Saxenda vs orlistat - which is the better choice?

Tuesday, May 30, 2023

When it comes to weight loss, people often turn to various aids to help them achieve their goals.

Two popular options are Saxenda and orlistat. While both medications can be effective in aiding weight loss, they work in different ways and have their unique benefits and drawbacks.

In this article, we'll take a closer look at each of these weight loss aids, compare their effectiveness, and help you decide which option might be better for you.

Orlistat

Orlistat increases weight loss by altering the digestive system's enzymes. In the stomach and small intestine, orlistat binds to the gastric and pancreatic lipase enzymes, preventing them from attaching to and digesting fat molecules. Then your stools will contain fat that was not absorbed or digested.

It is recommended to use orlistat in conjunction with a healthy lifestyle. A calorie-controlled diet and consistent exercise are part of this. Your daily fat consumption shouldn't exceed 30% of your total daily caloric intake for orlistat to function properly.

The usual recommended dose of Orlistat 120mg is to take one capsule three times a day before, during or up to one hour after each main meal.

You can expect to see results in 1-3 months with the aim to lose 5% of your starting body weight in 3 months.

Orlistat is available from Oxford Online Pharmacy under the brand names Xenical, Alli and Orlos or as the generic version orlistat.

You can also see what patients think by checking out our orlistat weight loss reviews here.

Saxenda

Saxenda is a weight loss injection containing the active ingredient liraglutide. The hormone known as glucagon-like peptide (GLP-1) is a naturally occurring hormone in your body, and liraglutide is a synthetic version of it. This hormone controls your appetite and communicates to your brain when you are full.

Saxenda should start working after the first week of eating in a calorie deficit. Healthy weight loss doesn't happen immediately. You will discuss your progress with a doctor at week 16 and by then you are expected to have lost at least 5% of your body weight.

Saxenda only needs to be injected once daily. You must gradually increase your daily dose of Saxenda after the first week by 0.6 mg. This will help your body adjust to the medication and lessen the possibility and impact of side effects.
Following this increasing plan, one pen will last for 17 days, two for 28, three for 34, four for 40, and five for the initial 46 days of treatment.

Like most medicines, Saxenda can cause side effects although, not everybody gets them. In some these side effects are mild and last no longer than a few weeks.

More than one in ten people is likely to experience the following Saxenda side effects:

Nausea
Vomiting
Tiredness
Diarrhoea
Constipation
Headaches

Why don't you take a look at what our customers think - To see our Saxenda reviews click here.

Saxenda vs orlistat

Although Saxenda and orlistat aid in weight loss, their modes of action and administration methods vary.

Saxenda is a GLP-1 receptor agonist that interacts with hormones to reduce appetite and keep you fuller for longer while orlistat is a fat binder that limits the amount of fat that can be absorbed.

Saxenda is provided as an injectable medicine once a day, while orlistat is taken as a capsule three times daily.

Both Saxenda and orlistat can interact with other medicines – to see a list of the drug interactions see the Saxenda patient information leaflet here or the orlistat patient information leaflet here.

Both Saxenda and orlistat are primarily used for chronic weight management in adult patients with an initial BMI of at least 30 kg or greater or 27 kg or greater, in patients with weight-associated health conditions such as high blood pressure (hypertension), pre-diabetes, type 2 diabetes or high cholesterol.

Here is a tablet to highlight the main differences between the two weight loss aids:

	Form	Active Ingredient	Function	Dose
Saxenda	Injection	Liraglutide	Makes you feel full	One daily
Orlistat	Capsule	Orlistat	Reduces absorbed fats	Three times daily

Weight Loss BMI

To determine whether you are eligible for Saxenda or orlistat, you must know your body mass index (BMI). For the majority of people, BMI is an accurate indication of body fatness. It is used to check for weight ranges that could cause health issues. A popular tool used by many is the NHS BMI calculator which will determine your BMI and your weight category.

So now you have your BMI, what does this mean?

Here are the different levels of interpretation according to the World Health Organisation:

Below 16.5: malnutrition
16.5 - 18.5: underweight
18.5 - 25: normal corpulence
25 - 30: overweight
30 - 35: moderate obesity (class 1)
35 - 40: severe obesity (class 2)
Below 40: extreme obesity (class 3)

Therefore, if you have a BMI of 32, you are in the moderately obese class 1 category, this means your BMI is in the category to be considered for Saxenda or orlistat.

You can work out your BMI without using the calculator by dividing your weight in kilograms by your height in meters squared. For example, an adult who weighs 70 kg (around 11 stone) and whose height is 1.75 m will have a BMI of 22.9.

Can you take orlistat and Saxena together?

There are no direct contraindications for the combined use of Saxenda and orlistat, however, we strongly advise against it. While you may think this method will help you lose weight twice as fast, this is not the case. Taking both Saxenda and orlistat together will not speed up your weight loss process and your chances of experiencing unwanted side effects are much higher.

For the best results from your weight loss journey, we suggest you chose to take either Saxena or orlistat alongside a healthy diet and exercise regime. For some inspiration check out our weight loss blogs.