Liraglutide for Weight Loss

Liraglutide is a prescription injection medication used to help those who are overweight or obese, to lose weight. It is also known as generic Saxenda, which contains the same active ingredient and works in the exact same way.

Liraglutide is a type of medication known as a GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) receptor agonist , which works by mimicking naturally-occurring hormones in the body that control your appetite and regulate your insulin production.

Liraglutide can be prescribed for weight loss if you:

• have a BMI between 27 kg/m² and 30 kg/m² and a health condition which can affect your weight, such as high blood pressure
• have a BMI of over 30 kg/m²

Liraglutide can also be prescribed as a treatment for type-2 diabetes, but at a different dose. At ZAVA, we only prescribe liraglutide for weight loss.

What is liraglutide used for?

Liraglutide is used as a treatment for weight loss and type 2 diabetes.

Weight Loss – Liraglutide has recently been approved in the UK for weight loss treatment in those who are obese, or overweight with a weight-related health condition such as high blood pressure. These are prescribed as a self-administered daily injection, commonly under the brand name Saxenda and more recently as a generic medication.

Type 2 diabetes – Liraglutide is also prescribed to help those with type-2 diabetes to improve and manage their blood sugar levels, usually when other methods such as changes in diet have not been successful. This is usually prescribed as an injection, most commonly under the brand name Victoza.

Liraglutide works for weight loss by suppressing your appetite, making you feel more full after a meal and less hungry in between meals, making it less likely for you to overeat or snack. This helps you reduce your calorie intake which forces your body to burn fat for energy, leading to weight loss.

The active ingredient in liraglutide is liraglutide. It is a type of medication known as a GLP-1 receptor agonist, which is a synthetic version of a naturally occurring hormone called GLP-1. This hormone helps to reduce your appetite by triggering certain receptors in the brain, which sends signals to your body to make you less hungry. This means that you do not need to eat as much to feel full. It also slows down the rate at which your body moves food from your stomach to your intestines, keeping you feeling full for longer.

Liraglutide also increases the amount of insulin your body produces when your blood sugar levels are high, such as after eating a meal. It also reduces the amount of glucagon your body produces, which is a hormone that increases the amount of glucose (sugar) in your body. These two actions help to control your blood sugar levels.

How long does liraglutide last?

The appetite suppressing effects of liraglutide last for around 24 hours. This is why it is meant to be taken once per day.

The half-life of liraglutide is 13 hours, meaning it would take 13 hours for the amount of liraglutide in your body to reduce by half. This means that it would take around 2 days for a dose of liraglutide to completely leave your body.

How long does liraglutide take to work?

Liraglutide is a fast-acting medication, and you should start feeling the appetite suppressing effects of liraglutide within a few hours after your first dose. However, it usually takes 4 to 8 weeks before you start seeing weight loss results.

How effective is liraglutide?

Liraglutide is a highly effective medication for weight loss, and you can expect to lose at least 5% of your starting body weight after 12 weeks of using it. A clinical study on the effectiveness of liraglutide for weight loss over the course of 56 weeks proved that liraglutide resulted in significant weight loss results for most patients:

• Over 60% of participants lost 5% or more of their starting weight
• Over 30% of participants lost 10% or more of their starting weight
• 15% of participants lost 15% or more of their starting weight

Liraglutide weight loss injections come in the form of pens that you administer once per day. When you receive your medication, there will be detailed instructions on how to safely inject yourself with the correct dose. You also can follow this step-by-step guide on how to inject liraglutide:

1. Make sure your medication is clear and colourless. If it is cloudy, or has a colour, then you should not use that dose.
2. Pull off the pen cap to reveal the needle. If this is not your first dose with this pen, you will need to attach a new needle by removing the paper seal and pushing it onto the pen. You should always use a new needle for each dose.
3. Twist the dose selector at the bottom of the pen until you select the correct dose, as prescribed by your doctor.
4. Insert the needle into your skin at a 90 degree angle, and then press and hold the dose button for 6 seconds.
5. Remove the needle from your skin and dispose of it safely in a sharps bin.

Where can I inject liraglutide?

You can inject liraglutide into your upper arm, thigh, or stomach. The best place to inject liraglutide is your stomach, though you should inject it into a different part of your stomach, arm, or thigh every time to prevent bruising or other irritation. The injection goes just beneath the skin, so it is not a deep injection.

When should I inject liraglutide?

You should inject your dose of liraglutide at the same time every day. This helps to regulate the dosage of liraglutide across the day, making it more effective in helping you lose weight. You do not need to take liraglutide immediately before or after a meal. The best time to inject liraglutide is whenever it’s the most convenient for you, such as in the morning before you eat breakfast.

How long do I need to take liraglutide for?

You need to take liraglutide for 4 to 8 weeks before you start seeing noticeable weight loss results. If you do not lose at least 5% of your starting weight after 12 weeks of taking liraglutide, you should speak with your doctor to see if this medication is working properly for you.

Liraglutide is meant to be used as part of a long-term weight management plan. You may need to take liraglutide for months or even years to bring your weight down enough to reach a healthy weight.

Is liraglutide available as a tablet?

No, liraglutide is not currently available as a tablet. It is only available as an injection. Some other GLP-1 receptor agonists are available as tablets, such as Rybelsus, which contains semaglutide, the active ingredient in Wegovy. It is only licensed to treat type 2 diabetes.

