Liraglutide (Saxenda)

We believe that successfully keeping weight off is just as important as losing it in the first place.

That’s why we provide a holistic programme which focuses on three important areas:

1. A biological reset - we prescribe the latest available weight loss medication which targets the receptors in the brain that control your appetite. The medication works to lower your body’s ‘set point’, which is the weight it fights to maintain at a biological level. This helps you to lose weight.

2. A behavioural reset - our clinicians, health coaches and community supports you every step of the way. During the course of our programme you’ll learn sustainable nutritional, exercise and lifestyle choices, tracking your progress to help you form long term habits that stick. This will not only help you lose weight, but keep it off for good.

3. Our community - Numerous studies (e.g. here) have shown that people in group communities achieve greater weight loss than those who do it alone. That’s why we’re here. We’re dedicated to helping women to make lifestyle changes that are often difficult to achieve on their own.

The medication is available on the UK market in three different dosages: 0.25, 0.5 and 1mg.

If eligible, at the start of the Juniper Reset Programme you will be prescribed the 0.25mg dose. Once you are stable on that dose, it can then be increased to the 0.5mg dose. Our clinical team will check in regularly to assess your progress and discuss the right dosage for you.

You can then be prescribed the 1mg dose once you're stable on the 0.5mg dose. Not everyone needs the 1mg dose, some may only require a 0.5mg maintenance dose.

As with most prescription medications, weight loss medication can cause some side effects or allergic reactions. Mild and temporary side effects (as your body adjusts to the treatment) are expected in 1 in 10 (or 10%) of patients.

Common side effects, for the minority of patients that experience them, are mild and temporary and include:

• loss of appetite
• nausea (feeling sick)
• vomiting (being sick)
• dizziness
• fatigue
• headache
• abdominal pain
• acid reflux / heartburn
• diarrhoea or constipation
• burping and flatulence

Note: Many of these side effects are caused by knock-on impacts rather than the medication itself. For example vomiting or diarrhoea can lead to dehydration which presents itself as a headache and fatigue. It’s important to make sure you continue to hydrate and eat balanced regular meals throughout the day whilst taking the medication.

If you do experience any of these side effects, our team is here to help you. Contact us at hello@myjuniper.co.uk and we’ll be able to advise you on the best course of action to mitigate your symptoms, or arrange a consult with your clinician to review your dosage and treatment plan.Should your side effects be acute, or if you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction (such as swelling of your face, lips or throat, problems breathing or swallowing or a rapid heartbeat), we recommend seeking immediate medical assistance through your GP or nearest A&E service.

Here is a more comprehensive guide on side effects.

Administer the medication once every 10 days, at any time of the day, with or without meals. Inject into the abdominal fat, thigh, or upper arm. You can check out this instructional video for a detailed overview of how to take the medication.

The day of administration can be changed if necessary as long as the time between 2 doses is at least 2 days (>48 hours) If a dose is missed, administer it as soon as possible within 5 days after the missed dose. If more than 5 days have passed, skip the missed dose and administer the next dose on the regularly scheduled day. For whatever questions or doubts, don't hesitate to contact our team at hello@myjuniper.co.uk.

If a dose is missed, administer it as soon as possible within 5 days after the missed dose.If more than 5 days have passed, skip the missed dose and administer the next dose on the regularly scheduled day. If you have missed more than 2 consecutive weeks of treatment, restarting may cause an increase in gastrointestinal side effects and you need to first discuss your treatment plan with your prescriber. You may need to restart on the lowest dose and follow the dosing schedule from there to reduce the likelihood of side effects.Let us know if you have missed more than 2 weeks of treatment by emailing hello@myjuniper.co.uk and they will book you in for a free review consult to discuss your plan.As always, if you have any questions, do not hesitate to reach out at hello@myjuniper.co.uk.

After you stop taking the medication it can take your body around 4-5 weeks to fully clear from your system. This means that you may still experience some of the side effects during this period.

You’ll need to maintain the healthy behavioural, nutritional and lifestyle habits that you’ll develop during the Juniper Programme in order to sustain your achieved weight loss.

Severe side effects from our medication are very rare. However it’s important to understand signs and symptoms to be watchful of.

If you experience chest pain, circulation issues (specifically in the legs), shortness of breath or loss of consciousness we recommend you stop using your treatment and seek medical assistance immediately. You can do this by calling 111 for non-life threatening situations, or by calling 999 or attending your nearest A&E service.

Similarly if you experience any symptoms of a severe allergic reaction (such as swelling of your face, lips or throat, problems breathing or swallowing or a rapid heartbeat), we recommend seeking immediate medical assistance through your GP or nearest A&E service.

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