Saxenda is the weight-management brand of liraglutide, a daily injection authorised in the EU for weight management since 2015. Now that Wegovy and Mounjaro get most of the attention, people searching "Saxenda" usually want three things: what it actually is, what the side effects are, and how it differs from Ozempic and Wegovy. Here is what the official product information says, in plain English.
Saxenda in Ireland: the quick answer
Quick answer (checked 6 October 2026): Saxenda (liraglutide) is a prescription-only, once-daily injection authorised by the European Medicines Agency since March 2015 for weight management alongside a reduced-calorie diet and more physical activity, in adults with a BMI of 30 or above, or 27 to under 30 with a weight-related health condition. Ozempic and Wegovy both contain semaglutide, are injected once a week, and are different products: Wegovy is licensed for weight management, while Ozempic is licensed for type 2 diabetes.
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What Saxenda is and how it works
Saxenda contains liraglutide, described in the product information as a human glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) analogue with 97% amino acid sequence homology to the natural hormone. GLP-1 is a natural regulator of appetite and food intake. The product information says the exact mechanism is not entirely clear, but that in animal studies liraglutide acted on brain regions involved in appetite, increasing satiety signals and reducing hunger signals.
It is made by Novo Nordisk, comes as a pre-filled pen, and is injected under the skin of the abdomen, thigh or upper arm. Unlike the newer weekly injections, it is taken once every day, at any time, independent of meals, ideally at about the same time each day.
Who Saxenda is licensed for
The European product information (section 4.1) licenses Saxenda, together with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity, for:
- Adults with a starting BMI of 30 or above (obesity), or 27 to under 30 (overweight) with at least one weight-related condition such as prediabetes or type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, abnormal blood fats or obstructive sleep apnoea.
- Adolescents aged 12 and over with obesity and a body weight above 60 kg.
- Children aged 6 to under 12 with obesity and a body weight of 45 kg or more. For children, treatment is started by a physician experienced in managing obesity in children.
The licence also builds in a checkpoint. In adults, treatment should be stopped after 12 weeks on the full 3.0 mg daily dose if at least 5% of starting body weight has not been lost. Whether a medicine is licensed for someone is only the first step; a doctor still decides whether it is appropriate for that person.
How Saxenda is dosed
For adults, the product information starts treatment at 0.6 mg once daily and increases in 0.6 mg steps, with at least one week at each step, up to the 3.0 mg daily maintenance dose. That takes a minimum of four weeks of escalation: 0.6 mg, 1.2 mg, 1.8 mg, 2.4 mg, then 3.0 mg. The slow build-up is there to improve stomach and bowel tolerability. If a step up is not tolerated for two consecutive weeks, the product information says to consider stopping treatment. Doses above 3.0 mg a day are not recommended.
If a dose is missed by less than 12 hours, it can be taken as soon as possible; if there are fewer than 12 hours to the next dose, skip it and carry on, without doubling up. The pen is stored in a refrigerator before first use. This is a summary of the product information, not dosing advice: the prescriber and pharmacist give the instructions for your own pen.
What the trials showed
In the main 56-week trial listed in the product information (3,731 adults with obesity, or overweight with a weight-related condition, all given diet and exercise advice), people lost an average of 8.0% of body weight on Saxenda, compared with 2.6% on placebo. In that trial 63.5% of people on Saxenda lost at least 5% of their body weight, compared with 26.6% on placebo.
Those are group averages from a clinical trial. Individual results vary a great deal, some people lose less, and the numbers cannot be read as a promise for any one person. Nor can they be lined up directly against figures for other medicines, because those came from different trials in different groups of people.
Saxenda side effects, at the frequency the product information gives
The product information ranks side effects by how often they occur: "very common" means more than 1 in 10 people, and "common" means up to 1 in 10. These lists are not complete, so read the leaflet that comes with the medicine.
- Very common: nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation and headache.
- Common: dizziness, trouble sleeping, altered taste, dry mouth, indigestion, gastritis, acid reflux, upper abdominal pain, wind, belching, bloating, gallstones, rash, injection site reactions, tiredness and weakness, and raised levels of the digestive enzymes lipase and amylase on blood tests.
