Weight loss with Saxenda (liraglutide) begins within the first few weeks, but the process is gradual and individual results vary. Significant weight loss of at least 5% of body weight is typically observed after about 8 weeks of treatment.
According to data from randomised controlled trials, Saxenda supports weight loss of around 2-3kg or around 2-3% of body weight after one month. After two months, it's around 4kg or 4% of body weight.
You may start seeing some weight loss with Saxenda in as little as 2 weeks. And you'll likely continue losing weight during the first few months of treatment. Most people see Saxenda's maximum effects about 6 months after starting it.
Furthermore, in a phase IV clinical study of FDA data on the drug Saxenda, migraines were a side effect [47].
Due to this gradual dosage escalation, it may take a few weeks before you experience the full benefits of Saxenda. However, you may notice the appetite-suppressing effects soon after starting the medication.
Ozempic tends to result in more weight loss than Saxenda, and it's more cost-effective per pound lost. However, it's a once-weekly injection, while Saxenda requires daily dosing, which may affect user preference.
Kelly Clarkson uses a prescription weight-loss medication, but specified it's not Ozempic, though she hasn't revealed the exact drug; it helps her body break down sugar, a necessity due to pre-diabetes, alongside healthy habits like a high-protein diet, increased walking, and a better lifestyle after moving to New York. Her doctor encouraged medication due to concerning blood work, leading her to start after a health scare prompted change, though she initially hesitated due to thyroid issues.
Drink enough water to avoid dehydration
When starting Saxenda, it can cause nausea (feeling sick), vomiting (being sick) and diarrhoea (runny poo) that can last for a few days. This increases your risk of dehydration, which can cause serious kidney problems. Be sure to drink plenty of water or non-sugary beverages.
"Ozempic hands" is a slang term for the visible changes in hands due to rapid fat loss from GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic, making them look thinner, bonier, and more aged with prominent veins, tendons, and thinner skin, as subcutaneous fat diminishes and skin doesn't fully contract quickly. It's not a formal diagnosis but a common cosmetic effect of significant weight loss, similar to "Ozempic face".
While hair loss is not a commonly reported side effect of Saxenda, individuals may experience it due to weight loss, changes in diet, or underlying health conditions. If you notice significant hair loss while on Saxenda, consult with your healthcare provider to rule out other potential causes.
Nausea is the most common side effect when first starting Saxenda®. Learn more about ways to manage it here. For additional side effects, please refer to the Medication Guide. If you (or your teen) miss your daily dose of Saxenda®, just take the next daily dose as usual on the following day.
Liraglutide (Victoza, Saxenda) can interact with insulin, sulfonylureas, and glinides. It can also interact with oral medications and those that raise blood glucose (sugar) levels, such as prednisone and metoprolol. These interactions can usually be managed with dosage adjustments and blood sugar monitoring.
What time should Saxenda® be dosed? Saxenda® can be taken at any time, independent of meals. It's best to be taken at the same time every day, at a time that's convenient and easy to remember.
In-use Saxenda pens can be stored at room temperature below 30°C for up to 30 days, making them suitable for air travel in hand luggage. For unopened pens requiring refrigeration, use an insulated medication travel case with cooling packs, ensuring the pen doesn't freeze.
Saxenda® may help some adults with excess weight (BMI of greater than 27 to 29.9) who also have weight-related medical problems or obesity, BMI of greater than or equal to 30, to lose weight and keep it off. To learn more about BMI, please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website.
'Ozempic legs' is an informal term describing visible changes in leg appearance—such as reduced fat volume, increased muscle and vein visibility, and looser skin—that some people experience during treatment with semaglutide (Ozempic) or similar GLP-1 receptor agonists.
So when you lose that weight, your facial skin may appear saggier, older, and less youthful. The areas most commonly affected are the neck, jowls, cheeks, and around the mouth. Those who need to lose considerable weight for their health are often prepared for extra loose skin on their body.
Stay hydrated by drinking approximately 2 liters of water daily to hydrate and plump the skin. Increase protein intake as protein improves skin and muscle quality to help fight the effects of lost skin elasticity. Reduce dosage to lose weight more slowly and help prevent Ozempic face.
Foods to avoid while on Saxenda® to reduce side effects
For weight loss, the best alcohol choices are clear spirits (vodka, gin, tequila, whiskey) with sugar-free mixers like soda water or diet tonic, light beers, dry wines (white or red), and hard seltzers, as they are lower in calories and sugar, with vodka soda and champagne often topping the list for lowest calories; avoid sugary cocktails, regular beers, and sweet wines to keep calorie and carb intake down.
Some causes of unintentional weight loss include: mental health conditions, such as depression, anxiety, eating disorders and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) problems with digestion, such as coeliac disease or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) hormone conditions, such as an overactive thyroid or type 1 diabetes.
To meet her goal, Kim adopted an “all-in” plan: she cut out all sugar and carbohydrates, eating only “clean” vegetables and protein. She ramped up her exercise by running on a treadmill twice daily and, as she admitted, wore a sauna suit two times a day to sweat more.
The 30-30-30 rule for weight loss is a simple morning routine: eat 30 grams of protein within 30 minutes of waking, then do 30 minutes of low-intensity cardio (like a brisk walk) to help with fat loss and appetite control, according to this article from Moshy. Popularized by Tim Ferriss and wellness podcaster Gary Brecka, this method aims to kickstart your metabolism, increase fullness, and burn fat by leveraging your body's depleted glycogen stores after sleep, but it's not a magic bullet and works best as part of a balanced lifestyle, note Healthline and this article from bodyandsoul.com.au.
Okay, so Meghan Markle is a flexitarian, not a vegan — but that still matters.