What is Saxenda®?
Saxenda is a Food and Drug Administration-approved prescription medication used for weight management in adults with obesity or those who are overweight with at least one weight-related health condition, such as hypertension, type 2 diabetes, or high cholesterol.
Manufactured by Novo Nordisk, Saxenda® contains Liraglutide, a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist, a synthetic hormone that mimics the GLP-1 hormone naturally produced by the body.
Benefits of Saxenda®?
Saxenda (Liraglutide) has shown positive results for individuals struggling with weight loss. The results in a 56-week clinical trial funded by Novo Nordisk, participants who took Liraglutide 3.0 mg had a mean body weight loss of 8.4 kg, while those participants who took a placebo had a mean body weight loss of 2.8 kg (SCALE Obesity and Prediabetes, New England Journal of Medicine, 2015).
Saxenda is a once-daily injection. If a weekly injection or a daily pill would suit you better, your physician can talk with you about Wegovy, the Wegovy pill, Zepbound or Foundayo, and check what your insurance covers.
How does Saxenda® Work?
Saxenda belongs to a drug class called GLP-1 receptor agonist; it works by mimicking the natural GLP-1 hormone, which is released by the intestines after eating. This hormone plays an essential role in appetite regulation and blood sugar control.
Appetite Suppression: Saxenda activates the GLP-1 receptors in the brain, which signal feelings of fullness and reduce hunger. This action can lead to reduced calorie intake and, subsequently, weight loss.
Slowing Gastric Emptying: Saxenda delays the rate at which food leaves the stomach, which can lead to longer-lasting feelings of fullness after meals. This helps prevent overeating and makes it easier to stick to a reduced-calorie diet
Blood Sugar Regulation: By promoting the release of insulin (insulin assists the body’s cells to use glucose for energy) and inhibiting glucagon (a hormone that raises blood sugar levels), Saxenda helps manage blood sugar levels, particularly after meals.
Together, these mechanisms make Saxenda an effective tool for weight management, particularly when combined with lifestyle changes (diet and exercise). Saxenda may not work for everyone, and it is important to consult with your healthcare provider to assess which medication is best suited for you. Aayu Well Healthcare ensures thorough assessment and evaluation to build a plan tailored to your needs.
How to use it
Saxenda should be taken as instructed by a qualified healthcare provider. Saxenda is administered as a subcutaneous (under the skin) injection once daily. According to Novo Nordisk, common injection sites include the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm. It’s essential to rotate injection sites each day to reduce the risk of skin irritation and infection.
Dosing
- The dosage of Saxenda is gradually increased by your healthcare provider over several weeks to reduce the likelihood of side effects, particularly gastrointestinal discomfort. Saxenda usually begins at 0.6 mg per day for one week, increased weekly until reaching the maintenance dose of 3.0 mg daily. Your healthcare provider may adjust your dose based on your response to the medication and any side effects
Side effects
- Saxenda is generally well-tolerated, but it may cause some side effects. The most common side effects were gastrointestinal events, particularly when starting the treatment. Some examples were nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, and abdominal pain. These side effects may decrease over time as you get used to the medication. However, some individuals may experience more serious side effects, such as:
- Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas): severe abdominal pain that doesn’t go away could be a sign of pancreatitis.
- Gallbladder issues: Sudden pain in the upper abdomen or back could indicate gallstones or gallbladder inflammation.
- Gastroparesis (stomach paralysis): Symptoms such as persistent bloating, acid reflux, and vomiting undigested food may signal delayed stomach emptying (gastroparesis).
- Kidney problems: Dehydration caused by vomiting or diarrhea can lead to kidney issues.
- If you experience any of these more severe symptoms, contact your healthcare provider immediately.
Black Box Warning
- Saxenda® carries a black box warning; animal studies have shown that Liraglutide, the active ingredient in Saxenda, caused thyroid C-cell tumors in rodents, although it’s unclear if this risk applies to humans. If you experience symptoms such as lump or swelling in the neck, difficulty swallowing, or persistent hoarseness, you should contact your healthcare provider immediately.
- As a precaution, the FDA warns patients with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2) should avoid using Saxenda (Liraglutide).
Precautions
- Before you start taking Saxenda, inform your healthcare provider if you have a history of pancreatitis, a history of thyroid cancer, kidney disease, liver problems, or gastrointestinal issues.
- If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, do not take Liraglutide because it is not known if it will harm your unborn baby or pass into your breast milk
- Saxenda should not be used by insulin-dependent diabetics (type 1 diabetes). When Liraglutide is taken with insulin, when the insulin dose is reduced too quickly, it can lead to high blood sugar (hyperglycemia), which increases the risk of diabetic ketoacidosis.
Interactions
- Certain drugs could have an interaction with Saxenda. It is important to inform your doctor about the medications and supplements you are taking. Some examples are:
- Other Diabetes Medications: Using Saxenda with sulfonylureas or insulin can increase the risk of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). Careful blood sugar monitoring is advised if combining these medications
- Oral Medications: Since Saxenda® can delay gastric emptying, it may affect the absorption of other oral medications. Consult with a healthcare provider if you take medications that require precise timing.
- Other GLP-1/GIP receptor agonist medications: Avoid taking Saxenda with other GLP-1 receptor agonists like Dulaglutide, Tirzepatide, or Semaglutide
- Always consult your healthcare provider before starting or stopping any medications while using Saxenda (Liraglutide)
