Saxenda Vs Ozempic

Losing weight is severe problem for a lot of people and to manage chronic obesity people often opt for medications or surgery. The most recent medicine for weight management is Saxenda (liraglutide), it is an injectable prescription medicine used for adults (BMI ≥27) who also have weight-related medical problems or obesity (BMI ≥30), and children aged 12-17 years with a body weight above 132 pounds (60 kg) and obesity to help them lose weight.

In comparison to this certain people who are misled by quacks use Ozempic for weight management. Whereas, Ozempic (semaglutide) is an injectable prescription medication used for diabetes management

Saxenda (Liraglutide)

It is weight management injectable medication prescribed to patients with obesity. The mechanism of action of Saxenda is to mimic GLP-1 (glucagon like peptide) hormone. GLP-1 regulate appetite and food intake, by increasing the digestion time, enhancing satiety, which ultimately increases the fat metabolism in the body. Saxenda is administered daily and its dosage is adjusted by physician. Saxenda is an FDA approved drug and is commercially available in most countries.

Ozempic (Semiglutide)

An injectable drug for diabetes management. Ozempic is prescribed to patients with diabetes type -2. It works like glucagon-like-peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists, by stimulating insulin secretion in the blood and suppressing the release of glucagon. Ozempic also increases gastric emptying time which increases satiety. The administration of Ozempic is once a week.

Saxenda vs. Ozempic Cost

Ozempic costs about $935 without insurance for 0.25 or 0.5 mg dosage, according to the Novo Nordisk website. Those with eligible private or commercial insurance can pay as low as $25 for up to a three-month supply.

Saxenda cost also varies based on insurance coverage, treatment plan and pharmacy. Its list price is $1,349.02 per pen, lasting 6-17 days, depending on the dosage.

Saxenda and Ozempic Side Effects

Saxenda and Ozempic have similar side effects such as, nausea, vomiting, constipation, allergic reactions, Common Saxenda side effects include headaches, heartburn, runny nose, sneezing, cough, fatigue, difficulty urinating and pain or burning during urination. Common Ozempic side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, hypoglycemia and allergic reactions.

Effectiveness of Saxenda and Ozempic

For managing Type 2 diabetes, Ozempic shows significant reductions in HbA1c, but both medications may be effective at promoting weight loss. Comparing Saxenda vs. Ozempic primarily efficacy depends on the context. Both medications are GLP-1 agonists, but the clinical trial results are different

Effectiveness of Semaglutide vs. Liraglutide

• In a study with 2,000 adults diagnosed with obesity using semaglutide, 50% lost 15% of their body weight over 68 weeks.
• Without semaglutide, participants relying solely on lifestyle changes shed approximately 2.4% of their weight in the same period.
• In a study of 769 participants on liraglutide, 52.5% lost at least 5% of their body weight in six months and 18.3% lost at least 10%.
• Liraglutide positively impacts blood pressure and glucose levels in patients diagnosed with diabetes mellitus.

Saxenda was specifically approved and studied for weight loss. It demonstrates meaningful reductions in body weight for most patients. When choosing between the two drugs, individuals should discuss their goals, the potential side effects and other relevant factors with their physician to decide which medication is most suitable in accordance to their medical condition

Conclusion

Ozempic and Saxenda are both GLP-1 antagonist drugs. However, their mechanism of action is different. Saxenda is primarily used for weight management whereas Ozempic is used for diabetes management. It is recommended to consult a physician for usage of these prescription drugs.  Side effects are relatively common in patients of all age such as: allergic reaction, nausea, vomiting constipation and hypoglycemia.