Saxenda Weight Loss: how it works, dosing, side-effects and UK availability

If you’ve searched for “Saxenda weight loss”, “Saxenda injections” or “Saxenda Boots”, you’re probably seeing a mix of ads, TikToks and confusing medical jargon.

Here’s the simple version:

• Saxenda is a daily injectable prescription medicine (liraglutide), not a tablet or “quick diet shot”

• It’s a GLP-1 medicine that helps reduce appetite and support weight loss

• In the UK it’s used in people with obesity or overweight plus health risks, not for minor cosmetic weight loss

This guide covers:

• What Saxenda is and how it works for weight loss

• Who it’s for in the UK (NHS vs private)

• Saxenda dosing and how the injections are given

• Storage and Saxenda injection basics

• Typical results and Saxenda weight loss reviews themes

• Side-effects and safety

• How Saxenda online services (including Boots) work – and red flags to avoid

• FAQ: how much weight can you lose, how long do you take it, Saxenda vs Wegovy

What is Saxenda and how does it work?

Saxenda® is the brand name for liraglutide 3 mg, a GLP-1 receptor agonist. It was originally developed for diabetes at a lower dose (Victoza), but Saxenda is specifically licensed for weight management.

Saxenda and weight loss: mechanism in plain English

Saxenda works by mimicking a natural hormone called GLP-1, which helps regulate:

• Appetite and cravings – you feel full sooner and less driven to snack

• Stomach emptying – food leaves your stomach more slowly, so you stay fuller for longer

• Blood sugar responses – insulin is released more appropriately after meals

So Saxenda injections help you:

• Eat smaller portions

• Feel satisfied on fewer calories

• Stick to a reduced-calorie diet more easily

It’s not a fat-burning stimulant or a laxative. Think of Saxenda as a tool that turns down hunger, not a magic shot that makes weight disappear.

Saxenda is injectable – not Saxenda tablets or pills

You’ll often see searches for “Saxenda tablets” or “Saxenda pills for weight loss”.

To be crystal clear:

• There are no Saxenda tablets or Saxenda pills.

• Saxenda is only available as a pre-filled injection pen for once-daily use.

If a website claims to sell “Saxenda pills” or “Saxenda tablets”, it is not selling genuine Saxenda and may be unsafe or counterfeit.

Who is Saxenda for in the UK?

EMA / UK licence (broad indication)

At a European level, Saxenda is indicated as an adjunct to diet and physical activity for adults with:

• BMI ≥ 30 kg/m² (obesity), or

• BMI ≥ 27–<30 kg/m² (overweight) with at least one weight-related comorbidity, such as:

  • Prediabetes or type 2 diabetes

  • High blood pressure

  • High cholesterol

  • Sleep apnoea

So that’s the regulatory label.

NHS criteria (narrower, specialist-only)

In the UK, NICE guidance (TA664) is stricter. Liraglutide (Saxenda) is recommended only when:

• You’re in a specialist weight management (Tier 3) service, and

• You have a BMI ≥ 35 kg/m² (or ≥ 32.5 kg/m² in some minority ethnic groups) plus high risk of type 2 diabetes or existing obesity-related problems

Typically:

• You’re reviewed after about 3 months on Saxenda

• You usually only continue if you’ve lost at least ~5% of your body weight at the target dose

Private Saxenda in the UK

Private clinics (including digital ones) tend to follow the licence-based criteria more closely – for example:

• BMI ≥ 30, or

• BMI ≥ 27 with a weight-related condition

But even privately, Saxenda must be prescribed after a medical assessment. No responsible provider will give Saxenda shots for weight loss without a proper history and screening.

Saxenda dosing: how the daily injection is escalated

Saxenda dosing starts low and increases gradually to 3.0 mg once daily. This is to reduce side-effects, especially nausea.

