My Saxenda Injection Review (Ingredients, Results, Side Effects) – Does It Work?

It's time for my Saxenda Injection Review. Does this product really work for weight loss?

Just so you know, it's actually so popular for several reasons.

With that – let's look at its features, to understand the hidden facts behind it:

• how it works
• its top ingredients
• its regular price range

Let's find out the real truth behind this product, so that you can decide if you're going to try it (or not).

Note: This review is based on my research + opinion on Saxenda Injection.

Review Summary

Full Name: Saxenda Liraglutide Injection by Novo Nordisk

Product Type: Weight Loss Prescription Medication

Best Actual Price: $1349.02 (30 days supply)

Cheapest Place To Buy: Its official website

Designed For: Promoting weight loss, as well as other additional benefits:

• suppressing appetite
• regulating insulin production and blood glucose levels
• boosting the feeling of satiety

My Rating: 3 out of 10

Recommended?: Not at all – unless your doctor prescribes it to you.

In any other case, it's not a good option at all:

• extremely dangerous side effects
• not too easy to get
• very pricey for a regular budget

In most cases, Saxenda is effective for losing weight when you have diabetes – because it's a prescription medication.

However – there's a much safer alternative that can help you lose weight more easily. 

Besides, it doesn't require any prescription and it doesn't put your life at risk, as Saxenda does.

What I Liked About It

• Comes as a prescription medication
• Contains a famous compound proven to aid weight loss
• Dosages are personalized (depending on a person's case)
• Works by controlling other factors to stop weight gain

What I Didn’t Like About It

• Can trigger some serious side effects (in the worst case)
• Extremely pricey for a weight loss product
• Not very convenient to use (injection)
• Only suitable for a specific category of people

#1 – How It Works & Producer

Now – we're going to look at Saxenda's general info:

• how it works internally
• the producer behind it
• the health issues it helps

1. How It Works

Firstly – Saxenda is an injectable prescription medicine for weight loss.

So what makes it unique from other supplements is its mechanism of action especially its main active compound, liraglutide).

To give you an idea, liraglutide imitates the activities of GLP-1 receptor agonists [1] :

• reduces gastric acid secretion and emptying
• suppresses appetite
• enhances secretion of insulin [2]
• improves blood glucose levels
• regulates neurotransmitter production

The consequences of these benefits are a reduction in body weight and appetite.

At the same time, liraglutide can increase satiety and the feeling of fullness.

In my view, any weight loss regimen should be partnered with proper diet and exercise.

So in that way – you can see the best results.

Now – I also want to point out that liraglutide might also affect mood and cognition.

That's because it involves the neurotransmitters in its mechanism of action.

This is the reason why it causes several side effects (like mental issues or suicide). But we're going to talk more about these issues later on.

As of now, Saxenda is effective in most cases, simply because people who used it received it as a prescription treatment.

In other words, it was recommended by a doctor for a specific case of diabetes, so it was indeed helpful.

But when it comes to taking it randomly (especially if you don't have diabetes), I doubt it would actually help too much…

2. Company Behind

The producer behind Saxenda is called Novo Nordisk .

This Big Pharma brand is extremely famous in the medical world.

In case you're not familiar with it, here are some essentials details :

• focuses on developing medicines for diabetes, obesity, hemophilia and more
• comes with a reliable and informative official website
• some of its products are Saxenda®, Wegovy®, Ozempic® and Victoza®
• contact info includes company addresses, phone numbers and email

Honestly – this brand is behind a lot of weight loss drugs (especially popular ones).

The staff most likely dedicated years of research to create those products.

Overall – I don't think it's a sketchy brand itself…

Just make sure to buy your products from the official source, not from a questionable website.

#2 – Ingredients (8 out of 10)

Saxenda's formula is quite straightforward, so there isn't much to talk about here.

As I mentioned, Saxenda contains liraglutide as its main active compound.

This is a GLP-1 or glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist.

