Saxenda Benefits and Natural Over the Counter Alternatives
Are you planning to manage your weight using saxenda? Or are you curious about this popular weight loss drug?
Either way, you must be interested to know how this drug works and whether it is safe! Be rest assured; we’ll tell you all you need to know before you lay your hands on this most demanding miracle product.
This weight management drug has gained immense popularity for its impressive results over the past few years. It has worked wonders in helping people control their weight.
So here, in this article, we’ll tell you what saxenda is, its side effects, costs, best alternatives, and why you should consider using a saxenda alternative.
What Is Saxenda (liraglutide)?
To put it simply, saxenda is an injectable drug prescribed for people who struggle with obesity, want to lose weight, or has weight-related health issues (diabetes, abnormal cholesterol levels, or high BP).
This weight loss drug is proven to be highly effective for eliminating excess weight and is also used for treating type 2 diabetes. No wonder why saxenda is mostly sought-after and is launching in several countries.
Saxenda is an FDA (Food and Drug Administration) approved weight management drug launched in April 2015 by Novo Nordisk.
It contains an active ingredient known as liraglutide that works similarly to glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), i.e., a hormone your body naturally releases after a meal, making you feel full.
So, this means taking this medication helps suppress your appetite by signaling your brain, making you feel satiated for a long period. Thus, keeping you feeling less hungry to help you eat less and successfully reduce your weight.
You should also know that while opting for a weight reduction plan, you have to follow a customised diet chart per your health requirements and medical history.
Moreover, though saxenda is proven to be remarkably effective in cutting excess weight, it still comes with potential risks. Therefore, you should always seek the advice of a medical professional before implementing any health change plan.
How To Use Saxenda?
Your doctor or pharmacist will tell you how to use saxenda. Usually, the drug is injected into your thigh, upper arm, or abdomen, and you can use it with or without food.
You can also inject it any time of the day, but it’s best to set a time and follow it accordingly every day. In addition, it’s advised not to inject the drug into your muscle or vein.
This weight reduction medication is followed as a form of a long-term plan with regular physical activity and a low-calorie diet.
Likewise, your doctor will set a diet plan, including a workout routine you must follow during your medication. Moreover, your diet chart can change depending on your overall health, weight, and metabolism.
Usually, your medication will start at a low dose and gradually increase every week.
Here are some points to remember:
- The starting dose is 0.6 mg for at least a week.
- Each week, the dose will increase by 0.6 mg until it reaches the maximum dose of 3.0 mg and shouldn’t exceed the recommended limit.
- For better results, you should use it for at least three months.
- In case of a missed dosage, you should use it immediately. But if it’s almost time for the next dosage, you should skip it and continue your regular schedule.
Also, you should keep in mind that each person may produce different results. It’s worth knowing that most patients have testified how this medication has immensely helped them during their challenging weight loss journey. Not only that, but it also decreases sugar cravings and helps in boosting energy levels.
What Are The Side Effects Of Saxenda?
Like most drug prescriptions, some people may be more sensitive to side effects. It can be mild or severe, depending on how well your body copes with the drug.
Since your body requires some time to adjust to certain medications, some might experience side effects, while some don’t.
Mild side effects can often disappear once your body adjusts to the medications. However, you should consult your doctor or professional healthcare if the condition worsens.
Some mild side effects of saxenda:
- Dry mouth
- Excessive thirst
- Headache
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Lack of energy
- Irritation on the injection site
- Stomach pain
- Bloating
- Insomnia
- Low blood sugar
Some severe side effects of saxenda:
Although not common, saxenda may cause serious side effects. If you experience any of these, you should contact medical emergency immediately.
- Pancreatitis or pancreas inflammation – The active substance in saxenda may cause pancreas inflammation, a serious medical condition. It can cause severe stomach and back pain or vomiting. If you face this problem while on medication, it’s likely pancreatitis. If this happens, stop the medication and call your doctor immediately.
- Gallstone or gallbladder issue – There’s an increased risk of having gallbladder problems or gallstones while using saxenda. It may cause inflammation and severe pain, including jaundice or fever, which might even require surgery. In such cases, medical attention is necessary.
- Low blood sugar – It’s recommended to check your blood sugar before and during the medication, as there’s an increased risk of low blood sugar while taking saxenda. If that’s the case, you may notice symptoms such as light headedness, confusion, hunger, shaking, irritability, weakness, and headache.
- Abnormal heart rate – Some patients may experience abnormal heart rates while taking saxenda. This condition may be critical for those with pre-existing heart problems. This is why monitoring your heart rate and reporting to your healthcare professional when you experience an irregular heartbeat is recommended.
- Severe Allergic Reaction – Though uncommon, some patients may experience allergic reactions such as rashes, breathing problems, trouble swallowing, and face or tongue swelling. In case of such issues, don’t delay in seeking medical help.
- Kidney failure – Since taking saxenda may cause diarrhea and vomiting, you may lose more fluid, causing dehydration, which can lead to kidney failure. This issue can even happen to those who have never had kidney problems. This is why drinking plenty of water and keeping yourself hydrated while on medication is advised.
- Thyroid Cancer – The FDA has warned about the potential risk of thyroid cancer linked with saxenda, so patients should be mindful of such warning. Call your doctor immediately if you experience symptoms like swelling in your neck or difficulty swallowing.
