To date, 3 good studies on anti-obesity medications (Belviq, Saxenda and Wegovy) have demonstrated rapid regain once the medication has stopped. In one of these studies, it was after weight loss had been maintained for 3 years – when the drug was discontinued, the weight returned rapidly towards baseline.
It's important to follow your dosage schedule precisely, and to follow instructions about storage and how to use your injection pen carefully. Saxenda is non-addictive, but when you stop taking it, you may experience changes in appetite, and experience nausea and vomiting.
"This medication has led to significant amounts of weight loss, but when it stops, patients have reported gaining up to two-thirds of that weight back," Sutton said, citing published research.
They will decide if the medication is still the best option for you and is having the desired effect, however you should only continue over a period of 12 weeks if you demonstrate weight loss of 5% when used in conjunction with a calorie-controlled diet and regular exercise.
In our experience, many patients who have taken a break of up to a week can usually tolerate going back to the dose they were on. If you do this and experience side effects such as vomiting or diarrhoea, please drop down to the starting dose of 0.6mg, and work up through the dose titration schedule.
Exercise—In addition to diet, increased physical activity is needed for Saxenda to be effective in helping people lose weight and keep it off. It's essential to maintain regular levels of activity to sustain weight loss. Medications—Certain medications can affect how well Saxenda works and vice versa.
It also boosts energy, general physical performance and metabolism, making it easier and quicker to burn fat, reduce weight, and tone muscles.
You should only continue using Saxenda if you have lost at least 4% of your BMI after 12 weeks on the 3.0 mg/day dose or maximum tolerated dose (see section 3). Consult your doctor before you continue. Your doctor will start you on a diet and exercise programme.
Saxenda® works by acting on receptors in the brain that control your appetite, causing you to feel fuller and less hungry. This may help you eat less food and reduce your body weight. Weight loss normally starts within 2 weeks and continues for 9 to 12 months on Saxenda® treatment.
Long-Term Success with Saxenda
During the 56-week clinical trials for Saxenda, out of 3,731 people taking Saxenda, 83% of them lost weight. In a three-year study of 2,254 people, 56% of people had significant weight loss in one year, and about half of them maintained their weight loss for three years.
Activity that uses 1,500 to 2,000 calories per week is recommended for maintaining weight loss. Adults should try to get at least 40 minutes of moderate to vigorous level physical activity at least 3 to 4 times per week. Diet and exercise are vital strategies for losing and maintaining weight.
Duration of Semaglutide Therapy
The recommended dosage of semaglutide medication must be increased to its effective level of 2.4 mg during the 16 to 20 weeks of the therapy to include its weight loss benefits and other advantages and to reduce the impact of common side effects like gastrointestinal disorders.
Semaglutide must be taken consistently to see long-term weight loss effects. As soon as someone stops taking the drug, their body fat and former appetite tend to return. Experts recommend working with a provider versed in obesity medicine to create a plan for improved lifestyle and long-term adherence to the drug.
There may be several reasons why you are not losing weight while taking Saxenda, such as your food choices, activity level, personal genetics, and lifestyle habits.
Consuming too many calories
If you consume too many calories each day, you may find that you are not losing weight even if you are taking Saxenda. You should take Saxenda as part of a weight loss plan. There are lots of resources available to help you eat and manage a healthy, calorie controlled diet.
In the first month, patients typically lose anywhere from 4 to 11 pounds on average while using Saxenda as directed. Most of the initial lost weight occurs in the first 3 to 6 months, after which the rate of loss slows down. But body weight reduction can still continue for those adhering to the program.
It works to reduce appetite by mimicking the hormone GLP1 which naturally acts on areas of the brain to decrease hunger. The term “fat burner” is typically used to describe supplements or medications that can increase the metabolism of fat or energy expenditure.
PhenQ is naturally formulated, making it a safer alternative to Saxenda. Unlike Saxenda, PhenQ does not require a prescription, and users do not have to worry about the risk of side effects or drug interactions.
Saxenda (liraglutide) is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist. It's similar to GLP-1, which is a hormone that your body makes to control appetite. Saxenda (liraglutide) works by acting like GLP-1 in your body. It helps with weight loss by slowing down your gut, thus causing you to feel less hungry.
Simply put, Saxenda® works by making you feel less hungry and fuller when you eat. Your body produces a hormone known as a glucagon-like-peptide (GLP-1), which helps you to naturally regulate your appetite.
Foods to avoid while on Saxenda® to reduce side effects
Take these tips from the Calibrate medical team for a spin: Avoid fried, greasy, or fatty foods and foods high in sugar: These tend to be the toughest for your body to digest and the most likely to cause nausea while taking a GLP-1 medication.
A 2022 study that studied what happens after you stop taking Wegovy found that people regained two-thirds of the weight they'd lost on the drug.
Some of the most effective prescription injectable weight loss medications available include: Mounjaro, Ozempic and Wegovy - these are diabetes drugs originally and now used to treat obesity. Although these injectable drugs can help users lose weight there are some dangers and caveats!
If you stop taking Ozempic, the weight you lost will likely return, fast. People who ceased use of semaglutide gained back, on average, a full two-thirds of the weight they had lost on the drug within one year, according to an August 2022 study, the Wall Street Journal reports.