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