How long does a Saxenda pen last?

The duration of a Saxenda pen's effectiveness is determined by the amount of medicine being injected and the stage of treatment you are in.

When you first start using Saxenda, your treatment will begin at a low dose of 0.6 mg per day, which will be gradually increased by 0.6 mg every week for the first five weeks until you reach the recommended dose of 3 mg once daily.

Your doctor will need to monitor you while undergoing treatment with Saxenda. However, the following week-by-week plan is a typical guideline:

Week NumberDosageQuantity of Pens
10.6 mgBuy 1 Saxenda Pen
21.2 mgBuy 1 Saxenda Pen
31.8 mgBuy 2 Saxenda Pens
42.4 mgBuy 3 Saxenda Pens
5 onwards3.0 mgBuy 4 Saxenda pens

 

Note: You will need 4 Saxenda pens to reach the maintenance dose of 3.0 mg. Once you reach the maintenance dose, 1x Saxenda pen should last for 6 days.

Your doctor will assess your treatment regularly and adjust your dosage accordingly.

If you are unable to tolerate or adjust to the new dosage, your doctor will cease treatment and discuss alternative weight loss treatments with you.

How long should the first Saxenda pen last me?

When you begin your treatment, your first pen should last for 17 days, after which you will need a second pen.

How long does a Saxenda pen last at the maintenance dose?

Once you reach the recommended dose of 3.0 mg in week 5 of your treatment, 1 Saxenda pen should last for 6 days.

How many Saxenda pens do I need per month?

For a 1-month course of Saxenda, you would need 5 Saxenda pens. If you are already taking Saxenda at the recommended 3.0 mg dose, the above table need not concern you - you can simply order the amount of pens you require for a given time frame.

Saxenda Weight Loss Pen

Rated 5.0 out of 5 based on 8 reviews
Rated 5.0 out of 5 based on 8 reviews
  • Suppresses appetite
  • Taken once daily
  • Effective weight loss aid

Prices from £64.99

When you buy Saxenda online from Prescription Doctor, we will provide you with a sufficient number of needles corresponding to the quantity of pens you order.

What is Saxenda?

Saxenda is a self-injectable prescription weight loss medication available in a pre-filled pen. It contains an active substance known as liraglutide, which acts similarly to a naturally occurring hormone called Glucagon-like Peptide-1 (GLP-1).

GLP-1 is a hormone that controls and regulates your appetite by binding to receptors in your brain, signalling to your brain that you are full. It is believed that too little of this hormone present in the bloodstream can lead to obesity, as a person may still feel hungry after a meal and thus eat bigger portions or snack between meals.

Saxenda acts on receptors in the brain which control your appetite. This action helps maintain the feeling of being full for longer after eating, making you less inclined to snack between meals and consume less food overall.

When taken alongside a healthy diet and regular exercise, it can effectively help people lose weight who also have:

  • A BMI of 30 or greater (obese) or;
  • A BMI between 27 and 30 (overweight)
  • Weight-related health problems (such as diabetes, high blood pressure, abnormal levels of fats in the blood or breathing problems during sleep called ‘obstructive sleep apnoea’).

Where is the best place to inject Saxenda?

Suitable sites for injecting Saxenda include your abdomen, upper arm or upper thigh. Your doctor will be able to instruct you on how to use the pen safely.

Where to inject Saxenda

Do not inject Saxenda into muscles or veins. If you accidentally inject Saxenda into a vein or muscle, seek immediate medical attention or call 111 for advice. Your injection technique may need to be reviewed in person by your doctor.

While you can use Saxenda at any time of the day, it is recommended to administer it at the same time each day. If you often forget to take your medicine, set a reminder on your phone or smart home device.

Before using the pen for the first time, your doctor or nurse will demonstrate how to use it properly. For further information on how to use Saxenda, consult the patient leaflet supplied with the medication.

Can I use a Saxenda needle more than once?

Using a needle more than once can result in damage to the needle, either by causing a blockage or by damaging the protective coating.

It is important to use a new needle every time you inject yourself with Saxenda. If you do not have enough needles to administer Saxenda, you can order needles online from us.

This damage can cause injections to be more painful and result in more severe bruising and bleeding. Blockages in the needle, caused by reuse, can make it more challenging to administer the correct dose of the medicine. With frequent reuse, there is a risk of microscopic fragments from the needle (typically the tip) breaking off and remaining inside your body.

You should check each needle before administering Saxenda. After inserting the needle into the pen, check that it is straight – a bent needle can make administering Saxenda more painful and result in bruising when the needle is removed.

How long does a Saxenda pen last in storage?

