What Alternatives Are There To Saxenda?

Over the past few years, weight loss injections have revolutionised the treatment of obesity. Medications like Wegovy and Mounjaro have been proven to help people lose significantly more weight than diet and exercise alone. This means that if you are obese, taking these medications could reduce your risk of a number of weight-related diseases and help you get healthy.

Saxenda was one of the very first weight loss injections approved for use in the UK. Like most of the other weight loss medications available, Saxenda works by reducing your appetite and making you feel less hungry. It’s taken as a daily injection and works well for most people.

However, there are now a number of alternatives to Saxenda available in the UK. Medications like Wegovy, Mounjaro and Nevolat offer similar benefits and could be even more effective in supporting you on your weight loss journey.

Understanding Saxenda And How It Works

Saxenda is a weight loss medication that’s taken as a daily injection. It works by mimicking a hormone known as GLP-1. When you eat, this hormone activates a receptor in your brain that tells you you’re full. By mimicking the hormone, Saxenda can trick your brain into thinking you’re full. This may reduce your appetite, causing you to eat less food and helping you lose weight.

If you’re prescribed Saxenda, you’ll start on a low dose of 0.6mg per day. This will be gradually increased over several weeks to a maximum of 3mg per day.

To be eligible for Saxenda, you’ll need to have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or more. This is classed as obese. You may be able to get Saxenda with a BMI of 27 (classed as overweight) if you also have a weight-related health condition such as diabetes, high blood pressure or abnormal levels of fat in the blood.

Taking Saxenda could help you lose between 5% and 10% of your starting body weight within the first year of treatment. When taking Saxenda, you could experience side effects such as nausea, diarrhoea, constipation and vomiting.

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Why Consider Alternatives To Saxenda?

There are a few reasons why you might consider alternatives to Saxenda. For a start, you may find other GLP-1 weight loss medications, like Wegovy or Mounjaro, to be more convenient. Unlike Saxenda, which requires a daily injection, Wegovy and Mounjaro are taken as a weekly jab. This could make it easier to fit your weight loss treatment around your lifestyle.

Secondly, you may find other weight loss medications are more effective. Studies show that both Wegovy and Mounjaro could help you to lose more weight than Saxenda. People who take Wegovy lose an average of 15% of their starting weight after a year, while those who use Mounjaro could lose up to 25%. This compares to just 5% to 10% for Saxenda.

Different weight loss medications may also affect you in different ways. While they’re all similar, they’re not the same, and so you may find some Saxenda substitutes are more effective or cause you fewer side effects.

Another important thing to consider is cost. The price of Saxenda, and other weight loss medications, varies depending on the strength of medication you need. As you’ll be on the medication long term, it’s important you take your budget into account when choosing a treatment option.

And finally, shortages in the UK mean that Saxenda can be more difficult to get hold of than other weight loss medications. If you don’t want any interruption to your treatment, alternatives may be more reliable.

Mounjaro (Tirzepatide): How It Differs From Saxenda

There are a number of key differences between Mounjaro and Saxenda. One of the most important is their active ingredients. The active ingredient in Mounjaro is Tirzepatide, while the active ingredient in Saxenda is Liraglutide.

Liraglutide mimics the GLP-1 hormone and affects the GLP-1 receptor in your brain. This may reduce your appetite and help you lose weight. Tirzepatide also affects the GLP-1 receptor. However, it also acts on the GIP receptor. This dual action may make Mounjaro more effective, and it could help you to lose more weight.

Another significant difference is that Saxenda is a daily injection and Mounjaro is a weekly jab. If you’re prescribed Mounjaro, you’ll inject yourself every seven days using the specially designed Mounjaro Kwikpen. You’ll start on a low dose of 2.5mg and build up to a maximum of 15mg.

If you combine Mounjaro with an improved diet and increased levels of exercise, you could lose up to 25% of your starting body weight in the first year of treatment. The most common side effects of Mounjaro are nausea, indigestion, constipation and diarrhoea.

To get a prescription for Mounjaro, you’ll need to have a BMI of 30 or more (classed as obese). Priority is given to people who also have a weight-related health condition like type II diabetes or high blood pressure.

How To Use Mounjaro

If you’re prescribed Mounjaro, you’ll need to inject yourself with the medication once per week using the specially designed Mounjaro Kwikpen. You can inject Mounjaro into your stomach, upper arm or thigh. You can also ask someone else to inject the medication for you if you find it easier. Keep Mounjaro in the fridge to ensure it stays fresh.

When you start taking the weight loss medication, you’ll begin on a low dose of 2.5mg per week. Your dose will then be slowly increased to a maximum of 15mg per week. This may help your body adjust to the treatment and minimise side effects.

If you forget to take a dose of Mounjaro, you can still take it as normal if it’s been four days or less since the missed injection. If it’s been more than four days, skip the dose and go straight on to the next injection at the appropriate time.

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Mounjaro is a prescription-only weight loss medication that’s designed to reduce your appetite and help you to feel fuller for longer.

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Nevolat (Liraglutide): A Direct Alternative To Saxenda

Nevolat and Saxenda have the same active ingredient (Liraglutide) and work in exactly the same way. Like Saxenda, Nevolat activates the GLP-1 receptor and reduces your appetite. It may also slow the passage of food through your digestive system, helping you to feel fuller for longer.

Nevolat is often more widely available than Saxenda, it could also be more cost effective. This may make it easier for you to access the medication and could help to prevent interruptions to your weight loss treatment.

