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Compare Saxenda vs. Ozempic

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, warnings, and more.

Key takeaways

Saxenda (liraglutide) and Ozempic (semaglutide) are both medications that belong to the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist class and are used to help manage weight and Type 2 diabetes, respectively. While Saxenda is FDA-approved for weight management in adults and children with a high body mass index (BMI), Ozempic is approved for treating Type 2 diabetes and reducing the risk of heart problems in adults with diabetes and heart disease. Saxenda is injected daily, while Ozempic is injected once a week. Both medications can cause side effects like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Saxenda and Ozempic are both available as a prefilled pen for subcutaneous injection. Both medications have warnings about the risk of thyroid cancer and pancreatitis, and neither should be used if you have a personal or family history of certain thyroid cancers. Additionally, Ozempic is sometimes used off-label for weight loss, but it is not FDA-approved for this purpose under the Ozempic brand name.

Saxenda (liraglutide)
Ozempic (semaglutide)
Saxenda (liraglutide)
Ozempic (semaglutide)
Summary of Saxenda vs. Ozempic
Summary for GLP-1 agonist
Prescription only
Saxenda (generic name liraglutide) is a once-daily injection given under the skin that's used for weight loss. It's approved for certain adults and children ages 12 years and up. And it works best when used along with a balanced diet and exercise. This prescription weight loss medication is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonist. It works by slowing down your gut and making you feel less hungry. Saxenda (liraglutide) comes as a prefilled pen you use to inject your dose. Some common side effects include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Summary for GLP-1 agonist
Prescription only
Ozempic (semaglutide) is a GLP-1 agonist used with diet and exercise to help adults manage Type 2 diabetes. It can also lower the risk of heart attack, stroke, and heart-related death in some people with Type 2 diabetes. It comes as a once-weekly injection under the skin and as a tablet taken by mouth once a day. The injection is also approved to help slow worsening kidney problems in people with Type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease (CKD). Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Indications of Saxenda vs. Ozempic
Indications for

•Weight loss and long-term weight management in:

•People ages 12 years and older with a body weight greater than 132 lbs and obesity

•Adults who are considered overweight with at least one weight-related condition (e.g., high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol)

Indications for
Injection:

•Type 2 diabetes

•Lower the risk of heart attack, stroke, and heart-related death in adults with Type 2 diabetes and heart disease

•Lower the risk of worsening kidney problems and heart-related death in adults with Type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease (CKD)

Tablets:

•Type 2 diabetes

•Lower the risk of heart attack, stroke, and heart-related death in adults with Type 2 diabetes at high risk for these events
Pros and Cons of Saxenda vs. Ozempic
Pros and Const for GLP-1 agonist
Pros

•Can help you lose weight in addition to balanced nutrition and exercise

•Can take with or without food, at any time during the day

•Okay for children 12 years of age and older weighing more than 132 lbs with obesity

Cons

•Must inject once a day

•Can cause stomach upset

•Doesn't come with pen needles (must get them separately)

Pros and Const for GLP-1 agonist
Pros

•Only given once per week

•Might help you lose weight

•Helps lower the risk of heart problems and kidney problems in people with type 2 diabetes

•Available as an injection and an oral tablet

Cons

•Commonly causes nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea

•Risk of low blood sugar if taken with certain diabetes medications

•Can't be used for Type 1 diabetes

•Interacts with medications taken by mouth
Common Side Effects of Saxenda vs. Ozempic
Common Side Effects for
Adults:

•Nausea (39%)

•Diarrhea (21%)

•Constipation (19%)

•Vomiting (16%)

•Injection site reaction (e.g., redness, itching, rash; 14%)

•Headache (14%)

•Low blood sugar in people with Type 2 diabetes (13%)

•Indigestion (10%)

Children 12 years and up:

•Nausea (42%)

•Vomiting (34%)

•Diarrhea (22%)

•Low blood sugar (15%)

•Stomach inflammation (13%)

•Dizziness (10%)

Common Side Effects for

•Nausea (16-20%)

•Diarrhea (9%)

•Vomiting (5-9%)

•Stomach pain (6-7%)

•Constipation (3-5%)

Note: Side effects listed above are for Ozempic (semaglutide) injection
Warnings of Saxenda vs. Ozempic
Common Side Effects for

•Possible risk for thyroid cancer

•Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis)

•Gallbladder problems

•Low blood sugar

•Faster heart rate

•Severe stomach side effects

•Kidney problems due to dehydration

•Allergic reactions

•Lung problems during anesthesia or deep sedation

Common Side Effects for

•Risk of thyroid tumors

•Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis)

•Eye problems

•Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) when taken with certain diabetes medications

•Kidney damage

•Severe stomach problems

•Severe allergic reactions

•Gallbladder problems

•Lung problems during anesthesia or deep sedation
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Compare Saxenda vs. Ozempic

Key takeaways

Summary of Saxenda vs. Ozempic

Indications of Saxenda vs. Ozempic

Pros and Cons of Saxenda vs. Ozempic

Common Side Effects of Saxenda vs. Ozempic

Warnings of Saxenda vs. Ozempic

Prices with our coupons for Saxenda vs. Ozempic

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