Key takeaways:
Saxenda and Victoza are both injectable medications that contain liraglutide. They have the same active ingredient, but they’re approved for different uses.
Saxenda is FDA approved for chronic weight management in people ages 12 and older. Victoza is approved to treat Type 2 diabetes in people ages 10 and older. It can also help lower the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events in adults with diabetes and heart disease.
Saxenda and Victoza are both injected once a day. You’ll start with a low dose that’s slowly increased over time. The target Saxenda dose is 3 mg once daily, while the maximum Victoza dosage is 1.8 mg once daily.
When it was first approved in 2010, liraglutide became the first once-daily glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonist in the U.S. Fast forward to today, and it’s sold as two different brand-name medications: Saxenda and Victoza. But what’s the difference between them?
To start, Saxenda and Victoza are approved for different uses. They also have their own specific dosage recommendations and come in different injection pens. And your insurance plan may cover them differently, too. We cover five key differences between Saxenda and Victoza below.
1. Saxenda and Victoza are approved for different uses
As mentioned above, Saxenda and Victoza contain the same active ingredient: liraglutide. But they're approved for different uses.
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The FDA approved Victoza first, coming to market in January 2010 for Type 2 diabetes. Later on, it was approved to lower the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). MACE includes heart attack, stroke, and cardiovascular-related death.
Due to liraglutide’s effect on body weight, the FDA approved Saxenda — a higher-dose version of Victoza — for chronic weight management in 2014.
Good to know: People taking Victoza for Type 2 diabetes may lose weight as a side effect. Because of this, it’s sometimes prescribed off-label for this purpose. But it doesn’t come in the same doses as Saxenda.
2. Different people are eligible for Saxenda and Victoza
Eligibility for Saxenda and Victoza is also different. While both medications can be used in adults, Victoza is approved for children as young as 10 years old. There are also body mass index (BMI) criteria to qualify for Saxenda. This is not the case for Victoza.
Saxenda is approved for chronic weight management in adults and adolescents ages 12 and older meeting the following criteria:
Adults: Initial BMI of at least 30, or a BMI of at least 27 with one or more weight-related health condition (e.g., high cholesterol, high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes)
Adolescents: Weight more than 60 kg (132 lbs) and have a BMI matching 30 for adults
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Most people aged 10 years and older may take Victoza for Type 2 diabetes. But it’s only approved to lower the risk of MACE in adults with diabetes and heart disease.
Keep in mind: Some people shouldn’t take medications like Saxenda and Victoza. For example, if you have a personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer or multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2, you may not be eligible for either medication.
3. Saxenda and Victoza have different dosages
Saxenda and Victoza come in several different doses. The lower three doses (0.6 mg, 1.2 mg, and 1.8 mg) are the same. But Saxenda also comes in a few higher doses (2.4 mg and 3 mg). Specific dosage recommendations also differ.
If you’re prescribed Saxenda, you’ll start off with a lower dose — 0.6 mg injected under the skin daily for one week. Over the next few weeks, you’ll slowly raise your dose up to 3 mg once daily. The recommended dosage is typically the same for children and adults.
For Victoza, you’ll also start off at 0.6 mg injected under the skin daily. After 1 week, your healthcare provider will raise your dose to 1.2 mg once daily. This step is optional for children, depending on their response to the starting dose. If you need more help lowering your blood glucose (sugar), your dose may be increased to 1.8 mg once daily (maximum dose for adults and children).
Will Saxenda and Victoza start working right away?
You probably won’t see immediate effects from either Saxenda or Victoza. That’s because the 0.6 mg starting dose is primarily meant to get your body used to the medication to lessen side effects. Generally speaking, it may take some time to reach a target dose that’s more effective.
For Type 2 diabetes, you’ll typically start to see improvements in blood glucose levels within the first 2 weeks of starting Victoza. This is typically after you’ve been taking the 1.2 mg dose for at least 1 week. Your dosage may be increased based on your blood glucose levels.
For weight loss, you may start to see results within the first 2 weeks of starting Saxenda. If you haven’t lost at least 4% of your starting body weight after 16 weeks, your healthcare provider may evaluate whether you should continue or stop Saxenda.
Keep in mind: Both Saxenda and Victoza are intended to be taken long term. They’ll also work best when paired with a well-balanced diet and regular exercise.
4. Saxenda and Victoza injection pens look different
Saxenda and Victoza are both available in pre-filled pens. But, the pens are a little different. For example, the Victoza dose button extends as you dial up your dose. The Saxenda pen does not. They’re also different colors. This is good to keep in mind in case your healthcare provider has you switch products due to availability or other reasons.
Saxenda and Victoza pens contain 18 mg of liraglutide in 3 mL of liquid. Each pen contains multiple doses, and you’ll need to select your dose each time you inject. The dose options are slightly different between pens.
Saxenda dose options | Victoza dose options |
|---|---|
• 0.6 mg • 1.2 mg • 1.8 mg • 2.4 mg • 3 mg | • 0.6 mg • 1.2 mg • 1.8 mg |
Before using either pen, you’ll need to attach a new needle each time. Store the pens in the refrigerator until you’re ready to use them. After the first use, you can store your pen at room temperature for up to 30 days.
5. Insurance coverage may be different for Saxenda and Victoza
Even though Saxenda and Victoza are FDA-approved medications, that doesn’t mean they’re guaranteed to be covered by your insurance. And while Victoza may be covered for Type 2 diabetes, coverage for weight-loss medications like Saxenda varies among health insurance plans.
Whether Saxenda and Victoza are covered by your insurance will depend on your plan’s formulary (a list of covered medications). Make sure to check with your insurance plan for coverage information and how much you’ll pay out of pocket.
Can you switch from Victoza to Saxenda (and vice versa)?
Since Saxenda and Victoza are approved for different uses, they aren’t technically interchangeable. And Victoza injection pens don’t have the 2.4 mg or 3 mg dose options like Saxenda, either.
But there may be certain situations where your healthcare provider switches you from one to the other, including when drug shortages happen. This may depend on your dosage and availability of other options. Follow up with your provider for more information.
The bottom line
Saxenda and Victoza contain the same active ingredient: liraglutide. They both come in pre-filled pens that are injected under the skin once a day. However, they’re FDA approved for different uses.
Saxenda is approved for chronic weight management in certain people ages 12 and older. Victoza is approved for Type 2 diabetes in people ages 10 and older. It can also lower the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in adults with diabetes and heart disease.
Your dosage will be different depending on which medication you’re prescribed. Saxenda and Victoza aren’t technically interchangeable, but your healthcare provider may decide to switch you from one to the other. They can help you understand if Saxenda or Victoza is a good option for you.
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References
American Thyroid Association. (n.d.). Cancer of the thyroid.
Bode, B. (2011). Liraglutide: A review of the first once-daily GLP-1 receptor agonist. American Journal of Managed Care.
Jackson, S. H., et al. (2010). Liraglutide (victoza). Pharmacy and Therapeutics.
National Organization for Rare Disorders. (2023). Multiple endocrine neoplasia Type 2.
Novo Nordisk. (2023). Saxenda - liraglutide injection [package insert].
Novo Nordisk. (2023). Victoza - liraglutide injection [medication guide].
Novo Nordisk. (2023). Victoza - liraglutide injection [package insert].
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2021). FDA approves weight management drug for patients aged 12 and older.