According to some studies, here are its key benefits:

• significantly increases weight loss [3]
• improves insulin resistance
• regulates systolic blood pressure
• normalizes blood sugar and triglyceride levels
• supports pancreatic cell function [4]
• lowers the risk of cardiovascular disease
• reduces some complications related to type 2 diabetes  [5]
• decreases further issues caused by obesity

Additionally – liraglutide also affects brain neurotransmitter levels [6].

In fact, some research mentioned that it has antidepressant effects [7].

However, there are some contradicting reports that Saxenda can cause suicidal thoughts and depression.

There aren't enough proofs yet, s further investigations are still needed.

But I'm pretty sure they're not all a coincidence.

The best explanation behind those mental health issues could be its association with neuronal pathways.

So if you have a history of mental health problems, you should definitely avoid Saxenda at all costs.

Now – here are the rest of Saxenda's ingredients (inactive compounds):

1. Disodium phosphate dihydrate
2. Propylene glycol
3. Phenol
4. Water

Also – hydrochloric acid or sodium hydroxide may be added for pH adjustment (according to the label).

Now, those compounds are designed to stabilize the top ingredient.

They don't have any active benefits or contributions to Saxenda's final effect.

Overall – Saxenda's formula supports weight loss by suppressing appetite and increasing the feeling of fullness.

It does work, but only if you're suffering from diabetes and it's specifically prescribed by a doctor.

Conclusion

To sum it up, Saxenda contains liraglutide as its only ingredient.

It's proven to be beneficial for weight loss and other issues connected to it.

However – you need to be careful, since there are so many people complaining about serious side reactions.

That's why you should only use it if your doctor specifically prescribed it to you.

#3 – Consistency & Dosage (4 out of 10)

Now – let's discuss the necessary details about Saxenda in this chapter.

1. Consistency

Again – Saxenda is a pre-filled injection medication:

• clear/colorless liquid
• slightly watery texture
• no unpleasant or off smell

Honestly, its consistency makes it easy to administer subcutaneously (just under the skin).

Also – it's less messy, since you only need to remember your dosage and schedule.

2. Dosage

Since Saxenda is a prescription drug, the dosages vary from one health issue to another.

In other words, your doctor will be the one adjusting your dosage to your specific needs.

Now, here are the type of people Saxenda is suitable for [8]:

• obese (BMI ≥ 30) or overweight (BMI ≥ 27) adults with at least one weight-related problem
• pediatric patients (12 years old and older) above 60 kg

Again – Saxenda's dosage is individualized.

Here are some general directions on how to use it (your doctor will tell you more):

1. Read the instructions carefully before using it.
2. Seek proper training from your healthcare provider in terms of how to insert the pen.
3. Check your injection pen to make sure it's prefilled with liraglutide.
4. Familiarize yourself with the parts of the pen.
5. Wash your hands and pull off the pen cap.
6. Take a new needle and push the needle straight onto the pen until it's tight.
7. Pull off the outer and inner needle caps.
8. Check the flow and turn the dose selector.
9. Inject your dose into your skin and hold down until the dose counter shows zero.
10. Keep the needle in your skin until after counting to 6 slowly.
11. Remove the needle from the skin and also from the pen.
12. Put the pen cap on to preserve the product until the next use.

Additionally – you should always use new needles to avoid contamination, infection and leakage.

As you can see, Saxenda can be quite tricky to use and it requires a lot of focus.

Honestly – I'm not a huge fan of this product from this point of view.

Let's face it – taking a pill is completely different than having an injection.

And most of us have been fearing injections forever…

Overall – Saxenda is not that easy to take, compared to typical supplements/medicines.

#4 – Results (7 out of 10)

Firstly – Saxenda is only available on its official website. So we're going to feature the reviews from there.

I also found a couple of comments from other reliable sources, so we're going to have a look at them as well.

Note: I only analyzed authentic reviews, not promotional or fake ones.

1. What People Say

Again – Saxenda can't be bought from typical online marketplaces, like Amazon or Walmart.

