Saxenda (liraglutide) is a brand-name drug prescribed for weight loss and long-term weight management, along with a healthy diet and exercise. As with other drugs, Saxenda can cause side effects, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Saxenda can cause certain side effects, some of which are more common than others. These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

These are just a few of the more common side effects reported by people who took Saxenda in clinical trials:

* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.

Mild side effects can occur with Saxenda use. This list doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Saxenda’s prescribing information.

Mild side effects that have been reported with Saxenda include:

These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. If you develop a side effect while taking Saxenda and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch.

* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.

Saxenda may cause serious side effects. The list below may not include all possible serious side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Saxenda’s prescribing information.

If you develop serious side effects while taking Saxenda, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Serious side effects that have been reported and their symptoms include:

* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.
† Saxenda has a boxed warning for this side effect. This is a serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). To learn more, see the “Side effect specifics” section below.
‡ To learn more, see the “Side effect specifics” section below.

Saxenda may cause several side effects. Here are some frequently asked questions about the drug’s side effects and their answers.

Does Saxenda cause hair loss?

No, you shouldn’t experience hair loss as a side effect of Saxenda. It wasn’t reported in clinical trials of the drug.

However, it’s possible for weight loss to cause hair loss. This is more likely if you lose weight quickly or if your diet doesn’t provide enough nutrients. (Saxenda is a drug prescribed for weight loss and long-term weight management.)

Let your doctor know if you notice hair loss while taking Saxenda. They can determine the most likely cause and suggest ways to manage it.

Will I experience certain side effects after stopping Saxenda?

You may experience some mild side effects after you stop taking Saxenda. This medication works by limiting how hungry you feel. When you stop taking the drug, you may notice an increased appetite. In turn, this may cause indigestion and weight gain.

Before you stop taking Saxenda, talk with your doctor. They can advise what to expect and how to reduce the risk of side effects. If you have questions about other weight management options, they can recommend the one that’s best for you.

How long do Saxenda’s side effects typically last?

In most cases, Saxenda’s side effects are mild and temporary, lasting a few days or weeks. Common side effects, such as nausea, tend to improve over time. They don’t usually cause people to stop taking Saxenda.

If you experience persistent or worsening side effects, contact your doctor. They can suggest ways to manage them.

Learn more about some of the side effects that Saxenda may cause, including a boxed warning for the risk of thyroid cancer. To find out how often side effects occurred in clinical trials, see the prescribing information for Saxenda.

Risk of thyroid cancer

Saxenda has a boxed warning for the risk of thyroid cancer. This is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). A boxed warning alerts doctors and patients about drug effects that may be dangerous.

Saxenda is a brand-name version of liraglutide. In animal studies, liraglutide was reported to cause medullary thyroid cancer (MTC). However, results from animal studies don’t always predict how the drug can affect humans. It isn’t known if Saxenda can cause thyroid cancer in people.

What you can do

Before you start treatment with Saxenda, talk with your doctor about your risk of thyroid cancer. They will likely not prescribe this drug if you or a close relative has had certain types of thyroid tumors or cancer. This includes MTC and multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2.

Kidney failure

Saxenda can cause kidney failure, even in people without any history of kidney problems. Most commonly, this side effect resulted from dehydration due to nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. In some cases, these effects occurred in people taking other medications that affect kidney function, such as Advil (ibuprofen).

Symptoms of kidney failure can include:

  • changes in the amount of urine you produce
  • confusion
  • nausea
  • swelling in the feet or ankles

What you can do

Your doctor will likely test your kidney function before treatment begins and after dosage changes. If you develop any of the symptoms listed above, let your doctor know right away.

Low blood sugar

Saxenda may cause low blood sugar (also called hypoglycemia) in people who take medication to treat type 2 diabetes. Specifically, this side effect is possible if you use insulin, such as Lantus (insulin glargine), or a medication that creates insulin, such as Glucotrol XL (glipizide).

Symptoms of low blood sugar include:

What you can do

Before starting treatment with this drug, let your doctor know if you have type 2 diabetes and take insulin-regulating drugs. They may suggest that you monitor your blood sugar more often while using Saxenda. They may also recommend adjusting the dosage of your other diabetes medications. Doing so can help reduce the risk of this side effect.

For tips to manage low blood sugar at home, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They may advise that you wear a medical alert device and educate people about how to help. They can also recommend some sources of sugar to keep nearby that your body can absorb quickly.

Nausea

It’s possible to experience nausea when using Saxenda. It was the most common side effect reported in the drug’s clinical trials. Nausea was also the most common reason people stopped using Saxenda.

What you can do

Let your doctor know if you have nausea that doesn’t go away or becomes severe. They can suggest ways to manage this side effect.

Tips to help manage nausea include:

  • avoiding foods that are fatty, fried, oily, spicy, or heavily seasoned
  • avoiding strong aromas and smells
  • eating several small snacks or meals during the day instead of three large meals
  • taking small sips of water or sucking ice chips throughout the day

Allergic reaction

As with most drugs, Saxenda can cause an allergic reaction in some people. However, this side effect was rare in clinical trials of the drug.

