Saxenda – a novel approach to injectable weight loss management engineered especially for diabetics
We all know too well the negative effects of obesity – diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure and cancer to name a few. Unfortunately, effective medical weight loss solutions have eluded doctors – until now! This is part 3 of a 6 part series on obesity.
Nova Nordisk recently released Saxenda a weight loss medication for adults with body mass indices of 30 or more to be used in conjunction with reduced-calorie diets and increased physical activity for chronic weight management.
Saxenda works by regulating appetite and caloric intake to help you feel full faster. Due to its mechanism of action, it is especially suited for diabetics. FDA approved for long-term use to achieve weight loss, on average treatment with Saxenda led to a nearly 9% body weight loss over one year in clinical studies.
Pretty cool, no doubt! To put this into perspective, many diabetic patients maintained this reduction in weight loss over three years … even better!
All these benefits don’t come without possible side effects, however, which include nausea and low blood sugar. And Saxenda is administered only by injection.
Finally, Saxenda is contraindicated in pregnancy, breastfeeding, thyroid cancer and acute pancreatitis.
Unfortunately, and perhaps more importantly, a month supply of Saxenda can cost up to $1000 and likely will not be covered by insurance as first line therapy without prior authorization by your insurance company.
Ask your doctor about Saxenda, especially if you are diabetic and stay tuned for Obesity Part 4 when I discuss Contrave, another new medical treatment for obesity.
For questions or comments, email Dr. Jim at drjim@behealthybehappy.com and in the meantime, Power your path to happiness!