Weight Loss
Wegovy vs Saxenda: How They Compare
In one sentence: Wegovy and Saxenda are both injectable GLP-1 medicines for weight management, but Wegovy contains semaglutide and is injected once a week, while Saxenda contains liraglutide and is injected once a day, so the biggest practical difference is how often you inject.
At a glance
Both are injectable GLP-1 medicines licensed for weight management, made by Novo Nordisk.
Frequency is the big difference: Wegovy is once weekly, Saxenda is once daily.
Different ingredients: Wegovy contains semaglutide; Saxenda contains liraglutide.
Wegovy is also licensed to reduce cardiovascular risk in some adults; Saxenda is for weight management.
Side effects are broadly similar and mostly gut-related.
Neither is presented here as better; a prescriber decides which suits you.
Wegovy and Saxenda are both weight-management injections from the same manufacturer, so people often want to know how they compare. This guide covers the key differences: the active ingredients, how often you inject, what they are licensed for, dosing, side effects, and how the choice is made. For the basics of this type of medicine, see how Wegovy works.
"For a lot of people, the deciding factor here is simply weekly versus daily. Some prefer the routine of a daily injection, while many find a once-weekly injection easier to keep up with. Both are proper weight-management treatments, so it is about what fits your life and what a prescriber thinks is right for you."
Key takeaways
What is the main difference between Wegovy and Saxenda?
Wegovy is a once-weekly semaglutide injection; Saxenda is a once-daily liraglutide injection.
Which is more convenient?
Many people find once-weekly Wegovy easier to keep up than once-daily Saxenda, but this comes down to personal preference.
Are they both for weight loss?
Yes. Both are licensed for weight management in adults, alongside diet and activity.
Is one better than the other?
Neither is presented here as better. Both are effective, results vary, and the choice depends on your circumstances and a prescriber.
What is the difference between Wegovy and Saxenda?
Both are GLP-1 receptor agonists, but they use different active ingredients and dosing frequencies. The Wegovy Summary of Product Characteristics describes semaglutide given once weekly,1 while the Saxenda product information describes liraglutide given as a once-daily subcutaneous injection.2
Wegovy vs Saxenda at a glance
Feature | Wegovy | Saxenda |
Active ingredient | Semaglutide | Liraglutide |
Type of medicine | GLP-1 receptor agonist | GLP-1 receptor agonist |
How often you inject | Once weekly (about 52 a year) | Once daily (about 365 a year) |
Licensed for | Weight management (also cardiovascular risk reduction and MASH) | Weight management |
Dose range | 0.25 mg to 2.4 mg weekly (optional 7.2 mg) | 0.6 mg to 3.0 mg daily |
Common side effects | Broadly similar and mostly gut-related (nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting, constipation) | Broadly similar and mostly gut-related (nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting, constipation) |
Manufacturer | Novo Nordisk | Novo Nordisk |
How often do you inject Wegovy and Saxenda?
This is the difference most people notice day to day. Wegovy is injected once a week, on the same day each week. Saxenda is injected once a day, at any time.2 Over a year, that is roughly 52 injections with Wegovy compared with about 365 with Saxenda. For some people a daily routine is easy to build in, while others find weekly injections simpler to remember and stick to.
What are Wegovy and Saxenda licensed for?
Both are licensed for weight management in adults, alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity, with the same BMI thresholds of 30 or above, or 27 or above with a weight-related condition.2 Wegovy has additional licensed uses that Saxenda does not, including reducing the risk of major cardiovascular events in some adults.1
How are Wegovy and Saxenda dosed?
Both use a step-up schedule to reduce side effects, but the doses and timing differ. Wegovy increases weekly in stages from 0.25 mg to a 2.4 mg maintenance dose.1 Saxenda starts at 0.6 mg daily and increases in 0.6 mg steps, at least a week apart, to a 3.0 mg daily maintenance dose by around week five.2 The milligram numbers are not comparable, because they are different medicines. For the Wegovy schedule, see the Wegovy dosage guide.
What about side effects?
