How Can I Use the Saxenda Injection for Weight Loss?

Losing weight is difficult, but maintaining the lost weight is even harder. Recently, the list of medications promoting weight loss has increased. You will be surprised to know that one such medication, Saxenda, was the first drug to be approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for weight management. The drug comes in the form of subcutaneous injections. The Saxenda injections come as a liquid solution inside injectable pens that can be used multiple times.

The medication is used for weight management in adults and pediatric patients suffering from weight management issues. It promotes weight loss by regulating your appetite and helping you consume fewer calories. Before starting Saxenda injection, consult your doctor, care provider or pharmacist to discuss your medical condition and family history to know what works best for you.

Overview of the Saxenda Injection

Saxenda Injection 3 mg (liraglutide) is an injectable prescription drug used for weight loss and maintaining the lost weight. It is used for obese adults who have weight-related issues. It can also be used to manage the weight of children aged 12-17. Saxenda should be used with a controlled calorie deficit diet and increased regular physical activity and exercises.

Saxenda injections are chronic weight management drugs that can be given once a day. They are subcutaneous, meaning they can be injected just under the skin of the stomach, upper arm, or thigh at any time. It cannot be used to treat type 1 or type 2 diabetes. It contains liraglutide- a drug of class GLP-1 agonist.

How Does Saxenda Work?

Saxenda is classified as a GLP-1 agonist that helps manage blood sugar levels and regulates appetite. Saxenda works the same way as GLP-1. It addresses one of the body’s natural responses to weight loss. But losing weight using Saxenda might take a few weeks. It causes your stomach to empty slowly and makes you feel full for longer. It promotes weight loss by helping you consume fewer calories.

Pre-Treatment Consultation Points Before Starting Saxenda Treatment

Before starting Saxenda, consult your doctor and discuss your medical and family history. Tell them about your health condition and share any concerns you may have. Your doctor will help you develop a long-term weight loss plan, including a nutritious, low-calorie diet and exercise plan. Before using Saxenda for weight management, you should discuss a few things with your doctor, such as:

Your health condition if you are pregnant or planning a baby.
You should share your mental health issues, like if you are having anxiety, depression, or suicidal thoughts.
If you have problems in the heart, liver, or any other organ.
Your complete medical history and whether you’ve had an allergic reaction to Saxenda or its ingredients.
If you have a personal or family history of a rare type of thyroid cancer called MTC
If you have a medical condition like gastroparesis, have a problem in your digestive system, or another condition, then Saxenda might not be right for you.
The medications you are taking to treat the condition, including prescription, supplements and over-the-counter drugs.

You should not use Saxenda with certain medications or supplements like other GLP 1 agonists, other weight loss products, insulin, glipizide, or other drugs you take orally, like tablets, pills, capsules, or liquids. You should also ensure that you read the boxed warning from the FDA. You should also check your blood sugar levels before starting Saxenda. You should always consult your healthcare provider to discuss potential risks before starting any new medication.

Who Is Eligible to Take Saxenda for Weight Loss?

Saxenda is an FDA-approved drug for weight loss and management to be used in conjunction with proper diet and exercise. It can be used for:

Adults

Obese adults who have a Body Mass Index ≥ 30
Overweight adults BMI ≥ 27
Overweight adults who have weight-related medical conditions like non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and dyslipidemia.

Children Aged 12 or Older

Pediatric patients who have weight of over 60 kg or 132 pounds
BMI ≥ 30

How Can Saxenda Injection Be Used for Weight Loss?

When you start Saxenda injection, your doctor will explain how to use it, how to inject it, and how much to take. Follow your doctor’s advice and directions on your prescription label to avoid complications. Read the instructions for use that come along with Saxenda, the medication guide, and the patient’s instructions.

Ask your pharmacist about which needles go best with your Saxenda. Properly dispose of used needles and syringes, and do not share needles with anyone, as there will be a risk of transmission of infections. Do not self-inject this drug if you have any doubt about its dosage or procedure or if you cannot read the label properly.

