Saxenda vs Mysimba

In the case of weight management drugs, Saxenda and Mysimba are two of the most common weight loss medications in the market. Both have shown efficacy for patients who have difficulties with weight loss; however, they address different issues in patients and operate under different mechanisms with certain patient populations. 

In this article, we will show the differences between Saxenda and Mysimba, including their actions, dosages, side effects, costs, and customers’ feedback to help you in your weight loss journey.

Comparison of Saxenda and Mysimba

What is Saxenda?

Saxenda is a prescription-only medicine that can be prescribed in the UK as a weight-loss treatment. It contains the active ingredient liraglutide which falls under the group of drugs called GLP- 1 receptor Agonists. Liraglutide was initially used for treating type 2 diabetes; however, it was discovered that it has an appetite suppressing effect hence can be used in weight loss.

Saxenda is prescribed for use together with a reduced calorie diet and increased physical activity for weight management. It is prescribed to individuals who are either:

• Obese (BMI ≥30)

• Overweight (BMI ≥27) with weight-related conditions such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol.

How does Saxenda work?

Saxenda belongs to a group of drugs known as GLP-1 receptor agonists because it copies the action of a hormone in the body called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). This hormone affects the sections of the brain that control the hunger and satiation so, users of this product feel fuller faster and for a longer time. In this way, Saxenda has the effect of suppressing appetite and thus enabling the patient to avoid overeating and to lose weight in a healthy manner.

• Suppresses Appetite: Saxenda works on the brain in such a way that it informs it that the stomach is full hence reducing the appetite.

• Delays Gastric Emptying: It delays the emptying time of food out of the stomach, thereby, helping to maintain the feeling of satiety.

• Improves Blood Sugar Control: Initially intended for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, Saxenda is used to manage blood sugar levels thus reducing the consumption of high calorie foods.

How to take Saxenda

Saxenda is taken as an injection in the abdomen, thigh or upper arm area and it is taken once a day. It comes in a pre-filled pen which you inject under the skin mostly around the belly, upper arm or the thigh.

• It is usually given in a starting dose of 0.6mg per day in the first week.

• The dose is then increased by 0.6mg per week until the patient gets accustomed to the whole dosage of 3mg per day.

• This is because the dosages have been prescribed in a certain manner in order to avoid any side effects and at the same time, giving the best results.

It is recommended that you should use Saxenda at any time of the day, you do not have to take it with food. Nevertheless, it is advised that it should be administered at the same time of the day in order to ensure that its concentration in the body is steady.

Side effects of Saxenda

Like any medication, Saxenda comes with potential side effects. The most common side effects include:

• Nausea (especially in the early stages of treatment)

• Vomiting

• Diarrhea

• Constipation

• Headache

These symptoms usually improve as your body gets used to the medication. But, there are some side effects which are severe and are not very common, these include pancreatitis, gallbladder disease, or thyroid cancer.

Who Should Use Saxenda?

Saxenda is suitable for adults who are:

• Obese (BMI ≥30)

• Overweight (BMI ≥27) with at least one weight-related condition such as type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, or high blood pressure.

Saxenda is used when diet and exercise modifications which are the first line of treatment in obesity management have failed to produce the desired results.

Saxenda Price

Saxenda pen is sold at Click Pharmacy for £99.99 per month which comes with free consultation and prescription.

Saxenda Reviews

Some of the clinical trials of Saxenda’s efficacy as well as the feedback of those who have used it show that it is effective in weight loss. Compared with healthy eating and exercise, patients can shed 5 to 10% of their body weight within 6 to 12 months. The users claim that they are satisfied with the results of weight loss, but sometimes they have side effects such as nausea and digestive problems.

What is Mysimba?

Mysimba is another prescription-only medication licensed in the UK for patients who are seeking to lose weight and have been unable to achieve significant weight loss through diet and exercise alone. It combines two active ingredients: Naltrexone and Bupropion are two drugs that are currently being used in treating addictions. These ingredients act on the central nervous system to control appetite and thus facilitate weight loss among people.

Mysimba is intended for adults who:

• Have a BMI ≥30 (obese)

• Have a BMI ≥27 with weight-related health conditions like high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, or high cholesterol.

How does Mysimba work?

Mysimba has the mechanism of action on the reward centre and appetite regulation regions of the brain. Naltrexone is an opioid antagonist that decreases cravings while Bupropion is an antidepressant and smoking cessation aid that aids in controlling food portions.

• Naltrexone decreases the reward from food, particularly from the so called ‘junk food’.

• Bupropion is used to affect appetite and metabolism.

• Combined, these ingredients reduce appetite and food cravings, thus enabling users to control their portions.

How to take Mysimba

Mysimba is administered as tablets which are to be swallowed whole. It is normally prescribed at a small amount and the dosage is then gradually raised to avoid side effects.

• During the first week the dosage is one tablet per day.

• In the second week it is one tablet in the morning and one tablet in the evening.

• During the fourth week of the treatment the patient takes the full dose of two tablets twice daily.

Mysimba is used as a tablet which is taken with food in the morning and in the evening. This means that a patient has to stick to the schedule recommended by his/her doctor in order to get cured and to reduce the side effects as much as possible.

Side Effects of Mysimba

Common side effects of Mysimba include:

• Nausea

• Vomiting

• Dizziness

• Headache

• Insomnia

Although there are some serious side effects of the medicine which are very rare, they include high blood pressure, seizures or liver problems. A person should always monitor his/her health and seek medical attention if something changes with the body.

Who Should Use Mysimba?

Mysimba is recommended for adults who are:

• Obese (BMI ≥30)

• Overweight (BMI ≥27) with weight-related conditions such as diabetes or hypertension.

This is especially helpful for those who have an issue with hunger and need a little bit of assistance in controlling it.

Mysimba Price

The drug Mysimba can be bought at Click Pharmacy for £109.99 per month and comes with a free consultation.

Mysimba Reviews

The efficacy of Mysimba in the reduction of weight in patients has been confirmed, including the loss of between 5% and 9% of their initial weight within a year. As per the information received from the users, patients employ it to control the urge and it has some negative impacts including vomiting and sleeplessness.

Conclusion

Saxenda and Mysimba are both effective in weight loss management but they vary in the kind of treatment that would suit a patient. It is advisable to seek the advice of a doctor so that you can know which drug will suit you best.