Saxenda vs. Ozempic: What’s the Difference?

Key Points

• Saxenda is a weight loss medication and Ozempic is a type 2 diabetes medication.
• Both Saxenda and Ozempic are in the same drug class of GLP-1s.
• Research suggests Ozempic may be better for both blood sugar and weight control.

Have you heard of Saxenda® or Ozempic®?

If you've looked into weight loss medication or GLP-1s, chances are you've heard of one or both.

Saxenda is FDA-approved for chronic weight management, while Ozempic is prescribed for the treatment of type 2 diabetes in adults.

So how are the drugs different? And which might be the right one for you?

Let's break down Saxenda vs. Ozempic.

How does Saxenda work?

Saxenda is a weight loss medication produced by Novo Nordisk. Its active ingredient is liraglutide, a GLP-1 that mimics hormones that influence appetite.

Liraglutide also manages blood sugar levels.

Both Saxenda and Ozempic work by augmenting a hormone that controls blood sugar and appetite. This hormone, a GLP-1 receptor agonist, helps with weight loss by slowing the rate at which food moves through the digestive system and sending signals of fullness to the brain.

As a result, you feel fuller faster and eat fewer calories, leading to potentially significant weight loss.

Saxenda is a daily injection designed for long-term weight loss. It has shown promising results, with participants in one clinical trial losing about 7.8 kg (17.2 lbs) after 56 weeks.

Saxenda's starting dose is .6 mg daily for one week and increases by .6 mg each week until the maximum dose of 3 mg is reached. This typically occurs after five weeks.

How does Ozempic work?

Ozempic is a type 2 diabetes medication also manufactured by Novo Nordisk. Its active ingredient is semaglutide, which is also a GLP-1 receptor agonist.

Ozempic is also approved for chronic kidney disease to reduce the risk of kidney disease worsening, kidney failure (end-stage kidney disease), and death due to cardiovascular disease

Ozempic works in a similar way as Saxenda, slowing gastric emptying and controlling blood sugar levels.

Ozempic is a once-weekly injection of semaglutide. It starts at a .5 mg dose and slowly increases every four weeks. The maximum dose is 2 mg, but many stay on a lower dose.

Your Ozempic dose is determined by your doctor based on your blood sugar levels and weight loss, if relevant.

Ozempic is not approved as a weight loss medication but it may help you lose some weight and lower your body mass index.

How does Ozempic compare to Saxenda for blood sugar control?

While liraglutide and semaglutide are in the same drug classes, they have some key differences.

Saxenda is approved as a weight loss drug, whereas Ozempic is approved as a type 2 diabetes medication to lower blood sugar levels.

As such, Ozempic is the ideal medication to improve blood sugar control. It is not a weight loss treatment (though it has been shown to help people lose weight).

One meta-analysis exploring results from different clinical trials in a systematic review compared liraglutide (Saxenda's main ingredient) and semaglutide (Ozempic's main ingredient) and found semaglutide to be significantly superior for improved A1C levels and blood sugar control.

Another study comparing 1.2 mg liraglutide and 1 mg semaglutide also found semaglutide to be superior in lowering blood sugar. Something to note, however, is that both of these medications have higher maximum doses than what was tested, so more research is needed.

Are Saxenda and Ozempic weight loss medications?

Only Saxenda is FDA-approved as a weight loss medication. Ozempic is a diabetes medication, but it may help with weight loss.

In clinical trials run by Novo Nordisk, 85% of people taking Saxenda lost some weight. 60% of participants lost 5% of their body weight or more, an average of 12 pounds.

Another small clinical trial directly compared liraglutide (Saxenda's active ingredient) and semaglutide (Ozempic's active ingredient). After 68 weeks, the mean baseline change in body weight was -15.8% with semaglutide vs –6.4% with liraglutide.

The study concluded that participants have "significantly greater odds of achieving 10% or more, 15% or more, and 20% or more weight loss" with semaglutide rather than liraglutide.

Wegovy is a weight loss medication produced by Novo Nordisk that uses the same active ingredient as Ozempic, semaglutide. However, the medications are not interchangeable. 

If you are explicitly interested in weight loss, ask your doctor about Wegovy or another weight loss drug.

How do you take Saxenda vs. Ozempic?

Ozempic is injected once a week, whereas Saxenda is injected daily.

The maximum dose of Saxenda is 3 mg of liraglutide daily, while Ozempic's maximum dose is 2 mg of semaglutide weekly.

Both Saxenda and Ozempic are administered via subcutaneous (under the skin) injection in the arm, thigh, or stomach.

Both Ozempic and Saxenda come in pre-dosed self-administered injection pens. How many pens you use per month depends on your dose and treatment plan.

What are the side effects of Saxenda and Ozempic?

Both Saxenda and Ozempic have side effects and could lead to adverse reactions, including allergic reactions.

The most common side effects of Saxenda and Ozempic are:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Stomach pain
• Diarrhea
• Constipation

Most patients' symptoms improve as their bodies adjust to the medication. You may experience more adverse reactions as you administer higher doses of the drug. If you have any concerns about side effects, seek immediate medical care.

It can help to eat low-fat, bland foods like bread or rice as your body adjusts. Liquids and walks in fresh air can also help.

Both Saxenda and Ozempic come with a boxed warning about possible thyroid tumors or thyroid cancer and warn against taking either of the two drugs if you have a personal or family history of MTC or MEN 2.

Reach your weight loss goals with a dietitian

Whether you're taking Saxenda vs. Ozempic, a registered dietitian is one of the best nutrition professionals to help you reach your body weight and/or blood sugar goals.

A qualified dietitian is well-versed in weight loss medications and diabetes drugs and can support you as you begin taking medication, adjust to your dosing schedule, and find a groove with your overall blood sugar and weight management.

Whether you have big weight loss goals and want to lower your high blood pressure, or if you've been battling diabetes for a while and want to get your blood sugar under control, a dietitian can help.

Your dietitian can create a custom meal plan tailored to your goals that works with your medication, not against it.

They can help you find meal ideas that fit with your weight loss journey and changing appetite. They can also help you understand how your diet influences your blood sugar and how food can improve your diabetes markers.

Finding a qualified weight loss or diabetes dietitian is easy with Fay. Check out our database of GLP-1 dietitians and find someone who accepts your insurance.

With Fay, you get top-quality nutrition services covered by health insurance. It's a win-win.

Start your weight loss journey or diabetes treatment plan now with Fay.

FAQ

Does it matter if I take Saxenda or Ozempic?

You can only take whatever medication your doctor prescribes. For weight loss, you may be prescribed Saxenda, For diabetes control, you may be prescribed Ozempic.

What is a GLP-1 receptor agonist?

GLP-1s mimic a hormone in the body that influences appetite. GLP-1 receptor agonist medications delay gastric emptying and send signals to your brain about appetite and fullness, typically leading to stabilized blood sugar levels and reduced food intake.

Which is better, Saxenda vs. Ozempic?

Saxenda and Ozempic are specifically approved for different purposes, although they are in the same class of drugs. However, studies and clinical trials suggest that Ozempic's active ingredient semaglutide is superior for both blood glucose levels and weight loss than liraglutide (Saxenda).

How much do Saxenda and Ozempic cost?

The cost of medication ultimately depends on your insurance coverage, but each medication is approximately $1,000 per month. There are some financing options available. Talk to your healthcare professional about your options

The views expressed by authors and contributors of such content are not endorsed or approved by Fay and are intended for informational purposes only. The content is reviewed by Fay only to confirm educational value and audience interest. You are encouraged to discuss any questions that you may have about your health with a healthcare provider.