Saxenda Constipation: How Common, How Long It Lasts
Yes. In the Saxenda trials, 19.4% of people on Saxenda had constipation, against 8.5% on placebo: about 2 times the placebo rate. It is the third most common side effect in that table. Smaller, slower meals help most.
- In the Saxenda label
- Yes, with a rate
- On Saxenda Saxenda
- 19.4%
- On placebo
- 8.5%
- Rank in the label table
- 3 of 24
Saxenda: key facts
Its half-life is about 13 hours. After 13 hours, half is gone; about 3% remains after five half-lives (2.7 d).
In SCALE Obesity and Prediabetes, 56 weeks, people lost 7.4% of body weight, compared with 3% on placebo.
Sources: FDA label (DailyMed).
How often it happens with Saxenda vs placebo
The label trials show Saxenda constipation for every dose group. The placebo group served as the comparison group in that same trial.
| Medicine and dose | Constipation | Placebo | More than placebo | People in the trials |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saxenda Saxenda | 19.4% | 8.5% | +10.9 points | Adults with obesity or overweight (weight management) |
| Saxenda Saxenda | 4.8% | 2.4% | +2.4 points | Children 12 and older with obesity |
Source: Saxenda label (DailyMed).
Constipation on Saxenda and other GLP-1s compared
Each label includes trials conducted in its own group of people. Treat it as a rough guide.
The table lists the pill forms as well: Rybelsus, Foundayo.
| Medicine | Highest rate in the label | Dose group | Placebo | People in the trials |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Foundayo | 27% | 9 mg | 9% | Adults with obesity or overweight (weight management) |
 Wegovy | 24% | 2.4 mg | 11% | Adults with obesity or overweight (weight management) |
| Saxenda | 19.4% | all doses | 8.5% | Adults with obesity or overweight (weight management) |
 Zepbound | 17% | 5 mg | 5% | Adults with obesity or overweight (weight management) |
| Byetta | 10% | all doses | 2% | Adults with type 2 diabetes (with insulin glargine) |
 Mounjaro | 7% | 15 mg | 1% | Adults with type 2 diabetes |
 Rybelsus | 6% | 7 mg | 2% | Adults with type 2 diabetes |
 Ozempic | 5% | 0.5 mg | 1.5% | Adults with type 2 diabetes |
 Victoza | 5% | 1.2 mg | 1% | Adults with type 2 diabetes |
 Trulicity | Listed, no rate given | – | – | – |
Source details: Ozempic label (DailyMed), Wegovy label (DailyMed), Rybelsus label (DailyMed), Mounjaro label (DailyMed), Zepbound label (DailyMed), Foundayo label (DailyMed), Saxenda label (DailyMed), Victoza label (DailyMed), Byetta label (DailyMed).
Source: FDA label (DailyMed).
Why it happens on Saxenda
Such medicines slow stomach emptying. Food sits longer, which can bring on constipation, most of all following big or fatty meals.
Source: health.clevelandclinic.org.
In the Saxenda label
Here, the label mentions constipation, word for word:
“reactions that occurred at a higher incidence among SAXENDA-treated patients included diarrhea, constipation, vomiting, dyspepsia, abdominal pain, dry mouth, gastritis, gastroesophageal reflux disease, flatulence, eructation”
Source: FDA label (DailyMed).
What helps, step by step
- Throughout the day, drink water to keep your stools soft.
- Take a short walk. Movement helps your gut keep moving.
- Put your feet on a small stool while you use the toilet.
- Ask about a laxative or stool softener sold at the drugstore.
- Once you feel full, stop eating, and make sure your meals are smaller. These medicines slow down how fast the stomach empties.
- Eat slowly. Your brain needs time to recognize fullness.
- If it does not ease, tell your prescriber. They may slow the dose increases, or they may suggest another GLP-1.
Before taking anything from the drugstore, check the GLP-1 interactions checker.
Source: health.clevelandclinic.org.