Authored on 24 January 2024 by Adeel Arshad,
Reviewed 24 January 2024 by Dr Ruch Karunadasa.
Saxenda shortages FAQs
Due to continued global shortages, there will be no additional stock of Saxenda supplied to the UK in August. We understand that this news may be disappointing, and we sincerely apologise for any distress this may cause.
If your query isn’t covered here, then please get in touch with our dedicated customer service team.
Why is there a shortage of Saxenda?
Saxenda is one of a number of similar drugs that are experiencing a supply shortage due to a surge in demand for injectable weight loss medication.
As one of many clinics that dispense Saxenda, we are subject to supply constraints and we are provided medication via a pharmaceutical wholesaler on a 'just in time' basis with a few days lead time. Whilst we have been aware of a shortage we have now exhausted our quota having taken reasonable steps to limit prescription sizes and not take on new patients for Saxenda.
Will I need to take a break in treatment?
If you are close to running out of Saxenda then it is likely you may need to take a break in treatment. All online and in-person weight loss providers in the UK are subject to these shortages.
For your safety, we would urge caution in the use of other providers and patients should not seek to procure medication from any source other than a licensed GPhC pharmacy with a prescription from a doctor.
Where a break in treatment has occurred for longer than 72 hours you will be advised to recommence at the starting dose of 0.6mg for a period of 7 days, and increase the dose weekly thereafter.
Is this a short-term problem, or should I give up on Saxenda all together?
We expect supplies of Saxenda to be variable for the remainder of 2023 based on current information. If Saxenda stocks remain variable, you may wish to switch to one of the other weight loss options that we offer that have no stock issues.
To do this, please review the options on our website, and then submit a new consultation form via your PrivateDoc account.
When will Wegovy be available in the UK?
Wegovy aims to launch in the UK in late 2023. However, there is no news of the exact release date yet.
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