TThe New Frontier in Weight Loss:
Saxenda® e Wegovy®

Yes, but only if better lifestyle habits are not adopted compared to those that led to being overweight. The same applies to bariatric surgery: there is no "one-time" solution that allows people to maintain a healthy weight without proactive cooperation.

However, it should be noted that patients who lose 20 or 30 kg are strongly motivated to avoid regaining the lost weight, both for aesthetic and health reasons. Therefore, they tend to be very proactive in adopting better lifestyle habits that they have learned and acquired during the process.

On a scale from 0 to 10, following our advice, the needle, which is 4 or 6 mm, causes ZERO pain.

Of course, like all medications, it can have side effects. However, these are significantly lower than the risks associated with being overweight. This is why these new active ingredients have been approved by all major global health authorities (FDA, EMA, AIFA) for weight loss in non-diabetic individuals.

Clinical studies on the safety profiles of semaglutide and liraglutide for weight loss in non-diabetic persons were carried out in humans.

With regard to semaglutide, the main clinical studies were conducted in men for a duration of 68 weeks. For example, the drug Wegovy (containing semaglutide) was studied in clinical settings that included adult participants for prolonged periods to assess safety and efficacy in weight management. These studies included long-term evaluations to monitor side effects and health benefits.

Similarly, liraglutide, marketed under the name Saxenda for weight management, was studied in human clinical trials for a duration of 56 weeks. These studies involved adults with and without weight-related comorbidities and followed participants for more than a year to ensure a complete evaluation of the long-term effects of treatment.

These clinical studies are crucial to establish the safety and efficacy of these drugs in the target population, providing essential data for regulatory approvals and treatment guidelines..

• https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=ee06186f-2aa3-4990-a760-757579d8f77b
• https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=fdf509ac-7ae5-49be-9a3e-8465c76f38e1
• https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/weight-management/prescription-medications-treat-overweight-obesity

NB: 52 weeks, with an estimated average monthly weight loss of 4kg/month, is more than enough time for the vast majority of patients to reach their target weight!

Liraflutide e Semaglutide sono principi attivi noti e approvati da circa 20 anni per la regolazione della glicemia nelle persone diabetiche ma dal 2015 sono stati approvati (in dosaggi diversi) dalla FDA anche per il calo peso in persone NON diabetiche. I farmaci utilizzati per la cura del diabete (Victoza e Ozempic) sono diversi da quelli utilizzati per la gestione del peso in persone non diabetiche (Saxenda, Wegovy).

Consigliamo di rivolgersi a centri specializzati in approccio multiprofessionale ai temi della dietologia e nutrizione per le valutazioni del caso, le prescrizioni e il monitoraggio clinico nel tempo.

It is true that the medication can be difficult to obtain. However, we have established a network of collaboration with several pharmacies and have ALWAYS been able to procure the medication for every one of our patients, and they are numerous!

The medication reservation service at pharmacies is a courtesy service that we offer ONLY to our patients.

Saxenda costs between 50 to 280 euros per month, which are tax-deductible.

We typically work with intermediate doses, for an indicative cost of 100-150 euros per month, also tax-deductible. With Wegovy, the average cost rises to 230 euros per month, also tax-deductible, but the results are greater and it has the convenience of only one administration per week, plus there’s no need to purchase separate needles.

However, it's important to consider that the primary function of the medication is to suppress appetite: even by consuming just 5 euros less worth of food per day, the savings in reduced food consumption would be 5x30 = 150 euros per month!

The average weight loss recorded in our patients in the first 3 months is 4 kg per month: there is NO other equally safe and economical, scientifically approved treatment that offers these results at such affordable prices, with enormous related health benefits.

What value do you place on your health?

Until you reach the target weight defined together with your doctor.

The more proactive the patient is in changing their lifestyle, the quicker and more stable the weight loss results will be over time.

It is possible that with the reduction of fat, there may be a slight reduction in muscle mass due to the lower body weight to move (if you weigh 20 kg less, it is likely that you need fewer muscles to move).

However, it is important to note that muscle mass loss can be balanced by adopting proper dietary habits (NOT high-protein foods!), suitable physical activity, and regular medical supervision.