Other weight loss tablets include:

• alli
• Mysimba
• Orlistat
• Xenical

Liraglutide is a prescription-only medication, which means you can only get it if you have a prescription from a doctor. You can request Liraglutide for weight loss from registered online prescribers, such as ZAVA online doctor. You may also be able to get it on the NHS after being referred to a specialist weight loss clinic.

Can I buy liraglutide online?

Yes, you can request liraglutide injections for weight loss online safely and legally. Trusted and regulated providers, such as ZAVA online doctor, can approve liraglutide treatment online. To request liraglutide from ZAVA online doctor, you can follow these simple steps:

1. Complete a short medical questionnaire to provide our doctors with information about your health and medical history.
2. Log in or sign up and make payment.
3. Our doctors will assess your responses and approve liraglutide if it is safe and appropriate for you.
4. Your medication will be delivered to an address of your choice.

Can I buy liraglutide over-the-counter?

No, liraglutide is a prescription-only medication. This means that you need a doctor to prescribe this medication before you can get it. You will not be able to go to a pharmacy and get liraglutide without a prescription.

Can I get liraglutide on the NHS?

You may be able to get liraglutide, and other weight loss injections on the NHS. However, its availability will depend on where you live and whether you meet the NHS’s prescribing criteria.

You will need to make an appointment with your GP, who will then refer you to a weight loss specialist clinic. You may also need to prove that you have made significant attempts to lose weight previously, through lifestyle changes such as dieting and exercise.

Liraglutide, like other weight loss medications, can cause side effects in some people. In most cases, the side effects are mild and will go away as your body gets used to the medication, but in rare cases may cause more serious complications. Taking your medication as directed by your doctor will reduce the likelihood of side effects.

Very common side effects of liraglutide (may affect more than 1 in 10 people) include:

• Feeling sick (nausea)
• Being sick (vomiting)
• Diarrhoea
• Constipation
• Headache

Common side effects of liraglutide (may affect up to 1 in 10 people) include:

• Indigestion
• Stomach discomfort or pain
• Heartburn
• Feeling bloated
• Gallstones
• Feeling weak or tired
• Dizziness
• Difficulty sleeping
• Gallstones
• Reactions at the injection site, such as bruising, redness, or itchiness.
• Low blood sugar

Uncommon side effects of liraglutide (may affect up to 1 in 100 people) include:

• Dehydration
• Delay in the emptying of the stomach
• Inflamed gallbladder
• Feeling unwell
• Faster heartbeat

Rare side effects of liraglutide (may affect up to 1 in 1000 people) include:

• Reduced kidney function
• Acute kidney failure

What should I do if I get liraglutide side effects?

Common and uncommon side effects, such as headaches or feeling generally unwell, will usually be mild and get better on their own without any specific treatment. This is because your body needs to get used to the medication, so these side effects will only last up to a few weeks.

For rare side effects, or side effects that are severe or long-lasting, you should stop taking liraglutide and contact your doctor. They will be able to advise you on what your next steps should be, such as changing the dosage of your medication or trying a different weight loss treatment.

You should not use liraglutide if you are allergic to any of the ingredients in the medication, which you can find in the patient information leaflet. When you request this treatment, a doctor will make sure that liraglutide is the right treatment for you if you have other health conditions.

You should speak to your doctor if you take the following medications, as they can interact with liraglutide:

• any prescription treatment for diabetes, as they may cause low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
• anticoagulants

While liraglutide is a highly effective weight loss medication, it may not be right for everyone. However, there are other options which may be better for you.

Weight Loss Injections

Wegovy – Wegovy is a weight loss injection that contains the active ingredient semaglutide. You take it once a week, it works similarly to liraglutide, by reducing your appetite so you feel fuller after a meal. Studies have shown that Wegovy (semaglutide) is more effective than liraglutide for weight loss results. One study that directly compared weight loss results on both medications found that those on liraglutide lost an average of 6.8% of their weight, while those on semaglutide lost an average of 15.8% of their starting weight over the same time period.

Mounjaro – Mounjaro is a prescription weight loss injection that contains the active ingredient tirzepatide, you take it once a week. It has only recently been approved for use in the UK for weight loss. It also works by reducing appetite, so you eat fewer calories. Studies have shown Mounjaro to be the most effective weight loss injection, helping those who use it lose up to 22.5% of their starting body weight.

Weight Loss Tablets

Xenical – Xenical is a weight loss tablet that contains the active ingredient orlistat, and is manufactured by Roche. This medication reduces the amount of fat your body absorbs from food, which is passed out through your body as stool. Xenical tablets are less effective than liraglutide injections, but may be a good alternative for those who would prefer swallowing a tablet instead of a daily injection.

Orlistat – Orlistat is an unbranded version of Xenical, which means it is available at a lower price. It works in the exact same way as Xenical, and is just as effective.

Mysimba – Mysimba is a weight loss tablet that contains the active ingredients naltrexone hydrochloride and bupropion hydrochloride. It also works by reducing your appetite, similar to weight loss injections.

alli – alli is a branded version of Orlistat that is available over-the-counter, so you can get it from a pharmacy without needing a prescription. alli is only available at a dose of 60mg, which is the lowest dose of orlistat for weight loss.