Saxenda for Weight Loss
Introduction
Losing weight can be a daunting prospect. For decades, society has regarded it as a simple matter of dieting and self-control. But the threat obesity poses to health and longevity led researchers to delve deeper into the underlying factors that influence weight and body composition.
A better understanding of digestion and metabolism has reshaped how doctors evaluate their patients and recommend treatments. Doctors now consider obesity a chronic health condition that requires treatment. Effective treatment of obesity has pronounced positive effects on patients’ physical and emotional well-being.
Saxenda is an established and effective weight loss medication available to help patients lose weight and keep it off. Educating yourself about the medication and its potential benefits and side effects will help you make the most of your consultation with a weight loss doctor.
What is Saxenda and How Does it Work?
Saxenda is a self-administered weight loss injection. The FDA approved the drug as an adult obesity treatment in 2014. It gained approval for use by children over 12 years old in 2020. Also known by its active ingredient, liraglutide, the medication is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonist.
It produces the effects of naturally occurring digestive hormones that influence digestion and appetite. Once the drug enters the bloodstream, it slows gastric emptying. Delaying this process leaves the stomach fuller for longer to make patients feel sated, causing them to consume fewer calories. The drug also suppresses hunger by engaging the brain region that controls appetite.
Researchers initially developed liraglutide as a type 2 diabetes treatment, but they noted the weight loss effects and decided to study the medication as an obesity treatment.
How Much Weight Can You Lose in a Month with Saxenda?
The rate and extent of weight loss Saxenda can facilitate will depend on your starting weight and the size of the caloric deficit created by the medication. The fundamental principle of losing weight is burning more calories than you consume.
A balanced diet and exercise will improve the caloric deficit you achieve using Saxenda. The wider the gap between calories consumed and burned, the faster and higher the level of weight loss.
Doctors start patients on low doses of the medication and typically work them up to a 3.0 mg level over five weeks. Weight loss is not immediate with Saxenda. However, your weight loss will accelerate once you reach your optimal dose.
Two Saxenda studies with a total of 3,000 patients reported more than half lost 5% of their body weight after one year. More than a quarter of the patients lost 10% or more of their body weight. Researchers have also noted sustained weight loss with continued use of Saxenda.
Risks and Side Effects of Saxenda
Every medication carries some risk of side effects. Doctors manage their occurrence and severity by working patients up to a full Saxenda dose over several weeks. This process allows the body to adjust to the drug. Common side effects of Saxenda include:
Abdominal discomfort or pain
Bloating
Constipation
Diarrhea
Fever
Headache
Nausea
Vomiting
Hypoglycemia, known as low blood sugar, is also possible with Saxenda. The condition can lead to dizziness, lightheadedness, and fatigue.
More severe side effects of Saxenda include pancreatitis, gallbladder disease, kidney trouble, and suicidal thinking. These side effects are more common among patients with a preexisting history of these conditions. For this reason, being forthright during your weight-loss consultation is essential to your health and safety.
Pregnant women should not use Saxenda. Individuals with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 should not use Saxenda due to the risk of thyroid tumors.
How Does Saxenda Compare to Other Weight Loss Injections?
Saxenda, like any other weight loss injection prescribed by a doctor, is FDA-approved and effective. It has been available longer than newer medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro. Doctors have well-established Saxenda protocols and understand the drug well.
Most other injections are weekly rather than daily, like Saxenda. Some studies indicate that weight loss totals are higher with semaglutide than with liraglutide, but results vary by patient.
Injection site reactions are more frequent with Saxenda than other weight loss injections because it is a daily medication. The response usually manifests as redness, itchiness, swelling, skin darkening, or pain. Rotating the injection site between the thigh, upper arm, and belly can help reduce the occurrence.
The best way to determine which injection is best for you is by consulting an experienced weight-loss specialist. These compassionate doctors can assess your medical history and goals to determine the best medication for you.
Who Should Use Saxenda for Weight Loss?
Saxenda is approved for use by adults with a body mass index (BMI) over 30 or those with a BMI of 27 and a weight-related condition, like high blood pressure or cholesterol. The best way to ensure you can use Saxenda safely is by meeting with a weight management doctor. Being open about your medical history will help them rule out potential contraindications that may make the drug unsafe or ineffective.
A medically guided weight loss program is the best way to optimize your results from Saxenda. Follow-up appointments enable your doctor to monitor your progress and response to the drug. They and their team can also advise you on managing side effects and making lifestyle modifications to maximize your health and wellness during your treatment.
Individuals with a history of gallbladder problems, kidney or liver disease, diabetic ketoacidosis, or a history of depression may not be good candidates for the medication.
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September 22, 2023
Written By
Jake Peter
Fact-checked By
Dr. Avidon Appel
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