Jill Health Weight Loss
Program:
Your Saxenda Prescription
We’re glad you’re here.
We want to thank you for choosing Jill Health. This webpage overviews the most important information about your Saxenda® prescription:
Continue scrolling or click on the above links to navigate to the specific section.
Here’s a quick breakdown of your medication:
Saxenda® is an injection with a very small needle (like a pinprick) taken daily that helps control appetite and blood sugar levels. It does this by helping the pancreas release a controlled amount of hormones, which slows the rate of food leaving the stomach, leaving you fuller for longer. This helps prevent overeating and hunger pangs.
The longer you keep at it, the more success you’ll see.
In order to see results, it’s important to take it around the same time everyday. When you combine Saxenda® with dietary and exercise changes, you’ll find successful weight loss even quicker. Soon, you’ll be hitting your goals with no fear of falling back into old habits. Consistency is always the key, so remember that lifestyle changes need to be continued even after you’re no longer on Saxenda® to maintain your healthier weight.
For some, 30 minutes a month isn’t enough time to tackle your nutrition, movement and mental health questions. Click here to book extra time with a Registered Dietitian, Registered Kinesiologist, Psychotherapist or Social Worker.
Here’s how to use the medication
Before using the pen for the first time, be sure to follow the priming instructions illustrated in the pamphlet that is included with the medication.
Inject 1 dose of Saxenda® once a day into the fat of your upper arm, abdomen, or thigh.
Store the pen with the cap on and without a needle. Always use a new needle for each injection and dispose of the old needles in a sharps container.
Your dosage will slowly increase until you hit a maintenance dose as set by your health provider or until you are losing 1.5-2lbs a week. This is the target for sustainable weight loss, more than that a week and you will likely regain when you stop the medication
Your prescription of Saxenda® contains enough medicine for 30 days. Below is a dosing schedule to guide you through the starting dosage of 0.6 mg to the dosage of 3 mg (a full dose).
If you miss your daily dose of Saxenda®, use Saxenda® as soon as you remember.
Then, take your next daily dose as usual on the following day. Do not take an extra dose of Saxenda® or increase your dose on the following day to make up for your missed dose.
If you miss your dose of Saxenda® for 3 days or more, Start back at a lower dose (2 or 3 levels down and gradually re-titrate up to your previous dose).
Take only your prescribed dose. If you think you’ve taken more, contact your doctor or a hospital immediately, even with no symptoms.
If you miss your daily dose, do not double up. Simply take your next dose as scheduled.
New and unused Saxenda® should be stored in the fridge. A Saxenda® pen that has been used should be stored at room temperature, for 30 days. After that, it should be disposed of.
If you are taking Insulin, in addition to your Saxenda, you may be at a higher risk of hypoglycemia. Please reach out to our medical team or your family doctor as your dose of insulin may need to be adjusted.
We’ve curated daily vitamin & supplement packs: add them onto your treatments for an extra boost, or take them on their own.
Saxenda should be stored in a refrigerator (2ºC to 8ºC). Do not freeze Saxenda and do not use Saxenda if it has been frozen. Protect Saxenda from excessive heat and light. Keep the pen cap on when not in use in order to protect it from light.
Recommended Storage Conditions for Saxenda
| Prior to first use | After first use |
| Refrigerated 2°C to 8°C until expiration date | Room Temperature below 30°C or in a refrigerator (2°C to 8°C) for 30 days |
Always remove the injection needle immediately after each injection and store Saxenda without a needle attached. This may prevent blocked needles, contamination, infection, leakage of solution and inaccurate dosing.
Saxenda should not be used if it does not appear clear and colourless.
Weight loss medications can be tough to adjust to, that’s why we’re tackling any medication side effects.
Remember, this medication is just for you.
If you find the side effects of a dose escalation too much, then it is recommended to go down to the previous dose for another few days to a week and try again or you can maintain the maximum tolerated dosage.
Side effects may include the following:
Common and mild
Common and moderate-severe
Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
What are some signs of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) ?
Signs of a low blood sugar are trembling or shaking hands, palpitations, sweating, anxiety, hunger, nausea and tingling, difficulty concentrating, confusion, weakness, blurry vision, headache and dizziness.
You have a functional pancreas and should be quickly able to adjust your blood sugars however if you notice a few of these symptoms eat a small snack with at least 15g of carbs ( for example, 1 small apple, 1/2 a banana, 1 slice of toast, 1/2 cup of orange juice) and it should resolve in 15-20min. It is recommended to drop down a level of dosing if this happens more than once.