- Uncommon: pancreatitis, gallbladder inflammation, dehydration, fast heart rate, delayed stomach emptying and hives.
Across the trials, stomach and bowel effects were the most frequently reported group (67.9% of people). The product information says most were mild to moderate and temporary, usually occurred in the first weeks of treatment and eased within days or weeks of continued treatment, and the majority did not lead to stopping. People aged 65 and over may have more of them.
| Frequency | Examples listed |
|---|---|
| Very common (more than 1 in 10) | Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation, headache |
| Common (up to 1 in 10) | Dizziness, insomnia, dry mouth, indigestion, reflux, gallstones, rash, injection site reactions, fatigue |
| Uncommon (up to 1 in 100) | Pancreatitis, gallbladder inflammation, dehydration, fast heart rate, delayed stomach emptying |
Who should not use Saxenda, and what to watch for
The only contraindication in the product information is hypersensitivity (allergy) to liraglutide or any ingredient. But the warnings section is long, and a doctor weighs these before prescribing:
- Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Saxenda should not be used during pregnancy or breast-feeding, and should be stopped if a pregnancy occurs or is planned.
- Pancreatitis: if suspected, treatment should be stopped, and not restarted if it is confirmed. Gallstones and gallbladder inflammation were also seen more often than with placebo.
- Dehydration: vomiting and diarrhoea can cause fluid loss, which in some cases has affected the kidneys. The product information advises taking precautions to avoid fluid depletion.
- Heart rate: an increase in heart rate was seen in trials, so it should be monitored at regular intervals.
- Thyroid disease and anaesthesia: use with caution in thyroid disease, and tell the anaesthetist about any GLP-1 medicine before a procedure involving general anaesthesia or deep sedation.
- Diabetes: in type 2 diabetes it must not be combined with another GLP-1 medicine, and the dose of insulin or sulfonylurea tablets may need to be reduced to lower the risk of low blood sugar. It is not a substitute for insulin.
- Not recommended in: people aged 75 and over, severe kidney or liver impairment, and NYHA class IV heart failure; and safety and efficacy are not established alongside other weight-management products.
See how the claim works →Saxenda vs Ozempic vs Wegovy
This is where most of the confusion sits. Ozempic and Wegovy both contain semaglutide, a different active ingredient from Saxenda's liraglutide, and both are injected once a week rather than daily. What separates Ozempic from Wegovy is the licence.
| Saxenda | Ozempic | Wegovy | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Active ingredient | Liraglutide | Semaglutide | Semaglutide |
| Licensed for | Weight management | Insufficiently controlled type 2 diabetes | Weight management |
| How often | Injection, once daily | Injection, once weekly | Injection, once weekly (a tablet form is now also authorised) |
| Top maintenance dose | 3.0 mg daily | Up to 2 mg weekly (diabetes doses) | 2.4 mg weekly; the current product information also allows 7.2 mg in some adults |
| Escalation | At least 4 weeks to reach full dose | Steps of at least 4 weeks | 16 weeks to the 2.4 mg dose |
| First EU authorisation | March 2015 | February 2018 | January 2022 |
Two practical points follow. First, Ozempic is not licensed for weight management; its licensed use is type 2 diabetes. Using it for weight loss alone would be outside its licence, which is a decision for a prescribing doctor and not something to arrange casually. Wegovy is the semaglutide product licensed for weight management.
Second, the three share a family of stomach and bowel side effects, with nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and constipation featuring as very common for Saxenda and Wegovy, and nausea and diarrhoea for Ozempic. All three come with the same sensible rule: the lowest dose first, built up gradually.
We compare these medicines alongside Mounjaro in Mounjaro vs Ozempic vs Wegovy vs Saxenda: which is best in Ireland, and explain how this class works in how GLP-1 injections work.
Can you get Saxenda in Ireland, and what about the HSE?
Saxenda is authorised across the EU, and the HPRA register lists it as a prescription-only medicine supplied through pharmacies only. The same register lists its marketing availability as unknown, so a licence does not guarantee that every pharmacy has it in stock: ask your pharmacist or prescriber.
