Plaobes - Daily Injection (Liraglutide) - Weight Loss Pen

What is Plaobes?

Plaobes is a prescription-only weight loss injection containing the active ingredient liraglutide. It’s a type of medicine known as a GLP-1 receptor agonist, and works by mimicking a natural hormone your body produces after eating.

Each Plaobes pen is pre-filled and designed to be injected once a day, delivering an adjustable dose depending on where you are in your treatment. The medication is at its most effective when combined with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.

Plaobes is licensed in the UK by the MHRA for weight management in adults.

Is Plaobes the same as Saxenda?

Plaobes and Saxenda both contain the same active ingredient, liraglutide, at the same strength (6mg/ml). They work in exactly the same way and follow the same dosing schedule.

The main differences are the manufacturer, branding, packaging, and price. Saxenda is made by Novo Nordisk, while Plaobes is made by Cipla EU Ltd. Your clinician can help you decide which option is most suitable for you.

How does Plaobes work?

Plaobes works by mimicking a natural hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). Your body normally releases GLP-1 after eating, sending signals to your brain that help you feel full.

When you take Plaobes, the liraglutide activates GLP-1 receptors in the brain, which can help you lose weight in a few different ways:

• Reduced appetite: you may feel less hungry between meals.
• Slower digestion: food moves more slowly through your stomach, helping you feel fuller for longer.
• Better portion control: with reduced hunger signals, it can become easier to eat smaller meals.
• Fewer cravings: more stable blood sugar levels may help reduce the urge to snack.

These combined effects can make it easier to stick to a reduced-calorie diet and support gradual, consistent weight loss over time.

Is it safe?

Plaobes is a licensed medicine that has been approved by the MHRA for use in the UK. Liraglutide has been widely studied in large clinical trials and has an established safety profile.

Like all prescription medicines, it can cause side effects in some people. Most are mild and tend to improve as your body adjusts. Our clinicians will assess your suitability before prescribing and will monitor your progress throughout treatment.

Plaobes is not suitable for everyone. It should not be used during pregnancy, and there are certain health conditions where it may not be appropriate. Your clinician will review your full medical history before recommending treatment.

How much weight can you lose on Plaobes?

In the largest clinical trial of liraglutide 3mg for weight management (the SCALE Obesity and Prediabetes trial), patients lost an average of 8% of their body weight after 56 weeks of treatment, compared to 2.6% in those taking a placebo. Both groups also followed a reduced-calorie diet and increased their physical activity.

Around 63% of people taking liraglutide lost at least 5% of their body weight, and around 33% lost more than 10%.

Individual results will vary depending on factors like your starting weight, how well you follow your diet and exercise plan, and how your body responds to the medication. Weight loss with Plaobes is gradual and works best when combined with long-term lifestyle changes.

If you have not lost at least 5% of your starting body weight after 12 weeks on the full 3mg dose, your treatment should be reviewed. Your clinician may recommend stopping the medication at this point.

How quickly does Plaobes work?

Most people begin to notice reduced appetite and better portion control within the first few weeks of starting treatment.

Visible weight loss tends to become noticeable within the first 1-3 months, especially as your dose gradually increases towards the maintenance level of 3mg a day.

The most significant results are usually seen over several months of consistent use. Progress often becomes more noticeable once you reach the full dose and maintain healthy eating and activity habits alongside treatment.

Benefits of Plaobes

Plaobes can offer several benefits when used as part of a structured weight management programme:

• Appetite control: liraglutide helps reduce hunger signals, making it easier to eat less without feeling hungry.
• Gradual, steady weight loss: Plaobes supports consistent progress rather than rapid, unsustainable changes.
• Improved blood sugar levels: liraglutide can help support better blood sugar regulation, which may benefit people with prediabetes or type 2 diabetes.
• More stable energy levels: reduced blood sugar spikes and dips can help you feel more energised throughout the day.
• Clinically proven: liraglutide has been studied extensively in large trials and is an established treatment for weight management.

However, Plaobes is not a quick fix. It works best when paired with a balanced diet, regular physical activity, and ongoing support from healthcare professionals.

Plaobes dosage

When taking Plaobes, your dose will gradually increase over your first five weeks of treatment. This helps your body adjust and reduces the likelihood of side effects.

