Saxenda (liraglutide) is a prescription drug that’s used to help with weight loss. Saxenda can cause side effects that range from mild to serious. Examples include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Specifically, Saxenda is approved to help with weight loss in adults and certain children who have obesity. It is also used in adults who have overweight and have a weight-related condition, such as high blood pressure.

Doctors prescribe Saxenda along with a low calorie diet and increased exercise for long-term weight management.

Keep reading to learn about the common, mild, and serious side effects that Saxenda can cause. For a general overview of the drug, including details about its uses, see this article.

Saxenda has a boxed warning. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). For details, see the “Side effects explained” section below.

Some people may experience mild to serious side effects during their Saxenda treatment. Examples of the drug’s commonly reported side effects include:

Mild side effects have been reported with Saxenda. These include:

In most cases, these side effects should be temporary. Some may be easily managed. But if you have symptoms that are ongoing or bothersome, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Do not stop using Saxenda unless your doctor recommends it.

Saxenda may cause mild side effects other than those listed above. See the drug’s prescribing information for details.

Serious side effects have been reported with Saxenda. These include:

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.

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects explained” section below.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. If you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with Saxenda, visit MedWatch.

Allergic reaction

For some people, Saxenda can cause an allergic reaction.

But this side effect was rarely reported in the drug’s studies.

In general, symptoms of an allergic reaction can be mild or serious. You can learn more about possible symptoms in this article.

What might help

If you have mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may suggest a treatment to manage your symptoms and can determine whether you should keep taking Saxenda.

If you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling or difficulty breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms could be life threatening and require immediate medical care.

If your doctor confirms you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Saxenda, they may have you switch to a different treatment.

Get answers to some frequently asked questions about Saxenda’s side effects.

How do side effects of Saxenda compare with those seen with Ozempic?

Saxenda and Ozempic have many similar side effects. This is because both medications work in similar ways. But they have different uses. Saxenda is FDA-approved to help with weight loss, while Ozempic is FDA-approved to help manage blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes.

In Saxenda’s studies, common side effects included nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal discomfort. These side effects were also reported in Ozempic’s studies.

Do Saxenda side effects go away?

Typically yes. But, how long Saxenda’s side effects last can vary. Most often, side effects, such as nausea and vomiting, will resolve within a few days to weeks. Sometimes, you may develop long-term side effects.

Long-term side effects include those that may start at any time you’re taking a drug, even if you’ve taken it for a long time. It also includes side effects that may not go away, even after you stop taking the drug.

Examples of long-term side effects reported in Saxenda’s studies include increased heart rate and mood changes, such as depression and suicidal thoughts.

Talk with your doctor to learn more about possible side effects of Saxenda and how long they may last.

Can Saxenda cause hair loss?

No. Hair loss wasn’t reported as a side effect in studies of Saxenda.

Earlier this year, the FDA announced they were going to investigate GLP-1 drugs, like Saxenda, over concerns of possible alopecia (hair loss). This investigation is under review, and the FDA has not yet announced the final findings.

If you have questions about hair loss while using Saxenda, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Learn more about some of the side effects Saxenda may cause.

Risk of thyroid cancer

Saxenda has a boxed warning for the risk of thyroid cancer. Although not reported in human studies, there’s a possibility of developing thyroid cancer in people using Saxenda. Thyroid cancer may cause symptoms such as:

  • neck pain
  • hoarseness
  • a lump in your throat
  • difficulty breathing

What might help

Talk with your doctor about your personal and family history of thyroid problems. You should not start Saxenda if you or a close family member have:

If you develop any of the above symptoms during your Saxenda treatment, talk with your doctor right away.

Pancreatitis

Acute (sudden) pancreatitis was a rare side effect reported in studies of Saxenda. Acute pancreatitis is a condition that causes sudden inflammation of the pancreas. This may cause symptoms such as:

  • middle-left upper abdominal pain
  • abdominal swelling and tenderness
  • fever
  • nausea
  • vomiting

What might help

If you develop any of the above symptoms while using Saxenda, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. Pancreatitis typically requires treatment in the hospital. In severe cases, it can be life threatening.

If you developed pancreatitis during Saxenda treatment, your doctor may recommend stopping Saxenda and would prescribe an alternative treatment for weight management.

Keeping track of side effects

During your Saxenda treatment, consider taking notes on any side effects you’re having. You can then share this information with your doctor. This is especially helpful when you first start taking a new drug or using a combination of treatments.

Your side effect notes can include things such as:

  • what dose of the drug you were taking when you had the side effect
  • how soon you had the side effect after starting that dose
  • what your symptoms were
  • how your symptoms affected your daily activities
  • what other medications you were taking
  • any other information you feel is important

Keeping notes and sharing them with your doctor will help them learn more about how Saxenda affects you. They can then use this information to adjust your treatment plan if needed.

Below is important information you should consider before taking Saxenda.

Boxed warning: Risk of thyroid cancer

Saxenda has a boxed warning. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA. For details, see the “Side effects explained” section above.

Other warnings

Saxenda can sometimes cause harmful effects in people who have certain conditions. This is known as a drug-condition interaction. Other factors may also affect whether Saxenda is a good treatment option for you.

Talk with your doctor about your health history before you take Saxenda. Be sure to tell them if any of the following factors apply to you:

Help is out there

If you or someone you know is in crisis and considering suicide or self-harm, please seek support:

If you’re calling on behalf of someone else, stay with them until help arrives. You may remove weapons or substances that can cause harm if you can do so safely.

If you are not in the same household, stay on the phone with them until help arrives.

Disclaimer: Healthline 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.