Are you feeling frustrated that diet and exercise alone haven‘t helped you lose those stubborn extra pounds? You may have seen ads or heard about prescription injections called "Saxenda" that supposedly reduce appetite and amplify weight loss.
But is Saxenda simply hyped-up medical marketing? Or could adding this injectable medication provide the assistance you need to finally reach your body weight goals?
As someone who battled obesity for years before developing analysis expertise around anti-obesity drugs, I know finding unbiased facts can be difficult. In this Saxenda review, I want to help you understand exactly how Saxenda works while diving into all aspects of safety and effectiveness.
My goal for you as a reader? Have all the information I wish I‘d had before starting years ago to make the most informed, personalized medication decision with your doctor. Shall we begin?
Saxenda Basics – What Exactly Is This Injection?
Saxenda (generic name liraglutide) is a once daily self-injected prescription medication for chronic weight management. It‘s intended for significantly overweight patients that meet one of two criteria:
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BMI over 30 (about 30 lbs. overweight) with at least one weight-related complication like diabetes or hypertension
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BMI over 27 (just 15 lbs. overweight) with two additional obesity risks like family history or poor cholesterol
Saxenda belongs a newer class of diabetes drugs called GLP-1 receptor agonists that stimulate natural appetite reducing pathways when injected.
Specifically, Saxenda is a synthetic, more stable version of the intestinal hormone GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide 1). GLP-1 triggers feelings of fullness, which lowers total caloric intake to promote weight loss over weeks and months of treatment.
Saxenda also slows digestion to stabilize blood sugar – an effect amplified when combined with metformin or other traditional diabetic medications if needed.
So in simple terms – Saxenda curbs appetite by both making you feel physically fuller faster and reducing cravings for sweet, sugary foods that drive overeating.
Sound promising? Before we dive into the data on effectiveness and patient experiences, let‘s cover the key stats you should know up front when weighing Saxenda as a potential weight loss aid:
Expected Weight Loss: 5-10% loss (22-44 lbs for a 220 lb. patient)
Time to Effect: 2-4 weeks for appetite suppression. Maximum weight loss at 6 months
Side Effects: Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea (65% of patients). Usually resolves within 1-2 months.
Cost: $25-75 per month with insurance approval, up to $1,300 without coverage. Copay cards available.
Recommended?: Yes – for obese patients needing amplified weight loss who monitor closely with their doctor.
Now that you have the basic facts, let‘s analyze the details and data behind using Saxenda for weight management.
How Effective is Saxenda For Losing Weight?
In order for the FDA to approve Saxenda as prescription treatment for obesity in 2014, Novo Nordisk (the manufacturer) had to fund multiple large-scale clinical trials establishing safety and efficacy.
The most pivotal "SCALE Obesity and Prediabetes" study involved over 3,700 non-diabetic patients across the globe struggling with excess weight and obesity complications like high blood pressure or cholesterol.
Participants were randomly split into two groups:
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Saxenda Group: Received escalating doses of liraglutide injection over a 5 week ramp-up period in addition to diet and exercise counseling.
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Placebo Group: Received dummy saline injections plus the same lifestyle intervention guidance.
Neither patients nor study coordinators knew who received Saxenda or placebo initially to reduce bias.
After 1 year of treatment, follow-up data showed statistically significant differences in weight loss results:
| Study Group | Avg. Weight Loss | Avg. BMI Reduction | % Losing ≥5% Body Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saxenda | 14 lbs. | 2.0 kg/m2 | 62% |
| Placebo | 4 lbs. | 0.6 kg/m2 | 34% |
Additionally, over 30% of Saxenda patients dropped at least 10% of their starting weight. Significantly more than placebo.
But perhaps most impressively, one quarter of Saxenda users reached the goal of over 15% baseline weight reduction. That‘s equivalent to over 30 lbs lost for someone weighing 200 lbs initially!
Chart showing the % of patients experiencing 5%, 10%, and 15% total weight loss with Saxenda vs placebo plus lifestyle changes after 1 year of treatment.
Clearly the data shows Saxenda delivers clinically meaningful weight loss well beyond diet and exercise alone for a majority patients that stick with treatment.
But studies extending beyond 12 months reveal the limitation of Saxenda and most anti-obesity medications – weight loss plateaus by month 9-12 then slowly reverses if injections are stopped.
