Semaglutide injections for weight loss Currently, semaglutide is only approved for weight loss under the brand name Wegovy. The typical dose for weight loss is 2.4 milligrams, administered weekly as subcutaneous (under the skin) self-injections.
Semaglutide (Wegovy) is the first once-weekly medication in its class that's FDA-approved to help with chronic weight management. It works best when used in combination with a healthy diet and exercise.
Some people start seeing results from Saxenda in the first two to four weeks. You may lose about 2%—4% of your body weight. However, during clinical trials, people taking Saxenda saw a significant weight loss of at least 5% after eight weeks of treatment.
Saxenda starts working straight away, and you should see the effects within 2 weeks.
Wegovy can lead to weight loss because it is designed to suppress appetite so you eat less. It mimics the action of a gut hormone called GLP-1, which is released after eating, and it slows down the movement of food in your gut so you stay full for longer.
Saxenda® is available on the NHS, but it's usually prescribed by specialist weight management services, which your GP might refer you to.
The NHS is set to offer Wegovy, a weight loss injection also known as semaglutide, to thousands of people living with obesity in England. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) determined that semaglutide, sold under the brand name Wegovy, is safe, effective, and cheap.
According to the manufacturer, Saxenda has a list price of $1,349.02 for a 30-day supply. However, the cost of Saxenda varies for each patient depending on insurance plans, assistance programs, and more.
In adults, it may take about 8 weeks before you start to see a significant weight loss (at least 5%) with Saxenda. In the first 2 to 4 weeks you may lose about 2% to 4% of your weight.
Alcohol. Drinking alcohol when taking Saxenda is permitted, but it's important to be mindful of how much alcohol you drink when taking the medication. Drinking too much alcohol while on Saxenda can increase the risk of low blood sugar or hypoglycemia.
It also decelerates stomach emptying but reacts with other drugs that may enter your system. Moreover, there are many reported side effects and risks that question its credibility as a safe weight loss solution! It is for this reason that health care professionals discourage Saxenda.
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.
Patients inject themselves once a week with pens pre-filled with semaglutide. The drug suppresses appetite by mimicking the hormone glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), which is released after eating. It makes people using it feel full, thereby resulting in people eating less and reducing their overall calorie intake.
Several factors could be at play if you're taking Saxenda and not losing weight, including: Diet—Saxenda is approved in conjunction with a low-calorie diet, so if you haven't adjusted your diet accordingly, that could work against the weight loss you might otherwise be achieving.
The most common side effects of Saxenda® in adults include nausea, diarrhea, constipation, vomiting, injection site reaction, low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), headache, tiredness (fatigue), dizziness, stomach pain, and change in enzyme (lipase) levels in your blood.
Saxenda® is believed to work in a similar way, regulating your appetite to make you feel less hungry and feel full with less food—which can lead to eating fewer calories and losing weight. Your body naturally produces an appetite hormone that helps regulate your hunger.
Wegovy® is a more effective drug than Saxenda®. As demonstrated above, semaglutide (the active ingredient in Wegovy®) leads to more clinically significant weight loss and blood sugar reductions than liraglutide (the active ingredient in Saxenda®).
In a 1-year study in adults, 85% of patients treated with Saxenda® lost some weight.
Saxenda is available for free on the NHS for people with a BMI of over 35, and it is sometimes considered in those with a BMI over 30 with a weight-related condition such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or sleep apnoea.
You might need up to 3 pens per month to start with, and up to 5 per month to maintain your dose of Saxenda. When you are first prescribed Saxenda, you will start with fewer pens as you will only be required to take a low dose.
The cost for Saxenda subcutaneous solution (18 mg/3 mL) is around $1,430 for a supply of 15 milliliters, depending on the pharmacy you visit. Quoted prices are for cash-paying customers and are not valid with insurance plans.
NHS prescription: If you are eligible for treatment on the National Health Service (NHS), Saxenda may be available at no cost. To get Saxenda on the NHS, you must have a prescription from a GP or a healthcare provider and have the medication dispensed by a pharmacy.
Liraglutide. Liraglutide (also called Saxenda) is a weight loss medicine that works by making you feel fuller and less hungry. It's taken as an injection once a day.
Semaglutide, manufactured by Danish company Novo Nordisk and marketed in the UK as Wegovy, is injected weekly and must be prescribed by a specialist. A similar drug, liraglutide, marketed as Saxenda and made by the same company, is already available, but must be injected daily.