{"id":626900,"date":"2024-02-19T14:45:43","date_gmt":"2024-02-19T19:45:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=626900"},"modified":"2024-11-12T14:17:17","modified_gmt":"2024-11-12T19:17:17","slug":"saxenda-vs-wegovy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/saxenda-vs-wegovy\/","title":{"rendered":"Saxenda vs. Wegovy for weight loss"},"content":{"rendered":"

Weight management has become increasingly important in health care today, with many people seeking treatments for obesity or weight-related health issues. Two prescription medications that have become popular potential options for controlling weight are <\/span>Saxenda<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>Wegovy<\/span><\/a>. These brand-name injectable drugs are part of a drug class called <\/span>glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists<\/span><\/a>. They mimic a natural hormone in the body that helps control hunger and how much you eat, which can help promote weight loss when combined with diet and exercise.<\/span><\/p>\n

Although both drugs are manufactured by Novo Nordisk and work in very similar ways, there are some differences to explore. For example, they differ in their active ingredients and dosages. In addition, insurance coverage for Saxenda and Wegovy can vary, with <\/span>out-of-pocket costs<\/span><\/a> being a potential concern for many. In any case, a healthcare provider can provide medical advice and guidance for the best treatment option.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Read on to learn more about the similarities and differences between Saxenda and Wegovy.<\/span><\/p>\n

Saxenda vs. Wegovy: Key differences<\/span><\/h2>\n

The main difference between Saxenda and Wegovy is they contain different active ingredients. Saxenda’s active ingredient is liraglutide, while Wegovy’s active ingredient is semaglutide. However, both active ingredients work as GLP-1 receptor agonists. Wegovy is a relatively newer drug that came onto the market in 2017, seven years after Saxenda’s <\/span>approval in 2010<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Another major difference is in their dosing schedules. Saxenda is administered as an injection once daily, whereas Wegovy is given as an injection once weekly. That\u2019s because Saxenda has a shorter half-life of 13 hours versus a half-life of <\/span>around one week<\/span><\/a> with Wegovy. In other words, Wegovy is cleared from the body more slowly than Saxenda.<\/span><\/p>\n

Saxenda can be used by children 12 and older who weigh more than 132 pounds and are considered obese based on adult body mass index (BMI) values. Wegovy, on the other hand, is approved for children in the same age group but is specifically for those who are in the top 5% for weight and height compared to other kids their age and sex, which means they may have more severe obesity<\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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Saxenda vs. Wegovy: Key differences<\/span><\/h3>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n

<\/td>\nSaxenda<\/b><\/td>\nWegovy<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Drug class<\/b><\/td>\nGLP-1 receptor agonist<\/span><\/td>\nGLP-1 receptor agonist<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Generic name<\/b><\/td>\nLiraglutide<\/span><\/td>\nSemaglutide<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
What form(s) does the drug come in?<\/b><\/td>\nSubcutaneous injection<\/span><\/td>\nSubcutaneous injection<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
What is the standard dosage?<\/b><\/td>\n0.6 mg injected under the skin once daily for 1 week. Then, the dosage is gradually increased in weekly intervals to a target dosage of 3 mg once daily.<\/span><\/td>\n0.25 mg injected under the skin once weekly for 4 weeks. Then, the dosage is gradually increased to 1.7 or 2.4 mg once weekly.\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
How long is the typical treatment?<\/b><\/td>\nLong-term<\/span><\/td>\nLong-term<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Who typically uses the medication?<\/b><\/td>\nAdults and children ages 12 and older<\/span><\/td>\nAdults and children ages 12 and older<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Saxenda vs. Wegovy: Conditions treated<\/span><\/h2>\n

Saxenda and Wegovy are both approved by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration for chronic weight management in adults with a BMI of 30 or greater (obese) or 27 or greater (overweight) with at least one weight-related condition, such as high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes, or high cholesterol. In addition, both medications are approved to treat obesity in certain children ages 12 and older.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Neither drug is a cure for obesity or weight-related health issues, but they may help support weight-loss treatment plans. Both drugs are meant to be used along with a <\/span>reduced-calorie diet<\/span><\/a> and regular physical activity.<\/span><\/p>\n

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