Table of Contents
About Saxenda
When it comes to obesity, limiting your caloric intake and moving more may not be enough to get to a healthy weight.
Anyone who deals with heavy body weight might be looking to reduce their waistline, feel lighter, and have more control over binge-eating. But those are not the only benefits of losing weight.
Saxenda is a prescription medication that is made to help people suffering from diabetes and obesity. This hunger regulating medication has already gained a modest following, with 4.6k followers on Facebook and 3k Instagram followers.
Whether you’ve tried every diet out there or are looking for a promising place to start, I invite you to read through this Saxenda review, where I’ll fill you in on key information about the medicine, and its benefits, user feedback, and more to help you decide if it’s the right fit for you.
Overview of Saxenda
Saxenda is owned by Novo Nordisk, a pioneer in innovative medicine to help four serious chronic diseases, including diabetes, obesity, hemophilia, and growth hormone disorders.
Novo Nordisk believes in “the combination of science and soul to help nurture each other back to good health”. With millions of people in the U.S. have used their scientifically proven biological medicines, it’s safe to say this is an attractive mission.
Headquartered in Plainsboro, NJ, Novo Nordisk has operations in six other states in the U.S. They employ 860 people who work in the research and development segment of the company to put together their 20 world-known pharmaceutical products.
As part of their transparent efforts for making life-saving medication for obesity, Novo Nordisk is on a mission to empower and educate healthcare providers and patients with up-to-date information about obesity.
This research[1] shows that obese patients who combine lifestyle modifications with pharmaceutical therapies, tend to lose more weight compared to those who only choose either one of the options.
To make sure you have all the necessary information about Saxenda, let’s take a look at some of this product’s highlights before we go any further:
Highlights
- Easy-to-use injectable pen
- Help you lose a significant amount of weight
- Reduces risks of heart conditions, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol
- Helpful in reducing blood sugar[2] levels in people with diabetes
- 50% of people who completed clinical studies achieved some weight loss and maintained it for 3 years
- Can be used in obese adults and adolescents aged 12-17
- Can be taken with or without food
Saxenda Review
Saxenda is a prescription medication that is administered in the form of injections for overweight adults and teens. It is used to help individuals who suffer from obesity and diabetes by helping them shed the extra pounds and maintain their ideal weight.
Coping with obesity and weight issues are associated with several other health concerns[3] such as increased risks for diabetes, heart conditions, high blood pressure, depression, anxiety, digestive problems, and many more which all result in overall lower quality of life[4].
Saxenda is 3mg of liraglutide medicine that works by regulating your hunger[5] and satiety signals in your body to help you consume fewer calories, feeling full quicker.
According to this study[6], which was funded by Saxenda’s manufacturer Novo Nordisk, this hormone-like drug can benefit its users by suppressing their appetite, helping them lose weight, and ultimately reducing their risks for weight-related health issues.
Saxenda affects one of the hormones in your body called glucagon-like peptide-1[7], which is in charge of maintaining your weight. When you eat food, nutrients pass through the stomach and enter your small intestine. This is where GLP-1 hormone is produced to keep your blood sugar levels[2] balanced and make you feel satiated.
Many studies like this[8] have proven that GLP-1 production in obese people[9] or those who deal with stubborn weight may be compromised and the use of medications[9] such as liraglutide to balance the levels of this hormone in your gut can be a practical way to support sustainable weight loss[10], particularly for diabetics[11].
In one clinical study by Saxenda over a 56-week period, 3,731 patients without type 2 diabetes were involved. Most of the patients achieved a weight loss of ≥5% with the help of this medication along with dieting and workout.
But there is a downside to Saxenda, and that is if you stop taking the medication you are more likely to gain back the weight you lost with the help of this drug if you don’t stick to a strict diet and lifestyle plan.
Also, anyone who is on a weight loss journey should be aware that your body always seeks balance, when it senses weight loss. It automatically makes changes to your hormones to protect you and keep homeostasis[12] by slowing down your metabolism and increasing your appetite.
Now taking Saxenda can help by reducing the rise in your hunger hormone[13], helping the continuation of weight loss possible as you move forward. But nobody likes to be told they need to take medication forever or their weight loss will plateau, right?
