Saxenda side effects: A detailed guide

Specifically, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Saxenda solution for injection for weight management in:

• adults who have obesity, overweight, or have weight-related conditions, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or type 2 diabetes
• children who have obesity based on their age, height, and sex

This article describes possible side effects of Saxenda solution for injection. You can explore this overview article to learn more about Saxenda, including the drug’s uses, side effects, ways to save on cost, and more.

Saxenda is a brand-name medication that comes as a solution for injection under your skin (subcutaneous). It isn’t available in a generic version. This article describes possible side effects of Saxenda.

Boxed warning: Risk of thyroid cancer

Saxenda has a boxed warning for the risk of thyroid cancer. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

For details, see the “Side effects of Saxenda in detail” section below.

More common side effects of Saxenda

Saxenda solution for injection may cause mild or serious side effects. Below are some of the more common side effects of this medication.

Commonly reported side effects of Saxenda solution for injection include:

• nausea
• diarrhea
• constipation
• vomiting
• redness or discoloration at the site where Saxenda was injected

Mild side effects of Saxenda

Saxenda may cause certain mild side effects. Usually, mild side effects are temporary and can be easily managed. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have side effects that don’t go away or become bothersome.

Mild side effects of Saxenda solution for injection that occurred in studies include:

• abdominal pain
• constipation
• diarrhea
• dizziness
• fatigue (low energy)
• fever
• flatulence
• irritation and inflammation in intestines
• headache
• indigestion
• redness or discoloration at the injection site
• nausea
• vomiting
• mild allergic reaction*

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of Saxenda in detail” section below.

Saxenda solution for injection may cause more mild side effects than those listed above. For details, see the drug’s prescribing information.

Serious side effects of Saxenda

Saxenda may cause certain serious side effects. If you have any serious side effects from Saxenda solution for injection, call your doctor right away. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency or your side effects feel life threatening, take immediate action. Call 911 or a local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.

After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. Visit MedWatch’s website if you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with Saxenda.

Serious side effects of Saxenda solution for injection that occurred in studies include:

• low blood sugar
• tachycardia (sustained, increased heart rate)
• pancreatitis (inflammation in pancreas)
• suicidal thoughts or behaviors
• gallbladder problems*
• kidney problems*
• risk of thyroid cancer*†
• severe allergic reaction*

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of Saxenda in detail” section below.
† Saxenda solution for injection has a boxed warning for this side effect. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA. To learn more, see the “Side effects of Saxenda in detail” section below.

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• Call the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.
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• Call 911 or your local emergency services number if you feel safe to do so.

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If you are not in the same household, stay on the phone with them until help arrives.

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Side effects of Saxenda in children

For children, doctors prescribe Saxenda solution for injection for weight management. The drug is prescribed for this purpose in children ages 12 years and older who weigh more than 60 kilograms (kg) or 132 pounds (lb) and have obesity based on their age, height, and sex (equal to an adult BMI of 30 or more). (For reference 1 kg = 2.2 lb)

In studies, the following side effects were more common in children than in adults:

• low blood sugar
• vomiting
• irritation and inflammation in intestines
• fever

If you’d like to know more about side effects in children using Saxenda solution for injection, talk with your child’s doctor or pharmacist.

Common questions about side effects of Saxenda

Here are answers to some common questions about side effects of Saxenda solution for injection. If you have other questions, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Can Saxenda cause hair loss?

No, it’s not expected to. Hair loss isn’t a side effect reported in studies of Saxenda solution for injection.

Keep in mind that hair loss can occur due to type 2 diabetes. While Saxenda isn’t prescribed to treat or manage type 2 diabetes, the drug is prescribed to help with weight management in certain people, including adults with type 2 diabetes who have overweight.

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you’re curious whether any medication you take can affect your hair. But Saxenda solution for injection isn’t expected to have this effect.

Do side effects of Saxenda go away?

Yes, in most cases. Side effects caused by Saxenda solution for injection are usually temporary and can be easily managed.

Rarely, Saxenda may cause long-term side effects. See the question below to learn more, or talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Does Saxenda cause long-term side effects?

Yes, in some cases Saxenda solution for injection may cause long-term side effects. These can occur if you use the drug for a long time, or may last for a while after you’ve stopped using the drug.

Examples of long-term side effects reported with Saxenda solution for injection include:

• tachycardia (sustained, increased heart rate)
• pancreatitis (inflammation in the pancreas)
• suicidal thoughts or behaviors
• gallbladder problems*
• kidney problems*
• risk of thyroid cancer*†

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of Saxenda in detail” section below.
† Saxenda solution for injection has a boxed warning for this side effect. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA. To learn more, see the “Side effects of Saxenda in detail” section below.

Talk with your doctor if you have more questions about possible long-term side effects with Saxenda.

Side effects of Saxenda in detail

Below you’ll find details on some of the side effects of Saxenda solution for injection.

