GLP-1 Analogues (Saxenda/Liraglutide)
Saxenda is FDA approved
“when used with low-calorie diet and physical activity, helps to lose excess wight”
GLP-1 is a physiological regulator of apetite and calorie-intake, with the receptor present in several areas of the brain
Saxenda is approved for chroic weight managment in adults with a BMI >30 or adults with BMI >27 who have weight related co-morbidities (hypertension, T2DM, dyslipidaemia)
Initial dose is 06mg SC OD for a week and then increased by 0.6mg/day in weekly intervals until a dose of 3mg/day.
Three clinical trials which included 4800 patients
Average weight loss was 4.5% and 3.7% without diabetes or with, respectively.
Side-effects of Saxenda:
– common: nausea, vomiting, GI symptoms, diarrhoea/constipation
– racing/pounding heartbeats
– changes in mood/ suicidal thoughts
– dehydration, kidney failure
– low BM in patients taking T2DM medication
– gallstones
– pancreatitis
Contraindications:
MEN2 tumours
Medullary thyroid cancer