From the official UK SmPC:

Typical Saxenda dose escalation schedule

• Week 1: 0.6 mg once daily

• Week 2: 1.2 mg once daily

• Week 3: 1.8 mg once daily

• Week 4: 2.4 mg once daily

• Week 5 and onwards (maintenance): 3.0 mg once daily

Key points:

• Daily doses higher than 3.0 mg are not recommended.

• If you can’t tolerate moving to the next dose for two consecutive weeks, your doctor may recommend stopping Saxenda.

• You should never change your dose on your own – always follow your prescriber’s instructions.

Saxenda injection basics: where, how often, and storage

Saxenda injection sites

Saxenda is a subcutaneous injection (into the fatty layer under the skin), typically into:

• The abdomen (stomach area), avoiding a 5 cm circle around the belly button

• The front of the thigh

• The upper arm (usually if someone else is injecting)

You use Saxenda injectable pens once a day, at roughly the same time. The needle is very fine, and many people find it less intimidating after a few tries.

You’ll be taught injection technique by your clinic or pharmacist – this article isn’t a full training guide.

Saxenda storage basics

From manufacturer and UK guidance:

• Before first use (unused pens):

  • Store in a fridge at 2–8°C

  • Do not freeze

• After first use (in-use pens):

  • You can keep the pen in the fridge or at room temperature below 30°C

  • Pens in use should usually be thrown away after 30 days, even if they’re not empty

  • Keep the cap on when not in use, away from heat and direct sunlight

Always check your own patient leaflet – storage advice can be updated, and local instructions may differ slightly.

How much weight can you lose on Saxenda?

In clinical trials (like the SCALE programme), adults taking liraglutide 3.0 mg daily plus lifestyle changes achieved on average:

• Around 5–8% weight loss from baseline over about 1 year, versus less on placebo

• Higher loss in “early responders” (those who had ≥5% loss by 16 weeks), sometimes above 10%

• In some real-world studies with coaching, median total weight loss approached ~10–11% at 1 year

So in realistic terms:

• Some people lose a significant amount of weight

• Some lose modest amounts

• A minority don’t respond well or stop due to side-effects

You’ll usually review progress at around 3–4 months. If you haven’t lost enough weight by then (often ≥5%), your doctor may advise stopping Saxenda and considering other options.

Saxenda weight loss reviews: common real-world themes

When you look at Saxenda weight loss reviews from UK online clinics and pharmacy services, you’ll see recurring patterns:

Positive themes

• Less constant hunger – people describe food “taking up less headspace”

• Smaller portions feeling satisfying

• Gradual, steady weight loss over months

• Improvements in blood pressure, blood sugar, energy for some

Negative / mixed themes

• Nausea, particularly in the first few weeks or with dose increases

• Occasional vomiting, diarrhoea or constipation

• Needing to avoid very rich, greasy foods

• Worries about cost over time (Saxenda injection price is a common complaint)

• Anxiety about weight regain after stopping

As with any medicine, reviews represent individual experiences, not guarantees.

Side-effects and safety: what to know before you buy Saxenda

Common side-effects of Saxenda include:

• Nausea / feeling sick

• Vomiting

• Diarrhoea or constipation

• Stomach pain, bloating, indigestion

• Headache

• Tiredness or weakness

• Injection-site reactions

These are often dose-related and may improve if you eat smaller meals, avoid very heavy/fatty foods, and escalate the dose slowly (under supervision).

More serious but less common risks can include:

• Pancreatitis (severe abdominal pain, often with vomiting)

• Gallbladder problems and gallstones

• Worsening of existing kidney problems, especially if dehydration occurs

• Concerns around thyroid tumours in certain rare conditions (e.g. MEN2, medullary thyroid carcinoma)

Because of this, Saxenda may not be suitable if you:

• Are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning pregnancy

• Have a history of pancreatitis or certain endocrine tumours

• Have severe gastrointestinal, liver or kidney disease

• Have uncontrolled eating disorders or certain mental health conditions

You must discuss your full medical history and current medication list with a doctor before starting Saxenda.

Saxenda online, Boots and digital clinics: what’s legit & what’s risky?

