Tropical Weight Loss
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Can you get Saxenda over the counter?

Saxenda is a prescription medication available in a single-dose injectable pen. Saxenda is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist drug.

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How does Saxenda work?

Saxenda is a prescription medication available in a single-dose injectable pen.

Saxenda is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist drug. GLP-1 is a naturally occurring chemical in your body that helps regulate hunger. Saxenda mimics GLP-1, increasing feelings of fullness and decreasing hunger, which can lead to eating less and losing weight over time. Saxenda works most effectively when coupled with a healthy diet and exercise.

Who is eligible?

Saxenda is prescribed to assist with weight loss in people whose body mass index (BMI) is considered overweight or obese and who have at least one weight-related medical condition (such as high blood pressure or cholesterol or type 2 diabetes). It’s also prescribed to children ages 12-17 who have obesity and a body weight greater than 132 pounds. While it can be an effective way to lose weight, Saxenda is not a safe or effective weight-loss drug for everyone. Pregnant people should not take Saxenda, and neither should individuals with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer or multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN2). Your healthcare provider can help you decide if Saxenda is a good choice for you.

Is Saxenda FDA approved?

Saxenda has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) since 2014 for chronic weight management in overweight and obese adults. In December 2020, the FDA approved Saxenda for chronic weight management in overweight or obese patients aged 12 and older.

Is Saxenda effective?

Clinical studies suggest Saxenda is an effective way to lose weight and keep it off in overweight or obese people aged 12 years and older. In one study of people taking Saxenda for three years, 56% of participants experienced significant weight loss in one year, and approximately half maintained that loss for three years. Weight loss may begin within a few weeks of starting Saxenda. This drug is most effective when paired with a reduced-calorie eating plan and exercise. For best results, follow your prescriber’s instructions when you take Saxenda.

What to avoid with Saxenda

Always follow your medical provider and pharmacist’s instructions when taking Saxenda.

There are no specific foods to avoid; rather, your medical provider will encourage a low-calorie, nutritious diet for best weight-loss results. Do not take Saxenda if you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant in the next few months. The active ingredient, liraglutide, may be harmful to fetuses. If you’re breastfeeding, tell your doctor; it’s not known whether Saxenda passes through breastmilk. People allergic to any ingredients in Saxenda and those with a history of thyroid cancer or multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN2) should also avoid this medication. Don’t take Saxenda with insulin or any other type of weight-loss drug, whether prescription or over-the-counter supplements.

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Side effects

Indigestion

Abdominal pain

Nausea or vomiting

Constipation

Diarrhea

Bloating

Gas

Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)

Decreased appetite

Headache

Dizziness

Dry mouth

Fatigue

Changes in taste

Anxiety

Trouble sleeping (insomnia)

Injection site reaction

Urinary tract infections

Speak to your prescriber or another medical provider if your side effects are bothersome or worsening. Rarely, Saxenda may result in more serious side effects. If you have signs of an allergic reaction when taking Saxenda, seek emergency medical care immediately. Other signs of a serious reaction include:

Vision problems

Pounding heartbeat

Confusion

Severe headache

Slurred speech

Loss of coordination

Rigid muscles

High fever

Tremors

Feeling as though you might pass out

These side effects may indicate a serious medical problem. If you have any of the above side effects while taking Saxenda, call 911 or go to the emergency department immediately.

Dosages

Saxenda is prescribed as a single-dose injectable pen. Typically, patients start with a dosage of 0.6 milligrams (mg) daily for one week. Starting at a lower dose can help minimize digestive side effects. Over time, the dosage increases to 1.2 mg at week two, 1.8 mg at week three, and 2.4 mg at week four. By five weeks and onward, most people take a maintenance dose of 3 mg daily. Your prescribing medical provider can help you determine a dosage schedule for you, including how long to take Saxenda. It’s best to take Saxenda at the same time every day, with or without food.

Interactions

Because it delays gastric emptying, Saxenda may affect the absorption of other medications or cause adverse reactions. Tell your prescriber if you take any other drugs or over-the-counter medicines, including supplements. In particular, inform them if you take any other medication for diabetes (especially insulin or sulfonylureas, such as glyburide).

Don’t take Saxenda with any other drugs containing liraglutide, exenatide, or dulaglutide.

How much does Saxenda cost?

The cost of Saxenda depends on a number of factors, such as the dosage strength, how many injectable pens you purchase, your local pharmacy, and whether you have health insurance. In general, drugs are less expensive when you use health insurance. Generic drugs are usually cheaper options whether or not you have insurance, but there’s currently no generic version of Saxenda. If cost is a concern, your local pharmacy may offer discounts on Saxenda, or consider purchasing Saxenda online. A licensed medical provider can prescribe the medication. Then you can order it from an online pharmacy that delivers it to your home.

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