipase, amylase
For a full list of potential side effects of this product, please see the patient information leaflet included with your medication. If you experience these or any other side effects you should speak to your prescriber, doctor or pharmacist right away. For more information about reporting the side effects of medication, please see the MHRA’s Yellow Card Scheme.

 

Serious side effects
If you experience any of the following serious side effects while taking liraglutide you should seek immediate medical assistance:

Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, e.g. difficulty breathing or swallowing, swelling of the face, mouth, tongue, or throat, a fast heartbeat
Symptoms of pancreatitis, e.g. severe and persistent pain in the stomach which may reach your back, feeling or being sick