Stopping Saxenda: Weight, Appetite
Agree a plan with your prescriber before you stop Saxenda. What you are trying to keep: in SCALE Obesity and Prediabetes, people on liraglutide 3.0 mg daily lost 7.4% on average over 56 weeks.
- Average loss, top dose
- 7.4%
- On placebo
- 3%
- Trial length
- 56 weeks
- Trial
- SCALE Obesity and Prediabetes
A quick look at Saxenda
The half-life is about 13 hours, so half is gone after 13 h. Five half-lives (2.7 d) leave about 3%.
Against 3% on placebo, the SCALE Obesity and Prediabetes, 56-week trial showed 7.4% of body weight.
Sources: FDA label (DailyMed).
Stopping Saxenda: the numbers first
| Trial | Dose group | Average weight lost | Placebo or comparison | Weeks | Who was in it |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SCALE Obesity and Prediabetes | Liraglutide 3.0 mg daily | 7.4% | 3% | 56 | The adults had obesity or overweight, but none of them had type 2 diabetes |
Source: SCALE Obesity and Prediabetes (FDA label (DailyMed)).
Keeping the weight off
- Before doing anything else, contact your prescriber so your plan covers any other medicines and follow-up visits.
- Continue the eating habits you formed on the drug: include protein at every meal, choose smaller portions, and have fewer sugary drinks.
- Keep moving. Strength exercise helps you keep your muscle.
- Agree beforehand on the weight change that should make you call your prescriber, and weigh yourself each time on the same schedule.
- If you take it for diabetes, ask about managing your blood sugar after you stop.
How many people quit during the trials?
| Trial | Dose group | What happened | Drug | Placebo |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SCALE Obesity and Prediabetes | All doses, label pool | Stopped for side effects | 9.8% | Not listed |
Source: SCALE Obesity and Prediabetes (FDA label (DailyMed)).