There are now many weight loss treatments available – but understanding how they’re different and which one is the right one for your specific needs can be confusing. You might have heard of medications Saxenda and Wegovy already. In this article we’ll explain what they do (and how they do it), to help you understand their similarities and differences.
Saxenda is a weight loss injection which uses liraglutide as its active ingredient. Liraglutide is also available under the brand name Victoza, as well as in compounded medications.
A glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist, liraglutide was developed originally to treat type 2 diabetes. Because of its clinically-proven weight loss effects, it is now also an approved medication for long-term weight management. It is taken using a self-administered daily injection.
When we eat, our bodies make a hormone called GLP-1. This hormone tells our brain and stomach that we are full, helps reduce hunger, and signals the body to release insulin to control blood sugar. GLP-1 medications, like Saxenda, mimic the GLP-1 hormone to help people feel full and eat less, which can help with weight loss. [1] In a significant clinical trial, participants lost an average of 8% of their body weight over 56 weeks alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity. [2]
While Saxenda uses liraglutide as its active ingredient, Wegovy uses semaglutide. This is the same ingredient used in weight loss injections like Ozempic as well as compounded semaglutide treatments. Wegovy also mimics the GLP-1 hormone, helping to regulate blood sugar levels, slow digestion so food stays in the stomach longer and signal the brain to reduce appetite. [3] While the way the medications work is the same, there are some key differences between Saxenda and Wegovy.
While most GLP-1 treatments are taken once a week, Saxenda must be injected every day. That’s because liraglutide (the medicine in Saxenda) doesn't last as long in the body as other GLP-1 medicines, like semaglutide, so it needs to be taken more often. [4] This might be a consideration for you if your healthcare provider gives you the option to choose between the two – particularly if you’re not comfortable handling or using the pre-filled injection pens. However, it's worth noting from our previous article here that liraglutide has a better-established safety profile and could cause fewer side effects.
The second main difference is their proven results. In clinical trials, participants using semaglutide (Wegovy) lost 15% of their body weight on average in just over a year, alongside a reduced calorie diet and increased physical activity. [5] For liraglutide (Saxenda), body weight reduction averaged at 8%. [2] Whatever your weight loss goals and preferences, your healthcare provider will recommend the right treatment to empower and sustain your weight loss, long term.
Mounjaro is another popular weight loss treatment.Its active ingredient, tirzepatide, works on two hormones: GLP-1 and GIP. Like GLP-1, it helps the body feel full and reduces hunger. By also mimicking a second hormone, GIP, it can help the body burn fat more efficiently, which can further support weight loss. In clinical trials, Mounjaro has been shown to help participants lose an average of 20.9% of their body weight over 72 weeks. [6] You can read more about the differences between Mounjaro and Saxenda here.
It’s also possible to get weight loss treatments as compounded medicines. Compounded weight loss injections use the exact same active ingredients as branded versions like Wegovy and Saxenda, but are prepared by a licensed pharmacist instead. This means they are usually significantly cheaper and more readily available. Here at Levity, our Compounded* Liraglutide with B12 costs up to 90% less than branded versions of the same active ingredient, and it's formulated with B12 to help minimize side effects. Compounded treatments are not FDA approved – this means you won’t be able to use your insurance to buy them and instead will need a private prescription. Even though the FDA approval process doesn't take place, our compounded medications are made by certified, accredited partner pharmacies and tested rigorously.
Start your free consultation today to discover what treatment is best for you.
*Compounded drugs are permitted to be prescribed under federal law but are not FDA-approved and do not undergo FDA review for safety, effectiveness, or quality.
1. HIGHLIGHTS OF PRESCRIBING INFORMATION These highlights do not include all the information needed to use SAXENDA® safely and effectively. See full prescribing information for SAXENDA. SAXENDA (liraglutide) injection, for subcutaneous use Initial U.S. Approval: 2010 ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••DOSAGE FORMS AND STRENGTHS•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• [Internet]. Available from: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2018/206321s007lbl.pdf
2. Pi-Sunyer X, Astrup A, Fujioka K, Greenway F, Halpern A, Krempf M, et al. A Randomized, Controlled Trial of 3.0 mg of Liraglutide in Weight Management. New England Journal of Medicine [Internet]. 2015 Jul 2;373(1):11–22. Available from: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1411892
3. Wegovy (semaglutide) Information for Patients [Internet]. Drugs.com. Available from: https://www.drugs.com/wegovy.html
4. Singh G, Krauthamer M, Bjalme-Evans M. Wegovy (semaglutide): a new weight loss drug for chronic weight management. Journal of Investigative Medicine [Internet]. 2023 May 25;70(1):jim-2021-001952. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8717485/
5. Wilding JPH, Batterham RL, Calanna S. Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight or Obesity. The New England Journal of Medicine [Internet]. 2021 Feb 10;384(11):989–1002. Available from: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2032183
6. Jastreboff AM, Aronne LJ, Ahmad NN, Wharton S, Connery L, Alves B, et al. Tirzepatide Once Weekly for the Treatment of Obesity. New England Journal of Medicine [Internet]. 2022 Jun 4;387(3). Available from: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2206038
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