Saxenda Side Effects: How Common, How Long They Last
In the Saxenda label, nausea is the most common side effect: 39.3% on Saxenda vs 13.8% on placebo. Next come diarrhea and constipation.
- Most common
- Nausea 39.3%
- Same on placebo
- 13.8%
- Stopped because of side effects
- 9.8%
- Trial group
- Adults with obesity or overweight (weight management)
A quick look at Saxenda
The half-life is about 13 hours. Half remains after 13 h, while about 3% remains after five half-lives (2.7 d).
In the SCALE Obesity and Prediabetes, 56 weeks trial, the figures were 7.4% of body weight and 3% on placebo.
Sources: FDA label (DailyMed).
Saxenda side effects: label rates vs placebo
The FDA label includes 24 Saxenda side effects seen often in placebo-controlled trials. How much more often each one occurred than on placebo appears in the last column.
| Side effect | Placebo | Saxenda Saxenda | More than placebo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nausea | 13.8% | 39.3% | +25.5 points |
| Diarrhea | 9.9% | 20.9% | +11 points |
| Constipation | 8.5% | 19.4% | +10.9 points |
| Vomiting | 3.9% | 15.7% | +11.8 points |
| Injection Site Reaction | 10.5% | 13.9% | +3.4 points |
| Headache | 12.6% | 13.6% | +1 points |
| Hypoglycemia in T2DM | 6.6% | 12.6% | +6 points |
| Dyspepsia | 2.7% | 9.6% | +6.9 points |
| Fatigue | 4.6% | 7.5% | +2.9 points |
| Dizziness | 5% | 6.9% | +1.9 points |
| Abdominal Pain | 3.1% | 5.4% | +2.3 points |
| Increased Lipase | 2.2% | 5.3% | +3.1 points |
| Upper Abdominal Pain | 2.7% | 5.1% | +2.4 points |
| Gastroenteritis | 3.2% | 4.7% | +1.5 points |
| Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease | 1.7% | 4.7% | +3 points |
| Abdominal Distension | 3% | 4.5% | +1.5 points |
| Eructation | 0.2% | 4.5% | +4.3 points |
| Urinary Tract Infection | 3.1% | 4.3% | +1.2 points |
| Flatulence | 2.5% | 4% | +1.5 points |
| Viral Gastroenteritis | 1.6% | 2.8% | +1.2 points |
| Insomnia | 1.7% | 2.4% | +0.7 points |
| Dry Mouth | 1% | 2.3% | +1.3 points |
| Asthenia | 0.8% | 2.1% | +1.3 points |
| Anxiety | 1.6% | 2% | +0.4 points |
Source: FDA label (DailyMed).
| Side effect | Placebo | Saxenda Saxenda | More than placebo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nausea | 14.3% | 42.4% | +28.1 points |
| Vomiting | 4% | 34.4% | +30.4 points |
| Diarrhea | 14.3% | 22.4% | +8.1 points |
| Hypoglycemia | 4% | 15.2% | +11.2 points |
| Gastroenteritis | 4.8% | 12.8% | +8 points |
| Dizziness | 3.2% | 10.4% | +7.2 points |
| Pyrexia | 7.1% | 8% | +0.9 points |
| Abdominal discomfort | 0.8% | 4.8% | +4 points |
| Constipation | 2.4% | 4.8% | +2.4 points |
| Dyslipidemia | 3.2% | 4.8% | +1.6 points |
| Fatigue | 3.2% | 4.8% | +1.6 points |
| Cough | 3.2% | 4% | +0.8 points |
| Depression | 2.4% | 4% | +1.6 points |
| Dyspepsia | 2.4% | 4% | +1.6 points |
| Pain in extremity | 2.4% | 4% | +1.6 points |
| Injection site pain | 3.2% | 3.2% | No more than placebo |
| Flatulence | 0% | 3.2% | +3.2 points |
| Increased Blood Creatine Kinase | 2.4% | 3.2% | +0.8 points |
| Increased Lipase | 0.8% | 3.2% | +2.4 points |
| Rash | 0% | 3.2% | +3.2 points |
Source: FDA label (DailyMed).
Serious warnings in plain language
- Thyroid C-cell tumors: Boxed warning. A boxed warning covers Thyroid C-cell tumors. It caused them in rodents, but whether it causes them in people is not known. Do not use it if you have had medullary thyroid cancer (MTC), or if a family member has had it. Do not use it if you have MEN 2.
- Pancreatitis. It can inflame the pancreas, which is pancreatitis. Get care and stop taking it if severe stomach pain continues and sometimes spreads to your back.
- Gallbladder disease. You may get gallstones and inflammation of the gallbladder. Report any fever, yellow skin or eyes, or belly pain on the upper right side.
- Low blood sugar. Using insulin or a sulfonylurea with it makes low blood sugar more likely. The doses may need to be lowered.
- Faster heart rate. Can raise resting heart rate. Let your doctor know if your heartbeat races or pounds while you are at rest.
- Kidney injury from fluid loss. Losing fluid from vomiting or diarrhea can harm the kidneys. A heavy fluid loss should be reported. Drink fluids.
- Severe stomach and gut reactions. Severe stomach and bowel reactions: Problems affecting the Stomach and gut occur often and may be severe. This medicine is not suggested for people who have severe gastroparesis.
- Allergic reactions can be severe. Serious allergic reactions have been reported, including swelling of the face, lips or throat. Stop taking the medicine and get help right away if any of these occur.
- Food entering the lungs while you receive anesthesia or sedation. Food may remain in your stomach longer. This matters during deep sedation or anesthesia. Tell the care team before any procedure.
Source: FDA label (DailyMed).
Source: FDA label (DailyMed).
Common side effects, listed one by one
- Nausea rates: the rate was 39.3% with Saxenda, 13.8% with placebo
- Diarrhea rates: the rate was 20.9% with Saxenda, 9.9% with placebo
- Constipation rates: the rate was 19.4% with Saxenda, 8.5% with placebo
- Headache rates: the rate was 13.6% with Saxenda, 12.6% with placebo
- Dyspepsia rates: the rate was 9.6% with Saxenda, 2.7% with placebo
- Saxenda fatigue: Fatigue affected 7.5% with Saxenda, 4.6% in the placebo group
- Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease: Rates were 4.7% with Saxenda, 1.7% with placebo
- Belching: 4.5% of people on Saxenda, 0.2% on placebo
- Weakness: 2.1% of people on Saxenda, 0.8% on placebo
Questions about Saxenda also cover Butt changes, Face changes, Hair loss, and Muscle loss.