Wegovy vs Saxenda

The past few years shifted to anti-obesity drugs such as Saxenda and Wegovy. As a weight loss drug, Saxenda (liraglutide) received formal endorsement in 2014, and teenagers with obesity could take it legally since 2020. 

Semaglutide (Wegovy) was launched in the following year, 2021 and has been directed similarly for the same previous reasons in a short span. 

Today science has progressed a lot in the field of weight loss and that is why selecting the proper therapy means such parameters as efficiency, usage, and possible consequences.

Many differences between the two drugs might affect your decision even if both are effective for weight loss. Now let’s consider major distinctions between Wegovy and Saxenda more in detail.

Wegovy Requires Fewer Injections Compared to Saxenda

The first thing that you will observe when comparing Wegovy and Saxenda is how often they need to be administered. Therefore, Wegovy offers a weekly injection and would suit those who are not fond of many treatments. Saxenda on the other hand is taken in a daily injection format which is a bit more cumbersome.

Wegovy allows you to choose the day of the week for the injection, which means it is convenient to do. Saxenda can be taken at any time of the day on each day of the week but it is advised for one to take it at the same time each day since it is a once daily injection. This consistency also helps you form a routine when it comes to your doses hence you will easily be reminded of each dose. Both Wegovy and Saxenda don’t need to be timed around meals, giving you freedom on when you choose to take them.

About the place of injection, there are no differences in the strictness of the choice of these two medications. It can be given by yourself and in the form of injections, it is administered under the skin at either the region of the abdomen or thigh, or upper arm. Since there are various complications associated with administering such as lumps formation under the skin, one should switch the injection site each time.

Wegovy May Lead to Greater Weight Loss Than Saxenda

Both Wegovy and Saxenda work in similar ways by helping manage appetite, but studies suggest that Wegovy leads to greater weight loss. Wegovy seems to be even more effective than Saxenda when taken with a lower calorie diet and exercise routines.

In a clinical trial over 68 weeks, 315 patients took part in the study, and those taking Wegovy shed 16% of the initial weight as compared to Saxenda consumers who shed roughly 6%. Similar findings have been observed in other trials, and Wegovy has therefore passed these tests. 

A trial of Wegovy involving nearly 2,000 people had an improvement in average weight loss to 15 percent, while the Saxenda study conducted with more than 3,700 individuals had only 8 percent improvement.

However, weight loss may be easier with Wegovy if you want to lose more weight in the process. Thus, outcomes can be different, and to provide maximal effectiveness, it is necessary to look at all the scenarios and the way you react to it and how your body easily tolerates it.

Wegovy Might Be Easier to Tolerate for Some People

Like all drugs, they both have side effects as described below. The side effects of both are mild and those affecting a greater number of people include gastrointestinal disturbances such as nausea, diarrhea, and general stomach discomforts. These side effects can be viewed at the initiation of treatment or when the dose is changed and in many cases, they level off.

Although Saxenda had numerically fewer incidences of gastrointestinal side effects than those reported in the Wegovy group, more patients discontinued Saxenda because of their side effects and they included a significant number of GI cases. Additionally, people taking Saxenda reported higher rates of gallstones and insomnia.

Notably, one receives a range of responses concerning the medication that they take in their lifetime. That is why one may prefer one medication to another, thus to find out better medication you have to talk to your doctor.

Differences in How Wegovy and Saxenda Injection Pens Function

Wegovy and Saxenda may sound similar, but they have distinct designs for how their injection pens work. Wegovy is supplied as single-dose prefilled pens in various strengths. They come with a ready to use needle and each Wegovy pen is set so you don’t have to put the needle on yourself. This means that once each pen is used, it is discarded since it is designed to be used only once as indicated.

Saxenda is in a multi-dose pen format where a pen has more than one dose of the medication. Before each injection, you will have to define your certain dose. This pen does not include needles thus, they have to be bought separately. It is recommended to place both drugs in the refrigerator to maintain their optimal efficacy.

These differences in pen design may affect your decision in some way. Some patients might prefer using Wegovy because its dosage comes in a prefilled, single-use pen, while Saxenda’s multi-dose pen allows the patient to use one pen for several doses but needs setup.

Wegovy Could Be More Suitable for Those with Heart Disease

Another inspiring component of Wegovy has some cardiovascular advantages for the supporters with coronary illness who are overweight or stout. Specifically, Wegovy has been shown to reduce the risks for MACE – major adverse cardiovascular outcomes including myocardial infarction, stroke, or cardiovascular death.

Drawn from five year clinical trial, it was established that Wegovy reduced MACE by 20 percent than placebo group. This makes it a great benefit for consumers that need help losing weight plus protection from further heart mishaps including heart diseases.

If you have heart problems or have ever had a stroke, your primary care physician would likely assume that Wegovy is less risky for you because of these other perks.

Switching Between Wegovy and Saxenda: Is It Possible?

Yes, there is the possibility of a patient moving from taking one medication to the other. Some individuals may prefer or respond better to Wegovy and, therefore, it may be desirable for the patients to switch from Saxenda to Wegovy. When starting on the medication, people who decide to switch brands may begin on the lower Wegovy dose in order to avoid the consequences of side effects.

On the other hand, since Wegovy has been in high demand, there has been at times a shortage of the product. If there is no access to Wegovy, then your prescriber may recommend Saxenda as an option for a potential weight control. Please remember that Saxenda and Wegovy dosages are not interchangeable, so your doctor will help you to understand how, when and at what dosage you should switch.

If you plan on making a switch, talk to your doctor who will suggest the best course of action depending on your condition and your reaction to the present treatment plan.

Bottom Line — Which Is Right for You?

Wegovy and Saxenda are two drugs for weight loss with necessary diet modification and exercising, but have differences.

Wegovy’s weekly dosing, greater average weight loss, and cardiovascular effects put it in a pole position, especially for those with heart issues. On the other hand, patients may prefer daily dosing or multi-dose pen more suitable for the daily routine, or Saxenda may be more compliant with the patient’s body.

Choosing between these medicines depends on your kind of lifestyle, the kind of health ambition you have plus the adverse effects of the drugs. 

If people have not been able to lose weight by using other obesity medications, talking about Wegovy or Saxenda with a physician should assist them in moving to the next level of their weight loss. 

They could possibly give you an idea about what might suit you best, according to your past medical record and your weight loss profile.