Saxenda vs Ozempic: What’s the difference?

Saxenda and Ozempic are both GLP-1 receptor agonists. This means they act on the same receptor as the natural hormone glucagon-like peptide 1. Although they belong to the same family, both medications contain different active ingredients.

Saxenda contains liraglutide, and Ozempic contains semaglutide (the same ingredient found in the weight loss injection Wegovy). Both Saxenda and Ozempic are given as injections, but Saxenda is given daily, while Ozempic is given weekly. The 2 medications are also given at different dose strengths.

Saxenda and Ozempic are also licensed for different things – Saxenda is licensed for weight loss, while Ozempic is licensed to treat type 2 diabetes, although some doctors may prescribe it off-label for weight loss. You can also see more about their similarities and differences at a glance in this table:

Both medications work by mimicking the hormone GLP-1 and activating the GLP-1 receptor. This tricks the body into thinking GLP-1 levels are high, causing it to respond by:

• slowing down how quickly the stomach empties
• signalling to the brain that you are full
• increasing the release of insulin and insulin sensitivity

This helps to improve blood sugar control, which is useful for patients with type 2 diabetes. It also helps people to feel fuller, making it easier for them to eat less and lose weight.

Although Saxenda and Ozempic can lead to weight loss, only Saxenda is licensed for weight loss in the UK. However, Saxenda is currently out of stock, but generic liraglutide or Nevolat is available as an alternative.

Ozempic is licensed to treat type 2 diabetes, while the medication Wegovy is licensed to support weight loss. Both Wegovy and Ozempic contain the same active ingredient, semaglutide, but the doses are different.

Ozempic and Saxenda are both given as subcutaneous injections, which means they’re injected just under the skin into the fatty tissue rather than deeply into the muscle.

They can be injected into the:

• stomach areas (avoiding the belly button)
• upper leg or thigh
• back of the upper arm (you may need someone to help you)

You should change the location where you give the injection slightly each time to avoid scarring, irritation, or bruising.

Saxenda is given as a daily injection, with the first dose starting at 0.6mg and increasing every week until the maintenance dose is reached.

Here is the standard dosing regimen for generic liraglutide, formerly Saxenda. However, a healthcare provider may adjust this schedule depending on your response, including whether you get any side effects.

The active ingredients in both Saxenda (liraglutide) and Ozempic (semaglutide) are effective medications.

When taking Saxenda (liraglutide) for 56 weeks, 63.5% of people lost at least 5% of their starting body weight on the maximum 3mg maintenance dose. On average, participants taking liraglutide lost 8.4kg compared to just 2.8kg in the group who were taking a placebo (inactive drug) instead.

Semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy, is even more effective. After 68 weeks, 83.5% of patients taking Wegovy at the 2.4mg maintenance dose had lost at least 5% of their initial body weight. The Wegovy group lost an average 15.3kg compared to just 2.6kg in the group taking a placebo instead. Ozempic is made for type 2 diabetes, so the studies are instead targeted towards those with type 2 diabetes rather than solely for weight loss.

Although these results are impressive, it’s important to remember that everyone is different and results vary from person to person. To lose a significant amount of weight, you’ll also need to make changes to your diet and exercise alongside taking GLP-1 medication.

As with any medication, GLP-1 medications like Ozempic and Saxenda can cause side effects. Usually, side effects are mild and improve with time as your body gets used to the medication.

If your side effects do not improve or become unmanageable, you should speak to your doctor for advice.

Saxenda (liraglutide) side effects

Common and very common side effects include:

• decreased energy levels or weakness
• burping or farting
• bloating
• constipation or diarrhoea
• headaches
• insomnia (difficulty sleeping)
• dizziness
• feeling sick (nausea), or being sick (vomiting)
• dry mouth
• gallbladder disorders
• gastrointestinal discomfort or pain
• acid reflux
• injection site reactions
• rashes
• a change in your taste
• low blood sugar
• raised digestive enzyme levels on blood tests

Uncommon side effects include:

• dehydration
• feeling unwell without a specific symptom
• pancreatitis
• renal (kidney) impairment
• rapid heart rate
• inflamed gallbladder
• rashes
• slow stomach emptying

Very rare side effects include:

• allergic reaction (anaphylaxis)
• reduced kidney function or kidney failure

Ozempic (semaglutide) side effects

Very common side effects include:

• nausea
• diarrhoea

Common side effects include:

• decreased appetite
• burping or farting
• gallstones
• constipation
• bloating
• dizziness
• vomiting
• stomach pain or inflammation
• tiredness
• acid reflux
• low blood sugar, when combined with other diabetic medications
• complications of diabetic retinopathy
• raised digestive enzyme levels on blood tests

Uncommon side effects include:

• pancreatitis
• a change in your taste
• increased heart rate
• injection site reactions
• slow stomach emptying
• hypersensitivity

Rare side effects include:

• allergic reaction (anaphylaxis)

The price of Saxenda vs Ozempic varies depending on where you purchase your medication and the dose you take.

Saxenda is currently long-term out of stock. This means you will struggle to purchase Saxenda, but you are able to buy an alternative non-branded version of the medication that contains the same active ingredient, liraglutide.

Asda offers liraglutide injections at affordable prices through our online weight loss service. Unbranded Saxenda, sold under the brand name Nevolat, is available from £127.00 for a 3-week supply.

Ozempic is usually only available to purchase if you’re prescribed it to treat type 2 diabetes. Some providers will prescribe Ozempic off-label as a weight loss medication, which means using the medication for a purpose it’s not licensed to be used for.

We do not prescribe Ozempic for weight loss. Instead, we can prescribe Wegovy. Wegovy is licensed for weight loss, and the dosing schedule is designed to maximise how much weight you can lose in a safe, sustainable way. Prices start at £88.97 for a 1-month supply.

Although you may have heard about them, Saxenda and Ozempic may not be the best weight loss injections for you to start taking. We’ve highlighted some other weight loss injections that may be a better choice for you.

Nevolat

As Saxenda is long-term out of stock, we recommend trying the liraglutide-based alternative Nevolat. This works the same way to Saxenda, but it is a different brand name.

Wegovy

If you’ve heard about people losing weight with Ozempic and want to start it, it’s usually better to try Wegovy instead. Wegovy contains the same active ingredient as Ozempic (semaglutide), but it’s designed to be most effective for weight loss. Ozempic is licensed to be used for type 2 diabetes.

Mounjaro

Another popular weight loss injection is Mounjaro (active ingredient tirzepatide). This belongs to the same family as Saxenda and Ozempic, but it works by mimicking a second hormone called glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP).

Mounjaro is taken as a weekly injection with a different dosing schedule. It’s an effective weight loss medication, with 96.3% of users losing at least 5% of their starting body weight in 72 weeks at the 15mg maximum maintenance dose.

For more advice on which weight loss injection is right for you, speak to your GP or contact Asda’s team of online doctors.