If you’ve considered medications such as Saxenda, Wegovy or Mounjaro, then you should be aware that you’ll need to inject yourself.

Unless you’re scared of needles, then the injecting process is simple. But where exactly do you get the needles from, and what happens if you run out? We will tell you everything you need to know about the needles for your Saxenda pen.

Where do I buy needles for a Saxenda pen?

You don’t usually need to buy needles with your Saxenda pen. It usually comes with the needles that you will need to inject yourself with. However, in some cases, you might find yourself needing additional needles.

If you find yourself short of needles, you should first speak to your prescriber. They will either be able to provide you with extra needles or point you in the right direction as to where you can safely buy needles.

Do not buy your needles from somewhere that isn’t recommended by a healthcare provider; the last thing you want is to end up with unsafe needles.

Do I get needles with my Saxenda pen?

As we mentioned before, you will get needles with your Saxenda pen. Most prescribers will provide you with enough needles for the amount of injections you’ll be taking. These needles won’t be attached to your Saxenda pen; they will be packaged separately.

As soon as you receive your pen, you must check that the needles have been provided and that there is enough to last you. If not, you must contact your prescriber right away.

Your prescriber will also be able to help if one of your needles gets damaged and you require additional needles.

What needles do I need for my Saxenda pen?

Novofine needles are recommended for your Saxenda pen. Novo Nordisk, the manufacturer of Saxenda, created them. Novofine needles are some of the thinnest and shortest needles you’ll find. They have been designed to provide you with comfort while being highly effective. 

The needles also have a flat base, improving skin contact and making them more comfortable than other needles.

What is the Saxenda needle size?

Your Saxenda pen requires 32g needles, which are extra small, at only 0.23mm in diameter. Because the needles are so tiny, they make your injection as pain-free as possible and reduce the chance of bruising or bleeding.

The pen tips can easily be attached and removed from your Saxenda pen, making them safe for use and disposal.

Can you reuse a needle?

You should never reuse a Saxenda needle or, in fact, any needle. Reusing needles could cause several issues that could potentially be dangerous.

Firstly, reusing a needle is unhygienic and can lead to an infection at the injection site. Once you’ve used the needle for the first time, bacteria start growing on the surface. If you were to re-inject yourself with that same needle, the bacteria could transfer into your body; this can sometimes be very harmful. 

Also, after the needles are first used, they become blunt. A blunt needle can be more painful to inject with if you use it again. Repeatedly using a needle can also weaken it, leading to the risk of breaking and getting stuck in your skin.

Finally, after using a needle, it can get blocked with particles of the medication, meaning that it can affect the amount of Saxenda you receive. 

To be on the safe side, you must always use a new needle every time you inject yourself.

How to dispose of used needles

As soon as you’ve injected Saxenda, you must dispose of the needle. You should remove the needle from your pen and place it into a sharps bin, and then you can store your Saxenda away. 

With any injectable medication, ensuring you have a sharps bin before you start taking it is important. You’ll need to throw your used needles into the bin and leave them in it until it’s full.

You’ll then need to organise a date and time for your local council to collect the bin, which will be safely disposed of.

You must never throw away your used needles in your regular household bin, as this can cause a risk of injury or cross-contamination to others.

Now you know everything you need to know about Saxenda needles, you don’t need to worry if you find yourself in a situation where you might need extra needles. 

Check out our advice section for more information on Saxenda and other weight loss treatments.