Saxenda 101: The Ultimate Guide

For obese patients with an initial body mass index (BMI) of 30 kg/m2 or greater, Saxenda (liraglutide 3 mg) as an adjunct to a reduced calorie diet and increased physical activity may lead to moderate weight loss. In two large clinical trials, 1,961 patients treated with Saxenda lost a mean of 5.8% and 5.5% of initial body weight at 56 weeks, respectively, compared to subjects treated with placebo who lost a mean of 2.2%. The most common gastrointestinal adverse reactions reported more frequently in Saxenda-treated subjects than in placebo-treated subjects were nausea (27%), diarrhea (22%), constipation (14%), and vomiting (13%). The percentage of patients that discontinued therapy due to an adverse reaction was low at 3% in both liraglutide- and placebo-treated groups. Therefore, Saxenda provides another available option for the management of obesity.

Saxenda is a weight-loss medication that has been shown to help people lose weight and keep it off. The medication works by increasing the amount of a hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), which is involved in regulating appetite and metabolism. Saxenda is approved for use in adults with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or above, and for people who have weight related medical problems, such as type 2 diabetes or high cholesterol. It is also approved for use in people with a condition called Thyroid C cell Tumors. Saxenda is a prescription medication, and it is important to talk to your doctor about whether it is right for you.

Adolescence is a tricky time for most that go through it. According to a study by Harvard Health, hormonal changes are a vital aspect of this period, with stress hormones, growth hormones, and sex hormones raging.

It is also pretty standard for adolescents to deal with obesity. The cause is typically hormonal disorders, like overactive adrenal glands, an underactive thyroid gland, or other such factors.

If you’re an adolescent or an adult struggling with obesity and looking for a way out, you must check out Saxenda.

In this article, we will talk about all things Saxenda, right from its benefits and side effects down to the Saxenda price.

What is Saxenda?

Saxenda is an injectable medicine that can assist your weight loss efforts and support you in keeping the weight off in the future as well.

It is an FDA-approved prescription drug meant for use by adolescents or adults with excess weight, obesity, or other weight-related issues.

The primary active ingredient in Saxenda is Liraglutide, which serves as a hormone for metabolism, known as GLP-1.

Liraglutide was traditionally used to help people struggling with type 2 diabetes, enabling patients to lower their blood sugar levels. However, it is now more popular as a weight loss agent.

Saxenda should be used in tandem with higher physical activity and reduced calorie intake for the best results.  If you buy saxenda online in the USA you should take advantage of buying saxenda from us in Mexico. The cost savings is substantial and it is the same product.

Who Qualifies for Saxenda?

Saxenda has been approved for use by adolescents and adults. Both age categories have their own additional set of requirements that potential users must meet.

Adults must fulfil either of the following criteria to qualify as eligible users:

• Their body mass index (BMI) should be over 30kg/m2.
• Their BMI should be over 27kg/m2, along with at least one more weight-related comorbidity.

Adolescents must be between the ages of 12-17 years to be eligible for the drug. Their body weight should also be over 60 kgs, and the initial BMI should be corresponding to more than 30 kg/m2 in adults.

Who is Not Eligible for Saxenda?

While the benefits of Saxenda may tempt you, not everyone should use it. People in the following situations are at risk of getting harmed by the medicine.

• Pregnancy And Post-Pregnancy: You should stay away from this drug during pregnancy, as it may harm your unborn child. Saxenda passes into breast milk and can make its way to your toddler.
• Allergies: If you’re allergic to liraglutide or any other substances in Saxenda, let your doctor know right away. The medicine may contain inactive ingredients that could lead to allergic reactions.
• Surgery: Those planning to have surgery sometime soon should discuss taking Saxenda with their doctors. It may lead to unwanted side effects in some cases.
• Medical History: When you consult your medical professional about Saxenda, tell them about your history, as it may be related to the product. Past medical history needs to be disclosed, including kidney disease, mental disorders, intestinal disorders, and disease of the pancreas.
• Diabetes: Since Saxenda may affect your blood sugar, you should keep a check on your levels and consult a doctor to know the best course of action.

How Does Saxenda Work?

