Saxenda is an injectable medicine used for weight loss for people with obesity or overweight, as it helps to decrease appetite and control body weight, and can cause a reduction of up to 10% of the total weight, when associated with a healthy and practical diet. regular physical exercise.
The active principle of this remedy is liraglutide, the same that is already used in the composition of medicines for the treatment of diabetes, such as Victoza. This substance acts in the regions of the brain that regulate appetite, making you feel less hungry and, therefore, weight loss happens by reducing the number of calories consumed throughout the day.
This medicine is produced by Novo Nordisk laboratories and can be purchased in conventional pharmacies with a medical prescription for a price that can vary between 668 and 742 reais, each box containing 3 pens that are sufficient for 3 months of treatment, when the dose is used recommended minimum.
Who can use
Saxenda is indicated for the treatment of:
- Obesity in adults with a BMI greater than 30 kg / m2 or Adult people with a BMI greater than 27 kg / m2 with associated diseases such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia or high cholesterol.
The classification of the body mass index (BMI) helps to calculate and indicate what the ideal weight should be, and can assist in the planning of diet and weight loss. Find out what your BMI is using our online calculator:
How to use
Saxenda should be used as directed by the doctor, and the dosage recommended by the manufacturer is one application per day under the skin of the abdomen, thigh or arm, at any time, regardless of meal times. The recommended starting dose is 0.6 mg, which can be increased gradually as follows:
|
Week |
Daily Dose (mg) |
|
1 |
0.6 |
|
2 |
1.2 |
|
3 |
1.8 |
|
4 |
2.4 |
|
5 and following |
3 |
The maximum dose of 3 mg per day should not be exceeded. It is important to remember that the treatment plan indicated by the doctor must be followed, and the doses and duration of treatment must be respected.
In addition, treatment with Saxenda will only be effective if a plan with a balanced diet, preferably associated with regular exercise, is followed. Check out the healthy weight loss tips guided by our nutritionist in a program to lose weight in 10 days.
How to give the injection
To correctly apply Saxenda to the skin, the steps must be followed:
- Remove the cap from the pen; Place a new needle on the tip of the pen, screwing until tight; Remove the outer and inner protection of the needle, throwing out the inner protection; Rotate the top of the pen to select the dose indicated by the doctor; Insert the needle on the skin, making an angle of 90ยบ; Press the pen button until the dose marker shows the number 0; Count slowly to 6 with the button pressed and then remove the needle from the skin; Place the outer needle cap and remove the needle, throwing it in the trash; replace the pen cap.
If there are any doubts about how to use the pen, it is important to consult a healthcare professional to receive the most correct instructions.
Possible side effects
The most common side effects that can occur during treatment with Saxenda include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation and loss of appetite.
Although it is more rare, indigestion, gastritis, gastric discomfort, pain in the upper stomach, heartburn, a feeling of fullness, increased belching and intestinal gas, dry mouth, weakness or tiredness, changes in taste, dizziness, gallstones can also occur., injection site reactions and hypoglycemia.
Who cannot take
Saxenda is contraindicated for patients with allergy to liraglutide or any other component present in the drug, children and adolescents under 18 years of age, during pregnancy and lactation and should also not be used by anyone taking other GLP-1 receptor agonist drugs., like Victoza.
Discover other remedies widely used to treat excess weight, such as Sibutramine or Xenical, for example.
