What is Saxenda?

Saxenda’s active ingredient is liraglutide, also present in Victoza. Liraglutide is a part of medications that work as incretin mimetics. They are known as Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists which play a vital role in treating Type-2 Diabetes and reducing appetite. Liraglutide slows the emptying of the stomach and decreases appetite which results in weight loss.

It is one of the few drugs that are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat weight loss. It can be prescribed to adults or children over the age of 12 who weigh 132 pounds (60kgs), are considered obese (with a BMI of 27 or above), or have any other weight-related medical issues like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or Type-2 Diabetes.

How Saxenda Works

GLP-1 is a hormone that stimulates the pancreas to secrete more insulin via GLP-1 receptors. Liraglutide, being a GLP-1 agonist, mimics GLP-1 and interacts with the receptors to elicit a similar response. This is why medications that are GLP-1 agonists are prominently used to treat obesity of people who have Type-2 Diabetes.

It’s also been observed that GLP-1 and its agonists show cardioprotective effects, for example decrease the risks of high blood pressure, heart strokes, or heart attacks. Liraglutide is mainly prescribed for weight management. GLP-1, as well as the agonists, exhibits satiety. Studies show how GLP-1 agonists slow digestion and leave people feeling “full” for longer durations. It inhibits gastric emptying after a meal, which helps maintain low blood glucose levels and lowers appetite. It invariably leads to weight loss.

Saxenda Dosing Schedule and Instructions

The dosage of Saxenda, its schedule and the administration process are important to note. Safety precautions must be followed. Know that Saxenda’s dosing schedule depends on several factors, and has to be paired with a nutritious diet. Dosing for Saxenda differs individually and caters to your personal requirements.

Initial Dosage of Saxenda

 First Saxenda’s dose is 0.6mg for a week. Usually, the dose is gradually increased every week till you reach 3mg a day which is the maximum dose to be taken. This increase depends on your lifestyle, medical history, dietary restrictions, reaction to the medication, and how well it works out for you.

Saxenda's Dose Chart

The typical escalation of Saxenda’s dosage looks like this:

Administration Instruction for Saxenda

Saxenda is administered via an injection pen once every day. It is a multi-dose pen with 18mg/3ml of liquid. You must set it to the dose you are prescribed before you inject it. Learn the proper administration from your doctor to avoid any issues.

It is suggested that you take the drug around the same time every day. Typical places to inject Saxenda includes upper arm, thigh, and abdomen. Rotate the regions to avoid any sort of reaction.

Monitoring for Side Effects while taking Saxenda

There is no medication without side effects. Saxenda has a list of common and serious side effects. Common side effects are most often temporary and can be managed by over-the-counter medicines. Serious side effects are rarer but if faced, immediate medical attention is advised. The side effects that you may observe may be different from others, as they are unique to people. Their intensity and how they subside depend on person-to-person.

Common:

• Abdominal pain
• Vomiting/nausea
• Constipation/diarrhea
• Fatigue
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Mild allergic reaction

Serious:

• Acute gallbladder disease
• Pancreatitis
• Increased heart rate
• Low blood sugar level
• Thyroid cancer
• Kidney problems
• Suicidal thoughts or actions

If you notice signs of any of the severe side effects, notify your healthcare provider right away. They may alter your dosage or recommend alternative methods to manage weight.

Adjusting the Dosage for Saxenda

Your healthcare provider will prescribe the dosage of Saxenda for you according to your lifestyle, medical history, any other medications you take, etc. If they deem fit, they may increase the time you take a lesser dosage. The typical dosage for long-term is 3mg.

If an adult has a reaction against Saxenda, they may be suggested to explore alternative means. The intensity of the side effects that you report and how well you can tolerate the medication are two deciding factors in how much alteration your dosage requires. If children above the age of 12 face unbearable side effects, their doctor may lower their dose to 2.4mg once a day for a longer duration.

Long-Term Use and Effectiveness of Saxenda

Saxenda shows the best results during long-term use of the drug. To show any noticeable weight loss, it may take you a couple of weeks of Saxenda, a balanced diet, and consistent exercise. You can keep a note of your weight loss journey to effectively track how useful Saxenda has been to you.

For adults, most doctors recommend a mandatory check-up after 4 months of taking Saxenda, while for children it is 3 months. If significant difference is not seen after the respective months of taking the drug, your healthcare provider may recommend changing methods.

Continuing or discontinuing the drug depends on how well you are taking the medication, if it suits your lifestyle, any side effects you may feel, and most importantly, how effective the drug is to your body.

Safety and Precautions while taking Saxenda

Apart from Saxenda’s dosing schedule, you need to be informed of several other things like the severe side effects, medications that interact poorly with Saxenda, some conditions that must be met in order to take the drug in the first place, etc.

Boxed Warning for Thyroid Cancer

The risk of thyroid cancer is increased while taking Saxenda. This warning is the most serious one about the drug as it is made by the FDA. During experiments, liraglutide was found to cause thyroid cancer in animals. It is unclear if it will do the same in humans.

If you have any medical history of thyroid cancer or multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2, mention it to your healthcare provider who might then suggest avoiding Saxenda.

Symptoms to look out for the risk of thyroid cancer:

• A lump in your neck
• Trouble breathing
• Trouble swallowing
• Hoarse voice that won’t recover
• Shortness of breath 

Contraindications

Mentioned above are only two scenarios where taking Saxenda may prove harmful. There are multiple other aspects that you may want to consider before committing to the drug.

Any other medical condition that you may have, your overall health, your and your family’s medical history, and some medications that may interact poorly with Saxenda are some aspects to consider. Discuss these with your healthcare provider before you finalise on Saxenda.

Interactions with Other Medications 

There are certain medications that interfere with the functionality of Saxenda, and some that, when combined with Saxenda, may induce severe side effects. Make sure you inform your doctor of any and all medications that you take. Not just medicines, but some herbs and vitamins or their supplements may also cause an interaction.

You shouldn’t mix Saxenda with other GLP-1 agonists or weight loss drugs, insulin, drugs for diabetes, and many more such medicines. It is essential that you inform your doctor of your current medications and ask for confirmation before you take any drug that may interact with Saxenda

Conclusion

Saxenda is a popular choice as a weight loss drug. Its main ingredient, liraglutide, is a GLP-1 agonist and helps curb hunger. It slows down gastric emptying, keeping you satiated for longer periods. It is taken via an injection pen that has 18mg/3ml of medication in it. Each pen has multiple doses and is taken on your upper arm, thigh, or abdomen.

The typical dosage of Saxenda starts at 0.6mg for the first week, gradually increases each week, reaches 3mg in the fifth week and then remains that much. Adhere to Saxenda’s dosage prescribed by your healthcare provider as they consider all aspects before deciding your dosage.

Alterations in the dosage may be done if your body doesn’t subside side effects, and if faced by severe ones, your doctor may suggest an alternative route to weight loss. Track your weight as well as any signs of side effects that may be caused by Saxenda to determine its effectiveness. Weight loss is a long journey, so believe in the drug while working hard to maintain a good diet and exercise regime.