The active ingredient in Saxenda, liraglutide, is a kind of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor, or GLP-1 receptor agonist drug.

These receptor agonists are also known as “incretin mimetics” since they mimic the behaviour of incretin hormones.

Incretin hormones are the hormones secreted from your gut when you eat. They increase insulin secretion in your body and slow down gastric emptying to boost satiety and decrease appetite.

They also inhibit glucagon release, thereby reducing the amount of glucose released from the liver. All of these factors together work to lower your weight.

Benefits of Saxenda

There are several benefits that people have observed after using Saxenda.

• When consumed with exercise and diet, it can help you lose a significant chunk of body weight.
• Weight loss may further improve conditions such as cholesterol levels and high blood pressure.
• It can help you maintain the weight loss for a few subsequent years.
• It may be good for people with diabetes as it brings down blood sugar levels.

How Effective is Saxenda?

A study available on the Saxenda website elaborates upon the drug’s effectiveness. Here are the highlights of the trials:

• Saxenda has been clinically tested and proven to help people lose weight. 5% of the people in the study reported weight loss.
• About 3 out of 5 people consuming Saxenda achieved a remarkable weight loss of 5% of body weight, or even more.
• One-third of the test subjects managed to love at least 10% of their weight.
• Almost 6% of the people in the study achieved an impressive weight loss of 20% or more.

Side Effects of Saxenda

Every rose has its thorns, and every medicine has its side effects. Saxenda is an excellent weight loss drug, but it may lead to unwanted, ill effects in some cases.

Some of the most common side effects in children are gastroenteritis and fever.

Adults may face constipation, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, low blood sugar, dizziness, injection site reaction, headache, changes in lipase levels, and persistent severe abdominal pain. In some patients treated with GLP-1 receptor agonists, including Saxenda, there have been reports of acute renal failure and worsening of chronic renal failure, sometimes requiring hemodialysis.

Saxenda may also cause serious side effects.

• Pancreatitis: Some users might suffer from severe pain in the abdomen area, extending to the back. It is caused by inflammation of the pancreas.
• Hypoglycemia: Saxenda increases the risk of low blood sugar for adult patients taking medication for type 2 diabetes and adolescents.
• Thyroid Tumors: Intake of Saxenda could possibly lead to the development of thyroid tumours, including cancer. Do not ignore any lump or swelling in your neck, trouble swallowing, hoarseness, or shortness of breath.
• Increased Heart Rate: People may find their heart rate rising even while they’re resting. It can feel like a pounding in the chest and last for several minutes.
• Allergic Reactions: Serious allergic reactions include swelling of the face, tongue, lips, or throat, fainting, rapid heartbeat, breathing problems, severe rashes, itching, swallowing, and feeling dizzy.
• Gallbladder Problems: Some users might develop gallbladder problems, such as gallstones, which will require surgery. Symptoms like abdominal pain, jaundice, fever, or clay-colored stool should not be ignored.
• Kidney Problems: Nausea, diarrhea, or vomiting could lead to excessive loss of fluids and cause kidney problems.
• Depression: Sudden mental changes, such as changes in mood, thoughts, behaviors, or feelings, and thoughts of suicide are also side effects of Saxenda.

Saxenda Alternatives

If the Saxenda cost doesn’t work for you, it doesn’t mean that you need to give up on all weight management drugs. You simply need to find suitable medication for you and gives effective results. This may or may not be prescription drugs.

Here are a few common alternatives to Saxenda:

• phentermine (Adipex-P, Lomaira)
• naltrexone/bupropion (Contrave)
• orlistat (Alli, Xenical)
• phentermine/topiramate (Qsymia)
• semaglutide (Wegovy)

If you don’t wish to take any medication, there are other options as well.

• Chromium supplements
• Mindfulness
• Vitamins and minerals
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

How Much Weight Can You Lose On Saxenda?

If you’re contemplating to buy Saxenda, you must also be wondering how much weight you can actually lose with it.

Saxenda conducted a 56-week trial with 3731 adults to test the effects of the drug. Let’s look at the significant findings from the study.