If you are considering Saxenda as a way to treat obesity or lose weight, it’s good to know that SaxendaCare is a virtual support tool to keep users accountable and help them on their weight loss journey. It provides resources, guidelines, and strategies backed by science, for free to keep you motivated and focused on your goal.
With SaxendaCare enrollment after your weight loss journey has started, in case the weight loss stalls, to keep you on track, you will have access to coaches who guide you through building small healthier habits every single day to create a whole new lifestyle that supports your progress and overall well-being.
When it comes to paying for Saxenda, you may find that the prescription coverage is more confusing than with other drugs. But don’t worry, regardless of insurance that covers Saxenda or not, you have flexible options, savings, and support from Novocare.com
You may be eligible for savings on Saxenda if you receive insurance through your employer as well. You just need to get in touch with them to ask about coverage with the help of your health care provider.
NovoCare representatives can walk you through the steps and inform you of the benefits over the phone or you can submit an online form.
Private or commercial insurances may allow you to save up to $200 on each 30-day supply of Saxenda. The retail price for one box is expensive and varies depending on the pharmacy you visit. Even though most patients don’t have to pay the full price based on their coverage, the list price for Saxenda is $1,349.
It is important to understand that since obesity is a serious chronic condition, there is no quick fix for it, and it requires medical intervention and long-term planning.
If you are seeking a solution for your weight problem, be sure to start small, take one step at a time based on your current state, and find a health care provider to monitor your progress, and weight-management plan.
Who Is Saxenda For?
Saxenda weight loss drug is a well-studied method that may benefit you if you feel that you have tried every non-medical approach out there and haven’t gotten the results you wanted. In order to get a prescription for this medication, you have to meet certain requirements.
If you are overweight with a BMI over 27 and deal with other medical problems caused by extra weight such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, or high cholesterol, then you may qualify.
If you are between 12 and 17 years old and weigh 132 lbs or more, you can be considered a Saxenda candidate at the discretion of a healthcare provider.
What Are the Benefits of Saxenda?
Saxenda is designed to keep your GLP-1 hormone in check so that you don’t overeat. Weight loss and controlling appetite are usually the two main goals with these injections, but reduced blood pressure and lipid profile can be the bonus advantages of this medication as well.
There’s no doubt that weight loss can have a sizable impact on many aspects of your life such as improved mobility, lower risk of degenerative diseases, better mood[14] and sleep quality[15], higher self-esteem, stable blood sugar levels, and so much more. Especially if you have been dealing with obesity.
How Does Saxenda Work?
Saxenda offers a tool called Weight Exploration Report. It’s a questionnaire for you and your healthcare provider to judge your current weight management efforts, habits, motivations, and strengths.
The results, along with your BMI, will help you and your doctor to decide whether Sanxenda treatments will be effective for your problem.
After you receive the medication you are held accountable and your coaches will monitor your progress with follow-ups to make sure you don’t fall off track. Saxenda also recommends combining the medicine with a lower caloric intake and regular exercise to achieve the desired goals.
What Are the Ingredients In Saxenda?
The active component of Saxenda is 3mg of liraglutide in each injectable pen. Liraglutide is an anti-diabetic drug that can help manage blood sugar levels. It also has other related benefits, as mentioned in this Saxenda review.
How to Take Saxenda and Dosage
To learn how to use the Saxenda pen, you can ask your pharmacist or doctor for guidance. You can also watch a tutorial video on their site, call them, or read the instructions here.
Remember, you are required to discard your needles after each use and never share your pen or needles.
Starting out with Saxenda, you may need some reminders on the dosage and when to apply your injection under the skin in your abdomen, thigh, or upper arm.
Each prescription will last you for 30 days. To lower the likelihood of Saxenda side effects and for your body to get used to it slowly, you will be given a dosing schedule.
You start with 0.6mg of the medicine during the first week and work your way up each week to the full Saxenda dose of 3mg by the fifth week. Meanwhile, you can be in touch with your doctor and request appointments to discuss any questions with them.
Saxenda Side Effects
It’s important to learn about the possible Saxenda side effects before starting this medication. I’d highly encourage you to learn about the risk factors of liraglutide from your doctor or on the Saxenda website.
