Weight loss injections have become a viral subject for TikTok videos - which has prompted huge interest in the medication. One GP is sharing the facts about the drug that everyone should know.
Over the last year, UK Google searches for Saxenda have soared by 141 per cent. Saxenda is a type of weight loss medication which is used, in combination with lifestyle changes, to help people with high body mass indexes (BMI) lose weight by suppressing their appetites, says GP and Clinical Technology Lead at LloydsPharmacy Online Doctor, Dr Sameer Sanghvi.
The doctor has answered the most searched questions about the injection:
What is Saxenda?
"Saxenda is a form of prescription weight loss medication that contains an active ingredient called liraglutide. It’s a once a day injection that works, in combination with a calorie deficit diet and increased exercise, by suppressing your appetite."
How does Saxenda work?
"Saxenda works by regulating your appetite. Essentially, it works similar to the hormone released by your gut in response to food, making you feel fuller and less hungry. Over time, this can lead to eating fewer calories resulting in weight loss."
Can you get Saxenda for free?
"Saxenda is prescribed by specialist NHS weight management services. The NHS will only prescribe Saxenda if: you have a BMI of over 35 (or 32.5 if you're of south Asian, Chinese, black African or African-Caribbean origin); you have non-diabetic hyperglycemia; and you're at high risk of heart problems, such as heart attacks or strokes.
"LloydsPharmacy Online Doctor’s BMI criteria are slightly lower. Provided you meet other criteria, you can be prescribed Saxenda if you have a BMI of over 30, or 27 if you have another weight-related condition such as high cholesterol."
Why am I not losing weight on Saxenda?
"Saxenda is not a miracle weight loss aid and results won’t be immediate. Your weight loss will still rely on you maintaining a calorie deficit through a combination of physical activity and dietary changes.
"Plus, you will build up your Saxenda dosage over time. The full dose of the medication can give you side-effects if you take it all at once so the first four weeks are spent gradually building up to the full dose.
"It’s recommended that you try Saxenda for three months at the full dose. At this time you should start to see results. You'll be asked to recheck your weight and if you've lost enough weight you can continue with the treatment. Otherwise you'll need to stop."
Is Saxenda safe?
"With LloydsPharmacy Online Doctor’s service, you’ll need to go through an online consultation to ensure Saxenda is the right treatment for you and your weight loss journey. If our clinicians think the treatment is suitable, you’ll have to visit your local LloydsPharmacy where you’ll be weighed and have your height taken, before you collect your treatment.
"Like all medications, Saxenda can have side effects. The most common side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation and headaches. These tend to be mild and often settle down over time."
How do you use Saxenda?
"Saxenda comes in the form of an injection pen. You should inject it under the skin in either the stomach area, upper arm or upper leg. You should also rotate the injection site to avoid getting lumps under the skin. Like any medicine, you should always follow the instructions that come with Saxenda.
"LloydsPharmacy Online Doctor will support you throughout your Saxenda journey. When you start your treatment you’ll receive access to a digital pack filled with advice and resources to support you during your time on Saxenda. You’ll also have access to our clinicians to ask any questions during your Saxenda journey."
How long does a Saxenda pen last?
"Over the first four weeks of treatment, you’ll slowly build up your Saxenda dosage, week by week. At week five, once you reach the full daily dose of 3mg, each pen will last six days which means a five-pen Maintenance pack will last 30 days."
How much does Saxenda cost?
"With LloydsPharmacy Online Doctor’s Saxenda service, the three-pen First pack costs £149. After that, five-pen Maintenance packs cost £239."
For more information, head to the Lloyds website.
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