Saxenda is a prescription medicine, and like all medicines, it may cause side effects.
Most of the common side effects of Saxenda involve the gut, but some people experience other symptoms shortly after starting liraglutide.
Unfortunately, there’s no way to determine if you will experience the side effects of any medication before you start taking it. You will only find out once you start taking the medication.
If you want to know more about the side effects of Saxenda, this guide will tell you everything you need to know.
What is Saxenda?
Saxenda is a weight loss medication that is prescribed to adults with a BMI of 30 or above or a BMI over 27 with weight-related health conditions.
It interacts with insulin and glucagon, which are your hunger hormones. It reduces your appetite and slows down the emptying of your stomach contents.
You still need to eat in a calorie deficit; however, Saxenda makes it easier to remain in one.
Unfortunately, Saxenda has been discontinued at myBMI.
Is Saxenda safe?
Saxenda is very safe as long as it’s taken as its manufacturer recommends and in the dose prescribed by a medical professional.
If you have been prescribed Saxenda, you can be sure that your prescriber has considered all of the most likely reasons this medication wouldn’t be safe for you and determined that you’re not at risk.
However, just because Saxenda is safe, it doesn’t mean you won’t experience any side effects from the medication.
What are the side effects of Saxenda?
Like all prescription medications, Saxenda might cause side effects in some people.
Common side effects of Saxenda may include:
-Local reactions
-Nausea
-Vomiting
-Diarrhoea
-Constipation
-Indigestion
-Gastritis
-Stomach discomfort
-Upper stomach pain
-Heartburn and acid reflux
-Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar – more common in people who take medicines for diabetes)
-Bloating
-Wind
-Belching
-Dry mouth
-Feeling weak
-Feeling tired
-Changes in your sense of taste
-Dizziness
-Insomnia
-Gallstones
Does Saxenda cause constipation?
As Saxenda affects your digestive system directly, it’s only natural that you would experience digestive symptoms as side effects.
As listed above, constipation is a common side effect of Saxenda, affecting more than 1 in 10 people during the early stages of their treatment [1]. In most cases, constipation should begin to ease once the body has adjusted to this medication.
As digestion slows, the regularity of your bowel movements can slow down, leaving you feeling uncomfortable and bloated.
Saxenda constipation relief
You can relieve constipation caused by Saxenda through diet, activity, and medication. The two easiest ways are to eat more fibre and drink more water.
Eating a balanced diet and drinking lots of water are great habits to maintain when trying to lose weight, so it’s a win-win situation, especially if you are trying to ease constipation.
Regular exercise can also help get things moving, which will naturally help you along your weight loss journey. Exercise can be as simple as going for a walk or a run every day. To make it more exciting, consider some fun ways to at home. Anything that gets you up and moving will help!
Finally, if you’ve not been able to relieve your constipation, you may wish to try medication, which would usually be a type of laxative.
If you’re a patient at myBMI, you can contact our team at any stage of your treatment. Our prescribers will provide supplementary treatments to help you manage side effects if they think they would be right for you.
You could also ask your local pharmacist or GP for advice. However, you should always seek medical attention if your symptoms are severe or persist for a long time.
Does Saxenda cause hair loss?
Although Saxenda has various side effects, hair loss isn’t listed as one in the patient information leaflet. If you experience hair loss, it is unlikely that it has been caused directly by the medication.
Hair loss can be a result of weight loss, which explains why some people are reporting increased hair loss while taking Saxenda.
It is usually more common due to a nutritional deficiency in rapid weight loss.
Dealing with hair loss from Saxenda
Eating a balanced diet is one of the best ways to prevent hair loss while losing weight. However, you may not be able to do so because your appetite is reduced, but you must ensure that you are getting enough protein.
You can also take a vitamin and mineral supplement specifically for healthy hair.
However, to prevent hair loss in the first place, we recommend focusing on your diet, ensuring your calories are not too low, and including foods from each food group.
Fatigue caused by Saxenda
Fatigue (tiredness) is another common side effect of Saxenda. It can also happen if your blood sugar levels fall too low, another side effect of the medication.
While your calorie intake should be reduced when taking Saxenda, this can also tire you.
It can be difficult to tell how long you will feel tired whilst using Saxenda. However, many people found that their tired feelings improved once their bodies got used to the medication.
Dealing with fatigue from Saxenda
To limit any tiredness you feel from Saxenda, it’s a good idea to get at least 8 hours of good-quality sleep each night.
Your diet can contribute to feeling tired, so it’s essential to try to eat a healthy, balanced diet and ensure you drink plenty of water throughout the day to reduce the chances of becoming fatigued.
Regular exercise can also combat tiredness. It allows your body to function better and use its energy more efficiently. Exercise interacts with your hormone levels to make you feel more energised.
Serious side effects of Saxenda
Saxenda has some serious side effects you should be aware of. Although serious side effects are rare, they can happen to anyone taking the medication.
Some people taking Saxenda have reported kidney issues, such as reduced kidney function and acute kidney failure. Kidney problems don’t affect many people. Some symptoms you should look out for are reduced urine, a metallic taste in your mouth, and frequent/easy bruising.
Pancreatitis is another uncommon side effect. However, it’s something that requires urgent medical care. Symptoms you should look out for include:
- Severe abdominal pain that may radiate to your back
- Nausea
- Vomiting
Coping with serious side effects
If you are unfortunate enough to experience any serious side effects associated with Saxenda, you should speak to a healthcare professional who can advise you on how to treat them.
You shouldn’t waste time if your side effects haven’t eased or worsened. Remember, it’s always better to be safe than sorry!
Stopping taking Saxenda
Before stopping Saxenda, you should speak to your prescriber. They can talk you through the steps you need to take.
How you end Saxenda will depend on your circumstances and how your body reacts to the medication. However, we don’t recommend ending your treatment cold turkey without speaking to a healthcare professional first.
Whether or not you will regain weight after stopping Saxenda depends on what you choose to do next. If you continue with the good habits you have formed, you shouldn’t experience weight gain. However, if you start eating more and exercising less, there is a strong chance you will put on weight.
If you are using the highest dose, it will take around 3 days for Saxenda to completely leave your body after your last injection.
The side effects of stopping taking Saxenda (liraglutide)
If you do stop taking Saxenda abruptly, the most common side effect is an increased appetite. As the active ingredient affects your hunger hormones to make you feel fuller for longer, this will also stop when you stop taking Saxenda.
Although you may feel more hungry, you should have the tools to help you maintain your weight loss.
You may also experience digestive side effects, such as sickness or nausea, while your body adjusts to not having Saxenda.
If you are worried about the side effects you’re experiencing, please speak to your healthcare provider.
Sources
Webmed Pharmacy (2021) Saxenda side effects before and after? https://webmedpharmacy.co.uk/blog/saxenda-potential-side-effects?srsltid=AfmBOoqr8mDd7098TsmjUiuSbIaV6QF3Tjd9AF1DGAIn8eLJsCofgiNm
