Christmas arrives: excess food, sweets, alcohol, a lack of exercise… The small indulgences of the festive season have taken their toll and have contributed significantly to the weight gain we mention. As a result, many people begin to look into what the best method is to lose weight and shed those extra kilos. This is where Saxenda comes into the picture.The problem arises when we look for very rapid weight-loss methods, which are generally associated with a range of complications. Fad diets are one such approach; however, nowadays there is an increasing push towards the use of weight-loss drugs, along with their associated consequences. Here we will focus on one of the most widely used options: Saxenda, known by its active ingredient, liraglutide. But what exactly is this compound? Is it really that effective? Are there side effects?
Is Saxenda better than lifestyle changes?
Saxenda is a medication composed mainly of liraglutide. Liraglutide is very similar to a naturally occurring hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), which is released in the intestine after eating. This hormone acts on receptors in the brain that regulate appetite and increases the sensation of fullness, in short, it reduces hunger.However, this drug was not originally developed to treat overweight or obesity. It was initially used to treat diabetes mellitus, due to its ability to help the pancreas release the appropriate amount of insulin when blood glucose levels are high. Over time, its use was evaluated at higher doses and in injectable form for the treatment of overweight and obesity.
As we know, the use of medication involves managing the side effects associated with its administration. In the case of this drug, it is mainly characterised by very frequent side effects such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and constipation. As a result, only 41.8% of patients continue treatment beyond six months, as reported by Ahmad NN [et. al.].
With regard to weight loss, only 57% of patients using the drug achieved a weight loss of greater than 5% after six months, probably due to poor adherence caused by the drug’s adverse effects.
It is worth highlighting that, despite these side effects, the drug is capable of achieving significant weight loss. However, most people would not consider it comfortable to inject medication for the rest of their lives in order to maintain a healthy body weight.
So what happens when Saxenda is discontinued?
It appears that people who stop taking the drug not only stop losing weight, but also regain a large proportion of the weight they had lost. In contrast, interventions based on diet and physical exercise not only make it possible to achieve a similar degree of weight loss, but, because these are habits that can be well integrated into daily life and have no side effects, they also allow that weight loss to be maintained over time, thereby preventing significant weight regain, unlike what is often observed with the use of medication.
This may be because these types of interventions require much closer supervision than pharmacological treatment. As a result, adherence is higher compared with drug-based approaches, increasing by around 30%, with approximately 70% of individuals showing better adherence and therefore achieving better outcomes.
In summary, adopting lasting changes in diet and physical activity not only leads to better long-term results, but also allows us to avoid injections, vomiting, nausea and other side effects associated with the use of medication. This approach helps us view food as an ally rather than an enemy that only leads to weight gain and poorer health.
Moreover, if we are unsure how to adapt our diet or exercise routines to achieve these goals, there are assessments and trained professionals who can help guide us towards better decisions around weight loss, making it easier to achieve and sustain those objectives.
Referencias bibliográficas
- Guo X, Zhou Z, Lyu X, et al. The Antiobesity Effect and Safety of GLP-1 Receptor Agonist in Overweight/Obese Patients Without Diabetes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Horm Metab Res. 2022;54(7):458-471. doi:10.1055/a-1844-1176
- Lundgren JR, Janus C, Jensen SBK, et al. Healthy Weight Loss Maintenance with Exercise, Liraglutide, or Both Combined. N Engl J Med. 2021;384(18):1719-1730. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa2028198
- Khoo J, Hsiang JC, Taneja R, et al. Randomized trial comparing effects of weight loss by liraglutide with lifestyle modification in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Liver Int. 2019;39(5):941-949. doi:10.1111/liv.14065
- Park JH, Kim JY, Choi JH, et al. Effectiveness of liraglutide 3 mg for the treatment of obesity in a real-world setting without intensive lifestyle intervention. Int J Obes (Lond). 2021;45(4):776-786. doi:10.1038/s41366-021-00739-z
- Ahmad NN, Robinson S, Kennedy-Martin T, Poon JL, Kan H. Clinical outcomes associated with anti-obesity medications in real-world practice: A systematic literature review. Obes Rev. 2021;22(11):e13326. doi:10.1111/obr.13326