The primary function of the medication is to suppress the sense of hunger. There are individuals who eat even when they are not hungry: in these cases, it is not that the medication didn't work, but rather that there is an eating behavior disorder that needs to be addressed in addition to the pharmacological support.

The same applies if general eating habits are not changed and lifestyle is not modified by increasing physical activity: the medication is NOT a magic potion that allows people to lose weight while maintaining unhealthy lifestyles.

This is why the chances of success increase significantly when one relies on a multiprofessional center.

To ensure your safety, we do not offer remote medical consultations or online prescriptions.

We understand that coming to Pordenone for monthly visits might seem challenging, especially if you live far away. That’s why we have created a special program, appreciated by many patients from all over Italy.

The program consists of two phases:

1. Initial Phase in Pordenone: During the first four months, we will stabilize your pharmacological therapy with three in-person visits: one at the beginning, one after 2 months, and one after 4 months, with two online follow-up visits between each in-person visit. During your visits to Pordenone, we will also conduct blood tests and any other necessary examinations. You will have medical assistance 7 days a week, with a multidisciplinary team always at your disposal.
2. Gradual Transition: After stabilizing your therapy in the first 4 months, you can continue treatment with a doctor near your home (also family doctor) or choose to continue with us.

This approach offers you a balance between effectiveness and convenience.

Before contacting us, please ensure that you can come to Pordenone at least 3 times in 4 months.

We would also like to inform you that our statistics show that our patients typically lose an average of 4 kg per month during the first two months of treatment.

This solution is generally chosen by individuals who have the financial means or the right awareness that spending 200-400 euros per month (tax-deductible, cost depending on the dose) to lose an average of 4 kg per month (based on our patients in the first 3 months) through a pathway approved by national health authorities is the smartest solution for their health, especially when combined with education on better lifestyle habits.

Nausea is experienced by 24.7% of patients at 4 weeks from the start of treatment and decreases to 5.5% after 56 weeks.

Wegovy® appears to be better tolerated.

Gastrointestinal issues are generally mild and transient, but to manage them better, we have included a gastroenterologist in the Lyrafit Team.

By gradually and patiently increasing the dose, or by not necessarily reaching the maximum daily dose.

The medication starts to work immediately but reaches optimal levels after a few weeks.

If after 16 weeks the patient has not lost at least 4% of their weight, the treatment should be discontinued as it indicates that the medication is not effective for that individual.

The medication can be administered at any time of the day; however, we recommend taking it in the evening to minimize potential gastrointestinal discomfort.

Daily for SAXENDA®.
Weekly for WEGOVY®..

The medication is taken using a pen that allows for self-administration through tiny, thin needles for subcutaneous injection.

Only until they are opened; after that, refrigeration is no longer necessary.

For SAXENDA®: No (they are purchased separately at the pharmacy).
For WEGOVY®: Yes.

The medication is suitable for individuals with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of ≥ 30 without comorbidities, or a BMI of ≥ 27 with at least one weight-related comorbidity, such as glucose intolerance (pre-diabetes), type 2 diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, or obstructive sleep apnea..

Saxenda® is indicated for individuals aged 12 and older.

The average weight loss with SAXENDA® over one year is 9.2%, with an average reduction in waist circumference of 8.2 cm (based on a study of 2,437 patients with an average weight of 106.3 kg, source NOVO NORDISK®). Weight loss is typically achieved within the first 6 months.

With Wegovy®, statistical results show an almost double annual weight loss compared to Saxenda®.

In our clinical experience, patients generally lose an average of 4 kg per month within the first 3 months.

Their active ingredients work by reducing hunger and increasing satiety, helping you eat less and lose weight. They also help regulate blood glucose levels.

The active ingredients are chemically similar to a hormone naturally secreted after meals, called GLP-1, which induces feelings of fullness.

Like any medication, there can be side effects. The most common include nausea, diarrhea, and constipation. Our team is ready to discuss these in detail with you and monitor any effects during the treatment. For more information, please refer to the medication's leaflet.

Saxenda® and Wegovy® may be suitable for many, but not for everyone.

These medications are indicated for individuals with a BMI greater than 27 (weight in kg / height in m²), but this is only a necessary condition, not a sufficient one.

