Saxenda vs Wegovy: How To Decide Which Suits You

What are the key differences between Saxenda and Wegovy?

Saxenda and Wegovy are both effective weight loss medication that work in a similar way. They are GLP-1 receptor agonists meaning they mimic the action of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) in the body, a naturally produced gut hormone involved in appetite regulation and blood sugar control. However, they contain different active ingredients and have different dosing schedules [1].

Saxenda contains liraglutide and is injected daily, while Wegovy contains semaglutide and is given as a weekly injection or daily pill. Both medicines reduce appetite and can help people feel fuller for longer, which can reduce calorie intake and support weight loss.

There are a few key differences to consider when comparing Wegovy vs Saxenda. These include the active ingredients, dosing frequency, maximum dose, side effects, and expected average weight loss. 

Here’s a quick comparison [1,2,3]: 

	Saxenda	Wegovy injection	Wegovy daily pill
Active ingredient	Liraglutide	Semaglutide	Semaglutide
Medicine class	GLP-1 receptor agonist	GLP-1 receptor agonist	GLP-1 receptor agonist
Administration	Injected daily	Weekly injection	Taken once daily
Starting dose	0.6 mg once daily	0.25 mg once weekly	1.5 mg once daily
Maximum/standard maintenance dose	3.0 mg once daily	2.4 mg once weekly	25 mg once daily
Dose escalation	Approximately 5 weeks	Approximately 16 weeks	Approximately 4 months

Both Saxenda and Wegovy injections and the new Wegovy pill are licensed for weight management in the UK for people who meet specific BMI and health criteria. 

Do they contain the same active ingredient?

No. This is one of the main differences between Saxenda and Wegovy. Saxenda contains liraglutide, while Wegovy contains semaglutide. Both medications work by acting on GLP-1 receptors but they are different medicines with different pharmacological properties [1].

Liraglutide and semaglutide both mimic GLP-1, helping regulate appetite and food intake. However, their different structures allow them to be administered at different intervals. Saxenda needs to be injected every day, whereas Wegovy can be administered once a week or taken as a daily pill.

It is also important not to confuse Saxenda or Wegovy with Mounjaro. Both are Mounjaro alternatives but Mounjaro contains the active ingredient tirzepatide, which acts on both GIP and GLP-1 receptors. Ozempic also contains semaglutide, but it is licensed for the treatment of type 2 diabetes rather than weight management. 

How often do you inject each one?

Saxenda is a daily injection. Adults normally start with a low dose of 0.6 mg once daily, which is gradually increased until the 3.0 mg maintenance dose is reached [1].

Wegovy is a weekly injection. Treatment begins with a 0.25 mg dose once a week and is gradually increased over several months to the standard 2.4 mg maintenance dose.

Both medicines are injected under the skin, usually into the abdomen, thigh or upper arm. Your healthcare provider or pharmacist should explain how to use the injection pen and how to deliver each dose correctly.

Which is more effective: Saxenda vs Wegovy?

   

Clinical trials have directly compared liraglutide, the active ingredient in Saxenda, and semaglutide, the active ingredient in Wegovy, for weight management. One randomised trial, known as STEP 8, compared once-weekly semaglutide 2.4 mg with once-daily liraglutide 3.0 mg in adults with overweight or obesity who did not have diabetes [3].

After 68 weeks, the average weight loss was approximately 15.8% with semaglutide compared with 6.4% with liraglutide. People receiving semaglutide had significantly higher chances of achieving 10% or more, 15% or more and 20% or more weight loss during the study compared to liraglutide.

These results suggest that semaglutide produced more average weight loss than liraglutide in this particular clinical trial. However, trial results do not predict exactly how much weight any individual will lose. Both Wegovy and Saxenda are most effective when combined with a reduced calorie diet and lifestyle changes.

Your weight loss journey may vary depending on your starting body weight, treatment adherence, diet, physical activity, health conditions such as heart disease, and how your body responds to the medication.

How do you take Saxenda compared with Wegovy?

Both Saxenda and Wegovy are injectable medications where the dose is gradually increased to improve tolerability. Wegovy is also available as a once-daily pill.

Saxenda is taken once a day. Adults usually begin with 0.6 mg daily injection and increase the dose by 0.6 mg each week.

