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!
Among the several injectable treatments for obesity, Saxenda is a favorite. Its active gradient, Liraglutide, aids in weight reduction and is injected once daily. This active component resembles a hormone produced by the body naturally called GLP-1.
Key points: Ozempic® is more effective than Saxenda® at supporting weight loss and blood sugar reductions. Ozempic® seems to lead to fewer side effects and is better tolerated than Saxenda®. However, individuals will vary in their response to medications, so choose the right one for you.
On average, a user can lose about 3 to 5% of their body weight after using Ozempic for a month regularly. This equates to about 4 to 6 pounds on average. Using a higher potency of the drug may result in more weight loss, but it isn't recommended that you start taking it right away.
Additionally, whilst they yield some weight loss – up to 10 kg at 12 months against placebo – these results are commonly short-term. Weight loss injections are expensive and are not sustainable for long-term use. Evidence suggests that as soon as you stop using injections, you may experience rapid weight rebound.
It is meant for use by people who have obesity or are overweight and works by helping manage blood sugar, insulin level, and digestion. According to the manufacturer, Saxenda has a list price of $1,349.02 for a 30-day supply.
How much is saxenda in Australia in Australia can vary depending on several factors, such as the place of purchase, the form of the medication, and if it is covered by private health insurance. As a general estimate, the cost of a single pen of Saxenda (3 ml) can range from AUD 250 to AUD 400.
Once you begin using Ozempic, some people can find it takes several weeks to see any weight loss, yet others may see some weight loss within a week or 2. While it can be difficult, try to remain patient — change looks different for everyone.
Ozempic is also used off-label for weight loss. In particular, it can help reduce the amount of belly fat. This is because Ozempic works by making you feel fuller for longer, which can help you resist overeating by controlling cravings and hunger.
On the PBS, Ozempic costs Australians about $42 a month (four weekly injections). On a private prescription, the cost is about $132 a month. According to the medical news website WebMD, Ozempic can cost uninsured Americans more than a $US1000 a month and many flock to Canada to save $US700 a month.
You may need a higher dosage of Ozempic
The same holds true for Ozempic's weight loss results. People taking higher doses of Ozempic tend to lose more weight. In the landmark study we cited above, people lost 7% of their body weight, on average, within a year and a half of taking 1mg of semaglutide.
It can also lower the risk of heart attack and stroke in people with Type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Ozempic isn't approved for weight loss. But because of how it works, some people taking Ozempic lose weight as a side effect. If you don't have diabetes, taking Ozempic for weight loss is considered an off-label use.
Saxenda (Liraglutide) is a diabetic drug that was found to have weight loss properties. It comes in a “pen” and is administered as a daily injection. Your surgeon will teach you how, so you can give yourself the injections at home. The injection goes just underneath the skin and is relatively painless.
You start feeling those usual hunger pangs again, and consequently, you may start eating more to satisfy that hunger. An increase in your consumption can lead to the regaining of weight that was lost. A 2022 study found that most individuals gain weight back a year after stopping the medication.
Saxenda® (liraglutide) injection 3 mg is an injectable prescription medicine used for adults with excess weight (BMI ≥27) who also have weight-related medical problems or obesity (BMI ≥30), and children aged 12-17 years with a body weight above 132 pounds (60 kg) and obesity to help them lose weight and keep the weight ...
A study found that at the highest dose of Wegovy (2.4 mg), patients lost on average 15% of their total body weight after 1 year. In patients with diabetes, one study showed that taking Ozempic at the highest dose of 2 mg led to on average ~15 lbs (6.9 kg) weight loss after 40 weeks.
“Ozempic treats patients who have diabetes, therefore it is meant to be taken indefinitely,” says Dr. Rahnama.
The most common side effect with Ozempic is nausea and occurs in about 15% to 20% of people. Others include vomiting (5% to 9%), diarrhea (8%), stomach-area pain (6% to 7%), and constipation (3% to 7%).
NICE, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, advises against your NHS GP prescribing Saxenda®. It recommends that the NHS only prescribe the treatment through a 'specialist multidisciplinary tier 3 weight management service'.
With Saxenda treatment, 62.3% of patients lost at least 5% of their weight (an average of 11.7 lb. [5.3 kg]) compared to 34.4% of those on placebo. On average, significant weight loss with Saxenda took 8 weeks.
A Saxenda pen lasts for around 2 weeks when you first start using it. When you increase your dose to 3mg per day, each Saxenda pen will last 6 days.