Who Can Use Saxenda?
Typically, saxenda is prescribed for obese children and adults to eliminate excess weight or those having health issues due to being overweight.
This medication is usually recommended for people with a BMI (Body Mass Index) of 30 or higher. Or those with a BMI of 27 to 30 struggling with weight-related health issues.
However, before you start taking saxenda, your doctor will determine whether you’re fit depending on your health history and medications.
Ensure you inform your healthcare provider about all your health records to avoid serious side effects. Also, if you’re under medication for specific health issues, share it with your doctor, as saxenda shouldn’t be combined with medicines that contain GLP-1 receptor agonists.
What Is The Cost Of Saxenda?
Being a highly effective weight loss drug, saxenda doesn’t come cheap. But that doesn’t mean there’s no room for adjustment.
The price you pay may differ depending on various factors like, your insurance coverage, treatment plan, and the pharmacy you choose.
On average, you’ll have to pay around $1,400 for a 30-day supply of saxenda without insurance. Plus, saxenda pens don’t come with needles, so you need to purchase them.
To determine your cost, call your insurance provider to know whether it covers the treatment. If your insurance plan comes with approved coverage, it can help cut costs and save you some money.
Moreover, you can call your doctor or the nearest pharmacy to know the exact price of your prescription plan.
Best Saxenda Alternatives
Look no further if you’re looking for affordable and safe saxenda alternatives! We understand that this weight loss drug can be expensive and may not be available to everyone.
Keeping that in mind, we have listed some safer alternatives that produce similar results and won’t break the bank. Moreover, you can also order them without a prescription.
Capsiplex TRIM
Those looking for a safe alternative to saxenda should consider Capsiplex. This weight loss supplement comes in two variants, Capsiplex Burn and Trim, designed for men and women to help shed excess fat, enhance metabolism, and lower BMI.
Capsiplex TRIM is designed especially for women and contains all-natural ingredients producing impressive results without significant side effects.
It works similarly to saxenda by suppressing cravings and keeping you satiated for an extended period. Also, what’s remarkable about Capsiplex is that it activates thermogenesis, which increases calorie burn by using the body’s heat.
Capsiplex contains cayenne pepper extract, innoslim, L-Arginine HCL, caffeine, black pepper, iodine, chromium, vitamins, and minerals. Each ingredient is tailored to work to its full potential and deliver desired results.
Besides, this supplement helps improve your focus and enhances strength, allowing you to train harder to transform and achieve your dream body.
The brand has quite a reputation for its promising results and has been on the market for over a decade, making it trustworthy. Capsiplex supplements are FDA-approved and GMP-certified. Moreover, it’s vegan, soy-free, gluten-free, and dairy-free.
In addition, this dietary supplement is for 18 years and above. You should avoid taking Capsiplex if you’re pregnant, is under medication, or has medical issues. Pros
- 100% natural ingredients
- Eliminates cravings
- Boosts strength and endurance
- Sixty-day money-back guarantee
Cons
- It may take up to two months to deliver results
- It may cause side effects such as nausea or irritable bowel.
PhenQ
Your search ends here if you’re looking for an effective dietary supplement to reduce your weight. PhenQ is another reputed brand known for its famous weight loss supplement PhenQ
PhenQ supplement comes with options:
- PhenQ Capsules
- Meal replacement shakes
Like dietary supplements, PhenQ aims to help users burn stubborn fat by reducing hunger, enhancing metabolism, and boosting energy. Of the many benefits it provides, PhenQ supplements keep you satiated, fuel up your energy to keep you active, and burn unwanted calories.
PhenQ has a good reputation and boasts tons of positive reviews, so there’s no doubt about its effectiveness. These supplements contain high-quality, all-natural ingredients that work together to help you achieve your goal without any adverse side effects.
Depending on your preference, you can choose PhenQ supplements accordingly. But if you want to speed up the process, using both supplements, i.e., Meal replacement shakes, may be ideal for shedding fats quicker and faster.
Pros
- No prescription is required
- 100% money-back guarantee
- Research-backed ingredients
Cons
- Can be purchased only on the official website
Why Use A Saxenda Alternative?
There are quite a few reasons why you should use a saxenda alternative. Saxenda is expensive and may cause severe side effects, which can be life-threatening to some people.
So, if you want to be on the safer side, using a saxenda alternative may be a better option to steer clear of unwanted after-effects of the drug.
Moreover, you cannot use saxenda if you have kidney and liver issues, severe gut problems, or inflamed bowel.
Likewise, if you want to lose weight but don’t want to risk using injectable weight-loss drugs, choosing a saxenda alternative made with natural ingredients can be beneficial and won’t pose any risks.
Although saxenda alternatives don’t require a prescription, always seek professional advice regardless of your choice.
Especially if you’re under medication or have underlying health issues, consult your doctor before implementing these dietary supplements to minimize potential side effects.
Saxenda is a beneficial weight-reducing medication for obese people or those with chronic weight-related health problems.
It’s highly effective and has worked wonders for most people, but some users also have had mild to severe side effects. So how the medication works differs from person to person, depending on their overall health condition.
Moreover, saxenda should be taken only under medical supervision with a prescription and a proper diet chart.
