GLP-1 (Ozempic / Saxenda / Rybelsus)

GLP-1 diet is a medical weight loss approach that utilizes GLP-1 receptor agonists, a class of medications that mimic the body’s natural GLP-1 hormone. This hormone helps regulate appetite, promotes a feeling of fullness, and stabilizes blood sugar levels, leading to reduced food intake and gradual weight loss.

There are three types of GLP-1 diets: weekly injections, daily injections, and daily oral.

These options can be selected based on individual preferences and lifestyle, with each offering a different approach to managing weight effectively.

How to use

Dosing schedule

How to use

1. Make sure it is the Saxenda pen and that the solution is clear.
2. Remove the blue cap and sterilize the rubber plug on the tip with alcohol swabs. Install the covered needle by turning it clockwise and pull the needle cap straight off. There is another cap inside, so remove it in the same way. Be careful not to injure yourself as a thin needle will come out when you remove it.
3. When using for the first time, set the dial to the dotted line next to 0 and make a blank shot to check if the medicine comes out correctly.
4. Turn the dial to the amount indicated on your prescription.
5. Clean the injection site (belly and thigh) with alcohol swabs. Prick straight into the injection site and press the button. Keep pressing the button for 6 seconds, then pull it out while keeping the button pressed. It is recommended that the injection site be slightly shifted each time.
6. Put the cap containing the needle in and turn it in the opposite direction to remove the needle.

Dosing schedule

Below is a dosing schedule to guide you through the starting dosage of 0.6 mg to the dosage of 3 mg.
If you are getting the appetite suppression effect, continue without increasing the dosage. If the body becomes accustomed to the drug and the effect becomes less noticeable, the dosage should be increased.

How to use

1. Take this medicine with no food or drink in your stomach, such as when you wake up. Take with about half a glass (120 ml or less) of water.
2. Wait at least 30 minutes (preferably 2 hours) before eating or drinking after taking the medicine.

Dosing schedule

・There are three types of Rybelsus tablets: 3 mg, 7 mg, and 14 mg.
・At first, prescribing starts from 3 mg.
・If no effect is felt, increase the dose to 7mg/14mg.

Precautions

*By taking this medicine on an empty stomach, the active ingredients will be absorbed from the stomach and will be effective.
*Swallow the tablet as it is without breaking, crushing, or chewing.
*Please refrain from taking with tea, coffee, medicine jelly, etc.
*Because it is easily affected by moisture and light, remove it from the sheet immediately before use.
*Do not cut the sheet apart from the perforations.

Major side effects

Gastrointestinal symptoms (about 30%)
*In the early stages of GLP-1, you may feel nausea and queasiness. This symptom is due to the action of the drug, which slows down digestion in the stomach, and will subside if administration is continued for a while.

Relatively common side effects

Internal bleeding or itching at the injection site, diarrhea, constipation, headache

Severe side effects

hypoglycemia, pancreatitis, bowel obstruction, palpitations
*Although GLP-1 alone rarely causes hypoglycemia, it has been reported that combined use with insulin or oral hypoglycemic agents can cause severe hypoglycemia. When using it in combination with other weight loss drugs, be sure to do so under the guidance and management of a doctor.
*If you experience persistent severe abdominal pain with vomiting or heart palpitations lasting several minutes, stop taking this medicine and consult a doctor.

• People currently undergoing treatment for diabetes
• People who have a history of cancer or who are currently undergoing treatment
• Pregnant women, those who are pregnant or breastfeeding, those who are within 3 months after giving birth, and those who are planning to become pregnant
• Under the age of 18 and over the age of 60
• Those who are extremely thin
• People with eating disorders (anorexia or bulimia)
• People with thyroid disease or pancreatic disease

When does the effect appear?

There are individual differences, but the effect will appear in about 2 weeks at the earliest.

Can I continue with my exercise and diet?

Although it is not essential, moderate exercise and a review of your eating habits will increase the diet effect and make it difficult to rebound.

Are there no dependencies?

There is no dependence on GLP-1 receptor agonists.

Do you want to rebound if you quit?

If you stop taking it suddenly, it is easy to return to your normal eating habits, so it is recommended that you stop taking it gradually, such as by reducing the dose of the drug or changing to a less effective drug.

Can I use this while pregnant or breastfeeding?

Do not use if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Is it okay to keep using it forever?

Long-term use is limited to about 12 months because it places a burden on the pancreas.

Clarification of off-label use

Saxenda is not approved in Japan under the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Act. In addition, Rybelsus has been approved as a type 2 diabetes treatment drug in Japan, but it is not covered by insurance because it is used for other purposes in slimming treatment at our hospital.

Clarification of acquisition route, etc.

Our GLP-1 receptor agonist was purchased from a major pharmaceutical wholesaler.

Disclosure of safety information in foreign countries

The GLP-1 receptor agonist used for this treatment has been approved for the indication of obesity by the FDA in the United States, the MFDS in South Korea, and the EMA in EU27 countries.