Saxenda reviews: what users really notice, explained by a doctor

Positive experiences: less hunger and the first kilos

The most frequently mentioned effect is calm around food. Users describe how the constant feeling of hunger disappears and they feel full sooner. Snacking between meals is no longer a battle, but something you simply need less. That is exactly why a programme with Saxenda works for people for whom willpower alone never turned out to be enough.

That feeling can be explained. Saxenda contains liraglutide, a GLP-1 medicine that mimics your body's satiety signal. Your brain gets the message "that's enough" sooner, so you automatically eat less. For most users, the first kilos follow in the first four to eight weeks, especially in combination with a better diet. More about the Saxenda diet.

The figures support these stories: in the largest study of Saxenda, 63% of participants lost at least 5% of their body weight. Our own clients recognise this picture: the first effect they notice is mainly less hunger, usually after about 4 weeks. You can read more stories in the medical weight loss reviews from our clients.

Negative experiences and side effects

The most frequently reported negative experience is nausea in the first weeks. Users also mention constipation, diarrhoea, headaches and tiredness. Some users also find injecting every day a hurdle, as is the price. A small proportion stop because the side effects weigh too heavily or the result is disappointing.

Important to know: the stomach and bowel complaints mainly occur at the start and after a dose increase, and in most people they ease within a few weeks. You can find the full overview of side effects in the official patient information leaflet at the College ter Beoordeling van Geneesmiddelen (CBG, the Dutch Medicines Evaluation Board).

Many complaints are linked to increasing the dose too quickly. Saxenda deliberately starts low and is increased step by step according to a fixed Saxenda dosing schedule. If you still feel very nauseous, the doctor looks at the pace, your diet and the time you inject with you. If you have complaints that are severe or do not go away, always contact your doctor. More about how fast Saxenda works.

Not sure whether Saxenda suits your situation? Our BIG-registered doctor (the BIG register is the Dutch register of healthcare professionals) personally assesses your application and gives you a straightforward view, even if medication is not the best choice. Take the eligibility check →

How much weight do you lose on Saxenda? Results per phase

In studies, users lose an average of 8% of their body weight in 56 weeks; in the first 3 months on the full dose, at least 5% is the target. That target is not optional: if Saxenda does not work sufficiently after 12 weeks on the full dose, the patient information leaflet says to stop.

This is how a programme goes for most users:

The scientific basis for this is solid. In the SCALE trial of 3,731 participants, liraglutide users lost an average of 8.4 kilos in 56 weeks, compared with 2.8 kilos on placebo. Note: all participants also received diet and exercise advice. So Saxenda is not a miracle cure, but an aid that works if your diet and lifestyle change along with it. How fast you lose weight depends on your starting weight, your lifestyle and your body.

Long term: when weight loss stalls

Almost every user reaches a plateau at some point. "Saxenda has stopped working" is one of the most searched experiences, and that is understandable: your body adjusts to a lower weight and therefore uses less energy. A standstill after months of loss is therefore to be expected, not a failure.

What helps at that point is not experimenting on your own, but a conversation with your doctor. They check whether your dose and injection routine are still right, whether you have started eating more without noticing and whether your expectations are realistic. Sometimes the plateau is the very moment to work on maintenance; sometimes another medicine is a better fit. Also important for the long term: if you stop Saxenda without your habits having changed, the weight often comes back. That is why a good programme focuses on diet, exercise and behaviour alongside the medication from day one.

Saxenda or Wegovy: experiences compared

In head-to-head research, Wegovy gives more weight loss on average than Saxenda, but Saxenda has the longest track record. Both are GLP-1 medicines that suppress your appetite; the difference lies in the active substance, how often you inject and the average result.

The results come from the STEP 8 trial in JAMA, in which both medicines were compared directly. User experiences match this: Wegovy users often mention the convenience of one injection a week, while Saxenda users appreciate that daily injections let you adjust more quickly, for example in case of side effects. Which medicine is medically right for you depends on your health, your medical history and availability; that is a decision you make together with a doctor.

What does Saxenda cost and is it covered by insurance?

Most users pay for Saxenda entirely themselves; reimbursement from basic health insurance (basisverzekering) only applies to a small group under strict conditions. According to Zorginstituut Nederland (the Dutch National Health Care Institute), you need, among other things, a BMI of 35 or higher with a related condition (or a BMI above 40), to have taken part in a recognised lifestyle programme (GLI, gecombineerde leefstijlinterventie, a combined lifestyle intervention) for at least a year, and not to have type 2 diabetes.

If you fall outside that group, you pay for the treatment yourself. At Qlinic, a programme with liraglutide (Saxenda) costs €850 per month, including medication, prescription and the four-weekly follow-up by our doctor, plus a one-off supervision fee of €400 at the start. You can read a full overview of the Saxenda cost and what is involved in our article on costs.

One more warning: Saxenda is a prescription medicine. Never buy it without a prescription from web shops or social media. You do not know what you are getting, counterfeits occur and you miss out on the medical supervision that is particularly important with this medicine. The only safe route is through a doctor and a registered pharmacy.

Starting with medical supervision at Qlinic

Good experiences with Saxenda stand or fall with good supervision. That is why at Qlinic you work with one BIG-registered doctor of your own, who knows you personally and reviews your progress with you every 4 weeks. No changing faces, but one doctor who follows your entire programme, especially if you are troubled by side effects.

This is how medical weight loss with injections works with us, in three steps: first a consultation and intake with the doctor, then your prescription with the medication delivered to your home, and then losing weight with a fixed check-in every 4 weeks. Most clients notice the first effect after about 4 weeks, mainly because their feeling of hunger decreases. You can always pause or stop, in consultation with the doctor.

We have now helped around 50 clients, and they rate us 5.0 on Google. Would you rather get to know us in person before you start? Then feel free to contact us.

Ready to find out whether medical weight loss is for you? In a few minutes you will know whether you are eligible for a programme with personal support from a doctor. Take the eligibility check →

Frequently asked questions about Saxenda reviews

How much weight can you lose in 3 months on Saxenda?

After 3 months on the full dose, the medical target is at least 5% of your starting weight; at 100 kilos, that is 5 kilos. If you do not reach it, the patient information leaflet says to stop, in consultation with your doctor. The actual pace differs per person and depends heavily on your diet and exercise.

What are the negative experiences with Saxenda?

The most frequently reported negative experiences are nausea, constipation, diarrhoea and tiredness, especially in the first weeks and after a dose increase. Users also mention injecting every day and the costs as downsides. If you have severe or persistent complaints, always contact your doctor.

Which is better for weight loss: Ozempic or Saxenda?

No medicine is better for everyone; a doctor decides which medication suits you based on your health and medical history. Ozempic contains semaglutide (weekly), Saxenda liraglutide (daily), and in studies semaglutide gives more weight loss on average. You can read the full comparison in our article Saxenda vs Ozempic.

What should you not eat on Saxenda?

No food is officially forbidden on Saxenda. However, many users notice that fatty, heavy or very sweet food makes the nausea worse. Smaller portions, eating slowly and drinking enough usually make the experience a lot more comfortable, and a healthy diet remains the basis of the result.

What if Saxenda no longer seems to work?

A plateau after months of weight loss is to be expected: at a lower weight your body uses less energy. Discuss it with your doctor before changing anything yourself; they assess your dose, your eating pattern and whether continuing, focusing on maintenance or switching to another medicine is wise.