Saxenda

Saxenda is an FDA (US) & MHRA (UK) approved weight loss treatment that uses Liraglutide as its active ingredient. It works by regulating your appetite, similar to the natural hormone GLP-1, which can help you consume fewer calories and lose weight. Saxenda is administered via daily injections and is most effective when used in conjunction with a reduced-calorie diet and increased exercise regimen.

Saxenda is used in conjunction with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity to manage weight in adult patients who have an initial Body Mass Index (BMI) of at least 30 kg/m² (obesity) or at least 27 kg/m² to <30 kg/m² (overweight) with at least one weight-related comorbidity such as dysglycemia, hypertension, dyslipidemia, or obstructive sleep apnea. If you have not lost at least 5% of your initial body weight after 12 weeks on the 3.0 mg/day dose, treatment with Saxenda should be discontinued.

To properly administer Saxenda, inject it subcutaneously into your abdomen, thigh, or upper arm while avoiding injecting into a muscle or vein. To decrease the likelihood of developing skin lumps, alternate the injection sites.

Saxenda should be kept refrigerated at a temperature of 2°C-8°C, and its pen should be covered to shield it from light. Do not freeze Saxenda by storing it outside the freezer compartment.

Saxenda begins to take effect right away and reduces appetite within a few days, resulting in weight loss in the initial months of treatment. After 17 weeks of treatment, a minimum weight loss of 5% of your starting weight is expected. If this is not accomplished, Saxenda should be terminated, and other treatment options should be considered.

You will start your treatment by establishing the Saxenda dose at 0.6mg and progressively increasing it by 0.6mg per week over the first four weeks of treatment. After week four, you will take the full 3mg dose once a day. The pens are pre-filled, making it simpler to use the correct dosage.

Here is the recommended Saxenda dosage for the first five weeks of treatment:

Week 1: 0.6mg once daily for 7 days
Week 2: 1.2mg once daily for 7 days
Week 3: 1.8mg once daily for 7 days
Week 4: 2.4mg once daily for 7 days
Week 5 onwards: 3.0mg once daily

Saxenda is considered a safe agent to lose weight if used as directed. In general, the most common side effect is related to gastrointestinal reactions.