In the UK you’ll see options like:

• Boots Online Doctor – Saxenda

• Other reputable pharmacy or digital-clinic services

These legitimate services typically:

• Ask you to complete a detailed online questionnaire

• Have a UK-registered prescriber review your case

• Only prescribe Saxenda if it’s clinically appropriate

• Dispense via a regulated UK pharmacy

• Provide information on side-effects and follow-up

You are not buying Saxenda like a vitamin – you’re applying for a prescription-only medicine, and a clinician makes the final call.

Red flags when trying to buy Saxenda online

Experts warn there’s been a rise in fake pharmacies and counterfeit GLP-1 jabs (Mounjaro, Wegovy, Saxenda) targeting people searching for “cheap Saxenda buy online”.

Watch out for:

• No proper medical questionnaire or consultation

• No visible pharmacy registration number or UK address

• Prices that are far below typical UK Saxenda injection price

• Encouraging bulk purchases (multiple pens at once)

• Websites using non-GBP pricing for “UK” customers

• Unrealistic promises like “guaranteed 2 stone loss in a month”

Counterfeit products have been found to contain dangerous substances – not just “weaker medicine”.

If in doubt, stick with providers you can verify through official regulators (e.g. GPhC, MHRA).

Saxenda vs Wegovy: quick comparison

Both Saxenda and Wegovy are GLP-1 medicines used for weight management, but they differ:

• Active ingredient

  • Saxenda: liraglutide (GLP-1)

  • Wegovy: semaglutide (GLP-1, longer acting)

• Dosing

  • Saxenda: daily injection, titrated to 3 mg

  • Wegovy: weekly injection, titrated up to 2.4 mg once weekly

• Average weight loss (trials)

  • Saxenda: around 5–8% of starting weight over ~1 year

  • Wegovy: around 15% of starting weight over ~68 weeks in STEP trials

• Convenience

  • Some prefer daily rhythm of Saxenda

  • Others prefer a weekly Wegovy injection

Side-effect profiles are similar (GLP-1 GI issues), but many people find Saxenda feels “gentler” due to lower average weight loss; others find weekly Wegovy more powerful but also more intense.

For a full GLP-1 comparison, you’d link out to your GLP-1 overview article (e.g. “GLP-1 drugs for weight loss: Wegovy, Saxenda, Ozempic and semaglutide explained”).

FAQ: Saxenda for weight loss

1. How much weight can you lose on Saxenda?

In trials, average weight loss with Saxenda 3 mg + lifestyle was around 5–8% of starting weight over 1 year. Some people lose more (especially early responders), some less. Individual results vary and are not guaranteed.

2. How long do you take Saxenda?

• You usually escalate to 3.0 mg over 5 weeks

• Your doctor reviews progress after about 12 weeks on the full dose

• You typically only continue if you’ve lost around ≥5% of your starting weight

• Long-term use depends on benefit vs side-effects and your overall health plan

Saxenda is intended as long-term weight management, not a 2-week crash solution – but it’s also not usually taken “forever” without review.

3. Saxenda vs Wegovy – which is better?

There’s no single “best” for everyone:

• Wegovy generally produces greater average weight loss and is injected weekly

• Saxenda is injected daily, with more modest average weight loss but a long safety record

The right choice depends on your BMI, health conditions, other medications, and tolerance for side-effects and cost. A clinician should help you weigh up Saxenda vs Wegovy based on your situation.

Thinking about Saxenda? How Piko can help

If you’re considering Saxenda online, it’s crucial to take a safety-first approach – not just chase the lowest Saxenda injection price.

At Piko, we treat GLP-1s like Saxenda as one tool within a broader weight-management programme, not a stand-alone fix.

• You start with a detailed digital assessment of your medical history, medications and goals

• A UK-registered doctor reviews your case and decides whether Saxenda, Wegovy or another option is clinically appropriate

• If a GLP-1 is prescribed, we support you with dose escalation, side-effect management and lifestyle changes

• If it’s not appropriate, we explain why and help you explore safer alternatives