Both Wegovy and Saxenda are drugs that doctors prescribe for weight loss and to treat obesity. They are both FDA-approved for weight loss. The active ingredient in both drugs started out as treatments for type II diabetes. It was in their respective trials for diabetes management that patients on both Wegovy and Saxenda lost weight, which prompted research into their use and approval of weight loss drugs.

Wegovy and Saxenda belong to the class of drugs known as GLP-1 receptor agonists. Such drugs work by mimicking the effects of a naturally occurring hormone known as GLP-1 that influences hunger, appetite, and glucose metabolism.

Despite these commonalities, Wegovy and Saxenda are different drugs with different active ingredients. Let’s take a closer look at the difference between the two and see which one is more effective for weight loss.

Main Differences Between Saxenda and Wegovy

The main difference between Wegovy and Saxenda is their active ingredients. The active ingredient in Wegovy is semaglutide and the active ingredient in Saxenda is liraglutide. Another significant difference is that Wegovy is a once-weekly injection, and Saxenda is taken daily.

Wegovy and Saxenda are both made by Novo Nordisk.

Mechanisms of Action

Wegovy: Wegovy works by mimicking the effects of GLP-1 in the body. GLP-1 is a hormone that regulates appetite, slows down stomach emptying, and increases feelings of fullness. By activating GLP-1 receptors, Wegovy reduces appetite and caloric intake, leading to weight loss.

Saxenda: Saxenda also activates GLP-1 receptors, resulting in reduced appetite and increased feelings of fullness. It regulates blood sugar levels and slows the emptying of the stomach, helping individuals consume fewer calories.

Prescribed Populations

Wegovy: Wegovy is prescribed for chronic weight management in adults with a body mass index (BMI) of 27 or higher who have at least one weight-related comorbidity such as high blood pressure, heart disease, or type 2 diabetes or for adults with a BMI of 30 higher regardless of comorbidity. This means that Wegovy is indicated for individuals who are significantly overweight or obese and have related health conditions.

Saxenda: Saxenda is also FDA-approved for chronic weight management. It can be prescribed to adults with a BMI of 30 or higher or those with a BMI of 27 or higher who have at least one weight-related comorbidity. Unlike Wegovy, it can also be prescribed to children and teens, ages 12 to 17, with obesity who weigh 132 pounds or more. Saxenda, therefore, has somewhat of a broader range of eligible patients.

Effectiveness for Weight Loss:

Of the two, in a head-to-head clinical trial, patients on Wegovy lost significantly more weight than those taking Saxenda.

Wegovy (Semaglutide 2.4 mg): Wegovy is an analog of a hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), which regulates appetite and glucose metabolism. Clinical trials have shown Wegovy to be highly effective, with participants experiencing an average weight loss of around 15% of their initial body weight, which translates to 50 pounds or more. This weight loss surpasses that achieved by those taking Saxenda.

Saxenda (Liraglutide): Saxenda is also a GLP-1 receptor agonist, and it has been available for weight loss longer than Wegovy. In clinical trials, Saxenda has been shown to help individuals lose an average of only about 5-10% of their initial body weight. While this weight loss could be considered significant for some, it is modest in terms of the weight loss that can be achieved with Wegovy.

Wegovy is clearly more effective than Saxenda for treating obesity, but each drug is a powerful weight-loss medication that positively impacts the way your body burns or stores fat. Each drug is a valuable prescription medication for those who struggle with weight, and neither is to be considered merely an appetite suppressant.

What is Each Approved and Legally Prescribed For?

In 2014, Saxenda was FDA-approved for weight loss in people without diabetes. In 2021, the FDA Approved Wegovy for weight loss in people without diabetes, meeting certain criteria.

Both Wegovy and Saxenda can be used by individuals with type 2 diabetes. In fact, these medications may offer additional benefits for people with diabetes by helping to improve blood sugar control and reducing the need for other diabetes medications.

Because of its greater effectiveness and popularity as a “new” obesity drug, there have been reported shortages of Wegovy. Therefore, it could be easier to get a prescription for Saxenda for weight loss. However, keep in mind that it is not as effective for weight loss as Wegovy. Only your doctor can determine if Saxenda is an alternative to Wegovy for your individual circumstances.

Usage

Both drugs are prescribed for weight loss.

Wegovy is prescribed for people with or without diabetes who have struggled with weight, are considered obese, face the complications of obesity, and have tried and failed at other weight loss methods. It is recommended for patients who need to lose a significant amount of weight and is usually prescribed as part of a complete medical weight-loss program that includes fitness, diet, and lifestyle counseling.