• Week one: 6mg once a day
• Week two: 2mg once a day
• Week three: 8mg once a day
• Week four: 4mg once a day
• Week five onwards: 3mg once a day (maintenance dose)

The maintenance dose of 3mg a day is the target for weight loss. If you find side effects difficult to manage at any stage, your clinician may recommend staying on a lower dose for an additional week before increasing.

How many doses are in a single pen?

Each Plaobes pen contains 18 mg of liraglutide in 3 ml of solution. The number of doses you get from one pen depends on your current dose level:

• At 0.6mg a day: one pen lasts around 30 days
• At 1.2mg a day: one pen lasts around 15 days
• At 1.8mg a day: one pen lasts around ten days
• At 2.4mg a day: one pen lasts around seven days
• At 3mg a day: one pen lasts around six days

Do you have to start on the lowest dose?

Yes. You must always start on the 0.6mg dose and increase gradually each week. This is important because it helps your body adjust to the medication and reduces the risk of digestive side effects like nausea and vomiting.

Skipping doses or starting on a higher dose is not recommended and could increase the chance of uncomfortable side effects. Follow the dose escalation schedule your clinician provides.

Is Plaobes right for me?

We only prescribe Plaobes to adults aged 18 and over who meet specific clinical criteria. It's suitable for people with:

• a BMI of 30 or above (classified as obese)
• a BMI of 27 or above with at least one weight-related health condition, such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or obstructive sleep apnoea

Plaobes is a prescription-only medicine. You'll need to complete a clinical assessment before treatment can be prescribed. Our clinicians will review your medical history, current medications, and overall health to determine whether Plaobes is a safe and suitable option for you.

Plaobes should always be used alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity for the best results.

How to inject Plaobes

Plaobes is designed for self-injection and uses a simple pre-filled pen. You inject it once a day under the skin (subcutaneously) in one of three areas:

• your abdomen (tummy area)
• the front of your thigh
• your upper arm

You should rotate your injection site each day to reduce the risk of skin reactions. You can change the time of day you inject without adjusting your dose, but it's best to pick a consistent time that works for you.

Step-by-step guide:

• Wash your hands thoroughly.
• Check the solution through the pen window. It should be clear, colourless, and free from particles.
• Attach a new needle to the pen (needles are not included in the pack).
• If it's a new pen, check the flow by dialing to the flow check symbol and pressing the dose button until a drop appears at the needle tip.
• Dial your prescribed dose.
• Insert the needle into your chosen injection site and press the dose button.
• Hold the button down and keep the needle in your skin for at least six seconds to ensure the full dose is delivered.
• Remove the needle and dispose of it safely in a sharps bin.
• Replace the pen cap.

Never share your pen with another person, even if the needle has been changed. If you miss a dose and more than 12 hours have passed since your usual injection time, skip the missed dose and take your next one as normal. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

Plaobes side effects

Like all medicines, Plaobes can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them. The most common side effects are digestive and tend to improve as your body adjusts to the medication.

Very common side effects (may affect more than 1 in 10 people):

• nausea
• vomiting
• diarrhoea
• constipation
• headache

Common side effects (may affect up to 1 in 10 people):

• reduced appetite
• dizziness
• stomach pain
• indigestion
• bloating and wind
• dry mouth
• tiredness
• injection site reactions

Starting on a low dose and increasing gradually helps reduce the severity of these side effects. Most are mild to moderate and tend to lessen within the first few weeks of treatment.

Seek medical advice immediately if you experience:

• severe or persistent stomach pain (this could be a sign of pancreatitis)
• signs of an allergic reaction such as swelling of the face, lips, or throat, difficulty breathing, or a fast heartbeat
• symptoms of gallbladder problems such as intense pain in the upper right abdomen

You can report side effects through the Yellow Card Scheme in the UK. Speak to our pharmacists if you have any concerns about side effects during treatment.

