In a world where the battle against obesity has become a significant health concern, a medical intervention like Saxenda plays an essential role. This review is a detailed exploration of Saxenda, providing valuable insights into its purpose, usage, benefits, possible drawbacks, and more. This review is crucial for anyone contemplating this weight management solution, lending critical insights before you set foot on this wellness journey. Stay tuned as we unveil the complexities and wonders that lay within Saxenda.
What Is Saxenda (Liraglutide)?
Saxenda is the brand name for the medicine Liraglutide, also known as Victoza, which has been used in treating type 2 diabetes since 2009. The Saxenda review focuses on the use of Liraglutide in weight reduction; however, additional topics are covered, including:
How Does Saxenda Work?
Without getting too technical, Saxenda’s mode of action is classified as hormonal. Saxenda mimics the activities of the GLP-1 hormone (present in our bodies) to reduce hunger and enhance fullness (Sexandapro.com, ND), which leads to calorie restriction and weight reduction.
Review of the permitted dosage of Saxenda in weight management
Patients on Saxenda begin with a dosage of 0.6mg once a day. It is suggested that the dose be gradually raised to a maximum of 3mg daily over at least one week. At least seven-day intervals, the amount should be increased by 0.6mg.
Saxenda is available as a multi-dose prefilled pen. Saxenda is injected into one of the following regions daily:
- Stomach area
- Upper leg (thigh), or
- Upper arm
How to Use Saxenda?
Saxenda comes as an injectable pen intended for subcutaneous use. It’s administered once daily at any time, independent of meals. You start with a low dose of 0.6 mg per day for one week and then increase the dosage by 0.6 mg each week until a final dose of 3.0 mg per day is reached. But always adhere to the prescribing health care professional’s advice.
It’s important not to share your Saxenda pen with others and always to use a new needle for each injection. If you experience any adverse reactions, immediately seek medical attention. Pregnant or breastfeeding women, as well as those with thyroid disease or a family history of thyroid cancer, should be cautious when using Saxenda and discuss it thoroughly with healthcare providers.
Saxenda Review: Benefits and Drawbacks
Pros:
- Weight Loss: When administered with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity, Saxenda can help achieve significant weight loss.
- Improved Health: It can contribute to improved blood pressure and cholesterol levels and reduce obesity-related risks.
- Increased Energy: Losing weight often results in increased energy and enhanced mood.
Cons:
- Side Effects: Some users may experience side effects like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, or loss of appetite.
- Cost-Intensive: Being a prescription drug, Saxenda is expensive. Though sometimes covered by insurance, it may still dent your finances.
- Inconvenience: Since Saxenda is an injectable drug, it may be considered inconvenient compared to oral medications.
What’s Saxenda’s Weight Loss Advantage Over Victoza?
The active medication, Liraglutide, is included in both prefilled, same-size pens at a concentration of 6mg per 1 ml. Except for several ‘inactive’ substances utilized in the composition of Saxenda, the excipients in Saxenda and Victoza are nearly identical. The key differences/similarities between both goods are as follows:
| Conditions | Saxenda | Victoza |
| Licensed indication | Weight management (weight loss) in conjunction with a hypocaloric diet and exercise in obese patients (BMI over 30) or patients with BMI over 27 with other health conditions. | Management of type 2 diabetes in conjunction with diet and exercise. Victoza can be used on its own where Metformin is contraindicated or intolerant or as a combination therapy with other antidiabetic drugs. |
| Age | For adults only | Adults and children over ten years of age |
| Dose | The starting dose of 0.6mg was increased to a maximum of 3mg daily. | The starting dose of 0.6mg was increased to a maximum of 1.8mg. Higher doses are not recommended. |
| Side Effect | Similar for both products. Refer to the product information leaflet for more details. | |
Saxenda Reviews Of Effectiveness?
Summary of significant studies (NICE, 2017)
Four clinical trials provide the primary evidence for Saxenda’s efficacy. Saxenda users were fat or overweight, with co-morbidities such as hypertension.
During the studies, there was a substantial difference in weight reduction between patients who took Saxenda and individuals who received a placebo medication (a product that did not contain the active drug).
All participants in clinical trials received weight-loss lifestyle treatments such as a reduced-calorie diet and increased exercise. The estimated weight reduction across all tests (period 32-160 weeks) was between 5.4% and 4% of body weight (NICE, 2017).
Many individuals, however, recovered their weight after ceasing the medication. Overall, more patients (9.2-13%) who got Saxenda medication dropped out of clinical studies owing to adverse effects, compared to 3.3%-6% who received placebo treatment (ibid).
Weight-loss Outcomes: Study 1 Summary (Pi-Sunyer et al., 2015)
- A 56-week trial of obese individuals (BMI over 30) or patients with a BMI greater than 27 who also had additional problems such as high cholesterol or blood pressure levels.
There are 3731 patients. - Placebo-controlled: Some patients utilized goods that did not contain any active medication.
