Have you decided to eliminate excess weight forever and use a modern, effective drug?
Then you may face the question of what to choose: Ozempic or Saxenda.
If Saxenda is compared to Ozempic, then it turns out that these two medicines are similar in many ways. However, there are also differences.
Similarities:
- Both drugs are intended for injection.
- These are pre-filled syringe pens.
- Taking both drugs should be combined with a balanced diet and exercise.
- Both drugs are available on prescription.
- Both drugs do not have inexpensive generics.
Differences:
- One of the main differences between Saxenda and Ozempic is that you must inject Saxenda daily and Ozempic only once a week. This is due to the fact that Ozempic has a longer action compared to Saxenda.
- Dosage. The maximum single injection of Saxenda is 3 mg. Ozempic versus Saxenda uses a dose of 0.25 mg to 1 mg to monitor blood glucose levels. (However, higher dosages can also cope with obesity and reduce weight).
Semaglutide vs Saxenda
| Semaglutide | Saxenda | |
Active substance | semaglutide | liraglutide |
Run-out period | 168 hours | 13 hours |
| Administration | Once every 7 days | Daily |
Both liraglutide and semaglutide act as a natural hormone called glucagon-like peptide (GLP-1).
GLP-1:
- stimulates the thyroid gland to produce insulin;
- reduces liver glucagon secretion;
- reduces appetite;
- slows down food in the intestine.
Is Ozempic the same as Saxenda?
By actionOzempic (semaglutide) and Saxenda (liraglutide) are very similar.
However, there are also differences.
Saxenda is a daily injection. Ozempic – weekly.
Ozempic interacts with 245 other drugs and Saxenda with 250. These lists are different, as is the nature of the interactions.
According to The London Obesity Clinic, semaglutide is more effective in improving blood glucose control and weight loss than liraglutide. However, at the same time, it has more side effects.
Therefore, you should consult a doctor when choosing a drug for obesity or weight loss. Only he can consider all the factors and prescribe the remedy that will help you.
What is the difference between Ozempic and Saxenda?
The differences between Ozempic and Saxenda are:
- the frequency of administration (daily for Saxend and once a week for Ozempic);
- the regimen;
- the frequency of various side effects (Ozempic higher, according to research);
- the effectiveness of the drugs by the individual characteristics of the human body (which is more effective on average/ in general?);
- the price (below there is more information about the costs).
Ozempic vs Saxenda for weight loss
Specific studies of weight loss injection Ozempic vs Saxenda have not yet been conducted.
However, to answer the question is Ozempic or Saxenda better for weight loss, there is a study on the effectiveness of semaglutide compared to liraglutide in the fight against excess weight (more on this later).
Novo Nordisk produces semaglutide under two trademarks: Ozempic and Wegovy. The difference between them is more for marketing than for doctors or patients.
In a recently completed 68-week randomized clinical trial, physicians compared the effectiveness of Wegovy and Saxenda for weight loss.
They examined more than 300 adults.
The statistics of the study indicate that people who took Wegovy lost significantly more weight than those who took Saxenda. In the Wegovy group, the weight loss was approximately 16%; in the Saxenda group, about 6%.
Earlier, an even more extensive study of Wegovy with the participation of almost 2,000 people showed approximately the same result – the average weight loss was about 15%. In a Saxenda study, which covered more than 3,700 people, the participants’ weight loss, on average, did not exceed 8%.
Which is better for weight loss, Saxenda or Ozempic
The question interests many people is whether Ozempic is better than Saxenda. Therefore, not only doctors conduct clinical trials. Other forms of studying this topic are also used.
According to a survey on What is better, Saxenda or Ozempic on a popular medical resource Drugs.com, the average rating was 5.9 out of 10 for Ozempic. Of the 629 ratings, 44% of the portal’s readers reported a positive effect, and 35% – a negative one. The rating was higher for Saxenda: 7.5 out of 10. Of the 1,346 reviewers, 67% reported a positive effect, and only 15% reported a negative one.
Ozempic vs Saxenda side effects
The common main side effects for Ozempic and Saxenda include:
- nausea and vomiting;
- diarrhea or constipation;
- stomach pain.
The list of additional dangers when taking Ozempic also includes:
- suicidal mood;
- thyroid cancer;
- negative phenomena from the gastrointestinal tract;
- hypoglycemia;
- pancreatitis;
- retinopathy.
Who can have these effects?
- Patients with previous suicide attempts.
- People with medullary thyroid carcinoma or with type 2 multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome.
- People with chronic renal failure.
- Those who administered it simultaneously with insulin.
- People with a history of diabetic retinopathy.
For Saxenda, the possible additional dangers are as follows:
- pancreatitis;
- thyroid cancer;
- depression;
- renal dysfunction;
- cardiovascular diseases.
Who can have these effects?
- People with medullary thyroid carcinoma or with type 2 multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome.
- People with active suicidal thoughts or suicidal attempts in the anamnesis.
- People with chronic renal failure.
- People with a history of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases.
Ozempic vs Saxenda cost Australia
Let us compare Ozempic vs Saxenda cost.
In Australia, Ozempic costs one pen-injector 0.5 mg – USD $ 490.00; 1 mg – USD $ 580.00.
In Australia, Saxenda costs one pen – USD $ 200.00, and a set of 5 injectors – USD $ 850.00.
It turns out that Ozempic vs Saxenda cost more. However, consumers should consider any particular case separately. First, from the point of view of the effect.
Can you take Ozempic and Saxenda together?
No, you cannot! Administering Ozempic and Saxenda together is not possible. This is because they have approximately the same effect. As a result, the risk of serious side effects increases many times.
Switching from Ozempic to Saxenda
Ozempic and Saxenda are similar drugs in their effect.
However, switching from Ozempic to Saxenda is not possible.
Each of these drugs has its own cycle:
- the beginning (the body’s habituation to this particular medication);
- basic treatment (regular effect);
- completion of the course.
Therefore, switching from Saxenda to Ozempic will lead to a violation of the cycle and the need to start treatment “from scratch.
Conclusion
Ozempic and Saxenda are two effective modern medicines that help people get rid of excess weight.
Their release form (injection pens) and effect are similar. However, these medicines have different active substances.
Their concomitant use is impossible, as is replacing one drug with another during treatment.
Statistics show that a person loses more weight with Ozempic than with Saxenda. However, the first drug has stronger side effects than the second one.
Consult your doctor on which of these drugs to choose, taking into account your individual characteristics!