Saxenda can be used for weight loss in patients with or without diabetes who have struggled with weight. Unlike Wegovy, it can also be used in certain children and teens. Since weight loss is generally less with Saxenda than with Wegovy, it is more often prescribed for people who have less to lose than those who are prescribed Wegovy.

Dosage*

Wegovy and Saxenda are both given as subcutaneous injections, which means just below the skin. You can inject your dose of either drug at any time of day, with or without meals. However, Wegovy is a once-weekly injection that should be administered on the same day at the same time each week, while Saxenda is a daily injection that should be administered every day of the week. In either case, it is recommended that you take your injection at the same time every day so that it becomes a part of your daily or nightly routine.

Wegovy is a single-use pen, meaning that each pen of the medication contains a single dose of Wegovy, color-coded for the appropriate dose. Saxenda, on the other hand, comes in a single prefilled pen that contains multiple daily doses of the medication. You can adjust the pen each time you take the medication to deliver a dose of 0.6 mg, 1.2 mg, 1.8 mg, 2.4 mg, and 3 mg.

Both medications start you out at the lowest effective dose, and you slowly ramp up dosage to the maximum dosage over a period of weeks in order to minimize side effects and allow your body to adjust to the presence of the medication.

A typical Wegovy dosage schedule is:

• First Month: 0.25 mg once weekly (starting dosage)
• Second Month: 0.5 mg once weekly
• Third Month: 1 mg once weekly
• Fourth Month: 1.7 mg once weekly
• Fifth Month: 2.4 mg once weekly (target dosage)

A typical Saxenda dosage schedule is:

• Week 1: Inject 0.6 mg under the skin once daily.
• Week 2: Inject 1.2 mg under the skin once daily.
• Week 3: Inject 1.8 mg under the skin once daily.
• Week 4: Inject 2.4 mg under the skin once daily.
• Week 5 and after, Inject 3 mg under the skin once daily.

Cost**

Both Wegovy and Saxenda are available from the same drug manufacturer and have about the same monthly cost without insurance of about $1500 per month. The final price you’ll pay for either drug depends on your insurance coverage, the pharmacy you use, and any coupons you are eligible for. For example, all three medications

The drug maker Novo Nordisk offers offer savings coupons for people with private or commercial insurance that can bring the cost of Wegovy or Saxenda down to as little as $0–$25 for a monthly supply.

Insurance Coverage

Your insurance provider may or may not provide coverage for Wegovy or Saxenda. Currently, only about one out of every three insurance companies cover weight loss medications such as Wegovy or Saxenda, but that number is constantly changing. Usually, before any insurance company provides coverage for either drug, they will want to see that you have tried and failed at other weight loss methods, or that your weight poses serious other health risks.

There is no information as to which drug is more likely to be covered by insurance. The monthly cost for each drug without insurance runs about the same from about $1300 to $1600 per month**. If you have insurance, the cost of each drug could be reduced with the manufacturer’s copay card, as mentioned above.

Results

Wegovy and Saxenda belong to the same class of drugs and work much the same way. These drugs work by mimicking the effects of GLP-1, a hormone naturally produced by your body that causes you to feel fuller for longer, suppresses appetite, and is also involved in the release of insulin and glucose metabolism. These combined actions are why this class of drugs can be so effective in weight loss.

Wegovy has been proven to provide greater weight loss than Saxenda. It also lasts much longer, much longer than Saxenda. Wegovy continues to work for around 165 hours after injection, while Saxenda lasts just 13 to 15 hours. This is why you take Wegovy only once a week, while you have to take Saxenda every day.

In a study directly comparing weight loss results between the Wegovy and Saxenda, patients taking Wegovy lost significantly more weight than those on Saxenda. After about three months on the medications, the average weight loss was 16% on Wegovy and only around 6% on Saxenda.

Side Effects

Both Wegovy and Saxenda can have side effects, and these can vary from person to person. Common side effects for both medications usually involve gastrointestinal issues such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. In both medications, these side effects tend to diminish over time as the body adjusts to the medication.

Both medications carry an FDA label warning about the increased risk of certain cancers. There is no indication that either drug presents a greater risk, and this risk in both was only shown in animals and not humans. Still, because they carry this FDA warning, if you or anyone in your family has a history of cancer, discuss it with your healthcare professional before accepting a prescription for either medication.

*Dosing, administration instructions, warnings, and other product information are provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed as any kind of medical guidance or instructions for use. Consult your physician pharmacist or complete prescribing information for advice regarding your prescription for Wegovy or Mounjaro.em>

** Prices for prescription drugs are subject to change. Prices provided are for relative comparison purposes only and may not be a reflection of the actual cost of either drug at the time of purchase.