GLP-1 weight loss · London
Saxenda (liraglutide 3.0 mg), by a specialist obesity clinician.
A private, medically supervised daily GLP-1 programme. Consultant led, with monthly review, dietetics and behavioural support. When Wegovy or Mounjaro are unavailable or unsuitable, Saxenda remains a licensed, evidence-based option.
Why patients choose us
- 01
A specialist obesity clinician, not a prescription pad
A named endocrinologist or bariatric physician who assesses eligibility, comorbidity and drug interactions before a single pen is issued.
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The right GLP-1 for you
Saxenda, Wegovy, Mounjaro or an endoscopic option. We advise honestly on which fits your goals, tolerance and budget.
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Independent, and free
We are paid by no clinic, so the recommendation is impartial and costs you nothing.
Indicative pricing
What a private Saxenda programme costs in London.
Indicative ranges across our partner clinics. Send an enquiry and we quote firm figures across two or three options.
In short
A full 12-month Saxenda programme in our network: £2,400–£4,500, self-pay.
| Item | Indicative range | Typical duration | Turnaround |
|---|---|---|---|
| Specialist obesity consultation (initial) | £280–£450 | 45–60 min | Same visit |
| Baseline bloods (HbA1c, TFT, lipids, LFT, U&E, amylase) | £180–£320 | 15 min | 48 hours |
| Saxenda 6 mg/mL, box of 5 pre-filled pens (self-pay) | £180–£320 | Monthly | Same day |
| Monthly medical review with weight and BP check | £150–£220 | 20–30 min | Same visit |
| Dietitian and behavioural support (per session) | £120–£180 | 45 min | Same visit |
| Comprehensive 12-month programme (all-in) | £2,400–£4,500 | 12 months | Rolling |
Prices vary by clinic (Cleveland Clinic London, HCA Wellington, King's Private Endocrinology, Voy Health, Numan and specialist obesity clinics), by clinician and by how much support you want alongside the drug. Insurance rarely covers obesity pharmacotherapy directly.
The journey
From enquiry to the six-month review - what happens, in order.
One team from first message to the honest conversation about long-term maintenance.
- 01
Before
You send us the enquiry
A short, confidential form. BMI, weight-related conditions, current medication, and what you have already tried.
- 02
Before
We come back with a recommendation
Within one working day: whether Saxenda fits, or whether Wegovy, Mounjaro or an alternative pathway is the better call. Indicative price.
- 03
Before
Specialist consult and baseline bloods
A one-hour appointment with an obesity physician. HbA1c, thyroid, lipids, liver, kidney and amylase to set a clean starting line.
- 04
Starting
Prescription and pen teach
Your first pen is issued with an injection tutorial. The daily 0.6 mg starting dose, escalating weekly to 1.2, 1.8, 2.4 and 3.0 mg over four weeks.
- 05
Starting
Dietitian and behaviour session
A structured plan for protein intake, hydration and portion pacing that works with the appetite suppression rather than against it.
- 06
After
Monthly medical review
Weight, blood pressure, side effect check, dose adjustment, and a repeat prescription. Bloods are rechecked at three months.
- 07
After
Long-term plan at six months
If the response is under 4 percent weight loss at 16 weeks, we stop and pivot. Otherwise, a maintenance and step-down conversation.
Eligibility
When Saxenda is the right step - and when it is not.
NICE and licence criteria, plus the contraindications that end the conversation before a prescription is issued.
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BMI 30 or higher
The core NICE and licence threshold for obesity pharmacotherapy in adults. Verified at the specialist consultation.
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BMI 27–29.9 with a weight-related condition
Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidaemia, obstructive sleep apnoea or non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
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You prefer a daily injection pattern
Some patients tolerate a daily dose better than a weekly one, either for side effects or for the discipline of a fixed routine.
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Wegovy or Mounjaro are unavailable
Global shortages of semaglutide and tirzepatide are common. Saxenda remains a reliably stocked, licensed option in the meantime.
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A bridge before bariatric surgery
A structured 6 to 12 month medical loss to lower operative risk before sleeve gastrectomy or bypass.
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Not for cosmetic weight loss
We do not prescribe for a normal BMI, and we do not treat pregnancy, type 1 diabetes, or personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer or MEN2.
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Active pancreatitis or severe gastroparesis
Both are absolute contraindications. History of pancreatitis needs specialist review before any GLP-1 is offered.
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Red flag: severe abdominal pain
New severe upper abdominal pain radiating to the back on treatment needs urgent review. Pancreatitis is rare, but real.
Drug options
Saxenda sits inside a family of GLP-1 options.
Realistic outcomes on liraglutide 3.0 mg (SCALE trial): mean weight loss of around 8 percent at 56 weeks, with about 30 percent of patients losing at least 10 percent. Newer weekly drugs do more, when they are in stock.
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Saxenda (liraglutide 3.0 mg) daily
A first-generation GLP-1 receptor agonist. Daily subcutaneous injection, escalating over 4 weeks: 0.6, 1.2, 1.8, 2.4 and 3.0 mg. The full dose is 3.0 mg once daily.
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Wegovy (semaglutide 2.4 mg) weekly
The newer generation GLP-1. Once weekly, greater mean weight loss (STEP trials ~15 percent), often better tolerated. Subject to global supply.
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Mounjaro (tirzepatide) weekly
A dual GIP and GLP-1 agonist. Weekly injection, greatest mean weight loss to date (SURMOUNT ~20 percent). Now our first-line choice where available.
