Saxenda: A GLP-1 Medication — Effects, Side Effects, and Treatment Process Explained

At our clinic, we prescribe Victoza, which contains the same active ingredient as Saxenda, as an alternative.
We also conduct our medical practice in accordance with the guidelines issued by the Japan Diabetes Society and the Japan Diabetes Association.

“What effects does Saxenda have, and how much does treatment cost?”
“I’m worried about the side effects of Saxenda!”

Are you currently curious about Saxenda?

Saxenda is an obesity treatment medication that works by administering GLP-1, known as the “weight-loss hormone,” and may support weight management efforts.

This article explains the potential weight-loss benefits, side effects, and treatment process of Saxenda.

What Is Saxenda? One Type of GLP-1 Injection

Saxenda is an obesity treatment medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA), and is one type of GLP-1 injection.

GLP-1 injections work by suppressing appetite. By administering GLP-1, patients may find it easier to feel full during meals and less likely to feel hungry between meals.

Saxenda promotes insulin secretion and helps lower blood glucose levels. It also acts on the appetite center in the brain, helping to reduce appetite and promote a feeling of fullness, which may support weight management.

Below, we explain what GLP-1 is and the different types of GLP-1 injections available.

GLP-1: Commonly Known as the “Weight-Loss Hormone”

Saxenda contains GLP-1, commonly referred to as the “weight-loss hormone.”

GLP-1 is a hormone that naturally occurs in the human body and is secreted from the small intestine in response to eating. Individual GLP-1 levels vary from person to person; those who secrete more GLP-1 are thought to have a constitution that is less prone to weight gain.

GLP-1 slows the movement of food from the stomach to the small intestine, moderating digestion and helping to prevent sharp rises in blood glucose levels, which may contribute to reduced overeating.

GLP-1 may also support fat breakdown and help improve basal metabolic rate.

By increasing the amount of GLP-1 in the body through injections, patients may expect not only weight management effects but also a gradual shift toward a constitution less prone to weight gain.

For more information about GLP-1 injections, please visit the following page:

What Are GLP-1 Injections? Potential Weight Loss Effects and Side Effects Explained | IC Clinic

Differences Between Victoza and Saxenda

Victoza, like Saxenda, is a type of GLP-1 injection.

Both Victoza and Saxenda are very similar obesity treatment medications, but they differ in the following ways:

Both contain the active ingredient known as liraglutide, but they were developed for different purposes.

Victoza has received insurance approval in Japan as a treatment for diabetes, and it is a GLP-1 injection that may be prescribed for weight management purposes.

Can Saxenda Help with Weight Loss? Three Key Actions

Saxenda may support weight loss through the action of GLP-1, the weight-loss hormone. Specifically, weight reduction may be expected through the following three mechanisms:

• Suppresses appetite
• Promotes fat breakdown
• Boosts basal metabolism

Let’s take a closer look at each of these three actions of Saxenda.

① Suppresses Appetite

The GLP-1 contained in Saxenda may help suppress appetite. By administering Saxenda, patients may find it easier to feel satisfied with smaller meals.

GLP-1 acts on nerve cells in the hypothalamus (the brain region that regulates the autonomic nervous system), helping to naturally moderate appetite control.

As a result, food intake may decrease, potentially contributing to weight reduction.

② Promotes Fat Breakdown

GLP-1 may help improve the efficiency of energy expenditure and support fat breakdown.

With ongoing Saxenda administration, weight reduction may be achievable without the need for intense exercise or strict dietary restrictions.

GLP-1 may also help reduce visceral fat.

Visceral fat accumulates when excess carbohydrates in the body are converted into neutral fat. When GLP-1 levels in the bloodstream are low, overeating tends to occur more easily, making the body more prone to visceral fat accumulation.

Therefore, by increasing GLP-1 levels in the body through Saxenda, it may become easier to maintain a constitution less prone to weight gain.

③ Boosts Basal Metabolism

GLP-1 may also contribute to an improvement in basal metabolism, potentially making it easier for the body to manage weight.

Basal metabolism refers to the minimum amount of energy the body needs to sustain basic life functions. GLP-1 administration may increase energy expenditure, which can help the body burn fat more efficiently.

In younger individuals, basal metabolism tends to be higher, meaning weight management may be easier even without specific exercise or dietary restrictions.

However, as basal metabolism tends to decline in middle age and beyond, many people turn to medications and treatments to support their weight management goals.

Is Saxenda Ineffective on Its Own? The Importance of Combining Diet and Exercise

To achieve weight loss, combining Saxenda with dietary management and exercise is important.

