The Joint Annual Scientific Meetings of the Endocrine Society of Australia and the Society for Reproductive Biology 2018

The effectiveness of Liraglutide (Saxenda) for weight loss real world data from a community clinic (#259)

Shivani Patel 1 , Kenneth Ho 1 2
  1. Campbelltown Hospital, Campbelltown, NSW, Australia
  2. Ryde Endocrinology, Macquarie University Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia

Background

High dose liraglutide (Saxenda) has been shown to be effective for weight loss management. At present, it is only available on a private script. Its usefulness may be limited by its cost and side effect profile. We report our experiences with the use of liraglutide in managing obese patients from a community endocrinology clinic. Data was obtained over three years and expressed as mean ± SD.

Results

42 patients (34 females, 8 males) were studied (age 51.5± 11.3 years, BMI 39.4± 6.0). Duration of use was from one to thirty-six months, with majority over 4 to 6 months. A majority received co-administered metformin (93%) but only 36% had diabetes at the beginning. Throughout therapy, patients were instructed to stay on the liraglutide dose most tolerable for them. As a result, 1.2mg, 1.8mg and 3.0mg doses were used by 12 patients each, and 3 patients had used daily doses of 0.6mg and 2.4mg. 88% reported decrease in food intake as a result of liraglutide. 44% had experienced side effects namely nausea, constipation. Mean weight loss achieved was 6.8± 6.1kg. Weight loss correlated significantly with duration of use (P=0.002) and with reduced food intake (P=0.007), but not with dose, side effects, sex, use of metformin, age, or starting weight.

Conclusion

Liraglutide is effective for weight loss management in a community clinic. Its effect is likely to be achieved through reduction in food intake and is more effective with longer duration of use. This report suggests that a smaller treatment dose may be feasible and cost-effective.