Nowadays, when you think of prescription weight loss medication, the first thing that comes to mind are semaglutide-based weight loss drugs. Thanks to the promising weight loss results, these medications have quickly dominated the weight loss market, making it difficult for many patients to purchase the treatments due to worldwide supply shortages. In fact, semaglutide has grown so popular as an easy weight loss solution that many people forget that there are other effective options at their disposal.
Of course, thanks to modern medicine, there are a variety of prescription weight loss treatments still available to patients struggling with weight management. If you’re searching for a weight loss solution you may want to discuss receiving liraglutide injections with your physician.
What Are Liraglutide Injections?
As the name suggests, a liraglutide injection is an injectable weight loss medication primarily prescribed to help adults and children with Type 2 diabetes manage their blood sugar levels after other prescription medications, dietary changes, and increased physical activity are found to be ineffective for glucose management. However, injecting liraglutide has also been shown to provide patients with several other health benefits aside from glycemic control. With liraglutide, patients with pre-existing heart or blood vessel disease can reduce the potential risk of heart attacks and strokes. In addition, when combined with a reduced calorie diet and a consistent fitness routine, liraglutide has been shown to provide promising weight loss results for overweight patients 12 years or older struggling with poor weight management or suffering from weight-related conditions such as obesity.
How Does Liraglutide Work?
Liraglutide belongs to a class of weight loss medications known as GLP-1 receptor agonists, which mimic the effects of the GLP incretin hormone naturally released inside the body during digestion. By activating the GLP-1 receptors in the central nervous system and the gastrointestinal tract that secrete the GLP hormone in response to food consumption, a liraglutide injection sends signals to the brain to suppress appetite. It also slows down gastric emptying in the stomach, helping patients to curb their food cravings and feel more satisfied after meals, thus, allowing them to reduce their food intake. In addition, liraglutide can help to stimulate sufficient insulin release from the pancreas when blood sugar levels have become too elevated, providing better glycemic control, which can also help to promote healthy weight loss.
Dulaglutide vs Liraglutide: What’s the Difference?
Both liraglutide and dulaglutide are GLP- receptor agonist medications used to manage blood sugar levels as a treatment for Type 2 diabetes and are administered through injections. Dulaglutide is solely licensed as a Type 2 diabetes treatment and is yet to be approved for weight loss, whereas liraglutide is officially approved as a treatment for both diabetes and weight management. One other key difference is that dulaglutide is usually only administered once a week, while liraglutide requires daily injections as a part of treatment.
Possible Side Effects
Like many medications, liraglutide may cause various side effects. Since the medicine works to alter how your digestive system manages the breakdown of food in the stomach, the first few weeks of liraglutide treatment can lead to common gastrointestinal side effects such as:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Heartburn
- Stomach cramps
In most cases, these side effects will usually subside as your body becomes used to the medication. However, as your body responds to the medication, liraglutide may also cause other issues such as:
- Fatigue
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Swelling of the eyes, mouth, and tongue
- Muscle aches
- Unexpected mood changes such as depression
- Accelerated heartbeat
- Difficulty breathing
Usually, patients that use liraglutide will rarely experience more severe side effects. But depending on your medical history, the medication can cause or exacerbate other serious medical conditions, such as:
- Gallbladder disease
- Pancreatitis
- Liver disease
- Thyroid cancer
- Kidney complications
- Hypoglycemia
It is imperative to remember that liraglutide is usually combined with other ingredients, so there are instances when the mixture may cause allergic reactions in some patients. Of course, if you are allergic to any of these ingredients, you must avoid using liraglutide for weight loss. Adults with pre-existing thyroid cancer should also avoid using liraglutide, as the medication can also worsen the condition and lead to the growth of additional thyroid tumors.
Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should also avoid using liraglutide as a weight-loss treatment. Using the medicine during pregnancy may harm the unborn baby inside the fetus and even cause congenital birth defects. Females who use liraglutide after pregnancy can also run the risk of passing the medication into their breast milk during feeding, which can also negatively affect the newborn.
With all of these potential issues and the extra precautions that need to be taken with liraglutide, it is extremely important to disclose your medical history and discuss any possible life changes you may be experiencing with your physician before and during liraglutide treatment. This knowledge can help them determine the best course of action going forward; whether they choose to continue monitoring your progress and adjust your dosage to accommodate potential health issues as you proceed with therapy or recommend avoiding treatment altogether. If, at any moment, your physician decides that liraglutide may not work as a long-term treatment for you, they may offer other weight loss treatments, such as semaglutide or tirzepatide, to help you achieve your weight loss goals.
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How Much Weight Can You Lose With Liraglutide?
Every patient’s physiology is uniquely different, so weight loss results from liraglutide can vary depending on the dosage level of your medication, the recommended exercise and dietary plan prescribed by your physician, and your body’s overall response to treatment.
Can You Take Liraglutide Long-Term?
Yes. In most, if not all, cases, liraglutide is usually safe and tolerable to use as a long-term weight loss treatment. In fact, studies have revealed that long-term use of liraglutide can lead to continuously improved glycemic control and weight management, allowing patients to sustain healthy weight loss even after two years of treatment.
If you’re struggling with weight-related conditions such as obesity, the healthcare professionals at Renew Vitality can help provide the perfect weight-loss solution for you. We integrate safe hormone medications such as liraglutide with customized wellness plans to help patients lose excess body fat and sustain their weight loss, allowing them to regain their physical function and improve their overall health. Contact us at 1-866-942-3005 to schedule an appointment with one of our physicians and learn more about how our liraglutide weight-loss injections can help you reach your weight-loss goals.
