Important Safety Info for GLP-1s

If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or seek immediate medical attention.

These serious side effects can occur with Saxenda. You or a caregiver should carefully monitor for these side effects, especially in the beginning of treatment and with dose changes.

• Thyroid C-Cell Tumors: In mice and rats, liraglutide (the active ingredient in Victoza and Saxenda) caused an increase in thyroid C-cell tumors, including medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC). It is unknown whether Wegovy causes thyroid C-cell tumors in humans. There were cases of MTC reported in patients who took liraglutide (the active ingredient in Victoza and Saxenda) after the drug was put on the market. Saxenda is contraindicated in patients with a family history of MTC or in patients with Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2). Tell your provider if you get a lump or swelling in your neck, hoarseness, trouble swallowing, or shortness of breath. These may be symptoms of thyroid cancer. 

• Inflammation of Pancreas (Acute Pancreatitis): Monitor for signs of acute pancreatitis, including severe abdominal pain that does not go away, sometimes radiating to the back, with or without vomiting.

• Acute Gallbladder Disease: Saxenda may cause gallbladder problems, including gallstones. Some gallbladder problems require surgery. Tell your provider right away if you have pain in your upper stomach, yellowing of skin or eyes (jaundice), fever, or clay-colored stools.

• Low Blood Sugar (hypoglycemia): Saxenda lowers blood glucose. It can cause too low blood sugar in patients who take Saxenda with another glucose control medication, including insulin. Monitor your blood sugar and watch out for signs of too low blood sugar such as dizziness, blurred vision, mood changes, sweating, or fast heartbeat.

• Acute Kidney Injury: In people who have kidney problems, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting may cause a loss of fluids (dehydration) which may cause kidney problems to get worse. It is important for you to drink plenty of water to help reduce your chance of dehydration.

• Severe Gastrointestinal Adverse Reactions: Use of Saxenda has been associated with severe gastrointestinal reactions that are sometimes severe.

• Serious Allergic Reactions: Stop using Saxenda right away if you experience symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including swelling of your face, lips, tongue or throat, severe rash or itching, very rapid heartbeat, problems breathing or swallowing, or fainting or feeling dizzy.

• Diabetic Retinopathy Complications in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: If you have type 2 diabetes, tell your provider right away if you experience changes in vision.

• Increase in Heart Rate: Tell your provider right away if you have a racing heartbeat while at rest. 

• Pulmonary Aspiration During General Anesthesia or Deep Sedation: Saxenda causes a delay in gastric emptying. There have been reports of pulmonary aspiration (when food or liquid from the stomach enters the lungs) in people taking GLP-1 medications, including Saxenda, while undergoing surgery requiring sedation, even when instructed to fast before the surgery. If you have a planned major surgery requiring sedation, reach out to your provider for instructions.

• Depression or thoughts of suicide: You should pay attention to any mental changes, especially sudden changes, in your mood, behaviors, thoughts, or feelings. Call your health care provider right away if you have any mental changes that are new, worse, or worry you.

• Increased heart rate: Saxenda can increase your heart rate while you are at rest. Your health care provider should check your heart rate while you take Saxenda. Tell your health care professional if you feel your heart racing or pounding in your chest and it lasts for several minutes.

Never Share a Pen: Pen-sharing poses a risk of infection.