Risk of thyroid cancer

Saxenda has a boxed warning for the risk of thyroid cancer. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

In animal studies, an increased risk for thyroid cancer was noted in animals given drugs similar to Saxenda. It’s not known if this risk also applies when these drugs are used by people. Animal studies don’t always predict how a drug will affect humans, so it’s not known if this risk also applies when the drugs are used by people.

There have been rare reports of medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) in people using liraglutide (the active ingredient in Saxenda) since the drug was approved for use. Because these reports occurred outside clinical studies, it’s not known whether Saxenda or other factors caused MTC.

Symptoms of thyroid cancer may include:

• chronic hoarse voice
• difficulty swallowing
• a lump in the neck that doesn’t go away
• feeling short of breath

Ways to manage

Due to this risk, doctors won’t prescribe Saxenda if you or an immediate family member have or have ever had MTC. Doctors also won’t prescribe the drug if you have a genetic (inherited) condition called multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2). MEN 2 increases the risk of developing thyroid cancer.

Contact your doctor if you think you’re having symptoms of thyroid cancer described above. If you develop thyroid cancer while using Saxenda, your doctor will stop your treatment with Saxenda.

Gallbladder problems

In studies, gallbladder problems were rare in people using Saxenda solution for injection. These side effects may be serious.

With gallblader problems, you may experience gallstones or inflammation in your gallblader (cholecystitis). Symptoms of gallstones can include pain in your upper right or center abdomen, itchy skin, and appetite loss. Symptoms of inflammation in your gallblader can include pain in your upper right abdomen, fever, and appetite loss.

Ways to manage

If you experience symptoms of gallbladder problems, tell your doctor. They’ll likely recommend making an appointment to examine your gallbladder using imaging such as a gallbladder ultrasound. If gallbladder problems are noted, treatment may require surgery to remove your gallbladder. Your doctor will also determine whether you should continue using Saxenda solution for injection in this case.

Kidney problems

In studies, kidney problems were rare in people using Saxenda solution for injection. These side effects may be serious.

With kidney problems, you may have a reversible decline in kidney function, sudden kidney failure, or worsened kidney failure in people with chronic kidney disease.

While symptoms can vary depending on the specific kidney problem experienced, some common symptoms include:

• nausea and vomiting
• decreased urine output
• swelling in your limbs

Certain factors can increase the risk of kidney problems with Saxenda solution for injection. These include having an existing kidney condition, such as chronic kidney disease. Dehydration, which can be caused by excessive vomiting or diarrhea, also increases the risk for these side effects.

Ways to manage

If you experience symptoms of kidney problems, tell your doctor. They’ll likely recommend pausing or stopping treatment with Saxenda. Kidney problems caused by Saxenda may go away when treatment is stopped. In this scenario, your doctor can review other weight management treatments with you instead.

Allergic reaction

For some people, Saxenda solution for injection can cause an allergic reaction. These reactions were rare in studies of Saxenda.

Symptoms can be mild or serious, and they may include:

• itchiness
• skin rash
• swelling under the skin, usually affecting eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
• swelling of the mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe
• flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)

Ways to manage

For mild allergic reaction symptoms, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms. They’ll also let you know whether you should keep using the medication.

For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms require immediate medical care because they can become life threatening. If you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Saxenda, your doctor may recommend taking a different medication instead.

Warnings for Saxenda

Below are some factors you may want to discuss with your doctor before using Saxenda solution for injection.

Boxed warning: Risk of thyroid cancer

Saxenda has a boxed warning for the risk of the risk of thyroid cancer. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

For details, see the “Side effects of Saxenda in detail” section above.

Other warnings

It may not be safe for you to use Saxenda solution for injection if you have specific health conditions. These are sometimes called drug-condition interactions. Other things may also affect whether Saxenda solution for injection is a safe treatment option for you.

Before using Saxenda solution for injection, tell your doctor about your health and medications you take. Things to consider include:

• atypical heart rhythm
• digestive or stomach problems, such as gastroparesis (slowed stomach emptying)
• kidney problems, such as chronic kidney disease
• liver problem, such as alcohol-related liver disease
• problem in the pancreas, such as pancreatitis
• mood disorder, such as depression
• past or present thyroid cancer, particularly medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC)
• multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2)
• past allergic reaction to Saxenda

Saxenda and pregnancy

Saxenda solution for injection should not be used during pregnancy. If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before using this medication. Your doctor may suggest birth control options to use during treatment with Saxenda.

Saxenda and breastfeeding

It’s not known whether Saxenda solution for injection should be administered while breastfeeding. If you’re breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before using this medication.

Saxenda and alcohol

Saxenda is not known to interact with alcohol.

If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about whether it’s safe to consume it during your treatment with Saxenda.

What to ask your doctor

This article describes common and serious side effects of Saxenda. If your doctor prescribes this medication, they can discuss possible side effects with you. Let your doctor know if you have concerns or questions about treatment with this medication.

Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:

• Are side effects of Saxenda similar to Wegovy?
• How do side effects of Saxenda compare with phentermine?
• Is my risk of digestive side effects higher when I first start treatment?
• Does my health history raise my risk for side effects from Saxenda?

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.