How Does Saxenda Injection for Weight Loss Work? Mechanism, Dosage, Side Effects

What is Saxenda?

Saxenda is a prescription injectable weight-loss medication. It is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist that is approved for chronic weight management in adults with obesity or overweight with at least one weight-related condition such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, or high cholesterol.

How Does Saxenda Work?

Saxenda works by mimicking the effects of GLP-1, a hormone that is released naturally by the body after eating a meal. GLP-1 slows digestion, suppresses appetite, and tells the brain the stomach is full. Saxenda activates receptors in the brain that trigger a feeling of fullness and satiety.

Specifically, Saxenda:

• Increases feelings of fullness and decreases appetite
• Delays stomach emptying to promote a feeling of fullness
• Reduces calorie intake by suppressing appetite
• Increases insulin production which helps regulate blood sugar

By mimicking GLP-1, Saxenda promotes weight loss by helping you eat less food, feel full faster, and stay full longer. The end result is consuming fewer calories which leads to weight loss over time.

Who is Saxenda For?

Saxenda is approved for use in adults with:

• A BMI of 30 or higher (obesity)
• A BMI of 27 or higher (overweight) with at least one weight-related condition such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, or high cholesterol

It is not approved for use in children under 18 years old.

How to Take Saxenda

Saxenda comes as a prefilled, disposable pen injector. It is injected under the skin (subcutaneously) of your abdomen, thigh, or upper arm. Saxenda should not be injected into a vein or muscle.

The recommended starting dosage is 0.6 mg once daily for one week. The dose is then increased gradually over the next four weeks up to the full dose of 3 mg once daily. Saxenda should be taken at the same time each day, with or without food.

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is more than 12 hours late, skip the missed dose and take your next regularly scheduled dose.

Saxenda Side Effects

Common side effects of Saxenda include:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Abdominal pain
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Fatigue
• Indigestion

These side effects are usually mild to moderate and tend to occur during the first few weeks of treatment. Taking Saxenda with food may help reduce feelings of nausea. Staying hydrated and exercising regularly may also minimize these gastrointestinal side effects.

Rare but serious side effects include:

• Gallbladder problems
• Kidney problems
• Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) in patients with type 2 diabetes taking Saxenda with other diabetes medications
• Increased heart rate
• Suicidal thoughts or behavior
• Pancreatitis

Contact your doctor immediately if you experience any serious or concerning side effects while taking Saxenda.

Saxenda Results: Weight Loss

In clinical trials, people who took Saxenda lost an average of 4.5% to 8% more body weight compared to people who only dieted and exercised. Participants taking Saxenda were more likely to achieve at least 5% weight loss.

For example, in one 56-week study, 62% of patients taking Saxenda lost ≥5% of their body weight compared to 34% of patients taking a placebo. Total average weight loss was 6.2% with Saxenda compared to 2.6% with placebo.

However, weight loss results can vary significantly from person to person. Saxenda is more likely to be effective when combined with lifestyle changes like eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly.

How Long Does Saxenda Take to Work?

Most people begin to notice a decrease in appetite and food cravings within the first 1-2 weeks of starting Saxenda. However, it can take longer to notice any significant weight loss, often around 3-6 months. Maximum weight loss usually occurs around 9-12 months of treatment.

It is important to be patient and persistent with Saxenda treatment. Stay in close contact with your doctor and follow dosage instructions carefully. If you are not having results after 3-4 months, your doctor may adjust your dosage or prescribe a different weight loss medication.

Can You Take Saxenda with Other Medications?

Saxenda has potential interactions with several types of medications including:

• Oral contraceptives - Saxenda can reduce the effectiveness of birth control pills. Use an additional non-hormonal contraceptive method.
• Insulin and other diabetes medications - Saxenda can increase the risk of low blood sugar. Monitor blood sugar closely.
• Anticoagulants and antiplatelet drugs - Saxenda may increase the risk of bleeding and bruising.
• Thyroid hormones - Saxenda can reduce absorption of thyroid hormones.

Always tell your doctor about any other medications, vitamins, or supplements you are taking before starting Saxenda. Dosage adjustments may be necessary to reduce drug interactions.

Can Saxenda Be Taken Long-Term?

Saxenda is approved for long-term use based on clinical trials lasting up to 4 years. However, additional weight loss beyond the first year is generally modest. It is not known if taking Saxenda for more than 4 years has any benefit or additional risk.

Like other weight-loss drugs, Saxenda works best when used alongside healthy lifestyle changes. It may be a useful tool to jumpstart your weight loss, but should not replace proper nutrition and exercise entirely.

Your doctor will monitor your progress on Saxenda and can advise you on whether long-term treatment is appropriate based on your individual health status and needs.

Is Saxenda a Contrave, Adipex, or Phentermine?

No, Saxenda has different active ingredients and works differently than Contrave, Adipex, or Phentermine.

• Saxenda contains the active ingredient liraglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist.
• Contrave contains a combination of naltrexone and bupropion.
• Adipex and Phentermine contain the active ingredient phentermine, an appetite suppressant.

While they work in different ways, all four medications can promote weight loss by reducing appetite. However, only Saxenda is specifically approved for chronic, long-term weight management.

Is Saxenda Better than Phentermine or Contrave?

There is no definitive "best" weight loss medication. Saxenda, phentermine, and Contrave can all be effective options depending on the individual patient's needs and medical history.

Some key differences between the drugs include:

• Saxenda can be used long-term, while phentermine and Contrave have shorter recommended treatment durations.
• Saxenda has shown slightly more weight loss compared to Contrave and phentermine in clinical trials.
• Saxenda is administered as a daily injection, while Contrave and phentermine are oral tablets.
• Contrave and phentermine have more drug interactions than Saxenda.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.