So we can't really filter the positive and negative opinions.

With that being said, here are the comments from people who tried it:

1. A lot of them mentioned that they lost their excess weight really fast.
2. Others stated that their BMI normalized after consistent use.
3. Some said that they felt less hungry and it controlled their appetite.
4. Several people experienced mild to serious side effects.
5. In rare cases, there were users who gained weight after they stopped using it.

Obviously – there's a high number of people who are satisfied with Saxenda's weight loss effects.

However, there's something you need to know:

1. Most of them received it as a prescription treatment from their doctor.
2. In these circumstances, it's quite obvious that it would work…
3. So it's really important to consult a doctor before using Saxenda.

Truth is –  you can't really get Saxenda legally unless it's prescribed by your doctor.

But even so, there were a couple of people who got their hands on it anyway (who knows how):

1. Most of them didn't even have diabetes.
2. They only wanted to lose weight and tried Saxenda “randomly”.
3. Consequently, their results were far from the best.
4. They did indeed lose weight, but they ended up with insulin or hormonal imbalances and other serious side effects.

That's one of the reasons why I would NEVER recommend Saxenda unless a doctor prescribes it to you.

It's an injectable medication, this tells a lot about it already…

Conclusion

Overall – Saxenda is effective for weight loss in a lot of cases.

But it mostly works when it's prescribed by a doctor (in a personalized dose).

A lot of people without diabetes who took it randomly ended up with a lot of serious side reactions.

So if you don't want to take that risks, there are some much better alternatives.

#5 – Side Effects (4 out of 10)

We talked about Saxenda's most dangerous side effects in another article.

But the point is that some of them are really severe>

• hypoglycemia
• digestive discomfort (constipation, abdominal cramps or diarrhea)
• pancreatic inflammation
• gallstones/gallbladder or kidney problems
• allergic reactions
• nausea, fatigue or vomiting
• swollen injection sites
• elevated heart rate
• suicidal ideation or depression

The first thing you need to be aware of is the list of health conditions that are not compatible with Saxenda.

It's a very important step in order to to avoid those dangerous adverse reactions.

But by far, Saxenda's most serious risks are related to depression and suicidal thoughts.

As I mentioned before, Saxenda's liraglutide content involves neuronal pathways.

This can lead to cognitive decline or mood impairment.

However – the connection between the compound and the side effects is still not completely proven:

• there were a lot of complaints in the media
• FDA is also investigating the problem
• the drug is still in its initial popularity stage

Obviously, if you had any mental health issues in the past, you should stay away of Saxenda.

In addition – liraglutide is a GLP-1 agonist receptor.

If you're already taking other GLP-1 agonist receptor drugs, you should also avoid taking it.

Their interactions could lead to serious complications.

All in all, you might be afraid to use Saxenda now – and you should be.

Unless it's prescribed by a doctor, you should stay away from it completely. Instead, try a much better (but safer) alternative.

#6 – Price (1 out of 10)

As a prescription type of treatment, Saxenda is incredibly expensive.

You can probably understand by now that it's not worth it too much…

1. The Exact Price

The only way to get the legit version of Saxenda is through its official website.

Also – you can buy it straight from legal pharmacies (with a prescription, obviously).

To give you an idea, I listed some info regarding its price range:

• the cost of a 30-day supply is $1349.02
• discounts depend on your insurance coverage (if you have one)

If you do the math based on its list price, one injection pen costs around $45.

Now, $45 doesn't seem too much on a weight loss product – but it seems way too much on a daily dose.

A lot of people don't have medical insurance, so they would have to pay the full price.

Honestly, I would never advise you to do that.

There are a lot of weight loss alternatives on the market – some are cheaper, while others are pricier.

But none of them is as expensive as Saxenda…

2. Competitors’ Price

If you're looking for another option that won't break the bank, I have a suggestion.

