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.
