Trenson et al. (2022) conducted a study on a specific group of patients who received liraglutide treatment and adhered to the treatment regimen during the initial four-month period. The study findings underscored patients’ significant weight loss, regardless of the maximum tolerated maintenance dose.
Liraglutide showed efficacy in facilitating weight management among obese and overweight individuals. Saxenda, in particular, has gained recognition for its liraglutide component, which has proven instrumental in assisting patients in their weight loss journey. Although the occurrence of side effects is possible, the guidance and expertise of healthcare professionals can provide practical strategies to manage these symptoms.
This article will focus on the common Saxenda side effects, potential severe but rare adverse events, and how to manage and mitigate these treatment risks.
Key Takeaways
- For individuals initially starting their Saxenda schedule for weight loss management, medical professionals must discuss with them the common Saxenda side effects that may occur after their injections.
- It’s worth noting that these side effects resolve within a few days or weeks, but medical professionals should know the best practices to manage them.
- In rare cases of severe adverse events, patients must know how to recognize and report them to their trusted medical practitioners.
- Numerous clinical trials and research studies have evaluated the safety and efficacy of Saxenda injections.
- Patients can manage Saxenda side effects by combining the injectable treatment with lifestyle changes, such as a reduced-calorie diet and regular exercise.
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Overview of Saxenda Side Effects
Whether it’s Saxenda or Wegovy, these weight loss management treatments may cause temporary side effects. Saxenda is a prescription weight-loss medication that may cause a range of mild to moderate side effects during treatment. These may vary among individuals, and various factors, such as dosage and health conditions, may influence these symptoms.
For individuals initially starting their Saxenda schedule for weight loss management, medical professionals must discuss with them the common Saxenda side effects that may occur after their injections. These symptoms are typically temporary and may resolve once the body adapts to the medication. However, if these symptoms persist, patients must seek immediate medical attention.
- 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
Furthermore, severe but rare side effects may also occur during the Saxenda treatments. These include an increased risk of thyroid cancer, gallbladder problems, allergic reactions, reduced kidney function, and kidney failure. These rare occurrences of adverse events require immediate medical attention for medical practitioners to properly manage these symptoms.
Common Side Effects of Saxenda
These common Saxenda side effects may occur in adult or adolescent patients who have undergone the injectable treatment. It’s worth noting that these side effects resolve within a few days or weeks, but medical professionals should know the best practices to manage them.
- Gastrointestinal Issues: Patients may expect problems like bloating, indigestion, and gastroenteritis. Managing these gastrointestinal issues may involve dietary adjustments and proper hydration.
- Nausea and Vomiting: Individuals experiencing these two Saxenda side effects can effectively manage them by eating smaller meals, avoiding fatty or spicy foods, trying to drink peppermint or ginger tea, and not lying down after eating.
- Diarrhea: When diarrhea occurs, it’s essential to stay hydrated. Over-the-counter medications may help, but consult a doctor first if symptoms persist.
- Constipation: Numerous management strategies can help alleviate constipation, including increasing fiber intake, drinking plenty of fluids, and regular exercise.
Rare but Serious Side Effects of Saxenda
A thorough consultation with a medical professional allows them to create and align a treatment plan that suits the patient’s needs, weight concerns, and medication’s benefits and risks. Moreover, this also allows patients to understand the entire treatment, including its rare but severe side effects.
- Pancreatitis: This rare side effect involves the inflammation of the pancreas, and symptoms may include severe abdominal pain that may reach the back.
- Gallbladder Disease: Saxenda injections may also cause rare gallbladder problems, including gallstones. This side effect symptom may include abdominal pain, fever, or jaundice.
- Hypoglycemia: Besides being a weight loss management treatment, Saxenda can adjust glucose levels, which may lead to hypoglycemia or low blood sugar. It may occur in patients with type 2 diabetes who experience dizziness, confusion, shakiness, or sweating.
- Thyroid Tumors: Saxenda injection treatments have a risk of thyroid tumors, like cancer. Symptoms include a lump or swelling in the neck, difficulty swallowing, or shortness of breath.
In rare cases of severe adverse events, patients must know how to recognize and report them to their trusted medical practitioners. Seeking medical professionals’ expertise can significantly help manage these side effects before further complications.