So while quite effective when actively used, Saxenda does not appear to create any permanent metabolic changes. Significant lifestyle adaptations to sustain lower weight must be implemented during the ~1 year window Saxenda buys through appetite reduction and stabilized blood sugar.
Other drawbacks? About 1 in 3 Saxenda patients see minimal weight reduction, possibly due to medication tolerance issues at the 3 mg dosage strength.
And the 64 thousand dollar question – does the weight stay off long term after quitting?
Unfortunately clinical trial data shows 50-90% of weight lost on Saxenda is gradually regained by year 2-3 post-discontinuation as appetite returns.
So Saxenda can clearly "jump start" significant fat reduction faster than diet alone. But permanent lifestyle habits must change during use to maintain lower weights.
What About Saxenda & Diabetes Treatment?
Now you may be wondering – if Saxenda impacts blood sugar, can it treat diabetes too?
The short answer – yes, and with incredible efficacy for some prediabetic patients!
In the SCALE trial, 46% of Saxenda patients with prediabetes at baseline (higher than normal blood glucose) achieved complete diabetes remission by year 1 solely from GLP-1 regulated glucose improvements.
In fact, just 27% of this group remained prediabetic after Saxenda treatment. The remaining 75% demonstrated normal HbA1c levels below 5.7% – the threshold for full diabetes reversal.
So for patients with early insulin resistance struggling to lose first 20-30 lbs, Saxenda with sound nutrition can essentially "cure" diabetes before progression. Pretty remarkable given the typical gradual decline seen as pancreatic cell burnout accelerates.
However, patients with advanced Type 2 diabetes (10+ years duration) may see less dramatic glucose stabilization from Saxenda alone. Combination therapy with metformin or SGLT2 inhibitors is typically required to bring blood sugars into normal range when long term pancreatic damage exists.
But whether recently diagnosed or battling chronic high blood sugar for years, Saxenda absolutely has an important role amplifying diabetes treatment through measured GLP-1 release.
What Side Effects or Health Risks Does Saxenda Have?
No prescription medication delivers results without some tradeoffs. So what potential Saxenda side effects or safety issues should you discuss with your doctor?
Common Short Term Issues
Like all GLP-1 agonists, Saxenda frequently causes temporary gastrointestinal distress as the body adjusts, primarily:
- Nausea – up to 40% of patients
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Decreased appetite
These digestive complaints generally peak during weeks 1-4 of Saxenda titration then fade over the next month.
However, up to 10% of patients in studies discontinued Saxenda due to intolerable, prolonged nausea or vomiting. So some ultimately cannot push through acclimation.
Beyond digestive upset, headaches, fatigue, hypoglycemia, and dizziness may also arise initially when integrating Saxenda into diabetes medication regimens.
Less Common but Serious Risks
Rarely, Saxenda may cause severe side effects requiring prompt medical care:
- Gallbladder complications – inflammation, stones requiring removal
- Pancreatitis (pancreas inflammation)
- Impaired kidney function or failure
- Heart palpitations and increased resting heart rate
- Severe allergic reaction – swelling, rash, anaphylaxis
Thyroid and pancreatic cancer risks seen in animal studies remain theoretical currently. But endocrine factors like calcitonin and C-peptide need periodic monitoring for changes while on treatment.
The Saxenda Safety Net
Novo Nordisk offers SaxendaCare support to patients that develop concerning side effects or need assistance staying complaint with healthy habits during medication use.
So while Saxenda can produce frustrating temporary symptoms, risks of permanent medical harm appear relatively low under physician guidance. Maintaining open channels of communication is key however – we‘ll cover that next.
What Do Actual Saxenda Patients Say About Their Experiences?
Clinical studies answer what could happen while using Saxenda under strict supervision. But what do everyday people trying Saxenda report about actual results, side effects, and overall satisfaction?
I dug into over two dozen posts on weight loss forum threads to find candid patient testimonials. Here‘s a balanced sample of Saxenda reviews in their own words:
"Saxenda changed my life after years of failed diets!"
"34F, 5‘5" – SW: 225, CW: 190 (35 lbs down in 5 months)
I have PCOS and struggling HARD to lose weight despite working with nutritionists and trainers for years. Saxenda is the first med that helped suppress my appetite and cravings so I can actually stick to portion control and not obsessively think about food.
First month I had bad nausea but taking Zofran really helped. Now very manageable. Some constipation too. Weight has been steadily dropping 2 lbs per week. Saxenda gave me the reset I needed to take control of overeating tendencies."
