Medical Weight Loss Treatment

Weight Loss Injection Pen.

Losing weight in itself is a challenging task, it requires you to stay consistent and motivated to achieve the desired weight. Often, the most common hurdle is overcoming hunger. A weight loss injection pen, if it is used correctly, can enhance your weight loss journey when combined with a tailored systematic approach looking at hormones, nutrition and exercise.

What Is A GLP-1 Agonist?

A Glucagon-Like-Peptide (GLP-1) Receptor Agonist is a prescription-only medication that is US FDA and Singapore HSA-approved for the treatment of obesity (BMI >30, or >27 with a comorbidity). The medication acts like the hormone Glucagon Like Peptide- 1, which is produced after a meal to signal to the brain to stop eating, so as to reduce appetite and food intake.

Used for a period of 3-6 months together with regular exercise and a balanced diet, most individuals can achieve weight loss of 5-10% of their body weight. Significant weight loss will give added benefits, with improvement in obesity-related conditions such as hypertension, diabetes and sleep apnea. Not forgetting the aesthetic benefits of looking years younger!

Lose Weight And Keep It Off

GLP-1 Agonists have been clinically proven in multiple peer-reviewed studies. In one particular research paper published in 2017, 3731 individuals were monitored for 56 weeks. The patients had a BMI of 30 or higher without diabetes, or a BMI of 27 or higher with at least one weight-related medical condition. Two groups of patients were created. Both groups were told to keep their diets and exercise routines in check.

The weight loss injection pen was administered to one group and a placebo to the other. One out of every three individuals who used a weight loss injection pen lost more than 10% of their body weight. Patients who completed the experiment and lost weight with a weight loss injection pen lost an average of 9.2% of their body weight and kept it off for a year. Patients’ cardiometabolic risk factors also improved in a number of ways.

How GLP-1 Agonists Help With Weight Loss

Reduces Leptin Resistance
Leptin resistance causes us to feel hungry and eat more even though we have sufficient fat stores. GLP-1 Agonists help to change our biochemistry in the body, allowing for weight loss to occur and keep off the weight that you are losing.
Improves Insulin Sensitivity
GLP-1 Agonists help to reduce insulin resistance and lower blood sugar. This activates hormone-sensitive lipase and results in more fat burning over time.
Acts as a Glucagon Suppressant
GLP-1 Agonists help to reduce hyperglucagonemia (high glucagon levels) which promotes normal glucose metabolism in the body and in the liver.
Reduces Appetite
GLP-1 Agonists help to reduce appetite by slowing down gastric motility. The reduction in calories is coupled with lower leptin levels which results in weight loss over time.
Increases Metabolism
GLP-1 Agonists help to improve your metabolism over time through its effects on leptin levels.

How Does The Weight Loss Injection Pen Work?

The Weight Loss Injection Pen is a unique injectable device prefilled with the GLP-1 Agonist drug. The drug behaves like a hormone in the body that helps to regulate your appetite. When injected, the feeling of hunger is reduced, and your tummy begins to feel satisfied with eating less. Unlike other drugs, this ‘smart drug’ only activates when food intake and absorption into the blood occurs.

It does not work when there is no food intake, unlike other drugs that cause hypoglycemia. This hypoglycemia effect is not present in this medication. However, the dose used should be slowly increased to avoid side effects. For example, GLP-1 Agonists can cause dizziness, nausea and abdominal discomfort if the dose is not slowly titrated upwards.

While the drug may seem like an easy weight-loss method, it does not replace the fundamentals of weight management – diet and exercise. It is meant to complement your overall weight loss regime, especially in adults who are morbidly obese. Our doctors and team of healthcare professionals will advise you on the proper dosage for you. Furthermore, they will provide you with an appropriate diet and exercise plan that you can follow.

*GLP-1 Agonists are an independent weight loss procedure that is legal in Singapore. Should you have queries on the drug, please contact us. We will be happy to help answer any questions you may have.