• Three out of every five people lost about 12 lb during the study.
• One out of three people lost an average of 23 lb in this time.
• About 6% of the participants lost around 47 lb in the same duration.

While individual results may vary, Saxenda seems to be a decent weight-loss solution for a majority of people.

The amount of weight you shed cannot be predetermined, as it will be based on numerous factors. However, the studies clarify that about 85% of people using Saxenda injections have shown significant weight loss over time.

Does Saxenda Burn Fat?

The weight loss effects of Saxenda are pretty clear. However, you might be wondering if the medication helps burn fat as well.

Saxenda helps in reducing leptin resistance and can lower leptin levels to a decent extent. As a result, there are some biochemical changes in your body, and your natural appetite goes down.

Your metabolism gets a boost in the process, and your fat-burning capacity also increases.

You could lose around 10% of your body fat by using this medicine regularly. So, it is safe to say that Saxenda can help you burn fat as well while you’re shedding some weight.

Does Saxenda Work Immediately?

When you start taking Saxenda, you might not notice immediate results. However, it is nothing to worry about.

Like most medicines, Saxenda takes its time in showing results. While some people may feel the benefits within just a few days of starting the medication, it is not the same with everyone.

In fact, any weight loss method that shows overnight results is not good for you.

Give your body some time to adjust to the medicine and continue regular intake to observe the results.

How Quickly Does Saxenda Work?

Some Saxenda users have happily reposted weight loss within the first week.

Most people start noticing slight changes within two to three weeks. However, even if you can’t see the results in that time, wait for at least four weeks.

You should regularly take Saxenda for about three months to see major changes. If you still can’t see changes in six to eight weeks, you should consult your prescriber.

This is not a standard timeline, and it may vary according to the dosage prescribed by your healthcare professional.

What Does Saxenda Do to Your Body?

Saxenda causes some significant bodily changes to help you lose weight.

• Improves Insulin Sensitivity: GLP-1 plays a significant role in reducing insulin resistance and lowering blood sugar levels.
• Reduces Leptin Resistance: Leptin is the factor responsible for hindering your weight loss efforts. Saxenda lowers leptin levels and treats leptin resistance.
• Works as a Glucagon Suppressant: It reduces hyperglucagonemia, thereby promoting regular glucose metabolism in the liver and the body.
• Boosts Metabolism: It helps in improving your metabolism naturally by altering hormone levels.
• Reduced Appetite: Your gastric contents empty more slowly when you take Saxenda, telling your body that it is full, thereby reducing appetite.

How to Use the Saxenda Pen

Preparing the pen for a Saxenda weight loss shot is a very delicate process. You have to be extremely careful in order to avoid any side effects. Saxenda is an injectable prescription medicine that can help with obesity.

Here’s a step by step to guide you through it.

1. Check The Medication: Check the label on your medication to ensure that you have the right drug. The liquid should appear clear and colorless.
2. Attach A Needle: You need to use a new needle for each injection. Tear the paper tab and push the needle right into the pen, turning till it gets tight, and then pull off the needle caps.
3. Check The Flow: It is vital to check the flow with every new pen when you take your first injection or drop the pen. Hold the pen with the needle pointing upwards and press the dose button until the dose counter comes to zero. A drop should appear at the needle tip.
4. Set Your Dosage: Keep twisting the dose selector till it comes to your appropriate dosage.
5. Inject Your Dose: Press the needle into your skin and hold down the dose button till the dose counter comes to zero. Keep the needle in your skin, slowly counting to six seconds.
6. Remove Needle After Injection: Be very careful while removing the needle from the pen. Dispose it in a container for sharp objects and the pen cap back on.

You should never share your Saxenda pen with anyone, even if you change the needle. Sharing pens is a severe risk for infection.

The Bottom Line

Saxenda has proven itself as an effective medication in aiding weight loss. Over the years, many people have tried and tested this product, achieving stellar weight loss results.

If you’re also struggling with losing weight, you must check out Saxenda by Novo Nordisk. You can even buy Saxenda online. It takes a few weeks to show results but is still worth it. Once you lose weight, it doesn’t come back up easily.

So, what are you waiting for? Get your own Saxenda injections today!