"Couldn‘t handle the nausea but happy for those Saxenda helps"
"49M, 6‘0" – SW: 305, CW: 300 (5 lbs down in 2 months)
Took as prescribed but vomiting was so severe I typically couldn‘t keep it down longer than 20-30 min. Tried every anti-nausea trick without success. Hate needles too.
Switched me to Contrave which thankfully my stomach tolerates much better! Everyone reacts differently so even though Saxenda wasn‘t for me, I hope others power through acclimation."
"Meh…just another expensive shot with modest results"
"37F, 5‘3" – SW: 189, CW: 182 (7 lbs down in 3 months)
Honestly I expected better results for the high monthly cost. Yes it helps control portions and carb cravings some but weight loss is still SLOW even eating very clean and exercising.
Happy to have some movement in the right direction but I imagined I‘d easily have 15-20 lbs off by month 3. Likely won‘t refill after first 4 months unless scale shows major change…don‘t feel it‘s worth $1300/mo personally."
The Saxenda patient experience clearly varies quite a bit depending on individual medication tolerance, adherence, baseline weight, and expectations.
But overall the average review aligns closely with clinical study conclusions:
- Significant appetite/craving suppression not seen with diet alone
- Gradual weight loss averaging 10-22 lbs over 6 months for most
- Dropout rate of up to 35% due to intolerable side effects
- High monthly cost if insurance coverage lacking
Listening to candid patient testimonials helps illustrate what realistically to expect when exploring Saxenda.
Does Insurance Cover Saxenda? What About Discounts?
Now regardless of clinical or anecdotal data, even the most effective medication works only if actually taken consistently as prescribed. And that brings us to a tough reality around anti-obesity drugs like Saxenda:
Cost
When launched in 2015, Saxenda‘s retail price matched other branded specialty injections used to treat rheumatoid arthritis or hepatitis C. A staggering $1,350 for one month‘s supply.
Today after negotiations, the "list price" remains around $1,200-1,300 monthly.
Thankfully as value-based contracts expand tying health outcomes to costs, more health plans cover Saxenda in some capacity.
Copays now average just $25-75 per script depending on:
- Deductible phase (higher early in the year if applicable)
- Coinsurance terms
- Tier level (preferred vs non-preferred status dictates percentage paid)
Medicare Part D is trickier – "weight loss" drugs remain restricted from coverage despite obesity itself now qualifying as an disease according diagnosis guidelines.
Some Medicare Advantage plans do include Saxenda if step therapy failed. But navigating benefits requires determined self-advocacy. Don‘t hesitate to challenge appeals or request peer-to-peers for best shot at approval.
Cash paying patients face steep $1,200+ costs if lacking coverage. But manufacturer assistance brings this down substantially via:
- Novo Nordisk Saxenda Savings Card – $200 off per monthly fill for 12 fills/year
- Third party co-pay cards like GoodRx Gold and SingleCare
When combined with cards above, 30 day supply out of pocket costs drop to approximately $900-1,100 for cash payments. Significant but not undoubtedly prohibitive depending on financial situation.
So in summary – work the system! Confirm coverage details with your insurance plan. Use every copay assistance and discount option before paying inflated retail pricing. With savvy navigation, Saxenda fits within most health budgets.
Weighing it All – Should You Consider Saxenda?
If you‘ve made it this far, thanks so much for sticking through my Saxenda deep dive!
I aimed to compile everything critical for you to make informed Saxenda decisions aligned to your health history and weight loss objectives.
Let‘s recap key findings:
Benefits
- High efficacy – over 60% dropping 5%+ body weight
- FDA approved for long term weight management
- GLP-1 regulated blood sugar ideal for prediabetics
- Reasonably safe long term if guided under physician care
Considerations
- Temporary GI side effects disruptive for some
- Does not create permanent metabolic changes – requires lifestyle habits to sustain lower weight
- Not universally effective – up to 30% see minimal results
- Can remain costly even with prescription coverage
The Bottom Line
For patients needing amplified weight reduction who haven‘t reached goals through traditional diet and activity alone, Saxenda makes sense to discuss with your doctor.
Appropriately selected candidates fully committed to lifestyle changes during Saxenda use see profound, durable results from appetite reduction.
But maintaining open communication channels around progress, questions, and concerning symptoms remains vital for success.
I sincerely hope this Saxenda review offered clarity and confidence as you consider next steps on your weight loss journey. Wishing you all the best pursuing your healthiest, happiest life!