Saxenda is not a treatment that produces weight loss simply by injection alone. It is intended to serve as a supplement to exercise and dietary therapy, not a substitute for them.

While patients may feel satisfied with smaller portions compared to before treatment, the stomach itself does not shrink in size.

Once treatment is stopped, appetite will return to its previous level, so maintaining a healthy body shape through regular exercise and dietary management is important.

Are There Risks with Saxenda? Potential Side Effects After Use

The following are potential side effects associated with Saxenda:

• Headache
• Dizziness
• Nausea / Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Gastrointestinal disorders
• Hypoglycemia
• Renal insufficiency
• Dehydration
• Anaphylactic shock
• Intestinal obstruction
• Depression

Among the various possible side effects, nausea and general feelings of discomfort are among those most commonly reported.

However, side effects tend to occur most often at the beginning of treatment. In many cases, symptoms gradually improve and resolve with continued administration.

Please note that downtime associated with Saxenda is generally minimal.

Saxenda Requires a Prescription from a Clinic — Personal Importation Is Dangerous

Saxenda must be obtained through a prescription from a licensed clinic.

However, some individuals obtain Saxenda through “personal importation,” independently importing it from overseas. Obtaining and using Saxenda through personal importation from unreliable sources carries the risk of potential health harm.

Additionally, personal importation means you will not receive follow-up care from a physician. Please ensure you only use Saxenda as prescribed by a clinic or hospital.

Frequently Asked Questions About Saxenda

Below, we answer some frequently asked questions about Saxenda.

Q. What is the dosage per injection of Saxenda?

The starting dose for the first week is 0.6 mg. If the effect is insufficient, the dose may be increased to 1.2 mg from the following week.

The Saxenda injection pen has dose settings of 0.6 mg, 1.2 mg, 1.8 mg, 2.4 mg, and 3.0 mg. Intermediate doses such as 0.9 mg or 1.5 mg should not be used.

Results vary among individuals, but the dose is gradually increased up to the maximum of 3.0 mg.

If significant weight loss occurs or severe side effects arise, further increases toward the maximum dose may be stopped.

Q. Are there people who should not receive Saxenda injections?

Saxenda may be contraindicated for the following individuals:

• Minors or individuals aged 70 or older
• Those who are pregnant or breastfeeding
• Those with a history of allergic reactions to any ingredient in Saxenda
• Those with a history of intestinal obstruction
• Those who have undergone major abdominal surgery
• Those with obesity caused by steroid medications or endocrine disorders
• Those with diabetes, thyroid disease, pancreatitis, gallstones, cholecystitis, hepatic dysfunction, or severe renal impairment
• Those with depression or a history of suicide attempts
  and others

In other cases where our clinic determines that treatment is not appropriate, we may be unable to provide a prescription.

Q. Is weight regain likely after losing weight with Saxenda?

There is a possibility of weight regain after stopping Saxenda.

When Saxenda is discontinued, appetite tends to return to its previous level. Whether weight regain occurs after that depends largely on lifestyle habits.

If food intake increases beyond what it was during treatment due to returning appetite, the likelihood of weight regain rises. Maintaining regular exercise and managing food intake may help reduce the risk of weight regain.

Q. Is Saxenda covered by insurance?

In Japan, Saxenda treatment is not covered by health insurance.

Since it has not yet been approved as a pharmaceutical product in Japan for the purpose of obesity treatment, the full cost of treatment must be paid out of pocket.

Q. How much weight can I expect to lose?

The weight loss effect of Saxenda varies among individuals.

In a clinical trial conducted in 2015 involving participants with obesity, an average weight reduction of 8.4 kg was observed.

A similar degree of weight reduction may also be expected with Victoza, which contains the same active ingredient as Saxenda.

Please note, however, that this trial was conducted in participants with a BMI above 27, so the effect may be less pronounced in those with mild obesity or those who are not obese.

For GLP-1 Injections, Visit IC Clinic

Saxenda is an obesity treatment medication containing GLP-1, the weight-loss hormone.

In addition to suppressing appetite, it may also support fat breakdown and basal metabolism. As personal importation carries potential health risks, please ensure Saxenda is obtained only through a prescription from a licensed clinic.

IC Clinic prescribes Victoza, which contains the same active ingredient as Saxenda.

Our clinic brings together specialist physicians who combine their expertise with the goal of providing treatment with minimal discomfort. We strive to offer care that places as little burden on patients as possible, so please feel free to contact us with any questions.

At our clinic, we propose a treatment plan suited to each individual patient and provide care with a focus on outcomes. We will take the time to listen carefully to your concerns and symptoms, so please use the button below to book a consultation.