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Non-drug pathways
Allurion swallowable balloon, endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty and bariatric surgery. Considered alongside pharmacotherapy where appropriate.
Our vetted London network
A small panel of obesity physicians, we picked them.
Consultant endocrinologists and bariatric physicians at Cleveland Clinic London, HCA Wellington, King's Private Endocrinology and independent obesity clinics.
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Consultant endocrinologists and bariatric physicians, not GP prescribing services
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Structured monthly review with weight, BP and side-effect assessment
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In-house dietetics and behavioural support, not signposted elsewhere
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A clear stop rule and step-down plan if the response is inadequate at 16 weeks
Safety and expectations
What to expect - honestly.
Side effects, contraindications, the stop rule at 16 weeks, and what happens when treatment ends.
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Gastrointestinal side effects
Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and constipation are common at start and during each dose escalation. Slow titration and small, protein-first meals help most patients.
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Pancreatitis is rare
Severe upper abdominal pain radiating to the back, with or without vomiting, needs same-day review. Saxenda is stopped and lipase checked.
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Gallstones during rapid loss
Rapid weight loss of any cause increases gallstone risk. Reported in around 2 percent on liraglutide 3.0 mg in trials.
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Hypoglycaemia on insulin or sulphonylurea
If you are on insulin or a sulphonylurea, the diabetes team must reduce those doses before starting Saxenda to avoid hypoglycaemia.
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Injection site reactions
Redness, itching or a small nodule are common and usually settle. Rotate sites (abdomen, thigh, upper arm) and use a fresh needle each dose.
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Thyroid C-cell warning
A rodent-model signal. Contraindicated in personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2.
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Not in pregnancy or breastfeeding
Stop at least two months before planned conception. Reliable contraception is discussed at the initial visit.
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Weight regain on discontinuation
Weight regain is common when Saxenda is stopped without a structured maintenance plan. This is a chronic-disease drug, not a short course.
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16-week stop rule
If you have not lost at least 4 percent of baseline weight by 16 weeks on 3.0 mg, we stop and reconsider the strategy honestly.
Recognised by major UK insurers
Most UK insurers exclude obesity drugs from standard cover. Consultations and bloods are sometimes covered on higher tier or corporate plans.
Frequently asked
Everything we get asked about Saxenda.
Quick answers on Wegovy comparisons, insurance, cost, dosing pattern, discontinuation and side effects.
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What is the difference between Saxenda and Wegovy?
Both are GLP-1 receptor agonists from the same manufacturer. Saxenda is liraglutide, a daily injection at 3.0 mg, with around 8 percent mean weight loss over 56 weeks in the SCALE trial. Wegovy is semaglutide, a once-weekly injection at 2.4 mg, with around 15 percent mean weight loss over 68 weeks in the STEP trials. Wegovy is more effective and less frequent, but supply is intermittent, so Saxenda remains a valuable option when Wegovy or Mounjaro are unavailable.
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Will UK private medical insurance cover Saxenda?
Rarely. Most UK private insurers exclude obesity pharmacotherapy from standard policies, treating it as a lifestyle prescription. Some corporate schemes and higher tier plans do cover a specialist consultation and bloods, though the drug itself is usually self-pay. We check your policy wording before booking.
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How much does a Saxenda programme cost per year in London?
A comprehensive 12-month programme is typically £2,400 to £4,500. That includes the initial specialist consultation (£280 to £450), baseline bloods (£180 to £320), monthly medical reviews (£150 to £220 each), dietitian input, and the drug itself at £180 to £320 per box of 5 pens (roughly one box per month at 3.0 mg).
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Why choose daily Saxenda over weekly Wegovy or Mounjaro?
Three reasons. First, availability: Wegovy and Mounjaro have suffered persistent global shortages, whereas Saxenda supply has been reliable. Second, tolerance: a smaller daily dose can be gentler on the gut than a larger weekly bolus for some patients. Third, control: if a serious side effect appears, a daily drug clears from the system faster than a weekly one.
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What happens when I stop Saxenda?
Weight regain is the rule, not the exception. In the SCALE Maintenance trial, patients who stopped liraglutide regained a significant proportion of the lost weight within a year. Obesity is a chronic condition, and the maintenance conversation is part of your care from month one: continue at a maintenance dose, step down to a different GLP-1, or transition to intensive lifestyle support with pre-planned check-ins.
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What are the most common side effects?
Nausea (about 40 percent), diarrhoea (20 percent), constipation (20 percent), vomiting (15 percent) and headache. Most are mild to moderate, most are worst during dose escalation, and most settle within two to four weeks on a stable dose. Slow titration, small protein-first meals and adequate hydration reduce the impact. Serious side effects (pancreatitis, gallstones) are rare and covered at consent.
Speak to a specialist
Not sure whether Saxenda, Wegovy or Mounjaro fits you best?
Send the enquiry. We come back within one working day with an honest, independent recommendation and a firm quote across two or three London clinics.
Related
Looking for something else?
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GLP-1 weight loss clinic
The full family of GLP-1 options, compared.
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Wegovy (semaglutide) programme
The weekly, more effective GLP-1 - when in stock.
Learn more -
Retatrutide programme
The next generation triple agonist, in trial and early access.
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Allurion swallowable balloon
A non-drug, non-surgical alternative for 16 weeks of loss.
Learn more -
Obesity
Diagnosis, comorbidity and the private pathway.
Learn more -
Type 2 diabetes
Where GLP-1 therapy sits alongside diabetes control.
Learn more