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What Are Saxenda Injections and How Do They Work for Weight Loss?

Published on: June 03, 2026

Saxenda injections are a clinically proven prescription weight loss treatment containing liraglutide 6mg/ml, designed to help adults with a BMI of 30 or above (or 27 with weight-related health conditions) achieve sustainable weight loss when combined with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity. At Cured Pharmacy, saxenda injections are available from £124.99 following a free online consultation with our UK-registered clinical team, offering the cheapest UK price with genuine licensed medication and discreet next-day delivery. Our superintendent pharmacist Tarun Kumar (GPhC 2233073) ensures every patient receives safe, evidence-based care throughout their weight management journey.

How Saxenda Injections Support Weight Loss

Saxenda injections work by mimicking a natural hormone called GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1), which regulates appetite and food intake. When you inject Saxenda subcutaneously once daily, liraglutide activates GLP-1 receptors in the brain's appetite control centres, helping you feel fuller for longer and reducing hunger between meals[1]. This mechanism makes it easier to maintain a calorie deficit without the intense cravings that often derail weight loss efforts.

In the landmark SCALE clinical trial programme, participants using Saxenda injections alongside lifestyle modifications lost an average of 8-9% of their initial body weight over 56 weeks, compared to 2.6% with placebo[2]. Approximately 63% of patients achieved at least 5% weight loss, and 33% lost 10% or more of their starting weight[2]. These results demonstrate that saxenda injections can deliver clinically meaningful weight reduction when used as prescribed under medical supervision.

Beyond appetite suppression, Saxenda injections may help improve metabolic health markers including blood glucose control and blood pressure in individuals with obesity-related comorbidities[3]. The medication is administered via a pre-filled injection pen with dose escalation from 0.6mg daily up to the maintenance dose of 3mg daily over five weeks, allowing your body to adjust gradually and minimising gastrointestinal side effects.

Who Can Use Saxenda Injections Safely

Saxenda injections are licensed in the UK for adults aged 18 and over with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 kg/m² or greater, or 27 kg/m² or greater in the presence of at least one weight-related comorbidity such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, or obstructive sleep apnoea[4]. The medication is not suitable for individuals with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2, or those with severe renal or hepatic impairment.

Before starting saxenda injections, our UK-registered prescribers conduct a thorough clinical assessment reviewing your medical history, current medications, and weight loss goals. This ensures Saxenda is both safe and appropriate for your individual circumstances. Patients with a history of pancreatitis, gallbladder disease, or diabetic retinopathy should discuss these conditions during consultation, as liraglutide may require additional monitoring or dose adjustments.

Saxenda injections are not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding, and women of childbearing potential should use effective contraception during treatment. If you're taking other medications for diabetes, blood pressure, or mental health conditions, our clinical team will review potential interactions to ensure safe co-administration. All prescription medications at Cured Pharmacy require approval from a UK-registered prescriber following online assessment.

Contraindications and Precautions for Saxenda Injections

Absolute contraindications to saxenda injections include hypersensitivity to liraglutide or any excipients, personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma, and multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2. Relative contraindications requiring careful risk-benefit assessment include inflammatory bowel disease, diabetic gastroparesis, and severe heart failure (NYHA class IV). Patients over 75 years have limited clinical data and should be monitored closely if treatment is initiated.

Starting Saxenda Injections: Dosing and Administration

Saxenda injections are administered once daily at any time of day, with or without food, using the pre-filled injection pen that delivers doses from 0.6mg to 3mg in 0.6mg increments. The standard dose escalation schedule begins at 0.6mg daily for week one, increasing by 0.6mg each week until reaching the maintenance dose of 3mg daily by week five[1]. This gradual titration minimises common gastrointestinal side effects such as nausea, diarrhoea, and constipation.

You can inject Saxenda subcutaneously into the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm, rotating injection sites to prevent lipodystrophy. Each pen contains enough medication for several days depending on your dose, and the pen should be stored in the refrigerator (2-8°C) before first use, then kept below 30°C for up to one month after opening. Always attach a new needle for each injection and dispose of used needles safely in a sharps container.

If you miss a dose of saxenda injections and it has been less than 12 hours since your usual injection time, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If more than 12 hours have passed, skip the missed dose and resume your regular schedule the following day — never double up to compensate. If treatment is interrupted for more than three consecutive days, consult your prescriber as dose re-escalation may be necessary to minimise side effects.

Injection Technique for Saxenda Injections

To administer saxenda injections correctly, attach a new needle to the pen, perform an airflow check by dialling to 0.6mg and pressing the dose button until a drop appears, then select your prescribed dose. Pinch a fold of skin at your chosen injection site, insert the needle at a 90-degree angle, press the dose button fully, and count to six before withdrawing to ensure complete delivery. Remove and safely dispose of the needle after each use, and never share your Saxenda pen with others even if the needle is changed.

Expected Results and Timeline with Saxenda Injections

Most patients begin noticing appetite reduction within the first two weeks of starting saxenda injections, though significant weight loss typically becomes apparent after reaching the 3mg maintenance dose. Clinical guidelines recommend assessing treatment response at 16 weeks — if you have not lost at least 5% of your initial body weight by this point, discontinuation should be considered as further meaningful weight loss is unlikely[4].

In the SCALE Obesity and Prediabetes trial, participants using saxenda injections lost an average of 4.5kg by week 12 and 8.4kg by week 56, compared to 1.6kg and 2.8kg respectively in the placebo group[2]. Weight loss is most pronounced during the first six months of treatment, with many patients maintaining their reduced weight for up to three years when continuing therapy alongside lifestyle modifications. Individual results vary based on adherence, dietary habits, physical activity levels, and metabolic factors.