Wegovy injections are administered once a week. The starting dose is 0.25 mg weekly, followed by gradual increases every four weeks. 

The Wegovy pill is taken once per day on an empty stomach, ideally first thing in the morning. The starting dose is 1.5 mg daily, increased every 30 days until the 25 mg maximum daily dose is reached. 

The different schedules are an important part of the Saxenda vs Wegovy dosage comparison. Although the numerical doses cannot be directly compared, the medicines have been designed to deliver their active ingredients at different frequencies.

Neither medicine should be combined with another GLP-1 receptor agonist unless specifically instructed by a healthcare professional.

How long does it take to reach a maintenance dose?

The time needed to reach a maintenance dose differs between Saxenda, Wegovy injection and the Wegovy daily tablet. Each treatment uses a gradual dose-escalation schedule to allow the body to adjust and help reduce gastrointestinal side effects.

With Saxenda, adults start at 0.6 mg and increase the dose in 0.6 mg increments at weekly intervals until reaching the 3.0 mg maintenance dose. This means the maximum maintenance dose is reached after approximately five weeks of dose escalation [1].

With the Wegovy injection, the standard dose-escalation schedule takes 16 weeks. Treatment starts at 0.25 mg once weekly for four weeks and progresses through 0.5 mg, 1.0 mg and 1.7 mg before reaching the 2.4 mg maintenance dose after 16 weeks. For adults with obesity, the injection can be increased to 7.2 mg once weekly after at least four weeks at 2.4 mg when clinically appropriate [1].

The Wegovy daily tablet follows a monthly dose-escalation schedule. Treatment starts at 1.5 mg once daily for the first month, followed by 4 mg in month two and 9 mg in month three. The recommended 25 mg once-daily maintenance dose is usually reached from month four onwards [2].

If significant side effects occur, your prescriber may delay a dose increase rather than automatically progressing to the next dose.

How do the side effects compare?

Saxenda, Wegovy injection and the Wegovy daily tablet have broadly similar side-effect profiles because all three treatments act on the GLP-1 receptor. The most common side effects involve the digestive system and are particularly likely to occur when treatment begins or when the dose is increased.

Common gastrointestinal side effects can include [1,2]:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhoea
• Constipation
• Abdominal pain or discomfort
• Indigestion
• Fatigue
• Headaches

These symptoms are generally most noticeable during dose escalation and often become less troublesome as the body adjusts to treatment. 

Other side effects can vary slightly between the treatments. Injection-site reactions can occur with Saxenda and injectable Wegovy, but they do not apply to the Wegovy daily tablet because it is taken by mouth. 

Both Saxenda and Wegovy also carry the risk of serious allergic reaction. Call emergency services if you experience certain symptoms like difficulty breathing, a widespread rash or blistering, or swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat. Less commonly, both medicines can also cause more serious problems recognised with this class, such as inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis) or gallbladder problems. Seek urgent medical advice for severe, persistent abdominal pain, especially if it spreads to the back or occurs with vomiting.

The medicines also have important precautions and contraindications that should be considered before treatment. Your prescriber will review your medical history, existing health conditions and other medicines before deciding whether Saxenda or Wegovy is appropriate.

Wegovy side effects, like those of Saxenda, do not automatically mean treatment has to stop. A healthcare professional may adjust the dose, delay escalation or consider a different medication depending on the circumstances.

Who is each treatment for?

   

Saxenda and Wegovy are both effective medications for weight management in adults with obesity or adults who are overweight and have a weight-related health condition.

Your healthcare professional may consider your BMI, body fat, health conditions, previous weight loss treatments, current medications and response to lifestyle changes before recommending a treatment.

Who might prefer Saxenda?

Saxenda may be suitable for someone who is clinically appropriate for liraglutide and is comfortable with a daily injection.

The daily schedule may suit someone who prefers a consistent routine. Saxenda also reaches its maximum maintenance dose more quickly than Wegovy.

However, the frequency of administration means Saxenda requires more injections over the course of treatment. This may be less convenient for someone who prefers a weekly medication. Saxenda may also be less effective than Wegovy for weight loss [1,3].

Who might prefer Wegovy?

Wegovy may suit someone who is clinically appropriate for semaglutide and prefers a weekly injection rather than a daily injection. The weekly injection schedule with Wegovy can make it easier to incorporate treatment into some people's routines. Wegovy has also produced greater average weight loss than liraglutide in a direct clinical trial [3].

