Saxenda vs Ozempic: what are the differences?

In this article, we take 2 well-known weight loss injections Saxenda and Ozempic and give you a simple breakdown for you to explore the differences between them.

What’s the difference between Saxenda and Ozempic?

Both Saxenda and Ozempic work by mimicking the GLP-1 hormone. So, what does the GLP-1 hormone do?

When we eat, our stomach releases a hormone called GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1), which helps us manage our appetite and blood sugar levels.

Saxenda and other weight loss injections like Mounjaro and Wegovy fall under the category of GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1s or GLP-1 RAs), which boost the effects of the hormone GLP-1.

GLP-1 agonists help increase the amount of insulin released from the pancreas to lower blood sugar levels. They also slow down the emptying of food from the stomach (gastric emptying) and reduce appetite, which supports weight loss.

Saxenda: an overview

Saxenda was the first weight loss injection approved for weight loss in the UK.

Saxenda is no longer available in the UK for weight loss, it has been replaced by more effective weight loss injections Wegovy and Mounjaro.

When it was available, Saxenda contained the active ingredient liraglutide, a GLP-1 inhibitor injected into the fatty layer of the skin once a day. Liraglutide worked by reducing appetite and making you feel fuller for longer. This is also how Wegovy works and part of how Mounjaro works.

To be eligible for GLP-1 treatment, you will need to meet specific criteria:

GLP-1 agonists can only be prescribed to people who have a body mass index (BMI) over 30 or over 27 in patients with weight-related conditions like high blood pressure (hypertension), pre-diabetes, type 2 diabetes or high cholesterol.

Ozempic: an overview

Anyone who knows about weight loss injections will be familiar with the name Ozempic, especially with its huge celebrity following.

If you have been looking to buy Ozempic in the UK but have only found lots of blog articles (like this one). There’s a very simple reason for this - Ozempic is not available in the UK for weight loss. Ozempic is actually a medicine for Diabetes.

The equivalent medicine for supporting weight loss is called Wegovy, which contains the same medicine as Ozempic.

Ozempic contains the active ingredient semaglutide, a GLP-1 agonist which is injected once a week into the fatty layer of the skin to help aid insulin production in diabetic patients. 

Ozempic is the brand name for the active ingredient semaglutide, the same active ingredient as the weight loss version of Ozempic called Wegovy. Even though these medicines contain the same active ingredient, they have different licencing:

• Ozempic - only available for the management of adults with type 2 diabetes to control blood sugar levels.
• Wegovy - only available as a weight loss and weight management treatment for overweight and obese adults.

Wegovy injections are widely available to buy online for weight management. To be eligible for Wegovy injections for weight loss you will need to meet specific criteria:

• These pens can be used by adults aged 18-74 if their starting BMI (body mass index) is over 30. Those who have weight-related health conditions such as diabetes could qualify if their starting BMI is over 27.

How do Saxenda and Ozempic work?

How does Ozempic work?

Ozempic is a weekly injection used by people with type 2 diabetes to regulate blood glucose levels and HbA1c (another type of sugar measurement).

It boosts incretin levels, which helps the pancreas produce insulin. Insulin is the hormone that reduces the amount of sugar in the blood after a meal.

Ozempic's impact on weight

Individuals with type 2 diabetes who use Ozempic may experience weight loss, partly attributable to its effects on:

• Reducing appetite, leading to reduced food intake.
• Slowing the digestive process and prolonging the feeling of fullness.

You cannot get Ozempic for weight loss or chronic weight management in the UK. The equivalent product with the same ingredient, semaglutide, is called Wegovy.

Wegovy should be used alongside a reduced-calorie diet and recommended 150 minutes of exercise per week for the best weight loss results.

How does Saxenda work?

Saxenda, when it was available, contained the active ingredient liraglutide which targets a natural reaction the body to support weight reduction.

The body naturally generates a hunger-regulating hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) after eating. This hormone tells the brain when you are full.