The side effect profiles are broadly similar, because both are GLP-1 medicines. The most common effects for each are gastrointestinal, such as nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting and constipation, and both tend to be most noticeable when the dose increases. You can read the details for Wegovy in Wegovy side effects. For Saxenda, check its own patient information and speak to your prescriber.
Is Wegovy or Saxenda better?
Neither is presented here as better than the other. Both are effective, licensed weight-management treatments, and individual responses vary. The most useful way to compare them is on the practical differences, especially weekly versus daily injections, your other health needs, and what you can realistically keep up. That decision is best made with a prescriber, rather than treated as a simple ranking.
How do you choose between Wegovy and Saxenda?
A prescriber will weigh up factors such as:
Injection frequency: whether a weekly or a daily routine suits you better.
Your wider health: for example, whether Wegovy's additional licensed uses are relevant to you.
Tolerability: how you get on with side effects.
Availability and cost, whether NHS or private.
Whichever is chosen, it is supplied only after a clinical assessment. You can start the process for Wegovy through an online weight-management consultation, and you may also want to compare it with Wegovy vs Mounjaro.
"Saxenda has been around longer, and it still has a place, but the shift towards once-weekly treatments reflects how much easier they are to stick with for many people. That said, do not assume weekly is automatically right for you. If a daily routine actually suits you, say so in the consultation, because sticking with treatment is what matters most."
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Wegovy and Saxenda?
Wegovy contains semaglutide and is injected once a week, while Saxenda contains liraglutide and is injected once a day. Both are GLP-1 medicines licensed for weight management, but they differ in frequency, dosing and some of their other licensed uses.
Is Wegovy or Saxenda better for weight loss?
Neither is presented here as better than the other. Both are effective, licensed weight-management treatments, and results vary between individuals. The right choice depends on practical factors such as weekly versus daily injections, your health and a prescriber's assessment.
How often do you inject Wegovy compared with Saxenda?
Wegovy is injected once a week, on the same day each week. Saxenda is injected once a day. Over a year, that is roughly 52 injections with Wegovy compared with about 365 with Saxenda, which many people find makes the weekly option easier to keep up.
Are Wegovy and Saxenda the same type of medicine?
Yes, both are GLP-1 receptor agonists that reduce appetite, and both are made by Novo Nordisk. However, they use different active ingredients, semaglutide in Wegovy and liraglutide in Saxenda, and are given at different frequencies.
Can you switch from Saxenda to Wegovy?
Switching is possible but should be done under a prescriber's guidance, because the medicines and doses are not directly equivalent. A prescriber will advise on the right starting dose and timing if a switch is appropriate for you.
Do Wegovy and Saxenda have the same side effects?
They are broadly similar, because both are GLP-1 medicines. The most common effects for each are gastrointestinal, such as nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting and constipation, and both are most noticeable when the dose is increased.
Related Wegovy guides
Sources and references
Wegovy FlexTouch Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC), emc. Semaglutide, once-weekly injection, licensed for weight management (and cardiovascular risk reduction and MASH), dose range 0.25 to 2.4 mg with an optional 7.2 mg dose.
Saxenda (liraglutide) product information, European Medicines Agency. Liraglutide, a once-daily GLP-1 injection licensed for weight management (BMI of 30 or above, or 27 or above with a weight-related condition), dose escalation from 0.6 mg to a 3.0 mg daily maintenance dose by around week five.
Medical disclaimer: This article is for general information and does not replace advice from a qualified healthcare professional. Wegovy and Saxenda are prescription-only medicines and should be used only under the guidance of a prescriber. Always read the patient information leaflet and speak to your clinician or pharmacist about your individual circumstances.
Our commitment to accuracy: This page was written using the electronic medicines compendium (emc) and European Medicines Agency product information, and is reviewed by our Superintendent Pharmacist. We review our weight-management content regularly and update it as guidance changes.
About the author
Blog author
Dayna Sheppard
Dayna is a pharmacy manager with over 15 years of pharmacy experience. She is focused on delivering a safe and excellent pharmacy service for patients.
Medically reviewed by
Medical reviewer
Taslima Hussain
Taslima is a pharmacist who is passionate about patient care. She has experience working in community pharmacy as a locum.