Once you receive your prefilled Saxenda injection, you will be demonstrated how to use the injection at home. You will also be shown the best places to inject the Saxenda into your body. It can be the thighs, abdomen, or upper arm. Use a different place to give the injection every time.

Rotate the spot every time you take an injection to reduce the chance of getting a lump under your skin. Keep your rejection out of reach of children and pets. Do not use Saxenda more or less than prescribed. You shouldn’t continue the medication for longer than recommended.

Do not use the injection if it has any particles in it or it has changed its color. Saxenda is usually taken at any convenient time, regardless of whether you have had a meal or not. But try to stick to the same time every day.

Factors That Affect the Outcomes of Weight Loss

Take Your Dosage Consistently Every Day

Saxenda is a medication that is to be taken once every day. Giving yourself the injection around the same time every day is important. Choose a time that is convenient for you, and you can remind yourself to take your medication. Stick to a schedule that suits you. It does not matter if you take your Saxenda before or after a meal.

Give the Medication Time to Work

Initially, the dosage of the medication is less, and it gradually increases over time, so the drug takes time to show the desired result of weight loss. Give time for your body to adjust to the medication, and don’t rush the process, as it may cause more harm than good. You shouldn’t expect instant results with such medicines.

Follow a Nutritious, Low-Calorie Diet

Saxenda is used to working alongside a low-calorie diet to give the best results. You can discuss the best diet plan with your nutritionist. And follow the appropriate no. of calories that you should aim for to lose weight and keep it off. Keeping track of your calorie intake and meals will help you achieve your goals.

Follow a Regular Exercise Routine

Saxenda works best when you increase your physical activity and exercise. Make it a daily goal to indulge in moderate or vigorous physical activity at least five days a week. Before starting any physical activity or exercise, discuss with your care provider to find the exercises that work best for you.

How Long Does It Take to Lose Weight Using Saxenda?

Losing weight using Saxenda can take several weeks as when you initially start taking the medications, the dosage is less, and it will gradually increase over time. This is to help you avoid side effects like nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, and constipation. Once you reach the dosage of 3mg/ daily, then the impact of the medication will reach its full potential, and the weight loss will increase. Some people start losing weight within two to four weeks of starting the medication and lose 2-4% of their weight.

Clinical trials found that some individuals lost up to 5% of their weight after eight weeks of treatment. After using Saxenda for one year, some people lost 9.2% or 21 pounds, an incredibly significant weight loss. But always remember that different people have different results with Saxenda. The weight loss or any side effects associated with the medication will depend on your experience.

When you talk to your care provider at the 16-week appointment, they will inquire whether Saxenda is helping you in your weight loss journey. If you have yet to lose 4% of your initial body weight, you will be asked to stop it. Sometimes, even when the person does everything right, he still cannot lose weight; then it means that their body is not responding to Saxenda, and you should try another approach for losing weight. Keep in mind that everyone’s experience with the medication will be different.

How to Store Saxenda Injection?

When you receive a Saxenda injectable pen for the first time, store it in the refrigerator until you start using it. But make sure that it does not reach the freezing temperature. Do not use it if it is frozen. You must throw it away if it is frozen. You should not use the medication if its expiration date has passed.

You can keep it at room temperature or in the fridge when you start using it. Use it within 30 days and protect it from sunlight, moisture, or heat. Remove the needle after use and before storing it. Keep the cap on when not in use.

Strength of Saxenda Injectable Pen

The Saxenda prefilled injection pen comes in only one strength, which contains 18 mg of liraglutide in 3 ml of solution. You can set the dosage of the injection to the following:

0.6 mg
1.2 mg
1.8 mg
2.4 mg
3 mg

If you think you have taken an overdose of the medication, contact a poison control center or emergency room.