Symptoms can be mild or serious and can include:

  • skin rash
  • itching
  • flushing
  • swelling under your skin, typically in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
  • swelling of your mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe

What you can do

For mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, call your doctor right away. They may recommend ways to ease your symptoms and determine whether you should keep taking Saxenda. However, if your symptoms are serious and you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Suicide prevention

If you know someone at immediate risk of self-harm, suicide, or hurting another person:

  • Ask the tough question: “Are you considering suicide?”
  • Listen to the person without judgment.
  • Call 911 or the local emergency number, or text TALK to 741741 to communicate with a trained crisis counselor.
  • Stay with the person until professional help arrives.
  • Try to remove any weapons, medications, or other potentially harmful objects.

If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, a prevention hotline can help. The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available 24 hours a day at 988. During a crisis, people who are hard of hearing can use their preferred relay service or dial 711 then 988.

Find more links and local resources.

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Saxenda comes with several precautions, including a boxed warning.

Boxed warning: Risk of thyroid cancer

This drug has a boxed warning for the risk of thyroid cancer. This is a serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Saxenda is a brand-name version of liraglutide. In animal studies, liraglutide was reported to cause medullary thyroid cancer (MTC). Using Saxenda could increase your risk of MTC. However, animal studies don’t always predict what will happen in humans.

If you have a personal or family history of thyroid tumors or cancer, your doctor will likely not prescribe this drug. Before you start treatment, tell your doctor if you or a relative has had thyroid cancer or multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2. They can recommend other options for your weight management.

For more details about this precaution, see the “Side effect specifics” section above.

Other precautions

Be sure to talk with your doctor about your health history before you use Saxenda. This drug may not be the right treatment for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. These are considered drug-condition or drug-factor interactions. The conditions and factors to consider include:

Allergic reaction. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Saxenda or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe this drug. Ask your doctor what other medications may be better options for you.

Depression or suicidal thoughts. In rare cases, people have experienced depression or suicidal thoughts during Saxenda treatment. This risk may be higher if you have a history of depression or another serious mental health condition. Due to this risk, your doctor will likely not prescribe Saxenda if you’ve previously experienced suicidal thoughts. Before starting treatment, tell your doctor about your mental health history. They can discuss whether Saxenda is right for your condition.

Gastroparesis. Saxenda may cause gastroparesis (slow stomach emptying). This means the stomach takes too long to empty food, which can cause nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. Saxenda hasn’t been studied in people with this condition. However, it’s possible that the drug could make these side effects more severe. If you have gastroparesis, tell your doctor before you start using Saxenda. They can determine whether Saxenda is right for you.

Kidney problems. In rare cases, Saxenda can cause or worsen existing kidney problems. When these problems occur, they’re often related to dehydration from nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. If you have kidney disease, talk with your doctor about whether Saxenda is right for you. If you take Saxenda, drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated.

Liver problems. It isn’t known whether Saxenda is safe to use if you have certain liver conditions, such as liver disease. This drug hasn’t been studied in people with liver problems. Before you start using Saxenda, tell your doctor if you have a condition affecting your liver function. They can determine whether this is the right treatment for you.

Type 2 diabetes. Saxenda can cause low blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes who use insulin or insulin-regulating drugs. If you have diabetes, talk with your doctor before starting Saxenda treatment. They can advise whether Saxenda will affect any other medications you take. They’ll also tell you how often you should monitor your blood sugar.

Alcohol with Saxenda

There aren’t any known interactions between alcohol and Saxenda.

However, alcohol can cause many of the same side effects as Saxenda. This includes nausea, dizziness, and headache. Alcohol can also lower your blood sugar, especially if you have diabetes. Alcohol can lead to dehydration, which can increase the risk of kidney failure. Drinking alcohol during treatment with Saxenda may worsen these side effects.

If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about it. They can advise how much alcohol, if any, is safe to drink during treatment.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding while taking Saxenda

It isn’t safe to use Saxenda during pregnancy. Doctors prescribe Saxenda for weight loss, and weight loss can cause fetal harm during pregnancy. If you become pregnant during treatment, contact your doctor right away. They’ll likely recommend that you stop using Saxenda.

It isn’t known whether Saxenda is safe to use while breastfeeding. If you are breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed, talk with your doctor. They can recommend safe feeding options for you and your child.

Saxenda has some common side effects that are usually mild and temporary. However, serious side effects are possible. If you’d like to learn more about Saxenda, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can help answer any questions you have about side effects of taking the drug.

Besides talking with your doctor, you can do some research on your own. These articles might help:

  • More information about Saxenda. For details about other aspects of Saxenda, refer to this article.
  • Cost. If you’d like to learn about Saxenda and cost, see this article.
  • Drug comparison. To learn how Saxenda compares with Victoza, read this article.
  • Dosage. For information about the dosage of Saxenda, view this article.
  • A look at weight management. For details about weight management, see our weight management hub.

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.