The active ingredient liraglutide supports weight loss by imitating the natural feeling of satiety. Studies have been proving its effectiveness for some time now. A corresponding preparation is now also covered by health insurance. Because it should only be used as an adjunct, the drug may only be prescribed by specialists and specialized centers - such as the Obesity Center at the University Hospital Zurich.
Anyone suffering from obesity has a disturbed feeling of hunger. The hormone GLP1, which is released after meals and provides a natural feeling of satiety, plays an important role here. The active ingredient liraglutide imitates its effect: on the one hand, it ensures that the stomach empties less quickly. On the other hand, it controls the processes in the brain that are responsible for the feeling of satiety.
Corresponding preparations have been used for some time in diabetes therapy, as they also reduce blood sugar levels. Subsequently, numerous studies showed that drugs containing liraglutide also contribute to weight loss. People who inject such a preparation daily are also less likely to suffer cardiovascular events.
Until now, there has only been one drug approved for obesity in Switzerland: the preparation Xenical works by delaying fat absorption. Thanks to the aforementioned active ingredient liraglutide, there is now an alternative for the first time. At present, only one supplier offers the preparation under the name Saxenda. “This is a real innovation in the treatment of obesity,” says Philipp Gerber, Clinical Head of Endocrinology at the Zurich Obesity Center. Side effects are rare. Sometimes gastrointestinal complaints (slight nausea) or changes in stool frequency may occur, but these are practically always temporary. “For this reason, we start with a low dosage before gradually increasing it.”
Health insurance companies cover the costs
The costs of the new medication have recently been covered by basic insurance. However, the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) has imposed conditions on prescribing. Only registered specialists and specialized centers are allowed to prescribe it, subject to health insurance coverage. The reason for this is that drug treatment should not be carried out in isolation from other therapeutic measures – such as nutritional coaching or a physical activity program.
The Obesity Center of the University Hospital Zurich is one of the places in the canton of Zurich that is allowed to prescribe Saxenda on a health insurance basis. A comprehensive assessment is carried out together with the patient to determine whether treatment with the drug is an option and what additional treatments are required. In principle, the drug is intended for patients with a body mass index of 35 kg/m2 or higher. However, if there are additional illnesses that can be attributed to obesity, a value of 28 kg/m2 may be sufficient.
Patients can easily inject the preparation themselves every day using an injection pen. The effect is then checked at regular intervals during the consultation and the dose is adjusted accordingly. “The aim is to reduce and stabilize weight in the long term with the medication and the accompanying therapies,” says USZ expert Gerber.