Recommended Dosage of Saxenda for Weight Loss

The recommended dosage for adults and pediatric patients of or above 12 is 0.6 mg, which you will be required to take once daily for a few weeks. After this, depending on how your body reacts to the medicine, your doctor will moderately increase the dosage over the upcoming weeks.

The common recommended dosages are:

Week 1- 0.6 mg once daily

Week 2- 1.2 mg once daily

Week 3- 1.8 mg once daily

Week 4- 2.4 mg once daily

After week 5- 3 milligrams once daily

If you have some serious side effects from the medications after an increase in dosage, contact your doctor right away. They might delay the increase until the next week or till the side effects decrease.

What to Do If You Skip a Dosage of Saxenda?

If you miss a dose, you can inject it as soon as you remember or skip it and inject the next dose at the scheduled time. Do not take an extra dose or increase your dosage to compensate for your forgotten dose. If you miss three or more doses in a row, talk to your doctor to know how to restart your medication. You should start at a lower rate.

Does Saxenda Treat Diabetes?

Saxenda is not used to treat diabetes. It is only used for weight management. Saxenda contains the same active drug (liraglutide) as Victoza, a diabetes drug used in a lower dosage for diabetes, and Saxenda is used for weight loss.

Pros and Cons of Saxenda

Saxenda is an injectable pen that helps you lose weight and keep it off. But like every other medication, Saxenda has potential side effects and risks associated with its usage. Here, we are listing the pros and cons that will help you decide whether or not Saxenda is right for you.

Pros

It has been proven effective in helping people lose weight.
It can be used with other weight loss methods, like diet and exercise, to boost the results.
The drug is generally well-managed and only causes mild side effects like nausea and diarrhea.
It is a once-daily injectable drug, so it easily complies with other treatment regimens.
The medication is covered in most of the insurance plans.

Cons

There are potential side effects associated with Saxenda.
It is an injectable drug, so it requires planning and preparation before every dose.
There is a risk of lowering blood sugar levels if you use Saxenda injection alongside diabetic medications or insulin therapy.
Some people may experience fatigue, dizziness, and headaches while on Saxenda.

What Are the Side Effects of Saxenda?

Like most drugs, Saxenda also has several side effects associated with its use, ranging from mild to serious. The list given below discusses a few of the common side effects of using Saxenda. It does not include all the possible side effects of the medication. Remember that side effects may be caused by other factors, such as age, health conditions, and medications you might take to treat them. Your doctor or pharmacist can help you identify possible side effects of Saxenda. They can also help you reduce side effects. You can also read the instructions for use that come along with Saxenda.

Mild Side Effects Include:

Vomiting
Upset stomach
Abdominal pain
Diarrhea
Bloating
Constipation
Fatigue or low-energy
Nausea
Headache
Mild allergic reactions
Dizziness
Fever

Mild side effects of such drugs go away in a few days or a couple of weeks. But if they are persistent or bothersome, contact your doctor or care provider.

Serious Side Effects Include:

Inflammation in your pancreas
Rapid or irregular heartbeat
Low blood sugar
Kidney problems
Gallbladder disease
Mental health issues
Risk of thyroid cancer
Severe allergic reaction

What Are the Alternatives of Saxenda?

If you are looking for alternatives to Saxenda injection, then there are a few options available. Drugs like Wegovy, Contrave, and Qsymia are all alternatives for Saxenda. Weight loss drugs are also available in the form of pills that you have to take orally, such as Orlistat or Phentermine.

Another alternative to Saxenda injection is to change your diet plan and exercise routine. Although this approach takes more time and effort, it is more efficient and sustainable in the long run. If you’d like to know about the alternatives for Saxenda, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Conclusion

Saxenda is a weight loss injectable drug that has proven to be efficient in helping many people lose weight and lead a healthy life. So, if you are struggling with weight management, Saxenda might be an option worth considering. However, talk with your doctor or healthcare provider before starting any new drug. They will help you better understand any questions regarding this medication.
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