Saxenda’s liraglutide is like an artificial version of this GLP-1 hormone, so someone using Saxenda will feel a stronger sense of fullness after only eating a small amount. This results in smaller portions, reduced calorie intake and weight loss.

Liraglutide and the newer GLP-1 medicines Wegovy and Mounjaro should be used alongside a reduced-calorie diet and 150 minutes of exercise per week for the best weight loss results.

Do you lose more weight on Saxenda vs Ozempic?

With Saxenda, when it was available, you could have expected to lose between 5% and 10% of your starting body weight, whereas you could experience a weight loss of up to 15% with Wegovy, the weight loss version of Ozempic.

Which is better for weight loss, Saxenda or Ozempic?

In the table below, we list the different weight loss injections and how much weight you could expect to lose on them:

How long does it take for Saxenda and Ozempic to work?

Wegovy, the weight loss version of Ozempic, and Saxenda work similarly and almost immediately from the first injection. 

Most people using Wegovy, the Ozempic alternative UK, lose 5% of their starting body weight within the first 12 weeks of treatment.

Saxenda is no longer available in the UK.

Side effects of Saxenda and Ozempic

It is not unusual to experience side effects when you start a new medicine, although the number and severity of these effects differ from person to person. There is also a chance you may not experience any at all.

Saxenda and Wegovy, the weight loss version of Ozempic, have similar possible side effects. The most common include:

• Nausea 
• Diarrhoea
• Sickness
• Constipation

These are often manageable and usually go away as your body gets used to the medicine.

These side effects are also more common as you increase your dose of the medicine. 

There are things you can do to minimise these effects. For more information, see our article on Nausea with Saxena.

Other possible Saxenda side effects include:

• Reaction at the injection site
• Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
• Headache
• Upset stomach (dyspepsia)
• Fatigue
• Dizziness
• Stomach discomfort
• Alteration in blood enzyme (lipase) levels
• Fever
• Gastroenteritis

Other possible Wegovy, the weight loss version of Ozempic, side effects include:

Common side effects  

• Stomach (abdomen) pain  
• Headache
• Tiredness (fatigue)
• Upset stomach
• Dizziness
• Feeling bloated
• Belching
• Gas
• Stomach flu
• Heartburn
• Less than 5% hair loss after you stop using the medication
• Abdominal pain
• Fatigue

Ozempic may cause serious side effects, including:

• Inflammation of your pancreas (pancreatitis)
• Gallbladder problems
• Increased risk of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) in patients with type 2 diabetes, especially those who also take medicines for type 2 diabetes such as sulfonylureas or insulin
• Kidney problems (kidney failure) 
• Serious allergic reactions
• Change in vision in patients with type 2 diabetes
• Increased heart rate
• Depression or thoughts of suicide
• Possible thyroid tumours, including cancer

Which is better for weight loss, Saxenda v Ozempic? 

You cannot use Ozempic for weight loss in the UK. Instead, we offer Wegovy, the weight loss version of Ozempic.

According to one study, patients experienced substantially more weight loss using Wegovy (semaglutide) compared with Saxenda (liraglutide).

Cost considerations

You may want to consider the different weight loss treatments and their prices so you can make the best financial decision for you.

One pen of Wegovy or Mounajro will last for 4 weeks (1 month) of treatment.

Key takeaways

Saxenda was effective for weight loss, although it is no longer available in the UK.

Wegovy is the licenced alternative for Ozempic and is available to order through Oxford Online Pharmacy using our online doctor service. 

You can expect to get similar side effects with any of the weight loss injections. However, these will differ from person to person.

There are many weight loss treatments available online, and it is important to do your research to find the most suitable treatment for your own weight loss journey. For more information, see our weight loss injection comparison article.

Sources:

Diabetes.org, Ozempic and weight loss facts behind headlines

Saxenda.com, How it works

EMC, Saxenda PIL

EMC, Wegovy PIL

Oxford Online Pharmacy, Weight loss

Wegovy.com, Side effects