Saxenda dosage: 3mg once a day with lifestyle modification guidance (counseling). - Outcomes: 63.2% of Saxenda patients dropped 5% or more of their body weight, compared to 27.1% of placebo patients. Patients on Saxenda dropped 10% or more of their body weight, compared to 10.6% on placebo. Nausea and diarrhea were the most commonly reported adverse effects.
- Serious adverse events were reported by 6.2% of Saxenda patients versus 5% of placebo participants.
Study 2 (Le Roux et al., 2017):
- A three-year study of prediabetic obese individuals
- Saxenda (3mg once daily) or placebo was administered to 2,254 individuals with a reduced-calorie diet and increased activity.
- Diabetes developed in 2% of Saxenda patients compared to 6% of placebo individuals.
- Overall, Saxenda may lower the chance of developing diabetes in obese or prediabetic people.
Saxenda Real User Reviews
Saxenda weight loss has been reviewed over 1379 reviews times on Drugs.com and has a pretty decent average rating of 7.5/10. This website allows prescription medicine consumers to provide personal evaluations of their drug experience.
We cannot confirm the validity or integrity of any reviews on this website.
The most positive Saxenda review comes from a user called “lbdd13,” who thinks the medicine is effective and causes few adverse effects:
Possible Saxenda Side Effects
The use of Saxenda for weight reduction, like all medicines, has the potential for negative effects. The majority of Saxenda’s adverse effects are gastrointestinal. The manufacturer’s website lists typical adverse effects as nausea, diarrhea, constipation, and vomiting.
The most positive Saxenda review comes from a user called “lbdd13,” who thinks the medicine is effective and causes few adverse effects:
For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight): This is week 3. I lost 14 pounds. The side effects are mild and worsen as I increase the dosage. I overate that the most evident side effect is slight nausea when eating or after eating. I like this drug’s results. My energy is high, and my endurance has improved. I have much-reduced blood pressure. So, my doctor and I half-cut my blood pressure medication. My sugar cravings are gone. I watch what I eat. I eat fruits and vegetables, but only a few when I have pizza at home. Everyone who needs this medicine should try it! Self-injections are easy. The needle is hardly visible. I seldom write reviews, but this weight-loss option is excellent.”
The most critical review of Saxenda comes from a customer called “Mehra,” who is dissatisfied with their Saxenda results:
Obesity/Overweight Weight Loss: “The first day had no adverse effects, but the second day included bloating and nausea. The final day of usage caused vomiting and diarrhea for more than 10 hours before it ceased. I stopped using it and contacted my doctor.”
The following are common adverse effects reported by 10% or more of patients:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
There are also several common side effects, such as:
- Dry mouth
- Dizziness
- Hypoglycemia (low sugar level)
- Dyspepsia and Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD)
- Fatigue
Please keep in mind that this is not a complete list. Read the product information booklet online to describe all adverse effects and cautions fully.
Cancer Risk Associated with Saxenda
When accessing www.saxendapro.com, one of the first warnings that appear is essential Safety information about the hazards of thyroid C-cell tumors (Saxendapo.com, ND):
- Liraglutide generates dose-dependent and treatment-duration-dependent thyroid C-cell tumors in both rats and mice.
- It is unclear whether Saxenda has the same impact on people.
- Patients should be informed about the dangers and symptoms of thyroid cancer.
Other Cautionary Notes:
Acute pancreatitis can be lethal or non-fatal, and it can be hemorrhagic or necrotizing (death of pancreas due to lack of blood supply)
- Acute gallbladder illness
- When used with other antidiabetic medications, there is a risk of hypoglycemia.
- Increased heart rate
- Renal dysfunction
- Reactions to hypersensitivity
- Suicidal tendencies:
- During a human clinical study, 9 of 3384 patients (0.3%) receiving Saxenda had suicidal thoughts (0.1% receiving placebo), with one attempting suicide.
Visit the SaxendaPro website for additional information on the above warning.
Saxenda Cost
Saxenda per pen: The price of Saxenda per pen differs between pharmacies. Saxenda pens may be obtained online for roughly £75 per pen.
The monthly cost of Saxenda
- Each Saxenda pen contains 18mg of the active ingredient Liraglutide in a 3ml solution.
- If the highest daily dose was utilized, say 3mg, one pen would last six days; hence, the patient would need five cells per month to administer the maximum daily dose of 3mg.
- The monthly cost of Saxenda would be £375 based on this figure.
Final Words From AzDrug
Saxenda is a novel technique for weight management; nonetheless, there are several potential widespread adverse effects. Private therapy is expensive for both patients, making them nearly unaffordable.
Obese people may want to examine alternate choices, such as oral Orlistat therapy. A separate topic discusses the effectiveness of Orlistat in weight reduction. Orlistat reviews: Is it possible for you to lose weight? The most effective weight loss methods include physical activity and a well-balanced diet.
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