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As part of the Frosts Pharmacy Group, a family run business established in 1925 by John Frost and now run by his grandson Stuart Gale, we are a fully registered UK pharmacy and adhere to the standards set by the General Pharmaceutical Council. We run successful high street pharmacies in Banbury and Oxford, in the UK, as well as our online chemist services.
Nausea with Saxenda
Thursday, July 14, 2022
Unfortunately, nausea is a very common side effect during the first weeks of treatment with Saxenda, sometimes accompanied by vomiting.
It is most often a result of the constant feeling of “fullness” that Saxenda causes, even when our tummies are empty, which confuses our brains. Saxenda also slows down your digestion so that, when you do eat, the food sits in your stomach for longer than it usually would - this can also contribute to feelings of nausea and bloatedness.
The good news is that real-world evidence shows that the majority of these sicky side effects decrease considerably after the first two weeks.
Here are our top tips for managing nausea that can come when starting Saxenda.
Eat boring foods
Eating very plain, low-fat foods is the best choice when you’re feeling nauseous or have been vomiting. These include rice, crackers and toast.
Take small bites, chew thoroughly and go slowly - you may find that nausea comes in waves, so you feel better for a while but then a bit sick again. Try to note down which foods work best for you.
Eat foods that contain water
Dehydration can be common in the first weeks of using Saxenda, this is because the signals in your brain telling you that you’re not hungry can also tell you that you’re not thirsty either.
Unfortunately, dehydration can also cause or enhance feelings of nausea. You can combat this by trying to eat foods that are higher in water. These include soup, fruits and veggies. Added bonus that these are generally low fat and great sources of vitamins as well as hydration.
Additionally, make sure you remember to drink during the day. If you’re feeling sick, keep to small sips or try a sugar-free squash or herbal tea to find what works for you, set a reminder to help you.
Don’t recline or lie down after you eat
Lying down after eating can cause food to move back up towards your mouth and throat which will definitely not help any sicky feelings. Ideally, some very gentle movement after eating would be best, avoiding anything that has you bending over and squishing that tummy.
Something boring like a household chore would be ideal, something that keeps your body stretched out, includes gentle movement and, added bonus, will keep your mind distracted for a while.
Get outside in the fresh air
Such a simple thing to say, but getting outside is scientifically proven to help us feel better.
Lovely fresh air and being around nature calms both our minds and our bodies. Maybe a gentle walk around the block could work for you, there should be plenty to see to distract you from feeling nauseous for a while. Plus, the gentle exercise will help your body to digest any food you have recently eaten.
Use a short course of anti-acid medicine
You can use an anti-acid medicine like Nexium for anti-sickness for a week or two. Nexium works by reducing the amount of acid your stomach produces which can relieve symptoms like nausea, indigestion or bloating. Nexium does not require a prescription and you should check if it safe for you first.
If you feel that your side effects are so unmanageable that you cannot continue with your increasing dose schedule, please call our clinically trained team for further advice on 01295 262925, Mon-Fri 9 am-5 pm.
Head to the Saxenda main page for more information.
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Reviewed on 27 March 2024
