Can You Stop Saxenda Cold Turkey? A Guide to Safely Discontinuing Saxenda

Saxenda is a popular prescription weight loss medication used to help manage obesity and overweight. It contains the active ingredient liraglutide, which mimics the hormone GLP-1 to regulate appetite. Many have found success with Saxenda for weight loss but what happens when it’s time to stop? Can you quit Saxenda cold turkey?

How Saxenda Works

To understand stopping Saxenda, it helps to first understand how it works. Saxenda is taken as a daily injection that helps you feel fuller faster so you eat less. It also slows digestion so you stay satisfied longer after meals.

Saxenda works by influencing appetite hormones in the brain. It targets the area of the brain that controls hunger and fullness. By acting on appetite hormones, Saxenda helps:

• Reduce appetite
• Increase feelings of fullness
• Lower food cravings

This leads to eating smaller portions and less calories overall, resulting in weight loss over weeks and months of treatment.

Is Saxenda Addictive?

An important point about Saxenda is that it is not addictive. Saxenda does not cause dependence or withdrawal symptoms when stopping.

However, since it affects appetite hormones, ending treatment may still cause some digestive upset as the body adjusts. While not medically considered withdrawal, stopping Saxenda cold turkey may result in temporary nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach pain.

Gradual Dose Reduction Is Recommended

Because of the digestive side effects possible when stopping, experts recommend gradually weaning off Saxenda instead of quitting outright.

This means slowly tapering the dosage over a period of time rather than abruptly going from a full dose to zero. Gradually reducing Saxenda gives the body more time to adapt to the changing medication levels.

Exactly how long it takes to taper depends on factors like:

• How long Saxenda was taken
• Current dosage
• Reasons for stopping
• Individual response

On average, tapering off Saxenda takes 1-2 weeks but can take longer if on a higher maintenance dose or if side effects emerge.

Tips for Safely Stopping Saxenda

Here are some tips for safely discontinuing Saxenda treatment:

• Consult your doctor – Do not stop Saxenda without first consulting the prescribing physician. They can provide guidance on timing and tapering dosage.

• Stick to the plan – Carefully follow the Saxenda tapering schedule provided by your doctor. Do not cut dosage faster than directed.

• Go slow – Reduce Saxenda dosage gradually over days or weeks, not all at once. This gives your body time to readjust appetite regulation.

• Watch for side effects – Be alert to potential digestive issues like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea when tapering Saxenda. Report any severe or concerning symptoms promptly to your doctor.

• Support healthy habits – Focus on maintaining healthy eating, exercise, and lifestyle habits during and after stopping Saxenda to help avoid weight regain.

What If I Stopped Saxenda Suddenly?

While not advised, some may be tempted to stop Saxenda suddenly instead of tapering off gradually. Quitting “cold turkey” can increase the risk of temporary yet unpleasant digestive side effects.

If Saxenda is stopped abruptly, be prepared for potential symptoms like:

• Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
• Stomach pain or cramps
• Increased appetite and hunger
• Possible short-term weight gain

Stay hydrated and consult your doctor if digestive symptoms are severe or do not resolve within 1-2 weeks after quitting Saxenda. Getting back on a gradual tapering schedule may help minimize symptoms.

Weight Regain Risk After Stopping

One concern when discontinuing Saxenda is potential weight regain. With appetite hormones no longer regulated by medication, hunger cues can come back strongly.

To help avoid regaining lost weight, focus on maintaining the healthy diet and exercise habits established during Saxenda treatment. Work with your doctor or a nutritionist to make lifestyle adjustments for managing weight long-term without medication.

Considerations Before Stopping Saxenda

While Saxenda is not addictive, it is designed for long-term weight management. Don’t stop treatment just because you’ve reached your initial goal weight.

Maintaining results often requires sticking with Saxenda for at least 3-6 months after hitting your target weight. Discuss your situation with your doctor before deciding to discontinue.

Sudden weight changes can be stressful physically and emotionally. Having support from your healthcare team, friends, or family can make stopping medication easier. Be patient with your body and yourself when transitioning off Saxenda.

The Bottom Line

Can you stop Saxenda cold turkey? While possible, quitting Saxenda abruptly is not medically recommended. Gradually tapering dosage under medical supervision is the safest way to discontinue Saxenda. This minimizes side effects and supports long-term weight maintenance.