If you’re struggling to lose weight with a balanced diet and exercise alone, Saxenda can help you boost your results. However, it’s vital that you take it correctly to minimise discomfort and ensure you receive the correct dose. In this guide our MedExpress experts walk you through choosing and rotating Saxenda injection sites and the proper technique for self-injection and disposal.

How does Saxenda work?

Saxenda contains the active ingredient liraglutide, which is a drug known as a GLP-1 receptor agonist. GLP-1 medications act like a naturally occurring hormone in your body, helping stabilise your blood sugar levels and reducing hunger. They also slow gastric emptying, or the rate at which your stomach empties, which promotes feelings of fullness. 

Clinical trials show that combining Saxenda with a reduced-calorie diet and regular exercise can help you lose up to 10% of your body weight in 56 weeks. [1]

Where to inject Saxenda

Like other weight loss medications, Saxenda is a subcutaneous injection which means you inject it into the fatty tissue just under your skin. 

You can choose from the following injection sites: 

• In your stomach, two inches from your belly button and avoiding any scar tissue. 
• In the back or side of your upper arm. You may need someone to help you with this site. 
• In the front or side of your thigh, in a different spot each time. 

It doesn’t matter which one of these injection sites you choose as long as it is easily accessible and you can see the dose window.

When to rotate injection sites 

It’s vital that you rotate injection sites every dose, so you’re not injecting into the same area two days in a row. You can do this by choosing a completely different site each day or simply by choosing a different spot in the same area. Rotating injection sites helps prevent hard lumps from developing under your skin and reduces the risk of injection site reactions. 

When to inject Saxenda

Saxenda should be administered once-daily at a time that is convenient for you, with or without food. We recommend taking it at about the same time each day so that it becomes another part of your routine and you avoid missing any doses.

How to inject Saxenda

Saxenda is injected using a pre-filled pen which most patients find relatively painless and easy to get used to. Here’s how to use Saxenda safely:  

1. Before injecting, wash your hands with soap and water. 
2. Check your pen to make sure it isn’t damaged or expired, and that the medication name is correct.
3. Check that the solution in your pen is clear and colourless by looking through the pen window. If the solution looks cloudy, do not use the pen.
4. Remove the pen cap. Tear the paper tab off a new needle and push it straight onto the pen. Twist until it’s on tight. 
5. Pull off the outer needle shield and keep it to one side. Remove the inner needle shield and dispose of it. 
6. If it’s your first injection with a new pen, you need to check the medicine flow. To do this, turn the dose selector until the dose counter shows the flow check symbol. Hold the pen with the needle pointing up and press the dose button until a drop of medication appears at the tip. Release the dose button once you see 0 in the dose counter. 
7. Turn the dose selector until you see your dose in the dose counter window. If you pick the wrong dose, just twist the dose selector forwards or backwards until you see the correct dose. 
8. To inject your dose, insert the needle into your skin. Press and hold the dose button until the dose counter shows 0. Then, count slowly to six before slowly removing the needle. If there’s a small amount of blood, apply gentle pressure with a cotton ball. 
9. Replace the outer needle shield and carefully remove the needle from the pen. Dispose of the used needle in your sharps container. 

For more detailed injection instructions, please refer to the patient information leaflet you receive with your medication. 

Getting weight loss support

Saxenda and other injectable prescription medicines can help you reach your goals as part of a long-term weight management plan. You can learn more about weight loss medications and what MedExpress offers here. 

References:

[1] Saxenda® (liraglutide) Injection 3 mg Clinical Trials for Weight Loss Results [Internet]. novoMEDLINK. Available from: https://www.novomedlink.com/obesity/products/treatments/saxenda/efficacy-safety/significant-weight-loss.html