Who shouldn't use Plaobes weight loss injections

Plaobes is not suitable for everyone. You should not use Plaobes if you:

• are allergic to liraglutide or any of the other ingredients
• are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding
• have a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (a type of thyroid cancer)
• have multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2)

Plaobes may not be suitable if you have:

• severe heart failure
• severe kidney problems
• severe liver problems
• inflammatory bowel disease or gastroparesis (delayed stomach emptying)
• a history of pancreatitis
• type 1 diabetes (Plaobes must not be used as a substitute for insulin)

If you have thyroid disease, including thyroid nodules or an enlarged thyroid, talk to your clinician before starting treatment.

You should always be honest about your full medical history during your consultation so our clinicians can accurately assess whether Plaobes is safe for you.

Storage information

Before first use:

• Store in a refrigerator between 2°C and 8°C.
• Do not freeze – do not store near the freezer compartment.
• Keep the pen in its original packaging to protect from light.

After first use:

• Store at room temperature (between 15°C and 30°C) or in the refrigerator (2°C to 8°C).
• Always replace the pen cap after each injection to protect from light.
• Use within 30 days of first use.
• Do not store with a needle attached.

Do not use Plaobes if:

• The solution is not clear and colourless.
• The solution contains particles.
• The pen has been frozen.

Alternatives to Plaobes weight loss injections

If Plaobes is not suitable for you, or if you are looking for other options, there are several alternative weight loss treatments available in the UK:

• Mounjaro (tirzepatide): A once-weekly injection that targets both GIP and GLP-1 receptors. Clinical trials have shown higher average weight loss compared to liraglutide-based treatments
• Wegovy (semaglutide): A once-weekly GLP-1 injection that has shown an average weight loss of around 15% of body weight in clinical trials
• Saxenda (liraglutide): The original branded version of liraglutide, identical in action to Plaobes
• Orlistat: A weight loss capsule that works by reducing how much fat your body absorbs from food. This is available as generic orlistat, branded Xenical, and over-the-counter Alli.

There are also more weight loss tablets awaiting approval in the UK, including Wegovy Pills, which should be available in 2026.

Each treatment has different eligibility criteria, dosing schedules, and side effect profiles. Our clinicians can help you understand which option may be best suited to your health needs and goals.

Frequently asked questions about Plaobes

Who manufactures Plaobes?

Plaobes is manufactured by Cipla EU Ltd. It's licensed and approved by the MHRA for use in the UK as a weight management treatment.

Can I drink alcohol on Plaobes?

There is no specific interaction between liraglutide and alcohol. However, drinking alcohol can affect your blood sugar levels and may add extra calories that work against your weight loss goals. It's best to limit your alcohol intake while on treatment. If you have diabetes, speak to your clinician about how alcohol may affect your blood sugar management.

Do I need to change my diet when taking Plaobes injections?

Yes. Plaobes is designed to be used alongside a reduced-calorie diet. The medication can help you feel less hungry and make it easier to eat smaller portions, but you'll still need to make healthy food choices to see the best results.

Focus on balanced meals that include plenty of vegetables, lean protein, and whole grains. Reducing processed foods, sugary snacks, and high-calorie drinks can also support your progress. Our experts can provide practical nutritional guidance as part of your treatment plan.

Should I exercise on Plaobes?

Yes. Regular physical activity is an important part of any weight management programme. Plaobes works best when combined with increased movement.

You do not need to start with intense exercise. Even small changes like walking more, taking the stairs, or adding short activity sessions into your day can make a difference. Aim to build up gradually and find activities you enjoy, as this helps make exercise a sustainable habit.

Read our guide on getting into the exercise mindset for help on your journey.

Sources

• A randomised, controlled trial of 3.0 mg of liraglutide in weight management. (2015) New England Journal of Medicine. [Accessed 19 May 2026]
• Plaobes 6 mg/ml solution for injection in pre-filled pen – Summary of Product Characteristics. Cipla EU Ltd via emc. [Accessed 19 May 2026]
• Plaobes 6 mg/ml solution for injection in pre-filled pen – Patient Information Leaflet. Cipla EU Ltd via emc. [Accessed 19 May 2026]
• Efficacy and safety of liraglutide 3.0 mg in individuals with overweight or obesity and type 2 diabetes treated with basal insulin: the SCALE Insulin randomised controlled trial. (2020) Diabetes Care. [Accessed 19 May 2026]
• Weight-loss injections explained. (2026) British Heart Foundation. [Accessed 19 May 2026]