Can Saxenda Cause Blood Clots?
Blood clots can be incredibly serious, so it’s no surprise that you want to make sure that you’re not putting yourself at risk of one.
Some people that start thinking about taking Saxenda often want to know if it can cause blood clots.
The good news is that there really isn’t any evidence to say that it can.
In fact, there’s only one mention of blood clots in the patient information leaflet for Saxenda and this is in relation to anticoagulant medicines (blood thinners).
That’s because people that are taking anticoagulants will need to speak to their doctor before they take Saxenda.
However, this isn’t anything out of the ordinary.
Blood-thinning treatments can interact with a LOT of other medicines.
It’s always wise to be cautious with a new medicine and look out for any new symptoms, especially if you’re prone to blood clots.
However, the vast majority of people who take Saxenda don’t experience any issues with blood clots.
Some of the symptoms to look out for if you’re worried about blood clots include:
- Throbbing/cramping pain
- Swelling, redness and warmth around the affected area
- Sudden breathlessness
- Chest pain
- Coughing up blood
If you experience any combination of these, you should call 999.
Blood clots can be life-threatening if they aren’t treated quickly.
People that are taking Saxenda or any other form of Liraglutide usually already have risk factors that can contribute to blood clots.
In the UK, Liraglutide is only licensed for diabetes and for weight management.
Both of these conditions can put you at risk of experiencing a blood clot.
Some of the other risk factors to look out for include:
- Pregnancy
- Immobility
- Smoking
- Taking oral contraception
- Age (60+ are more prone to blood clots)
- Family history of blood clots
- High cholesterol
- High blood pressure
Many of these risk factors can be improved with a bit of exercise.
For example, your blood pressure and cholesterol can both be decreased in the long term by engaging in regular physical activity.
This can also help to reduce your weight and preserve or improve upon whatever mobility you do have.
Those that do experience blood clots whilst taking Saxenda are likely to already have had risk factors before starting the medication.
Alternatively, they may have been taking other medicines that are known to cause blood clots. This is particularly common with oral contraception and hormone therapies.
If you know that you’re at risk of developing a blood clot and you’re thinking of Saxenda, please speak to your GP.
They will be able to give you the best advice based on your medical history.
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