A doctor will evaluate each case individually.In the doses we recommend, these medications have an indicative monthly cost ranging from 100 to 250 euros (tax-deductible).

The first step is to request information for an initial phone consultation by filling out the form at the bottom of the page.

Patients treated with SAXENDA® have maintained weight loss for 3 years (during which they continued to use the medication). Our goal is to gradually reduce the medication and replace it with appropriate dietary habits over time.

The medication has been tested for long-term use (similar to how people with diabetes currently use it), but our Center aims to progressively educate patients on proper lifestyle habits, with the goal of gradually reducing and eventually eliminating the need for the medication.

• Significant and Lasting Weight Loss: Achieve substantial and sustainable weight reduction.
• Improvement in Cardiometabolic Risk Factors: Noticeable enhancements in various risk factors and complications related to cardiovascular health and metabolism.
• Appetite Reduction: Works by decreasing appetite and, consequently, food intake.
• Safe and Effective in the Long Term: Proven to be both safe and effective for extended use.

Source: NOVO NORDISK®.

Saxenda® acts at the brain level to reduce appetite.

Specifically, Saxenda® contains the active ingredient Liraglutide, which is 97% similar to a naturally occurring hormone in the body called GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1). GLP-1 is released in response to food intake and serves as a physiological regulator of appetite. While natural GLP-1 has a half-life of less than 2 minutes, Liraglutide® has a half-life of approximately 13 hours, allowing for once-daily administration.

The exact mechanism by which Saxenda® increases the sensation of fullness and decreases appetite is not fully understood.

Source: NOVO NORDISK®.

Benefits on Type 2 Diabetes: Saxenda® significantly reduces the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. After one year, 69% of patients with impaired glucose tolerance (pre-diabetes) returned to normal glucose levels. After three years, there was an 80% reduction in the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes compared to placebo.

Source: NOVO NORDISK®.

Although the drug Victoza (Liraglutide® 1.8 mg) is approved for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes, Saxenda® (Liraglutide® 3 mg) is not. The safety and efficacy of Liraglutide® at the Saxenda® dosage for treating diabetes have not been studied.

In adults with overweight or obesity who are at high vascular risk, Saxenda® combined with appropriate lifestyle interventions has been shown to reduce visceral fat tissue by an average of 12.5% after 40 weeks of treatment.

Source: NOVO NORDISK®.

The LEADER study demonstrated a 22% reduction in the risk of death from cardiovascular causes among patients using Saxenda®.

Source: NOVO NORDISK®.

The long-term safety profile of Liraglutide (1.8 mg), the active ingredient in Saxenda®, has been confirmed by the LEADER study, which involved 9,340 patients with type 2 diabetes.

The most common adverse events were gastrointestinal. Most side effects were mild to moderate and occurred during the initial dose adjustment phase.

Source: NOVO NORDISK®.

Weight loss induced by Saxenda® has improved parameters related to obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in clinical studies. Approximately 60-70% of individuals with OSA are overweight, and 60% of OSA cases are associated with excess weight.

Source: NOVO NORDISK®.

Yes, nausea can occur with Saxenda®. It affects 24.7% of patients at 4 weeks after starting treatment, but this decreases to 5.5% after 56 weeks.

Source: NOVO NORDISK®.

Increase the dose gradually and with patience, or you don’t necessarily need to reach the maximum daily dose.

The medication starts working right away, but it reaches optimal levels after a few weeks.

Safety and efficacy have not been studied in individuals:

• Over 75 years of age
• Treated with other weight management products
• With obesity secondary to endocrine or eating disorders, or to treatment with medications that may cause weight gain
• With severe renal impairment
• With severe hepatic impairment

In any case, the prescription of the medication is at the discretion of the doctor.

If, after 16 weeks, the patient has not lost at least 4% of their weight, the treatment should be discontinued, as it means it is not effective for that individual.

Daily.

IAt the pharmacy.

Hypersensitivity to Liraglutide® or Semaglutide® or to any of the excipients (sodium phosphate dibasic dihydrate, propylene glycol, phenol, hydrochloric acid, sodium hydroxide).

All expenses for the services included in the LYRA-FIT protocol, as well as the costs for dietary education and psychological motivational support, are deductible.

Expenses for the purchase of the medication are also deductible.