Why is it So Hard to Lose Weight?

One of the reasons why it’s difficult to lose weight and keep it off is because changes in appetite hormone levels make it difficult to do. When a person loses weight, their body’s natural response includes an increase in a key hunger hormone and a decrease in fullness hormones, undermining the ability to lose weight and keep it off.

What is Saxenda®?

Saxenda® (liraglutide) injection 3 mg is an injectable prescription medicine used for adults with excess weight (BMI ≥27) who also have weight-related medical problems or obesity (BMI ≥30), and children aged 12-17 years with a body weight above 132 pounds (60 kg) and obesity to help them lose weight and keep the weight off. Saxenda® should be used with a reduced calorie diet and increased physical activity. When accompanied by a sensible diet and increased physical activities, Saxenda® helps manage weight-related medical conditions and prevents weight gain.

 

Singapore’s Health Sciences Authority has approved Saxenda® pen. Initially developed to treat diabetes, Saxenda® was later approved by the United States Food & Drug Administration (U.S. FDA) for the treatment of obesity.

How Saxenda® Works?

Saxenda® addresses one of the body’s natural responses to weight loss.

  • The body naturally produces an appetite hormone known as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) that helps to regulate hunger
  • Saxenda® works like GLP-1 by regulating the appetite, which can lead to eating fewer calories and losing weight

Is Saxenda® Effective for Weight Loss?

In a clinical study of people taking Saxenda® for 3 years:

  • 56% achieved significant weight loss at year 1, and
  • Approximately half of these patients maintained weight loss at 3 years when taking Saxenda® added to a reduced-calorie meal plan and increased physical activity, compared with people not on the drug. Click to know more at Saxenda® Website.

Is Saxenda® Suitable for Me?

Saxenda® Weight Loss Pen is approved for use in Singapore if you fulfil the following criteria:

  •  Obesity with BMI ≥30
  •  Overweight with excess BMI ≥27 with weight-related medical problems

When considering Saxenda®, your BMI is an excellent place to begin. Remember that BMI isn’t the only factor our doctors will consider when prescribing Saxenda®. Our doctor will determine whether Saxenda® is suitable for you depending on your overall body condition.

How to use Saxenda® Pen?

When you visit our clinic and decide to take Saxenda® for lossing weight purpose, our doctors will be on hand to teach you how to use the pen.

Saxenda® is a once-daily, self-injectable medicine that comes in a prefilled pen. It should be taken at any time that is convenient, with or without food. Saxenda® should be injected under the skin (this is called subcutaneous injection) in the stomach area (abdomen), upper leg (thigh), or upper arm as instructed by your doctor.  Do not inject into a vein or muscle.

Saxenda® Side Effects

Do consult and discuss about your plan of taking the medication together with our doctor. Our doctors will guide you with the dosage depending on your individual body condition. 

 

The most common side effects of Saxenda® include:

  • Nausea
  • Diarrhea
  • Constipation
  • Vomiting
  • Injection site reaction
  • Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
  • Headache
  • Upset stomach (dyspepsia)
  • Tiredness (fatigue)
  • Dizziness
  • Stomach pain
  • Change in enzyme (lipase) levels in your blood
  • Fever*
  • Gastroenteritis*
Most side effects are temporary and go away as your body adjusts to the medication. Do seek consultation with our doctors should the condition persists. You can learn more about potential side effects of treatment with Saxenda® by reviewing the full Medication Guide.

How to buy?

For first prescription:

  • Make an appointment and visit our clinic in person

For renew prescription:

  • You can either visit our clinic or through video consult to get the renew prescription

Get in touch to request more information

Distinct HealthCare Singapore