- Weight Management
- Weight Loss Injection
Weight Loss Injection
Saxenda Weight Loss Injection
Saxenda, now available in Singapore, mimics our natural hormones to create a feeling of fullness to create a calorie deficit and maintain weight loss alongside a healthy diet and exercise.
Read on to know how Saxenda could work for you .
Saxenda Weight Loss Injection
Approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (US FDA), Saxenda is a weight loss injection medication pen that contains liraglutide. It is injected daily in doses prescribed by a doctor in either your tummy, thighs, or upper arms. Saxenda mimics the effects of GLP-1analogues, a hormone produced by our intestines after eating that sends signals to our brain, telling our body that we are feeling full. It regulates appetite by increasing feelings of fullness and satiety while lowering feelings of hunger and prospective food consumption.
Advancements in medical science now offer weight loss medications which bring weight loss achieved through medications closer to results previously only achievable via invasive bariatric surgery. This includes weight loss medications containing liraglutide and semaglutide that come in a form of an injection pen, adding ease and convenience to the weight loss process
WHO Guidelines on Obesity and Health Risks
The World Health Organisation (WHO) defines overweight and obesity as abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that presents a risk to health. The two are distinguished from each other based on body mass index (BMI), where a BMI over 25 kg/m2 is considered overweight and over 30 kg/m2 is obese.
The WHO also recommends a different cut-off for Asian populations. For Asians, a BMI of 23 or greater is considered overweight while 27.5 or greater is an indication of obesity.
Obesity is associated with an increased risk of a wide range of illnesses and long-term conditions, including type 2 diabetes, hypertension, gallstones, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and cancer, as well as psychological and psychiatric morbidities.
Weight Loss Reduces Risks of Chronic Diseases
Weight loss can help reduce the risk of chronic diseases for people who are overweight. For example, in a medical report “Systematic review of the long-term effects and economic consequences of treatments for obesity and implications for health improvement”, it is estimated that a loss of 10 kg may lead to a reduction in total cholesterol of 0.25 mmol/L and a reduction in diastolic blood pressure (DBP) of 4 mm Hg.
However, losing weight based on lifestyle changes alone (i.e. dieting and exercise) is difficult to achieve. Although it might be effective initially, many patients regain their weight after discontinuation. Studies have shown that lifestyle changes alone result in only 5% weight loss.
But drug therapy with weight loss medications for chronic weight management as an adjunct to lifestyle intervention not only help patients achieve weight loss but also sustain the result. Studies have also shown that medications can result in 10% weight loss.
How Does Saxenda Weight Loss Injection Pen (Liraglutide) Help You Lose Weight?
Weight loss happens when there is a calorie deficit. This is when the amount of calorie expended (e.g. exercise) is greater than calorie intake through eating. Therefore, when Saxenda is combined with reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity, patients on Saxenda will be able to lose weight and keep it off.
In addition to Saxenda for weight loss, semaglutide is also available as an option for patients seeking weight loss. Instead of daily injections, patients inject semaglutide on a weekly basis and also in doses prescribed by their doctors.
Overall, the results of four randomised controlled trials demonstrated that once-daily treatment with liraglutide 3 mg (e.g. Saxenda) in addition to a regimen of diet and exercise led to significant weight loss compared to a placebo with the same diet and exercise routine. Results also demonstrated that liraglutide 3 mg (e.g. Saxenda) increased the likelihood of achieving 5% or more or more than 10% reduction in body weight.
Other than Saxenda which contains liraglutide, semaglutide is another alternative GLP-1 analogue weight loss injection medication. But it is marketed under different brands including Wegovy. Ozempic contains semaglutide as well, but it is primarily intended to control blood sugar in people with diabetes although it has the potential to cause weight loss as a side effect.
How Saxenda Works For Weight Loss
So, how does Saxenda containing liraglutide works to help overweight patients with weight loss?
Saxenda increases production of GLP-1 analogues, a hormone produced in our small intestine. GLP-1 analogues serve many functions in our body like triggering a release of insulin and blocking glucagon secretion.
Reasons to Consider Weight Loss Medications like Saxenda
Effective for weight loss
Weight loss medications containing liraglutide like Saxenda or semaglutide like Wegovy have been medically proven to be effective for weight loss when combined with a calorie-induced diet and an active lifestyle.
Appetite control
Many traditional weight loss methods focus on changing the diet or increasing workouts and exercise, which many people find hard to sustain. As Saxenda works by regulating the patient’s appetite, patients are less likely to feel unhappy and deprived because they need to control what they eat. There is also no hunger pangs and no need to control food cravings. In addition, once patient starts to see result on their weighing scale, they are more motivated to sustain a low-calorie diet and to exercise.
Keeps weight off for the long term
One of the key challenges to weight loss is to keep it off for the long term. Saxenda is helpful not just for the initial weight loss phase, but also after achieving your weight loss goal. It will continue to regulate your appetite to prevent a rebound. Even when the time comes to stop the medication, patients who have achieved their ideal weight are more likely and more motivated to maintain a healthy lifestyle to keep the weight off.
Convenient
Saxenda is a daily self-injection pen that can be administered in just a few seconds. There's no need for frequent doctor visits, as it can be done conveniently at home once your doctor has prescribed you the recommended dosage. You only need to schedule visits with your doctor for review and adjustments of dosage if needed. Additionally, the Saxenda pen is compact and portable. This make it easy for patients to carry with them even when traveling, ensuring that no doses are missed.
How To Use Saxenda To Achieve Weight Loss
To get a desired result from Saxenda for weight loss, it is important to follow the dosage and schedule prescribed by your doctor. Doctors will assess you by taking your body measurements and medical history before deciding if Saxenda is suitable for you.
Your doctor will also prescribe a starting dosage that’s appropriate for you before increasing the dosage gradually to an optimal dose. It is recommended that you consult a doctor to ensure that you are suitable for the medication, and that you receive all instructions needed to use this weight loss medication safely and effectively.
- Where to inject Saxenda: Saxenda can be injected into the abdomen (tummy), thighs, or upper arms. Remember to rotate the injection site daily so that your skin does not get irritated.
- Prepare the pen: Prepare your pen with a new needle. If it is a new pen, remember to do a flow check. After that, select the correct dosage.
- Administer the dose: Inject Saxenda preferably at the same time every morning, following the dosage prescribed by your doctor.
- Dispose needle safely: Safely dispose of the used needle and store your Saxenda pen properly as advised by the clinic.
Does Saxenda Have Any Side Effects?
Just like any medication, Saxenda may have side effects for some people, and not everyone experiences them. The most common side effect is nausea, especially when you just started Saxenda, or when you are increasing the dosage.
For patients who experience nausea, most would resolve within a month. It is recommended that the dosage is increased slowly. Other side effects are usually minor and will usually go away or can be managed by reducing the dose. Always consult your doctor if you are unsure.
Halley Body Slimming Clinic provides holistic body treatments for our patients, from weight management and fat reduction, to skin tightening and muscle toning, with Saxenda as part of a comprehensive suite of treatments. Our doctors are experienced in helping patients achieve their desired weight and provides personalised treatment plans tailored to our patients’ goals with safe, medically-proven, and effective treatment methods.
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