Nowadays, obesity has become a major health concern that is causing several other diseases among people. Numerous surgical and non-surgical weight loss methods have been introduced to tackle this issue. One such method is saxenda weight loss injections.
You may have tried different weight loss methods, but Saxenda is different. It is a non-surgical injectable treatment used for weight management. It is a simple procedure and effective for most adults. There are potential risks, but an expert can ensure that the risks are minimized.
Continue reading to know if saxenda weight loss is safe or not.
What is Saxenda Injection?
Saxenda is an injectable solution that contains liraglutide (an rDNA-based medication). It is preferably used for obese adults with a body mass index of around 30 or more. However, for patients with health conditions like hypertension, type 2 diabetes, or high cholesterol, the BMI should be 27 or higher to get saxenda injections.
A reduced-calorie meal plan and increased physical activity are usually combined with saxenda injections for the best results. The treatment works for many adults and has plenty of benefits.
Is the Saxenda Injection Safe?
Although the FDA approves Saxenda injections, they recommend this treatment only for the ones who meet its candidacy criteria. This is due to the possibility of certain complications that may occur during or after this fat loss treatment.
Please read the following lines if you are planning to undergo Saxenda treatment to achieve your desired body weight.
Interactions With Other Medicines And Supplements
Saxenda is generally not recommended to individuals who are already taking certain medications or supplements, such as GLP-1 agonists other than Saxenda, weight loss products like phentermine and bupropion, and insulin. It is best to discuss your case with a qualified doctor to know whether your current medication tends to interact with Saxenda treatment negatively.
Word of Caution From The FDA
Due to the risks it carries, Saxenda comes with a warning from the FDA. One of the possible risks of this treatment is the development of thyroid cancer. According to a study on animals, the primary ingredient used in Saxenda, liraglutide, has been found to cause thyroid tumors in animals. However, whether this component poses the same risk for humans is not confirmed.
Generally, doctors do not prescribe Saxenda to individuals genetically predisposed to getting thyroid cancer.
Pregnancy And Breastfeeding
Due to the adverse effects of most weight loss efforts on the fetus, doctors generally recommend against getting Saxenda treatment during pregnancy. Therefore, you must stop getting Saxenda injections if you get pregnant during the treatment.
If you are planning to get pregnant and want to keep your weight under control, speak to your doctor about safer weight control methods.
Additionally, whether Saxenda medicine passes into breast milk is not yet studied. Therefore, to avoid the possible risk to the newborn’s health, doctors usually recommend against getting Saxenda treatment during nursing.
How Does Saxenda Work?
The concept behind Saxenda is different from other weight loss treatments; it uses the natural mechanism of the body. The liraglutide medication works just like glucagon-like-peptide (GLP-1), a hormone naturally produced by the human body to regulate appetite.
Saxenda injections make you less hungry by activating areas of the brain that regulate appetite. Due to this, the person eats less, consumes fewer calories, and eventually loses extra body weight. It is not only a weight loss treatment but also prevents putting on excess weight.
Enlisted below are some of the significant advantages of saxenda weight loss injections:
- Regulate appetite
- Lower your calorie intake
- Support weight loss
- Help in weight management
The Final Words
You may have tried other methods for weight loss, but saxenda injections are one of the simplest options you will ever try. It is an FDA-approved method to reduce weight without surgery. However, this doesn’t make Saxenda an entirely safe option for weight loss candidates.
Based on the risks mentioned above, it is evident that this treatment comes with somehow stricter candidacy criteria. Therefore, if you are planning to get this treatment, it is imperative that you consult a highly qualified doctor. They will analyze your condition and possible risks to your health. Once you are cleared, they will initiate the treatment and guide you throughout the treatment period to ensure you achieve your weight loss goals without complications.