What Injection is Best for Weight Loss: Exploring the Differences Between Wegovy and Saxenda
In trials, Wegovy® patients lost significantly more weight on average (12.4% vs 8% of body weight). The percentage of patients losing at least 5% body weight was also higher with Wegovy.
With obesity rates continuing to climb in the United States, many people are looking for effective medical solutions to help them lose weight. Two of the most talked about prescription weight loss injections currently on the market are Wegovy® and Saxenda®. But what exactly are these injectable drugs and how do they compare in terms of effectiveness, safety, and cost? This article will explore the key differences between Wegovy and Saxenda.
What is Wegovy and What Does it Do?
Wegovy® (semaglutide) is an injectable prescription medication used for chronic weight management. It is approved for adults who are obese, meaning they have a BMI of 30 or higher, or who are overweight (BMI 27 or higher) and have at least one weight-related medical problem such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, or high cholesterol.
Wegovy works by mimicking the hormone GLP-1, which sends signals of fullness to the brain to curb appetite. It also slows digestion to promote feelings of fullness and satiety. In clinical trials, Wegovy has been shown to help patients lose an average of 12.4% of their initial body weight over 68 weeks.
What is Saxenda and What Does it Do?
Saxenda® (liraglutide) is another GLP-1 receptor agonist injection used for weight loss and approved for chronic weight management. Like Wegovy, it is indicated for obese adults or overweight people who have at least one weight-related health condition.
The way Saxenda promotes weight loss is very similar to Wegovy—by stimulating feelings of fullness so less food is consumed. In clinical trials, patients using Saxenda lost an average of 8% of their body weight over 56 weeks.
Cost Differences Between Wegovy and Saxenda
One of the biggest differences between Wegovy and Saxenda is cost. Wegovy has a list price of over $1,300 for a one month supply. Saxenda costs around $1,000 for a month’s supply.
Neither medication is typically covered by insurance for weight loss alone. However, if the medication is being used specifically to treat obesity-related conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure, insurance coverage may apply. Talk to your provider about getting a prior authorization submitted to insurance if using the medication for a covered condition.
Insurance Coverage Differences
Since both Wegovy and Saxenda are expensive brand name drugs, getting insurance coverage can be a challenge. As mentioned above, using the medication for an obesity-related comorbidity increases the chance of getting coverage.
Wegovy seems to have better odds of getting approved, likely owing to the increased weight loss results demonstrated in clinical trials. But Saxenda may still be covered if Wegovy is not approved, so it pays to check on both.
If insurance won’t cover the drug, the manufacturer may offer a coupon or savings card to reduce the monthly cost anywhere from $25 to $200.
Side Effect and Safety Comparison
Both Wegovy and Saxenda are generally well-tolerated but can cause gastrointestinal side effects. The most common side effects for both drugs include nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, abdominal pain, and headaches. These side effects are usually temporary and often improve with time.
A serious side effect seen with both medications is pancreatitis or inflammation of the pancreas. Gallbladder problems are also a risk. Due to these safety issues, neither drug is recommended for patients with a history of pancreatitis or gallbladder issues.
In clinical trials, Saxenda had a slightly lower adverse event rate compared to Wegovy. But Wegovy studies allowed inclusion of some higher risk patients excluded from Saxenda trials. Long-term studies on both drugs’ safety profiles are limited at this time.
Benefit Comparison
The main advantage Wegovy has over Saxenda is effectiveness. In trials, Wegovy patients lost significantly more weight on average (12.4% vs 8% of body weight). The percentage of patients losing at least 5% body weight was also higher with Wegovy.
Saxenda may have a slight edge when it comes to approvals since it has been on the market longer. The lower cost may also make Saxenda more attractive for some people. But since weight loss results are lower compared to Wegovy, Saxenda may make more sense for those with less weight to lose.
Expected Timeline for Weight Loss
Most patients in clinical trials saw noticeable weight loss with Wegovy and Saxenda by 4 to 12 weeks after starting treatment. Maximum results took 27 to 60 weeks in studies. Weight loss then plateaus, so the drugs work best along with diet and exercise.
Once stopping Wegovy or Saxenda, some weight regain is expected. Continued healthy habits can help maintain weight loss after discontinuing. Weight should be monitored regularly and medication can be restarted as needed.
Typical Weight Loss on Wegovy vs Saxenda
On average, Wegovy patients lost between 6% and 15% of their body weight, with 12.4% weight loss achieved overall. Saxenda patients saw between 5% and 10% body weight loss on average, with total weight loss around 8%.
But weight loss varies significantly person to person. Some see much more dramatic weight loss of 15% or greater on these medications. Factors like the amount of excess weight carried, diet, activity levels, genetics, and adherence to treatment all impact individual results.
Contraindications
Both Wegovy and Saxenda should be avoided in certain situations. Contraindications include:
- Personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome
- Pregnant or breastfeeding women
- Use with other GLP-1 receptor agonists
Additional contraindications specific to Saxenda include:
- Personal history of pancreatitis
- Severe kidney disease
- Severe gastroparesis
Wegovy precautions include:
- History of pancreatitis
- Impaired kidney function
- Slow emptying stomach
Lawsuits and Controversy
Like many pharmaceuticals, Wegovy and Saxenda have faced some lawsuits and controversy since being brought to market. Most of the scrutiny has focused on thyroid cancer risk.
Due to possible thyroid C-cell tumor risk seen in animal studies, both drugs carry warnings.
Other lawsuits allege the risks of the drugs outweigh the benefits or dispute misleading marketing practices. More data is still needed to further evaluate long-term safety.
The Benefits of Natural Weight Loss Programs
Given the high costs and potential risks of prescription weight loss medications, programs like Pritikin that use natural lifestyle changes can be an appealing alternative for many. Benefits of this non-invasive approach include:
- No harsh side effects
- Encourages healthy habits for long-term success
- Supervised plans tailored to individual needs
- Addresses root causes like nutrition, stress, sleep
- Taught by doctors, dietitians, exercise physiologists
- Luxury resort setting
Programs for losing weight through natural means give people the tools for success while improving overall wellbeing through wholesome habits that can be maintained over time.
Which is Better – Wegovy or Saxenda?
When comparing Wegovy vs Saxenda, Wegovy comes out ahead for effectiveness. But Saxenda may be the more sensible choice for those with fewer pounds to shed or who cannot afford Wegovy’s higher cost.
Ultimately the “best” weight loss injection depends on your individual circumstances. Talk to your doctor about whether prescription medication or a research-based natural program is the right solution to achieve your health goals.