Data from Clinical Trials and Post-Marketing Surveillance
Numerous clinical trials and research studies have evaluated the safety and efficacy of Saxenda injections. These data provide valuable insights into the performance of injectable medication in addressing weight loss management in real-world settings.
According to the Saxenda Prescribing Information, the common Saxenda side effects are reported to be greater than or equal to 5%. Patients who may experience these common or rare but severe Saxenda side effects should report these to their medical providers.
Weight Loss Clinic UK shared that these common side effects may affect up to one in ten individuals, while rare but severe adverse reactions may occur to one in 100 people. In addition, a randomized controlled trial has demonstrated that using 3.0 mg of liraglutide with diet and exercise reduced body weight and enhanced metabolic control compared to a placebo group.
A study by Tilinca et al. (2021)) recognized liraglutide as a potent and secure solution for treating diabetes. Numerous studies have validated its dual efficacy as a drug that lowers glucose levels and aids in weight loss, benefiting both diabetic and non-diabetic individuals.
Long-term studies have further solidified Saxenda’s safety profile, aligning with the safety findings from a three-year drug investigation. Impressively, over 50% of the patients treated with Saxenda who saw the trial through to completion experienced significant weight loss in the first year and successfully sustained it over three years.
Managing and Mitigating Saxenda Side Effects
Patients can manage Saxenda side effects by combining the injectable treatment with lifestyle changes, such as a reduced-calorie diet and regular exercise. Establishing a healthy routine and taking Saxenda daily can help manage and mitigate these symptoms.
Medical professionals must equip individuals with comprehensive patient education, including the potential side effects and the common and severe symptoms, and recognize and report them. This helps individuals make informed decisions for their treatment and be proactive in managing these side effects.
Furthermore, regular follow-ups can help providers monitor the side effects or severe symptoms that may need immediate medical attention. This also allows providers to evaluate the patient’s treatment progress and make necessary dosage adjustments for tolerability.
If patients cannot tolerate the maximum dose of Saxenda, providers can lower or increase the dosage slowly to control adverse reactions. Managing specific side effects involves dietary adjustments, staying hydrated, and following prescribed recommendations.
Conclusion
Saxenda, a weight loss medication, has a range of side effects that patients should understand. These can range from common ones like nausea and gastrointestinal discomfort to rare but serious ones like pancreatitis and thyroid tumors. Understanding these side effects can help patients manage their expectations and proactively deal with them.
Data from clinical trials and post-marketing surveillance provide valuable insights into Saxenda’s safety and efficacy. Patients must understand how to manage and mitigate these side effects, from adjusting dosage for tolerability to following guidelines for addressing specific side effects. This knowledge empowers patients to make informed decisions about their health.
FAQs
1. What are the common side effects of Saxenda?
Common side effects of Saxenda include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, injection site reactions, low blood sugar, headache, upset stomach, tiredness, dizziness, and stomach pain.
2. How can patients manage the common side effects of Saxenda?
Patients can manage common side effects by combining the injectable treatment with lifestyle changes, such as a reduced-calorie diet and regular exercise. Depending on the specific side effect, other measures may include dietary adjustments, proper hydration, eating smaller meals, avoiding fatty or spicy foods, and seeking medical attention if symptoms persist.
3. How can healthcare professionals assist patients in managing Saxenda’s side effects?
Healthcare professionals can assist patients in managing Saxenda side effects by discussing the common side effects with patients before starting the treatment. They can guide managing symptoms through lifestyle adjustments, offer dietary recommendations, and monitor patients for any signs of rare adverse events.
References
- Trenson, L., Trenson, S., van Nes, F., Moyson, C., Lannoo, M., Deleus, E., Meulemans, A., Matthys, C., Mertens, A., Van der Schueren, B., & Vangoitsenhoven, R. (2022). Liraglutide for Weight Management in the Real World: Significant Weight Loss Even if the Maximal Daily Dose Is Not Achieved. Obesity facts, 15(1), 83–89. https://doi.org/10.1159/000520217
- Pi-Sunyer, X., Astrup, A., Fujioka, K., Greenway, F., Halpern, A., Krempf, M., Lau, D. C. W., le Roux, C. W., Violante Ortiz, R., Jensen, C. B., & Wilding, J. P. H. (2015). A Randomized, Controlled Trial of 3.0 mg of Liraglutide in Weight Management. New England Journal of Medicine, 373(1), 11–22. https://doi.org/10.1056/nejmoa1411892
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