WHAT ARE SAXENDA ?
Saxenda is a prescription weight loss treatment designed to help individuals who are overweight or obese to lose weight and maintain it. It contains liraglutide, a medication that mimics a natural hormone called GLP-1. This hormone regulates appetite by helping you feel full sooner after eating, thus reducing calorie intake.
Saxenda is administered via a once-daily injection and is intended to be used alongside a healthy diet and regular physical activity. It’s typically recommended for individuals with a BMI of 30 or higher or those with a BMI of 27 or higher who also have weight-related conditions such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol.
WHAT DOES SAXENDA ACTUALLY DO ? DOES SAXENDA WORK ?
Saxenda works for weight loss by regulating your hunger and calorie intakes. As a glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist, it lowers hunger stimulation in several areas of the brain, which reduces your food intake. Saxenda also helps your stomach digest food more slowly, which causes feelings of fullness.
Saxenda Works by :
- Suppressing Appetite : It reduces hunger and cravings, making it easier to consume fewer calories.
- Delaying gastric emptying : This makes you feel full longer after meals.
- Affecting brain signals : It helps regulate the part of the brain that controls hunger and satiety.
DOES SAXENDA WORK FOR WEIGHT LOSS ?
Yes, Saxenda has been shown to be effective for weight loss when used alongside a healthy diet and regular physical activity. Clinical studies have demonstrated that Saxenda can help individuals lose a significant amount of weight compared to diet and exercise alone.
Before you start Saxenda, our doctor will help you develop a long-term weight management plan. This should include a low calorie diet and increased exercise. Including saxenda as part of your plan can help you lose weight and keep it off long-term. But different people may have different results with Saxenda. The amount of weight you may lose and any side effects you have will depend on your personal situation.
IS SAXENDA A TYPE OF INSULIN ?
No, Saxenda is not a type of insulin. While both Saxenda and insulin are injectable medications, they serve different purposes and work in different ways.
- Saxenda contains liraglutide, which mimics a hormone called GLP-1 that helps regulate appetite and food intake for weight management.
- Insulin, on the other hand, is a hormone used to regulate blood sugar levels in people with diabetes.
Although Saxenda and some insulin medications are used for diabetes (because liraglutide is also available as Victoza for blood sugar control), Saxenda is specifically formulated for weight loss, not for blood sugar regulation.
- BENEFITS OF SAXENDA :-
- Effective Weight Loss: Helps reduce body weight by controlling appetite and food intake.
- Sustained Weight Management: Aids in maintaining long-term weight loss when used consistently with lifestyle changes.
- Improved Health Markers: Reduces risk factors for obesity-related conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.
- Appetite Control: Suppresses hunger and cravings, making it easier to follow a calorie-controlled diet.
- Non-Surgical Solution: Provides a medical alternative to more invasive weight loss procedures, like bariatric surgery.
- Helps prevent Obesity-Related Complications: May reduce the risk of conditions like heart disease, sleep apnea , and joint issues.
- Regulates Blood Sugar : Though not a diabetes treatment, Saxenda can help improve blood sugar levels in people who are overweight or obese.
- Non-habit forming : Unlike some weight loss medications, Saxenda does not lead to dependence or addiction.
- Supports Gradual Weight Loss: Promotes slow, steady weight loss, reducing the risk of rapid weight regain.
UNDERSTANDING SAXENDA SIDE EFFECTS:
Yes, Saxenda can have side effects. Here are some common and potential side effects:
The most common side effects of Saxenda include :
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Headaches
- Upset stomach (dyspepsia)
- Tiredness (fatigue)
- Dizziness
- Change in enzyme (lipase) levels in your blood
- Fever
- Gastroenteritis
Consulting a healthcare provider is important to manage and monitor any side effects effectively.
Before taking Saxenda, tell your health care provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:
- are taking certain medicines called GLP-1 receptor agonists
- have severe problems with your stomach, such as slowed emptying of your stomach (gastroparesis) or problems with digesting food
- have or have had problems with your pancreas, kidneys or liver
- are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if Saxenda® passes into your breast milk. You and your health care provider should decide if you will use Saxenda® or breastfeed
HOW SHOULD I USE SAXENDA?
- Read the Instructions for Use that comes with Saxenda.
- Inject your dose of Saxenda® under the skin (subcutaneously) in your stomach area (abdomen), upper leg (thigh), or upper arm, as instructed by your health care provider. Do not inject into a vein or muscle.
- Change (rotate) your injection site within the area you choose with each injection to reduce your risk of getting lumps under the skin (cutaneous amyloidosis). Do not use the same site for each injection.
Indications for Saxenda:
- Obesity (BMI ≥ 30)
- Overweight (BMI ≥ 27) with weight-related conditions (e.g., type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol)
- Weight management in combination with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity
- People struggling to lose or maintain weight loss
Contraindications for Saxenda:
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding
- History of thyroid cancer or multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2)
- Hypersensitivity to liraglutide or any of Saxenda’s ingredients
- Severe gastrointestinal disorders (e.g., gastroparesis)
- Individuals with a history of pancreatitis
CONCLUSION
Saxenda is an effective prescription medication designed to help with weight loss and powerful tool for a long-term weight management, particularly for individuals who are overweight or obese. By helping control appetite and reducing calorie intake, Saxenda promotes gradual, sustainable weight loss when combined with healthy lifestyle choices. Its ability to improve overall health, reduce obesity-related risks, and support long-term weight maintenance makes it a valuable option for those looking to achieve a healthier lifestyle.
“Start your weight loss journey today with Saxenda at our Vivardi Clinic – where expert care meets real results, helping you achieve a healthier, happier you!”