However, the standard Wegovy dose takes approximately 16 weeks to reach. This means the initial period of treatment involves several lower doses before reaching the maximum maintenance dose.

For easier administration, Wegovy offers a daily pill. This may be more appropriate for someone who prefers to take a tablet every day instead of using injections to deliver doses. Whether Wegovy or Mounjaro is the better fit comes down to more than dosing convenience, as Mounjaro acts on two gut hormone receptors while Wegovy acts on one.

As with Saxenda, Wegovy works best when combined with dietary and lifestyle changes rather than relied on as an isolated intervention.

Can you move from Saxenda to Wegovy?

It is possible to switch from Saxenda to Wegovy, but the change should be planned with a healthcare professional.

The medicines contain different active ingredients and have different dose-escalation schedules. Your prescriber may consider the Saxenda dose you were taking, how long you used it, how well you tolerated it and your weight compared to when you started the treatment.

Before switching, your healthcare provider may also review your diet, physical activity, treatment adherence and any health conditions that could affect weight management.

How much do Saxenda and Wegovy cost in the UK?

The cost of Saxenda and Wegovy depends on whether treatment is provided through the NHS or privately, the dose required, the pharmacy or weight loss service and current availability.

The monthly cost of Wegovy and Saxenda depends on the providers supplying the medications. For example, in some UK private clinics, Saxenda may be cheaper than Wegovy, while in others the prices may be comparable. For example, the cost to buy Wegovy online is around £96 compared to around £66 for Saxenda.

When comparing costs, consider more than the price of one pen. Saxenda is injected daily, whereas Wegovy is administered weekly, so the number of doses in each pack and the maintenance dose should be considered.

Are they available on the NHS?

Both medicines have NICE recommendations for specific groups of people using medicines for weight management.

Availability and access can vary between NHS areas. A GP or healthcare provider can explain whether you meet the local criteria and whether you can be referred to an appropriate weight loss service.

Frequently asked questions about Saxenda vs Wegovy

Can you take Saxenda and Wegovy together?

No, Saxenda and Wegovy should not be taken together.

Saxenda contains liraglutide and Wegovy contains semaglutide. Both medicines work the same way by acting on the GLP-1 receptor, so combining them could increase the risk of side effects without providing an established treatment benefit. If you are switching between Saxenda and Wegovy, your healthcare professional can tell you when to stop one medicine and when to start the other as they should not be taken on the same day.

Can Wegovy still help me lose weight if Saxenda did not?

Yes, it may help. If you do not lose weight with Saxenda, it does not automatically mean that Wegovy will be ineffective. The medicines contain different active ingredients, and the STEP 8 randomised trial found greater average weight loss with semaglutide 2.4 mg than with liraglutide 3.0 mg after 68 weeks [3].

However, individual responses vary and for best results, weight loss injections should be combined with an improved diet and lifestyle changes. 

Your healthcare provider may review your Saxenda dose, treatment duration, any allergic reactions, adherence, diet, activity levels and other health conditions before deciding whether Wegovy is appropriate.

Which is better, Ozempic or Wegovy?

Ozempic and Wegovy both contain semaglutide and can suppress appetite, but they are licensed for different purposes. The main difference between Wegovy and Ozempic is what each medicine is approved to treat, rather than how it works in the body.

Ozempic is licensed for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, while Wegovy is specifically licensed for weight management. They also have different dosing regimens and product information.

Which is cheaper, Saxenda or Wegovy?

There is no single answer because private prices vary between providers, doses and current availability. Wegovy is available at different strengths, and its private price generally increases with the dose. Saxenda is also priced differently depending on the number of pens supplied and the provider. The cost per pack does not necessarily reflect the cost of treatment because Saxenda is injected daily while Wegovy is injected weekly.

Your healthcare professional can assess your health conditions, current medicines, previous weight loss treatments and treatment goals before recommending an appropriate option.

Can you buy Saxenda or Wegovy without a prescription?

No. Saxenda and Wegovy are prescription-only medications in the UK.

They should only be supplied following an appropriate medical assessment. A legitimate pharmacy or weight loss service should check your health, BMI, medical history and other medications before supplying treatment.