Saxenda (liraglutide) is a prescription medicine for weight management in adults with obesity or overweight with weight-related conditions. Understanding what Saxenda looks like is essential for safe use and helps you identify genuine medication. Saxenda comes as a pre-filled, multi-dose injection pen with a clear cartridge holder containing a clear, colourless liquid solution. The pen features a dose selector dial, injection button, and needle attachment point. This guide explains how to recognise authentic Saxenda pens, verify packaging, and ensure you're using a genuine, safe product from a licensed UK pharmacy.

What Does Saxenda Look Like?

Saxenda (liraglutide 6 mg/ml) is a prescription medicine used for weight management in adults with obesity or overweight with weight-related health conditions. The medication comes as a pre-filled, multi-dose injection pen designed for subcutaneous administration.

The Saxenda pen has a clear cartridge holder that allows you to see the solution inside. The medicine itself should appear as a clear and colourless liquid – if the solution is cloudy, discoloured, or contains visible particles, it should not be used. The pen features clear markings and a dose selector window that displays numbers in 0.6 mg increments, allowing doses from 0.6 mg to 3.0 mg.

At one end of the pen, you'll find the needle attachment point (the pen is supplied without needles, which must be obtained separately from your pharmacy). At the opposite end is the dose selector dial, which clicks as you turn it to select your prescribed dose. The pen also features a dose counter window and an injection button that you press to deliver the medication. Each pen contains 18 mg of liraglutide in 3 ml of solution, providing enough medication for several days depending on your prescribed dose.

The pen is designed to help patients administer their medication correctly. Familiarising yourself with the pen's appearance is essential for proper use and helps ensure you're using a genuine product.

How to Identify Genuine Saxenda Pens

With the increasing prevalence of counterfeit medications, it's crucial to know how to verify that your Saxenda pen is genuine. Authentic Saxenda pens are only available through licensed pharmacies with a valid prescription from a registered healthcare professional. The MHRA (Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency) strongly advises against purchasing Saxenda from unregulated online sources, as counterfeit products may contain incorrect doses, contaminants, or no active ingredient at all.

Genuine Saxenda pens feature several security elements on their packaging. Look for a unique batch number and expiry date printed on both the outer carton and the pen label. The outer carton will have a tamper-evident seal and a 2D data matrix code as verification features. The packaging should include a patient information leaflet in English, with clear Novo Nordisk branding and contact details. The pen itself should have crisp, clear printing with no smudging or spelling errors – counterfeit products often have poor-quality labels with grammatical mistakes.

The solution inside the cartridge is a critical indicator of authenticity. Genuine Saxenda should always be clear and colourless, similar to water. If the liquid appears cloudy, coloured (yellow, brown, or any other hue), or contains floating particles or crystals, do not use it. These signs may indicate contamination, improper storage, or a counterfeit product.

Key verification steps include:

• Purchase only from registered UK pharmacies (check the General Pharmaceutical Council register)

• Verify the pharmacy's credentials and registration number

• Examine packaging for quality printing and intact tamper-evident seals

• Check the solution is clear and colourless

• Report any suspicions to the MHRA Yellow Card scheme and contact your pharmacist

If you have any doubts about the authenticity of your Saxenda pen, contact your pharmacist or healthcare professional immediately before use. Never use medication that appears tampered with or suspicious.

Understanding Saxenda Packaging and Labelling

Saxenda arrives in a cardboard outer carton that contains essential information for safe use. The carton features the Saxenda brand name prominently displayed along with the Novo Nordisk logo, as this is the only licensed manufacturer of Saxenda. Each carton typically contains one or multiple pre-filled pens, depending on your prescription, and has a tamper-evident seal for security.

The outer carton labelling includes several critical pieces of information that you should verify upon receipt. This includes the product name (Saxenda 6 mg/ml solution for injection in pre-filled pen), the active ingredient (liraglutide), the batch number, and expiry date. The packaging also displays the statement "Prescription only medicine" or "POM", indicating it requires a valid prescription. A 2D data matrix code is present on the outer carton as an additional security feature. Storage instructions are clearly marked, specifying that unopened pens should be stored in a refrigerator between 2°C and 8°C.

Inside the carton, you'll find the patient information leaflet (PIL), which provides comprehensive guidance on how to use Saxenda, potential side effects, and important safety information. This leaflet should be in clear English and include the most recent version date. The PIL is an essential resource that you should read thoroughly before starting treatment and keep for future reference.

The pen label itself contains abbreviated information including the product name, strength (6 mg/ml), batch number, and expiry date. The patient information leaflet will advise where to record the date of first use – this is important because once opened, Saxenda pens can be stored at room temperature (below 30°C) for up to one month. Always check that the information on the pen matches the outer carton, and never use a pen beyond its expiry date or more than one month after first use.

How to Use and Store Your Saxenda Pen

Proper use and storage of your Saxenda pen are essential for medication effectiveness and safety. Before first use, remove the pen from the refrigerator and allow it to reach room temperature (this takes approximately 30 minutes) to make the injection more comfortable. Never use a pen if the solution appears cloudy, coloured, or contains particles. Wash your hands thoroughly before handling the pen.

To prepare the pen for injection, attach a new needle (NovoFine or NovoTwist needles are recommended) by removing the protective tab and screwing the needle straight onto the pen. Remove both the outer and inner needle caps. Before your first injection with a new pen, you must perform a flow check to ensure the pen works correctly and remove any air bubbles. Select the flow check symbol on the dose selector and press the injection button until 0 appears, checking that a drop of solution appears at the needle tip.

Injection technique is straightforward but requires attention to detail:

• Select your prescribed dose using the dose selector dial

• Choose an injection site (abdomen, thigh, or upper arm), rotating sites to prevent lipodystrophy

• Clean the skin with an alcohol wipe if recommended by your healthcare professional

• Insert the needle at a 90-degree angle into the skin

• Press and hold the injection button until the dose counter returns to 0

• Keep the button pressed and count slowly to 6 before withdrawing the needle

• Remove the needle after each use and dispose of it in an approved sharps bin (available from your pharmacy)

Storage requirements differ before and after first use. Unopened pens must be stored in a refrigerator (2°C–8°C), away from the freezer compartment. Never freeze Saxenda – frozen pens must be discarded. Once in use, pens can be stored at room temperature (below 30°C) or in the refrigerator for up to one month. Always store the pen with the cap on to protect from light. Keep Saxenda out of reach of children.

If you experience persistent injection site reactions (redness, swelling, itching lasting more than a few days), contact your GP. Stop using Saxenda and seek urgent medical advice (call NHS 111 or see your GP urgently) if you develop severe, persistent abdominal pain (with or without vomiting) as this could indicate pancreatitis. Call 999 or go to A&E immediately if you experience signs of a severe allergic reaction such as difficulty breathing, swelling of the face or throat, or severe rash. Report any suspected side effects via the MHRA Yellow Card scheme (yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk). Never share your Saxenda pen with others, even if the needle is changed, as this poses a risk of infection transmission.

Frequently Asked Questions