Beyond the number on the scales, saxenda injections may improve obesity-related health markers including HbA1c in patients with type 2 diabetes, systolic blood pressure, and lipid profiles[3]. These metabolic benefits contribute to reduced cardiovascular risk over time. To maximise results, combine your Saxenda treatment with a balanced reduced-calorie diet (typically 500-1000 kcal deficit daily) and at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week as recommended by NICE guidelines.

Common Side Effects of Saxenda Injections

The most frequently reported side effects of saxenda injections are gastrointestinal in nature, affecting up to 40% of users during the initial dose escalation phase. Nausea is the most common adverse effect, typically mild to moderate and diminishing within the first few weeks as your body adjusts to liraglutide[1]. Other GI side effects include diarrhoea, constipation, vomiting, dyspepsia, and abdominal pain, which can be managed by eating smaller meals, avoiding high-fat foods, and staying well-hydrated.

Hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar) is uncommon with saxenda injections when used alone, but risk increases if you're also taking insulin or sulfonylureas for type 2 diabetes. Symptoms include shakiness, sweating, confusion, and rapid heartbeat — if you experience these, consume 15-20g of fast-acting carbohydrate and contact your healthcare provider about adjusting your diabetes medications. Injection site reactions such as redness, itching, or bruising occur in approximately 2% of patients and usually resolve without intervention.

Serious but rare side effects requiring immediate medical attention include signs of pancreatitis (severe persistent abdominal pain radiating to the back), gallbladder problems (right upper abdominal pain, fever, jaundice), or allergic reactions (rash, difficulty breathing, swelling of face or throat). Saxenda injections have been associated with increased heart rate in some patients, so inform your prescriber if you experience persistent palpitations or chest discomfort. Our clinical team at Cured Pharmacy provides ongoing support to manage side effects and optimise your treatment experience.

Managing Nausea from Saxenda Injections

To minimise nausea when using saxenda injections, eat smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day rather than three large meals, avoid lying down immediately after eating, and choose bland, low-fat foods during the initial weeks. Ginger tea, staying hydrated with small sips of water, and injecting Saxenda at bedtime (so nausea occurs during sleep) can also help. If nausea persists beyond the first month or becomes severe, consult your prescriber about temporarily reducing your dose or adding anti-emetic medication.

Saxenda Injections Price and How to Order from Cured Pharmacy

Saxenda injections are available at Cured Pharmacy from £124.99 representing the cheapest UK price for genuine licensed medication with full clinical support included. Our transparent pricing model shows the exact cost upfront before you begin your consultation, with no hidden fees or subscription requirements. New patients can Save £20 on their first order using code Weightlossnew at checkout, making your initial treatment even more affordable.

To order saxenda injections, complete our free online consultation which takes under three minutes and covers your medical history, current medications, weight loss goals, and any contraindications. Our UK-registered prescribers review your assessment within hours, and if Saxenda is deemed safe and appropriate, your prescription is issued and dispensed by our GPhC-registered pharmacy (9012511) the same day. We offer discreet next-day delivery across the UK in plain packaging, ensuring your privacy throughout the process.

Each Saxenda pen contains 18mg of liraglutide in a 3ml solution, providing approximately 30 doses at the 3mg maintenance level. Most patients require one pen every 5-6 days once established on the full dose, and we offer flexible ordering options to match your treatment schedule. All saxenda injections supplied by Cured Pharmacy are sourced directly from UK-licensed wholesalers, guaranteeing authenticity and proper cold-chain storage. Our superintendent pharmacist Tarun Kumar oversees every prescription to ensure you receive safe, effective medication with expert pharmaceutical care.

Scientific References

1. Pi-Sunyer, X., Astrup, A., Fujioka, K., Greenway, F., Halpern, A., Krempf, M., ... & Wilding, J. P. (2015). A randomized, controlled trial of 3.0 mg of liraglutide in weight management. New England Journal of Medicine, 373(1), 11-22. [accessed 13 August 2026]
2. le Roux, C. W., Astrup, A., Fujioka, K., Greenway, F., Lau, D. C., Van Gaal, L., ... & Pi-Sunyer, X. (2017). 3 years of liraglutide versus placebo for type 2 diabetes risk reduction and weight management in individuals with prediabetes: a randomised, double-blind trial. The Lancet, 389(10077), 1399-1409. [accessed 13 August 2026]
3. Davies, M. J., Bergenstal, R., Bode, B., Kushner, R. F., Lewin, A., Skjøth, T. V., ... & DeFronzo, R. A. (2015). Efficacy of liraglutide for weight loss among patients with type 2 diabetes: the SCALE diabetes randomized clinical trial. JAMA, 314(7), 687-699. [accessed 13 August 2026]
4. Electronic Medicines Compendium. (2023). Saxenda 6 mg/ml solution for injection in pre-filled pen - Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC). Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency. [accessed 13 August 2026]
5. NHS. (2026). Tirzepatide: a medicine to manage type 2 diabetes and treat obesity. https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/tirzepatide/ Accessed 13 August 2026.
6. NHS. (2026). Overweight and obesity in adults. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/overweight-and-obesity/ Accessed 13 August 2026.
7. NHS England. (2026). Weight management injections. https://www.england.nhs.uk/ourwork/prevention/obesity/medicines-for-obesity/weight-management-injections/ Accessed 13 August 2026.

Information on this page is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. All prescription treatments require clinical assessment by a UK-registered prescriber. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting any new medication.