Managing Saxenda and Wegovy side effects

Nausea and heartburn are common side effects affecting up to 1 in 10 users, and are seen with increasing doses of Wegovy and Saxenda.

To help with heartburn, nausea or vomiting we advise you to:

• drink plenty of clear fluids such as water and herbal teas
• eat small amounts regularly
• drink or sip ginger, peppermint or fennel teas
• reduce sugar intake and high fat foods
• get plenty of fresh air
• distract yourself by listening to music or watching a film
• avoid cooking or eating strong smelling food

An over the counter antacid medicine can also help as your body adjusts to the higher dose. Your Boots or local pharmacist can help you with these.

Constipation is a very common side effect affecting more than 1 in 10 people using Wegovy and Saxenda.

To help with constipation we advise you to:

• drink plenty of clear fluids such as water and herbal teas
• try to eat small fruits such as prunes, figs or grapes
• increase the fibre in your diet
• add some wheat bran, oats or linseed to your diet
• ensure you are having regular walks

You may wish to try a mild laxative to help, which your Boots or local pharmacist can help you with. Visit the NHS website for more information on dealing with constipation.

Headache is a very common side effect of Wegovy and Saxenda affecting more than 1 in 10 users. This tends to settle within a few days, but may last a few weeks.

Our tips to help with headaches:

• drink plenty of clear fluids
• eat small amounts
• a simple pain medicine, such as paracetamol, taken for a few days can help as your body gets used to Wegovy and Saxenda
• rest in a quiet place with dim lighting
• relaxation strategies such as meditation, focussing on your breathing and on relaxing different muscle groups at a time
• DIY scalp/temple massage
• exercise
• applying hot or cold compresses to your head and/or neck
• sipping on warm herbal teas such as ginger, chamomile and peppermint
• ensure you are getting enough sleep

If your headache symptoms persist, become worse or you remain worried please contact your GP or NHS 111 for further advice.

More than 1 in 10 people who use Wegovy and Saxenda experience vomiting.

A key to managing this, and most other side effects, is good hydration. Make sure you are drinking plenty of water.

In addition:

• eat small amounts regularly
• drink ginger, peppermint or fennel teas

An over the counter antacid medicine can help as your body adjusts to the higher dose. Your Boots or local pharmacist can help you with these.

Vomiting more than 3 times a day may suggest that Wegovy and Saxenda is not suited to you. Please keep an eye on your symptoms.

If your urine turns a dark colour, or you feel light-headed, this may be a sign that you are dehydrated and need to drink more fluids. If this is not possible, or you are becoming more unwell, you need to call NHS 111 for further advice.

This is a very common side effect experienced by more than 1 in 10 people who use Wegovy and Saxenda.

The key thing to managing this is to keep hydrated. Make sure you are drinking plenty of clear fluids (such as water or squash).

In addition:

• make sure you rest
• eat small amounts regularly; there isn’t anything in particular that you should avoid
• a simple pain reliever like paracetamol can help if you are in discomfort
• consider oral rehydration salts. Speak with your Boots or local pharmacist about these

If diarrhoea persists over a few days, you are unable to tolerate any fluids, you have bloody diarrhoea or there is bleeding from your bottom, you must call NHS 111 for further advice.

Up to 1 in 10 people who use Wegovy and Saxenda experience injection site reactions. These include redness, bruising, itching, swelling and pain. These tend to settle as your body gets used to the drug. Until then you may wish to try a non-drowsy antihistamine tablet or a local antihistamine cream. Your Boots or local pharmacist can help you with this.

In a few patients redness and itching remains while using Wegovy and Saxenda.

If your rash is getting worse, spreading, becoming more red or the pain is not tolerable please stop using Wegovy and Saxenda and seek further help from your GP, NHS 111 or A & E. Please also let us know this happened via your patient record.

Gallstones are common in the general population, and many people don't even know they have them.

Up to 1 in 10 users of Wegovy and Saxenda develop gallstones, and up to 1 in 100 get an inflamed gallbladder. The main reason for this is rapid weight loss of around 1.5kg (over 3 pounds) a week. It may not be a direct effect of Wegovy and Saxenda.

You can use Wegovy and Saxenda if you are known to have gallstones.

If you develop abdominal pain, especially on the right side under your ribs you must seek medical attention.

If you develop severe pain/ vomiting/ any blood in your urine or a high temperature, please call NHS 111 for advice, or attend A&E. We encourage you to continue to eat small meals throughout the day, so that weight loss doesn’t occur too quickly. Aim to stay well hydrated.