Like most chemical medications, Saxenda has been tested on mice, and the growth of cancerous thyroid tumors has been detected in such studies[16].
This drug is a less preferred treatment compared to metformin[17] which is the most common medication for diabetes and during this Saxenda review I found that there is not enough evidence about the effects of liraglutide on long-term health problems such as heart disease.
However, according to their official website, some of the most common side effects of Saxenda in adults are digestive complaints such as diarrhea, constipation, nausea, and vomiting. You may also experience skin reactions on the site of injection, headaches, fatigue, dizziness, and stomach pain.
Saxenda also warns patients about the severe reactions they may notice caused by this medication, including gallbladder and kidney problems, inflammation in the digestive tract, heart palpitations, and symptoms of low blood sugar. In children, Saxenda may cause fever and gut inflammation.
It is not safe to use if you have a history of medullary thyroid cancer or multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2.
Saxenda Reviews: What Do Customers Think?
I looked to some Saxenda reviews to see what customers think about this medication, and collected their overall feelings in this section:
- Drugs.com: 7.5/10 stars over 1,335 ratings
- WebMD: 3.7/5 stars from 68 reviews
A satisfied patient wrote: “I absolutely love this Saxenda. I have been struggling with weight all my life. A lot of yo-yo dieting. After Saxenda I dropped 75 lbs in less than a year without consciously changing my diet.”
They went on: “I eat when I am hungry and stop when I am not. Up until this, I had never felt full in my life. Now I can’t eat 1/4 of the food I used to. I have severe IBS but had no issue with nausea.”
A very happy user who gave the medicine 5 stars for effectiveness and ease of use wrote:
“I started taking it 11/21/2021. My starting weight was 379lbs, currently, as of today 1/15/2022, I weighed in at 339lb. Had no side effects, had curbed my appetite, and feel full very fast, with no desire to snack after meals. Very happy with it.”
Another user who experienced some side effects and gave it a 9/10, wrote: “Two weeks on Saxenda. I just weighed myself for the 1st time. I’ve lost 11 lbs so far and 2” off the waist. I’ve had some indigestion with lots of burping and just in the last couple of days am a little constipated.”
They finished off by saying: “Those are my only side effects so far. I have virtually no appetite so it is doing what it’s supposed to do.”
Overall, it seems like Saxenda customers are pretty satisfied with their progress!
Is Saxenda Worth It?
If you quickly skim through Saxenda before and after pictures online, the results seem promising enough to make you want to give it a try.
Something that is important to include in this Saxenda review though, is that not all weight loss journeys are the same, nor should they be treated the same way.
Considering all of its side effects, I don’t think this medication is a sustainable risk-free solution, despite diet drugs being FDA-approved with some studies to back their claims. There is a need[18] for more long-term studies on its safety and efficacy.
Saxenda Promotions & Discounts
I went on a hunt for coupons and discounts on this medication for you. At the time of this Saxenda review, all I found was the Saxenda Savings Card.
If you are eligible for this Saxenda coupon, upon activation, you can have your pharmacy apply the discount to your medication. This card may qualify for $200 savings per prescription, and up to 12 benefits per year.
Where to Buy Saxenda
The best way to get Saxenda is through your doctor.
FAQ
How many Saxenda should I take daily?
Depending on how your body reacts to Saxenda and the side effects you may experience, your doctor will choose your dosing schedule. Usually, the starting dose is 0.6mg. By week 5 you will reach the full dose of 3mg.
Should I take Saxenda with food?
You can take the drug independent of the time of your meals. But it is better to inject it at the same time every day.
What is Saxenda’s Shipping Policy?
Saxenda’s shipping cost and estimated delivery times vary based on where you order your medication from.
What is Saxenda’s Return Policy?
Due to the nature of Saxenda being a prescription medication, there is no return policy.
How to Contact Saxenda
If you have questions that I couldn’t answer in this Saxenda review, you can call Novo Nordisk at 1-800-727-6500 or fill out this form.
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Article Sources
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- Nadkarni, P., Chepurny, O. G., & Holz, G. G. Regulation of glucose homeostasis by GLP-1 U.S. National Library of Medicine Progress in molecular biology and translational science, 121, 23–65
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