It's called PhenQ and it's my #1 recommended weight loss supplement:

1. PhenQ's formula has the best ingredients for helping you lose weight correctly.
2. Also, it comes with 5 unique mechanisms of action to stop further weight gain.
3. It has minimal chances of causing serious adverse reactions.
4. Saxenda contains one main active ingredient that is known to mimic the GLP-1 agonist receptor.
5. It works by controlling the neurotransmitters to promote lesser appetite and weight loss.
6. But since it's a prescription drug, it has way more rules to follow and is quite risky.
7. PhenQ is designed as capsules, while Saxenda is an injectable medication.
8. The normal price of PhenQ is $69 and its discounted price is $37.
9. A 30-day supply of Saxenda is $1349.02.

Honestly, PhenQ seems a much better option from all points of view.

It's much safer, a lot more affordable for most of us and it works for everyone (without needing a doctor's prescription).

On the other hand, Saxenda is all the opposite.

So if you want a safer alternative with a much lower pricing, I highly suggest that you buy PhenQ instead.

It's not only more affordable, but it's also easier (and less painful) to use, all that while it works really well.

Conclusion

Overall – Saxenda's pricey is an absolute joke.

Considering what it does and the risks it comes with, I could never recommend spending over $1000/month on it.

Instead, there are many safer alternatives that work really well but they also cost decently.

#7 – Final Conclusions

Now – let me give you a summary of my major points on Saxenda.

1. Well-Studied Active Ingredient

As I mentioned above, Saxenda contains liraglutide, which is a GLP-1 receptor agonist.

Here are some of its benefits (on paper):

• appetite suppression
• effective weight loss
• increased satiety

Additionally – it can also improve blood sugar and insulin levels.

But keep in mind that it's not a direct treatment for diabetes.

2. Serious Side Effects

Firstly – Saxenda comes as an injectable pen, which might be very painful.

Besides, it can also cause very dangerous adverse reactions.

Recently, there were some reports about depression/suicidal thoughts while using it.

Although there's no solid proof (yet), you need to be super careful.

You should only use it if your doctor prescribed it – not in any other case.

3. Huge Price Tag

Lastly – Saxenda's one-month supply has a list price of $1349.02.

So each injection pen costs around $45, which is huge.

I don't know who could afford paying $45/day just to lose weight (while putting your life at risk).

Pretty much every weight loss product out there costs a lot less, so why spend a small fortune on Saxenda?

My Verdict – Worth It Or Not?

Short answer: Absolutely not – unless your doctor specifically prescribes it.

It's not the worst product, since it does help with weight loss connected to diabetes.

However – it comes with some huge problems:

1. Can cause some alarming adverse reactions
2. Costs over $1000/month
3. Using it daily is pretty painful
4. Can only be bought with a prescription

To be honest, Saxenda shouldn't cause you too many problems if it's compatible to your overall health.

But adverse reactions do appear at times.

Even so, its huge price is by far the biggest issue it comes with.

Now – if you want to skip the risks and the high price tag, I have a better alternative.

It's my top recommended weight loss supplement, called PhenQ:

• Very low risk of causing side effects
• Well-tolerated and convenient to take daily
• Proven to be potent in reducing excess body weight
• Affordable for its high-quality features
• Targets the 5 main causes of weight gain

Unlike Saxenda, PhenQ doesn't require any prescription and it has a much lower price tag.

But even so, those factors won't decrease its effectiveness when it comes to weight loss.

In fact – its formula is potent enough, as long as you take the supplement correctly.

With that, you can choose it as an alternative without thinking too much.

It's pretty much the best option you can get right now!

References:

1 – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/-pmc/articles/-PMC9945324/

2 – https://www.sciencedirect.com/-topics/-glucagon-like-peptide-1-receptor-agonist/

3 – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/-pmc/articles/-PMC3781545/

4 – https://www.elsevier.es/-effects-liraglutide-on-weight-reduction/

5 – https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/-23360033/

6 – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/-pmc/articles/-PMC4478577/

7 – https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/-36566932/

8 – https://www.saxenda.com/about-saxenda/-how-to-use-the-pen/