How Do I Use The Weight Loss Injection Pen?

GLP-1 Agonists are a prescription-only injectable medication – you will be required to inject the medicine on your own at home. This is simple to perform and our doctors will show you how to do this safely.

Learn How to Use the Once-Daily Injection Pen

The Weight Loss Injection Pen is usually injected daily on the skin surrounding the abdomen, thighs, or upper arms or as directed by our doctor. You should not inject this medication directly into your veins or muscles and you should never share your injection pen with another person.

Follow our doctor’s instructions carefully. We will start your weight loss treatment with a low dose and gradually increase it over the coming weeks. When you first start a GLP-1 Agonist, you may experience nausea, its most common side effect. This is normal and usually goes away as your body adjusts to the medication.

Are Weight Loss Injection Pens Safe? Are There Any Side Effects?

Yes! This GLP-1 Agonist has been approved by the U.S. FDA for weight loss since Dec 2014. It has a long-term safety profile and is being used by patients in over 58 countries, and has close to a 66.9% market share of the global obesity prescription drug market.

Most of the side effects are mild, dose-dependent, and typically gastrointestinal. They usually dissipate when the body gets used to the drug or with cessation.

The Weight Loss Injection Pen is NOT suitable for candidates with the following conditions:

Pregnant Mothers.
Psychiatric Disorders.
Hypersensitivity Reactions To GLP-1 Agonists.
Personal/Family History of Thyroid Cancer.
Multiple Endocrine Neoplasm Syndrome Type 2.

Understanding The Weight Loss Injection Pen

The Weight Loss Injection pen can be used with NovoFine® 32G Tip, one of the thinnest and shortest needles available from Novo Nordisk. The short and thin needle is designed to be used with the weight loss injection pen and is intended for subcutaneous injection. After subcutaneous injection, it has a half-life of 13 hours, which makes it suitable for once-daily administration.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is It Painful Injecting With The Weight Loss Injection Pen?

Injecting with the The Weight Loss Injection Pen is not painful and well-tolerated by most patients. Patients liken the sensation to a light pinch on the skin. The nano 4mm 32 gauge needles on the weight loss injection pens are the smallest and finest available for injection pens, and about as thin as 2 strands of hair.

Will My Weight Rebound If I Stop The Treatment?

Adherence is key to managing your weight. The easier it is for you to maintain a healthy lifestyle, the better you will be at sticking to it.

That is why at VIDASKIN Aesthetic Clinic, we will work with you on a plan to introduce a series of micro-changes to your lifestyle and eating habits – giving you and your body time to acclimatise and condition. Over time and with practice, these changes are eventually incorporated as part of your lifestyle habits that you can perform with ease.
The Weight Loss Injection Pen makes it easier for you to adhere to the plan. So if you are already quite far down the plan and decide to stop taking it, you would have already changed your lifestyle and eating habits for the better and should not see your weight rebounding.

What Should I Do If I Miss My Dose?

If you forget to take The Weight Loss Injection Pen on a daily basis, take it as soon as you remember. Then, on the following day, take your next daily dose as usual. Avoid taking an extra dose or raising your next dosage. If you miss taking The Weight Loss Injection Pen for more than three days, contact us to discuss how you can resume your treatment.

How Do I Handle And Store The Medication At Home?

Do not play with the dosing mechanism (dose selector) of the Weight Loss Injection Pen as this may affect its calibration and in turn, the dosage that it administers. We recommend storing all your pens, including unopened ones, in a dry compartment of the refrigerator.

DO NOT STORE IN FREEZER as this will render the drug ineffective.

What Should I Do If I Want To Stop The Treatment Completely?

We recommend working your way backwards on the dosing schedule i.e. decreasing your dosage weekly.

How Should The Weight Loss Injection Pen Be Disposed?

Before disposal, safely remove and discard the needle. This is an important step as needle contamination can cause infection and leakage. Throw away used pens that have been opened for 30 days.