On cost, we have not published a price here: pharmacy prices vary and change, and a figure we could not confirm at source today would be misleading. Ask two or three pharmacies for the current price per pack and per month.
The HSE introduced a managed access protocol in January 2023 that allows individual reimbursement of Saxenda under the community drug schemes for a narrow group of adults. As last published, it covered adults with a BMI of 35 or above, prediabetes and a high risk of cardiovascular disease, with the prescriber applying for approval patient by patient. Criteria and availability can change, so confirm the current position with your GP or the HSE rather than relying on this summary.
For the other medicines, the HSE's reply to a parliamentary question in February 2026 said its pricing and reimbursement applications for Mounjaro and Wegovy for weight management were still under consideration. Reimbursement can change, so check the HSE or your GP for the latest. Our guide to Mounjaro and the HSE medical card covers the wider picture.
When to talk to a doctor or pharmacist
Speak to a doctor before using any prescription weight-management medicine if you are pregnant, breast-feeding or planning a pregnancy, have pancreatitis or gallbladder problems, thyroid disease, kidney or liver problems, a history of heart problems, or diabetes treated with insulin or sulfonylureas. Tell your doctor about every medicine you take, including warfarin, where the product information recommends more frequent monitoring of blood clotting when liraglutide is started.
If you are already on a GLP-1 medicine and have severe or persistent stomach pain, repeated vomiting, signs of dehydration, a racing heartbeat at rest or an allergic reaction, contact a doctor promptly or emergency services. Side effects can also be reported to the HPRA.
If you would rather have a doctor look at the whole picture than compare brand names, the starting point is a proper medical assessment.
Frequently asked questions
What is Saxenda used for?
Saxenda (liraglutide) is licensed for weight management, alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity, in adults with a BMI of 30 or above, or 27 to under 30 with a weight-related condition. It is also licensed for some adolescents and children with obesity.
What are the most common Saxenda side effects?
Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation and headache are listed as very common, meaning more than 1 in 10 people. The product information says stomach and bowel effects are usually mild to moderate and ease within days or weeks.
Is Saxenda the same as Ozempic or Wegovy?
No. Saxenda contains liraglutide and is injected daily. Ozempic and Wegovy contain semaglutide and are injected weekly. Wegovy is licensed for weight management; Ozempic is licensed for type 2 diabetes.
Is Ozempic licensed for weight loss in Ireland?
No. Ozempic's licence covers insufficiently controlled type 2 diabetes. Wegovy is the semaglutide product licensed for weight management.
Do you need a prescription for Saxenda in Ireland?
Yes. The HPRA lists Saxenda as prescription-only and supplied through pharmacies only.
Does the HSE cover Saxenda?
The HSE introduced a managed access protocol in January 2023 for individual reimbursement in a narrow group of adults (as last published: BMI 35 or above, prediabetes and high cardiovascular risk), approved patient by patient on application by the prescriber. Criteria can change, so check the current position with your GP or the HSE.
Can you use Saxenda in pregnancy?
No. The product information says Saxenda should not be used during pregnancy or breast-feeding, and should be stopped if pregnancy occurs or is planned.
Further reading
- Mounjaro vs Ozempic vs Wegovy vs Saxenda — the four compared in Ireland
- Every weight-loss medication licensed in Ireland — injections, tablets and pharmacy options
- Semaglutide side effects — what the product information lists
- Mounjaro in Ireland: the complete guide — how the treatment works and follow-up
Sources: European Medicines Agency product information (SmPC) for Saxenda, Wegovy and Ozempic (sections 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.6, 4.8, 5.1).
HPRA register entry for Saxenda, checked 6 October 2026. HSE Primary Care Reimbursement Service reply to PQ 10654/26 (17 February 2026) and the HSE managed access protocol for liraglutide (Saxenda), as last published (the HSE page could not be re-opened on 6 October 2026, so check current criteria). This article is general information, not medical advice; ask a doctor or pharmacist about your own situation.
