Orlistat or Saxenda: How Does it Help You to Lose Weight?
Being in lockdown for over a year has done nothing to help reduce the rising number of Brits who are classified as obese. The lockdown has made people more sedentary than ever so obesity in the UK has never been more of an issue than it is now.
We all know that the best way to combat obesity is through diet and exercise, but sometimes that might not cut it. Over the years there have been countless products on the market that claim to help you lose weight but most of them have been more placebo than miracle. Luckily, there are two medications available that have been proven to help with weight loss, Orlistat and Saxenda.
Orlistat
Orlistat is the only anti-obesity medication that has performed effectively and safely in clinical trials. It is the brand name for Xenical, a medication that prevents your body from digesting approximately a third of the fat in the foods you consume. If used correctly along with a healthy diet and exercise you should experience a noticeable weight loss.
Orlistat is best suited to those who have a BMI of 28 or higher and will start working within a couple of days of starting it. You will need to eat three main low-fat meals per day and take the medication with each of those meals. Deviation from this meal plan may prevent Orlistat from working. It is also thought that a low-fat diet will mitigate the side effects of Orlistat like flatulence, fatty poo, and abdominal pain.
Saxenda
Saxenda is the brand name for liraglutide, an injectable diabetes medication that was found to also help with weight loss. In October of 2020, it became the first weight loss medication to be endorsed by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) in a decade.
Saxenda injections help you feel fuller and eat less by acting as a receptor for an appetite-regulating hormone your body produces. If you are feeling less hungry, you are likely to eat less so you should begin to lose weight and keep it off.
Taken once per day, it is injected below the skin. It is recommended for people with a BMI of 35 or more who are also at high risk of weight related diseases such as type-2 diabetes or high blood pressure.
If you are struggling with obesity, talk to your doctor or pharmacist today about medication options that may be right for you. It is important to note that Saxenda and Orlistat will not make you magically drop a size on their own. They are most effective when used as part of a weight management plan that includes a healthy diet and exercise.
To purchase Orilistat capsules, Xenical Capsules, and Saxenda Injections online in the UK, visit Pharmacy Planet. One of the leading online pharmacies, Pharmacy Planet can help you today with your weight loss journey.
Authored By
HARMINDER ‘HARMY’ KAUR
BSc(hons) Pharmacy
GPhC Number: 2061107
Reviewed By
GURDEV SEHMI
BSc Pharm, MRPharmS, Independent Prescriber, Superintendent Pharmacist, Clinical Lead
GPhC Number: 2050925