The role of liraglutide in the management of obesity
Obesity has been defined as abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that may impair health. Obesity is associated with multiple comorbidities, affecting mechanical systems within the body as well as metabolic and mental health. If a person is overweight or obese, a loss of 5–10% of total body weight can have a number of health advantages. In the UK, there are three medications approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) for weight loss: orlistat, liraglutide and naltrexone in combination with bupropion. Liraglutide has the proprietary name Saxenda (Novo Nordisk). It may be prescribed for individuals with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 kg/m2 or more or people with a BMI of 27 kg/m2 who have another weight-related illness, such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes or dyslipidaemia. As with many weight-management programmes, liraglutide works in conjunction with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.