There are several other GLP-1 medications that are like liraglutide: Byetta (exenatide) Bydureon (long acting exenatide) Trulicity (dulaglutide) Adlyxin (lixisenatide) Ozempic (semaglutide) Early on, researchers noticed that GLP-1 medications did more than just control high blood sugar. Patients who took GLP-1 medications also lost weight. And the weight loss effect of GLP-1 medications was happening through a mechanism different than blood sugar control. It turns out that there are receptors for the hormone GLP-1 in the appetite center in the brain. Stimulating this receptor with natural GLP-1 or with any of these synthetic hormones sets forth a cascade of brain chemicals that shuts off appetite and makes you feel full.
People who take Saxenda lose on average 10-15% of their body weight in about 6 months. And continuing the medication prevents weight regain which can occur if the medication is stopped. Saxenda is approved for chronic use which makes sense because obesity is a chronic disease that needs to be treated long-term. Short term treatment of obesity tends to give temporary results and makes people very frustrated when the weight is regained.
The most common side effects of Saxenda are nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and constipation. This medication is given by self-administered daily injection. Because it is a peptide hormone, it cannot be given as a pill because it would be digested in the stomach. However, an oral version using modern technologies is in development. A once-a-year version is also in development.
You will see warnings about a rare side effect of pancreatitis and there is a warning about the risk for medullary thyroid cancer. This is an exceedingly rare form of thyroid cancer that was seen in mice and rats during the trials and is a class warning on all these medications. So, if you have a personal history of medullary thyroid cancer or multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (a genetic syndrome that includes medullary thyroid cancer) you should not take GLP-1 medications. These do not raise the risk for other more common types of thyroid cancer.
In my experience, Saxenda and other GLP-1 medications can be extremely helpful for weight loss. I have found this class of medications especially helpful for people with insulin resistance, diabetes, or prediabetes. It is also a useful medication for people who binge eat or those who just never get full. But it can be helpful for anyone with obesity or overweight with medical conditions caused by excess weight.
