Saxenda is a game-changer in weight loss treatments, helping many people achieve their body-weight goals when used correctly. However, since it’s an injectable medication, proper use is crucial to ensure the best results.
Whether you’re just starting or want to refine your injection technique, this step-by-step injection guide provides simple tips to help you safely and confidently use your Saxenda pen.
Prefer watching over reading? Check out this video guide on how to use Saxenda Pens:
What is Saxenda?
Saxenda (liraglutide) is a prescription weight-loss medication designed to support adults who are overweight or obese. It works alongside a reduced-calorie diet and regular physical activity.
What makes Saxenda unique is its ability to regulate appetite and increase the feeling of fullness. The active ingredient, liraglutide, belongs to a class of medications called GLP-1 receptor agonists, which help reduce calorie intake.
Saxenda is delivered through a once-daily injection administered subcutaneously (just under the skin). It’s available only with a doctor’s prescription.
Related article: All You Need to Know About Saxenda Storage: Refrigeration, Room Temperature, ShelfLife, and Lots of Q&As!
The Saxenda Pen
Image Credit: @Novo Nordisk
Saxenda pens are prefilled injection devices that make administering the medication straightforward. Each pen contains 3mL of liraglutide, and doses can be adjusted using a built-in dose selector knob.
The pens work with disposable needles. It’s crucial to use a new needle for every injection to maintain hygiene and prevent complications.
Keep in mind that Saxenda is temperature-sensitive. Store unopened pens in the fridge (2°C to 8°C) and avoid exposure to heat or direct sunlight. Opened pens can be stored at room temperature (below 30°C) but must be used within 30 days.
How to Use a Saxenda Pen
While using autoinjector pens for subcutaneous injections like Saxenda is quite straightforward, it's essential to do it correctly to ensure proper medication administration.
Your nurse or doctor must have instructed you on how to use a Saxenda pen before sending you home with your new prescription. When in doubt, please refer to the instructions available with your Saxenda pen.
Here’s a reminder of the steps to follow for proper injection:
Step 1: Inspect the Injection Pen
Before injecting, always check the medication in the pen. Liraglutide should be clear and colourless without any particles. If the solution looks cloudy or has particles, don’t use it.
Also, ensure the pen hasn’t expired. Saxenda pens have two expiration dates:
- The labelled expiry date for unopened pens.
- A 30-day expiry after first use or storage at room temperature.
You may let refrigerated pens sit at room temperature for a few minutes before injecting to reduce discomfort.
Step 2: Attach a New Needle
Always use a new, sterile needle for each injection. Wash your hands thoroughly before connecting the needle.
To connect a needle to the Saxenda pen, first, remove it from its sterile packaging. Tear off the paper tab, push the needle onto the pen tip, and screw it clockwise. Then, pull off the outer plastic cap and keep it on the side. Pull off the small inner needle cap and throw it away.
Step 3: Prime Your Saxenda Pen
Before the first use of each Saxenda pen, or if the pen has not been used for more than a week, you need to prime it. Priming means injecting a little medicine into the air to ensure the pen works and all air bubbles are gone.
To prime an injector pen, dial the dose selector to the flow check symbol (a needle tip with two dots). Hold the pen with the needle pointing up and tap it lightly to move any air bubbles to the top.
Then, push the injection button. You must see a drop of medicine at the needle tip. If not, repeat priming until you do. If no drop of medicine appears after 3 primings, try with a new needle. If it’s still not working, do not use the pen and contact the manufacturer or your pharmacist.
Step 4: Select Your Dose
Use the dose selector to dial the amount prescribed by your doctor (0.6mg to 3mg). Never change your dose without consulting your healthcare provider.
Step 5: Choose an Injection Site
Saxenda is injected into the fatty layer just under the skin. Common injection sites for Saxenda include:
- The abdomen (avoid the area within 2 inches of the navel).
- The upper outer thigh.
- The back of the upper arm.
Rotate injection sites regularly to prevent skin irritation or lumps.
Step 6: Inject Your Dose of Saxenda
Insert the needle into your chosen site at a 90-degree angle. Press the injection button and hold it down until the dose counter shows “0.” Keep the needle in place for at least 6 seconds before removing it.
Step 7: Dispose of the Needle
Carefully put the outer needle cap back on and unscrew the used needle to disconnect it from your Saxenda pen. Dispose of it in a sharps bin, never in the household trash.
Then, put the Saxenda pen cap back on and store your pen as instructed (at room temperature or in the refrigerator for up to 30 days).
Related article: 10 Tips for Travelling With Saxenda
Where to Inject Saxenda
Injection site selection is crucial for effective treatment and comfort. Saxenda is administered subcutaneously, and the most common injection sites are:
- Abdomen: At least 2 inches away from the belly button.
- Thigh: The upper outer thigh.
- Upper Arm: The back of the upper arm.
Always avoid injecting into veins, muscles, or damaged skin. If you experience persistent irritation at an injection site, consult your doctor.
Where not to inject Saxenda?
There are certain areas you should avoid when injecting Saxenda or any other subcutaneous drug:
- Near the belly button: Avoid injecting too close to the belly button (navel). You should aim to inject at least two inches away from it.
- Damaged skin: Do not inject Saxenda into areas where the skin is tender, bruised, red, hard, scarred, or damaged.
- Moles or birthmarks: Avoid injecting Saxenda in areas with moles or birthmarks.
- Previous injection site reactions: If you had a skin reaction at a prior injection site, avoid using that same site for subsequent injections.
- Veins and muscles: As Saxenda is a subcutaneous injection, it should be injected just under the skin and not into veins or muscles.
If you're unsure where to inject Saxenda, seek advice from your nurse or doctor.
Injection Site Rotation
Remember to rotate injection sites within these areas at each Saxenda injection. Rotating your injection sites is essential for several reasons:
- Prevent skin complications: Repeated injections in the same site can cause skin and underlying tissue changes, such as thickening or pitting (also known as lipodystrophy). This can make the skin look uneven or dented and can also affect how the medication is absorbed.
- Prevent pain and discomfort: Injecting repeatedly in the same place can lead to scar tissue build-up, making injections more painful over time.
- Improve medication absorption: Consistent rotation helps ensure the medication is being absorbed effectively. The absorption rate can vary depending on the site, and repeatedly using the same site can impact how the drug works.
How Long Does it Take for Saxenda to Work?
Saxenda begins regulating appetite immediately, but visible weight loss varies. Most patients start seeing results within a few weeks to months when combined with a healthy diet and exercise.
Stick with your prescribed treatment plan, and don’t hesitate to consult your doctor if you have concerns about your progress.
We'd Love to Hear Your Thoughts!
Are you using Saxenda? Share your experience with us in the comments below!