Uncommon and severe
Serious allergic reactions: symptoms may include swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat, fainting or feeling dizzy, very rapid heartbeat, problems breathing or swallowing, severe rash or itching.
Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)
What are some signs of pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)?
Signs and symptoms of pancreatitis include: intense stomach pain (usually right below your rib cage, nausea, vomiting and or diarrhea).
If you experience these, please proceed to your local emergency room and let them know you are taking Saxenda.
Rare
If you experience these side effects to an extreme degree or for an extended period of time, stop taking the medication and call us.
Be sure to let our medical team know if you are on any other medications.
Saxenda is contraindicated if you have a personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer (MTC), if you have multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MENS2) or if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. If you are sick, cold/flu/covid/gastro, please skip your dose until you are feeling better.
Alcohol: If you are going to be having more than a drink or 2 in one day, we recommend skipping your dose for that day as alcohol also decreases your blood sugar along with the medication.
Rest assured, Saxenda is generally safe to use with other medications you may be taking, however, let your medical team know if you are on any medications or have any medical conditions.
Join a live group session to talk about medication side effects and how to manage them with our Pharmacist Sarah.
How do I get my prescription?
With your consent, the prescription will be sent to our partner pharmacy— ScaleRx. They will then have it delivered to your home for free. They ship across Canada to all regions except for: New Brunswick, Northwest Territories, Prince Edward Island, Nunavut, and Yukon. Once your order has been processed, you’ll be provided with a tracking number and can expect your delivery within 2-5 days. You can also pick up the prescription directly from them, at Unit 400-2620 Bristol Cir, Oakville, ON L6H 6Z7.
Alternatively, we can send the prescription to a pharmacy of your choosing.
How to get a refill:
If you are filling your prescription with our partner pharmacy, Scale Rx, they will contact you via email to ask you for consent to be enrolled in auto-fill for your next refills every 1-3 months. Alternatively you can email ScaleRx at pharmacy@jill.health, or by reach them by phone at 905-291-7970 to request a refill. Please do so 1 week before your next refill is due to ensure you receive your medication on time.
How do we connect if there’s any problems?
If you have questions about your prescription or dosage, you can contact the ScaleRx pharmacists at pharmacy@jill.health.
For other medical questions, like side effects, log into your account and head to the Medical Chat tab.
Follow up:
During month 1-3:
Every 3 months thereafter:
Can I drink alcohol while on this medication?
If you are going to be having more than a drink or 2 in one day, it is recommended to skip your dose for that day as alcohol also decreases your blood sugar along with the medication.
What if I get sick with a flu or flu like symptoms while on treatment?
If you are sick, with cold, flu, or covid like symptoms, please skip your dose until you are feeling better. If you’re off for more than 3 days drop down 2 dose levels and increase back up to where you were over the next few days/week.
What are some signs of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) ?
The monthly subscription is for access to the allied health team which includes a registered dietician, kinesiologist and social worker. As you progress through the program they will help you with your weight loss goals and address any questions or concerns you may have. You need to stay subscribed to the program in order to get the prescription and the cost is $40/month.
What are some signs of pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)?
We usually do not change medication within the first 3 months unless a client has developed severe allergies or side effects. This is because it is too early to know if the medication is truly working before the 3 month mark. At your 3 month bloodwork review, the nurse practitioner will assess the effects of your medication.
It’s important to remember diet and exercise must be combined with the medication in order to see results and optimizing these should be done before considering a medication switch.
Do I need to exercise?
Yes, exercise is very important to ensure that the weight does not rebound back after discontinuing Saxenda. You must continue to eat healthy and maintain your exercise routine. If you haven’t started some form of exercise, this is very helpful for helping maintain your weight loss.
Generally, it is recommended that clients that start with medications should stay on the medication for 6 months to a year to stabilize weight maintenance before coming off of medication. There is no set date to stop the medication, but in the clinical trials studying these treatments, the medications were taken for 1 year. After 1 year, some people may choose to continue to take the medications for weight maintenance. Our medical team can help you transition to a maintenance program once you achieve your goal weight.
For general questions, you can reach us at: hello@jill.health or by chatting with us on our website.
If you have questions about your prescription or dosage, you can contact the ScaleRx pharmacists at pharmacy@jillhealth.ca or by phone at 905-291-7970.
For other medical questions, like side effects, log into your account and head to the Medical Chat tab.
Hear from real Jill Health members who are hitting their weight loss goals through our Program.
Questions? Contact us anytime on the site chat or at hello@jill.health
Jill Health is not a pharmacy or a drug manufacturer.
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