Like Saxenda, Nevolat is taken as a daily injection. You’ll start on a dose of 0.6mg. You’ll continue on this dose for a few weeks until your body adjusts to the medication. Your doctor will then gradually increase the amount of Nevolat you take, up to a maximum of 3mg per day.

When taking Nevolat, you may experience some side effects. These may ease as your body gets used to the medication. The most common Nevolat side effects are:

• dizziness
• stomach pain
• tiredness
• nausea
• headaches

To be eligible for Nevolat, you’ll need to have a BMI of 30 or more. If you have a BMI of 27 or more and a weight-related health condition like type II diabetes, high blood pressure or high cholesterol, you may also be able to get the medication.

How To Use Nevolat

If you’re prescribed Nevolat, you’ll need to inject the medication at roughly the same time every day in your stomach, upper arm or thigh. You’ll use an injection pen that’s specially designed to make the process quick and easy.

It’s best to store your Nevolat pens in the fridge. This will help to ensure the medication is as effective as possible.

When you first start treatment with Nevolat, you may experience some side effects. These should be mild and may ease as you get used to the medication. If you’re concerned about any of your side effects, speak to a doctor or pharmacist.

If you miss a dose of Nevolat, you can still take the medication as normal if you remember within 12 hours. If it’s been more than 12 hours, skip the missed dose and go straight on to the next injection.

Nevolat Daily Weight Loss Injections

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Wegovy (Semaglutide): Weekly Weight Loss Injections

Wegovy is a weight loss injection that works in a similar way to Saxenda. However, it contains a different active ingredient (Semaglutide) and only needs to be injected once per week. This may make it more convenient than Saxenda.

The Semaglutide contained in Wegovy activates the GLP-1 receptor in your brain. This may reduce your appetite and help to slow the passage of food through your digestive system.

When you start Wegovy, you may experience some side effects. These could include:

• constipation
• headaches
• vomiting
• nausea
• stomach pain

These symptoms are normally mild and may ease as you adjust to the medication. If they get worse, or you’re concerned about any of the side effects you’re experiencing, speak to your doctor or pharmacist.

When used alongside increased levels of exercise and an improved diet, Wegovy could help you to lose up to 16% of your starting body weight within the first year. This compares to just 5% to 10% for Saxenda.

How To Use Wegovy

If you’re prescribed Wegovy, you’ll need to inject yourself once per week using the specially designed FlexTouch pen. You’ll start on a dose of 0.25mg. This will be increased gradually up to a maximum of 2.4mg. The best injection sites for Wegovy are the upper arm, stomach and thigh.

Store your Wegovy in the fridge to keep it fresh and ensure it remains effective.

If you miss a dose of Wegovy, take it as soon as you remember, but only if your next dose is more than two days away. If your next dose is less than two days away, skip the missed dose and go straight on to the next injection.

Wegovy (0.25mg - 2.4mg) Weight Loss Injections

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Comparing Saxenda And Its Alternatives

Here, we compare the key differences between Saxenda and its alternatives.

Cost Comparison Of Saxenda, Mounjaro, Wegovy & Nevolat

In most cases, you’ll need to take your chosen weight loss injection long term. If you stop taking the medication, you may start to regain the weight you’ve lost. Because these are ongoing treatments, it’s essential you consider the cost of your medication before you start.

The exact price of your treatment will depend on the strength of the dose that you’re prescribed. Wegovy starts from around £149, Nevolat starts from around £125 and Mounjaro costs from £148. Saxenda is currently unavailable at most UK pharmacies.

Remember, prices can change over time, and the cost of your treatment is likely to go up as your dose increases.

Which Weight Loss Journey Is Right For You?

The choice between weight loss medications is a personal one. Your clinician will take your medical history, current health, weight loss goals and lifestyle into account when deciding which medication may be most suitable. They’ll also think about how well you may tolerate potential side effects.

It’s essential to speak to a healthcare professional before choosing a weight loss medication - and not just because they are only available on prescription. They’ll be able to provide you with expert guidance and support and will work with you to find the option that’s best for you.

All weight loss medications should be used alongside a comprehensive weight management plan that includes improved diet and increased levels of exercise. Eating well and getting active will help you maximise your weight loss results and improve your overall health.

Getting Started With Injections

Before you can get started with weight loss injections, you’ll need to complete a quick consultation with a member of our team. They’ll assess your medical history, talk you through the prescription process and discuss follow-up monitoring.

Using a trusted online provider like The Independent Pharmacy gives you a convenient, discreet way to access weight loss medication. Consultations can be completed online, and the medication will be delivered directly to your door.

It is essential that you speak to a licensed medical professional before starting any medication. They can provide personalised, expert guidance, assess potential risks and ensure that your chosen treatment is safe and suitable for your health needs.

If you feel ready to take the next step on your weight loss journey, we’re here to help. A discreet, free consultation takes only three minutes and will give our team the information they need to find the right treatment plan for you and help you achieve your health goals.

Sources:

https://www.healthline.com/health/drugs/saxenda#side-effects

https://www.medsafe.govt.nz/consumers/cmi/s/saxenda.pdf

https://www.saxenda.com/about-saxenda/dosing-schedule.html

https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.100226.pdf

https://medsinfo.com.au/media/noiwegof

https://www.singlecare.com/blog/wegovy-vs-mounjaro/

https://www.webmd.com/obesity/mounjaro-ozempic-wegovy-zepbound-difference

https://www.formhealth.co/faqs/what-should-i-do-if-i-miss-a-dose-of-wegovy