Saxenda can be stored in the refrigerator or at room temperature, although it has a limited shelf life of 30 days.

It is essential to store your Saxenda pen and related paraphernalia, including unused needles and sharps containers, out of sight and out of reach of children and pets. Ideal places include a kitchen cabinet away from the stove or sink, on top of a cupboard or on a high shelf.

Always discard the Saxenda Pen after 30 days of opening it, even if some solution remains in the pen.

You should always check the solution in the pen before injecting yourself. If the solution in the pen is cloudy or discoloured, safely discard the pen and acquire a new one.

What should I do with a broken Saxenda pen?

Saxenda pens are relatively delicate and must be handled with care. If you accidentally drop your pen, inspect it for cracks, leaks, or other damage.

Do not use your Saxenda pen if you notice any damage to the body of the pen or if you notice solution leaking from the pen.

Do not attempt to dismantle or repair your Saxenda pen. Any attempt to dismantle, repair or refill the pen may result in damage to the pen or personal injury.

Getting the most out of your Saxenda treatment

Remember, Saxenda is not a quick fix for weight loss. It is only effective when adopted alongside a healthy lifestyle, including regular exercise and healthy eating habits.

We have a separate article on maximising the benefits of Saxenda, which offers additional tips for effective treatment with Saxenda.

Dieting

While using Saxenda, you should aim to eat healthy meals with appropriate portion sizes.

Imagine a plate split into quarters.

1 quarter should be made up of protein such as meat, poultry or fish.

Another quarter should consist of carbohydrates.

You should fill the final 2 quarters with non-starchy vegetables such as carrots, peas, broccoli or plain salad.

These measurements can be difficult to visualise when cooking pasta dishes, stews and curries, but they can be applied. Your tomatoes and onions, which you use as the base for sauces, count toward your vegetable intake. Per serving, use 1 cup of pasta or rice. If you cook more than you need, save it for lunch the next day. Leftover pasta and rice can be mixed with vegetables to make a delicious salad. Stick to lean meats as much as possible to limit the amount of fat in your diet. Remember to include vegetables like peppers, spinach, kale, and carrots in your stews and pot dishes.

Please understand that this is a guideline, and there exist some variations that specify less starch and more protein. Furthermore, this doesn't need to be followed for every meal. For example, breakfast may contain a high amount of carbohydrates and no vegetables. In such cases, opt for wholegrain cereals, oats or simply a piece of fruit rich in fibre and vitamins instead.

Portion sizes

You can buy plates marked with the portion sizes either printed on the porcelain or cast into the plate itself, walling off the different sections. These plates are designed to help you control your portions accurately.

During your weight loss journey, it's essential to understand the importance of portion control. Some people find it beneficial to weigh out their ingredients or count calories to limit the amount they eat each day; however, these methods may not work for you. Consult a dietitian for personalised tips on dieting and managing your eating habits, and find a system that works for you.

Exercising

You should aim to up your exercise while using Saxenda.

Start with small, simple exercises and gradually increase the intensity. You could start with walking - walk while talking on the phone, walk to the shops, get off the bus a stop earlier and walk the rest of the way.

Once you feel comfortable, you can build up to more vigorous exercises, such as jogging or running.

To make it easier, you can break up your exercise throughout the day to achieve at least 30 minutes of activity. This could be a 10-minute walk in the morning and a 20-minute jog in the afternoon. Find something which works best for you and stick to it.

How much weight can I lose on Saxenda?

Scales and tape measure for weight lossAfter 12 weeks of regularly taking the 3 mg dose (excluding the first 5 weeks to achieve the optimal dosage), a 5% loss of total body weight must be observed before treatment can continue.

If you lose less than 5% of your total body weight, then your doctor will discontinue treatment with Saxenda and discuss other potential weight loss treatments with you.

You should aim to increase your physical activity while taking Saxenda. It’s very easy to overthink the exercise you need to do, which can hinder your progress. Instead of viewing exercise as a separate task, try to incorporate it into your daily routine.

Walking more is a simple way to increase physical activity and can be easily incorporated into your daily routine. For example, taking the stairs instead of the lift or escalator, getting off the bus a stop earlier and walking the rest of the way or parking further away from shops and walking across the car park.

Of course, sports and recreational activities such as gardening or dancing can also help you lose weight.

It’s extremely important to take steps to tackle being overweight or obese, as it can lead to several serious and potentially life-threatening conditions, including:

Obesity can also affect your mental well-being and lead to depression and low self-esteem. Therefore, it’s so important that, when using your Saxenda Pen, you bear in mind the commitment you need to make to your diet and exercise plan.

If you are unsure about how to take Saxenda or have questions about your treatment, consult your doctor for guidance.

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