Saxenda: Cost, use with other therapies, alternatives, and more - Medical News Today
Saxenda can cause mild or serious side effects. The following lists contain some of the key side effects that may occur while taking Saxenda. These lists do not include all possible side effects.
For more information about the possible side effects of Saxenda, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can give you tips on how to manage any side effects that may be concerning or bothersome.
Note: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) tracks side effects of drugs it has approved. If you would like to notify the FDA about a side effect you've had with Saxenda, you can do so through MedWatch.
Mild side effects
Mild side effects* of Saxenda can include:
Most of these side effects may go away within a few days to a couple of weeks. But if they become more severe or don't go away, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
* This is a partial list of mild side effects from Saxenda. To learn about other mild side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist or view Saxenda's prescribing information.
† For more information about this side effect, see "Side effect details" below.
Serious side effects
Serious side effects from Saxenda aren't common, but they can occur. Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects. Call 911 or your local emergency number if your symptoms feel life threatening or if you think you're having a medical emergency.
Serious side effects and their symptoms can include:
* For more information about this side effect, see "Side effect details" below.
† Saxenda has a
Side effects in children
Side effects of Saxenda in children are similar to side effects in adults who use this medication. These are described above and below. Some children may also develop a fever while taking Saxenda.
In clinical studies, certain side effects were more common in children than they were in adults. These include hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) and gastroenteritis (inflammation of the stomach and intestines)
If you'd like to know more about the possible side effects of Saxenda in children, talk with your child's doctor.
Side effect details
Here's some detail on certain side effects this drug may cause.
Risk of thyroid cancer
Liraglutide, the active drug in Saxenda, has caused certain types of thyroid cancer in animal studies. But it's not known if Saxenda increases the risk of thyroid cancer in humans.
Due to the risk of thyroid cancer with Saxenda, the medication has a boxed warning about this side effect. A
You shouldn't use Saxenda if you or a member of your immediate family have ever had a rare type of thyroid cancer called medullary thyroid cancer. An immediate family member means a parent, brother, or sister. You also shouldn't use Saxenda if you have another rare genetic (inherited) condition called multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2). MEN 2 increases your risk of thyroid cancer.
Contact your doctor right away if you develop symptoms of thyroid cancer while taking Saxenda. These symptoms may include:
If you develop thyroid cancer, your doctor will have you stop taking Saxenda.
Injection site side effects
Some people may have side effects around the area where they inject Saxenda. These are called injection site reactions. In clinical studies, injection site reactions were common in people taking Saxenda.
Injection site reactions are usually mild. They may include:
- change in skin color, such as redness, darkening, or discoloration
- swelling
- itching
- skin rash
- pain
To help prevent injection site reactions, you should use a different area of the body each time you give yourself an injection. You can do this by injecting Saxenda at least one finger width away from the spot you injected your previous dose. Or you can choose a new area of your body for each Saxenda injection. Injection sites include the abdomen (belly), thigh, and upper arm. After using Saxenda, you should not rub the injection site.
If you have an injection site reaction, it should get better in a few days. Avoid injecting Saxenda in that area again until the reaction goes away. If the reaction is particularly troublesome, it may help to apply a cold pack to the area. But if you have a reaction that's severe or doesn't get better, talk with your doctor.
Nausea
You may have nausea while taking Saxenda. In clinical studies, nausea was the most common side effect reported with Saxenda.
Saxenda commonly causes nausea because it makes food pass through your stomach more slowly. It can also cause bloating, which can cause or worsen nausea.
Nausea with Saxenda is usually mild. It typically gets better as your body gets used to the medication.
If you have nausea with Saxenda, you could try:
- eating bland foods, such as rice or crackers
- avoiding lying down after eating
- taking frequent sips of water
- drinking ginger tea or peppermint tea
- getting plenty of fresh air
- avoiding tight clothing
If you have nausea or vomiting, you should also drink plenty of fluids to avoid getting dehydrated. Dehydration can raise your risk of kidney problems with Saxenda.
It's important to note that nausea can be a symptom of serious side effects of Saxenda. These include gallbladder problems, pancreatitis, and kidney problems. If you have nausea that's troublesome or severe or that doesn't go away, talk with your doctor. They may recommend other ways to relieve this side effect or check that your nausea isn't related to serious side effects.
Allergic reactionAs with most drugs, some people can have an allergic reaction after taking Saxenda.
Symptoms of a mild allergic reaction can include:
A more severe allergic reaction is rare but possible. Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction can include:
- swelling under your skin, typically in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
- swelling of your tongue, mouth, or throat
- trouble breathing
Call your doctor right away if you have an allergic reaction to Saxenda, as the reaction could become severe. Call 911 or your local emergency number if your symptoms feel life threatening or if you think you're having a medical emergency.
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