Saxenda vs Ozempic: Which Weight Loss Treatment Is Right For You?

We know how tough losing weight can be, and with so many options out there it’s hard to know what will work best. If you’ve been researching weight loss treatments for a while you may well have come across weight loss jabs like Saxenda or Ozempic – two prescription medications which can help with weight loss management. But what’s the difference between the two, are they right for you and if not, what are the alternatives?

Saxenda and Ozempic are injectable medications which can support weight loss. They’re both part of a class of medications called GLP-1 agonists, which work by making you feel fuller for longer and reducing your appetite.

Saxenda has been licensed specifically for weight loss while Ozempic is used primarily to help regulate blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes although it’s been shown to aid weight loss.

Are Ozempic and WeGovy the same?

You may have heard of another weight loss drug called WeGovy. WeGovy and Ozempic are often confused with one another. This is because they both contain the same active ingredient - semaglutide. Ozempic and WeGovy are simply their brand names.

Nevertheless, just to complicate matters, there are some differences in their licensing. In the UK, Ozempic isn’t licensed as a weight loss medication. This means that you can’t get a prescription for it simply to help you lose weight. Ozempic is only prescribed for people who have type 2 diabetes as a treatment to help stabilise their blood sugar levels. Weight loss has been found to be a positive side effect of taking ozempic, but is not the reason for the treatment. Why is this positive? Because people who have type 2 diabetes tend to also be overweight.

WeGovy on the other hand is licensed as a weight loss treatment. And while both contain semaglutide, WeGovy contains a higher dose of this active ingredient.

What does this mean for you? Well if you are here to try and lose weight and you don’t have type 2 diabetes, you may be prescribed WeGovy instead.

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For the purpose of this guide, we will be talking about Ozempic that has been prescribed for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, and the alternatives that are licensed and prescribed to support with sustainable weight loss - such as WeGovy and Mounjaro.

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Losing weight isn’t just about numbers on a scale - it’s about feeling healthier, having more energy and improving your overall wellbeing. Finding the right weight loss treatment can make the process easier but it’s only half the battle - you need to commit to a healthier lifestyle too. It’s also important to understand the differences between weight loss treatments so you can make the best choice to support your goals.

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In the table below, we break down the key differences between Saxenda and Ozempic and how they work, as well as talk about alternatives like Wegovy and Mounjaro (tirzepatide). Understanding all of your options will help you to make an informed decision about the next steps in your weight loss journey.

And if you aren’t sure which weight loss treatment is right for you, our knowledgeable and friendly team of licensed UK clinicians is here to help.

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Understanding Saxenda And Ozempic

If you’ve been looking at the different injectable weight loss treatments available and wondering if they could work for you, you probably have some idea about the options, including Saxenda and Ozempic. While both are injectable medications that can help with weight management, they have different active ingredients and primary uses.

Saxenda contains liraglutide – a compound that mimics the GLP-1 hormone which helps regulate your appetite and slows your digestion. It makes you feel fuller for longer, reducing your overall food intake. Saxenda is approved for weight loss in the UK for people with a BMI of 30 or higher or for those with a BMI of 27+ with weight-related health conditions.

Ozempic, on the other hand, contains semaglutide, another GLP-1 imitating compound. While it has been found to aid weight loss it’s only licensed in the UK for people with type 2 diabetes, and not for weight loss alone. However, Wegovy, a higher-dose version of semaglutide, is approved for weight loss and works in a very similar way to Ozempic.

While they are both injectable medications and they both come in easy-to-use pre-filled injector pens, they are injected at different frequencies. With Saxenda you inject yourself everyday, while Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro only need to be injected once a week. Many patients find that this makes these alternatives to Saxenda much more convenient to administer.

Comparing Effectiveness And Results

When you’re considering whether Saxenda or Ozempic is the best potential weight loss option it helps to look at the science. There have been plenty of studies on these medications which show their effectiveness in aiding weight loss but the results between the two are a little different.

People taking Saxenda in one study lost between 5-10% of their body weight over a year. Another study showed those with type 2 diabetes who took Ozempic once a week lost 12-15% over 68 weeks combined with a calorie-controlled diet compared to those on the placebo who lost an average of 2.4%.

So, if you weighed 100kg (15st 10lbs) at the start of your weight loss journey, you could lose between 5-10kg (11-22lbs) on Saxenda with consistent use, a healthy diet and exercise. With Ozempic and the same starting weight, you could expect to lose 12-15kg (26-33lb), a significantly higher amount than Saxenda.

To give you another comparison, a study of Mounjaro showed people on the 15mg dose lost on average 22.5% of their body weight over 72 weeks – that’s 22.5kg (3st 7.6lbs) based on the above example.

While Ozempic appears to offer greater weight loss results, it’s important to remember everyone responds differently and you may lose less than the studies show or a little bit more. Your lifestyle choices play a big part too. It’s important you stick to a healthy, balanced diet and increase your activity as part of your overall plan.

You may also experience mild side effects regardless of which medication you take. The most common side effects associated with injectable weight loss treatments are nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting and constipation. Fortunately, these usually start to ease as your body adjusts to the treatment.

Dosing And Administration

One of the biggest differences between Saxenda and Ozempic is how often they need to be taken. While both are injectable medications that come in pre-filled, single use injection pens, Ozempic is administered weekly while Saxenda is used daily. The doses contained in each injection vary too.

Saxenda

You’ll begin taking Saxenda as a daily injection, starting at 0.6mg and gradually increasing to a maximum dose of 3mg over the course of several weeks. The dose is adjusted slowly to reduce the side effects, like nausea, that you can experience. It should be taken at the same time every day, preferably with a meal.

If you like sticking to the same daily routine, it could be a good choice for you. If you would prefer to inject yourself less often, Ozempic, Wegovy or Mounjaro may be preferable alternatives.

Ozempic

Ozempic is a weekly injection which many people find more convenient. Dosing starts at 1mg and can be increased to 1.7mg or 2mg depending on how your body tolerates any side effects, and the results you’re seeing. This once-a-week schedule is often better for people with busy lives and who can’t remember or commit to injecting at the same time every day. It’s also important to be aware that while you’ll likely lose more weight more quickly on a higher dose, you’re also more likely to experience more unwanted side effects.

Side Effects And Safety

Like all medications, Saxenda and Ozempic can cause side effects, with the most common being nausea, diarrhoea and constipation. How often and how strongly you experience these side effects will depend on the dose and how the medication is taken.

Saxenda is administered daily, but because the dose increases are gradual it may make the side effects easier to manage. Nevertheless, even with slow, tiny increases, it’s common to experience side effects during those early, first few weeks.

Ozempic is a weekly injection which might be more convenient for your lifestyle, but this means that you inject a bigger dose so that it also stays in your system for longer. This can mean that the initial side effects may be worse for the first few days after treatment, but should ease as you progress towards the next dose.

Other possible side effects include bloating, burping, stomach pain and loss of appetite. In rare cases, it may cause more serious issues like an altered heart rate, vision changes, pancreatitis or gallbladder problems.

We know side effects are frustrating, especially if they impact your daily life, but most disappear on their own as your body adjusts. Patience is the key, and our discreet clinicians will help you to find a dose that balances treatment effectiveness with your ability to tolerate side effects, so that you can enjoy additional weight loss support without it affecting your quality of life.

Cost And Accessibility

When you choose your weight loss treatment, we appreciate that price and availability matter as much to you as effectiveness. So, how much do these medications actually cost? And can you get them on the NHS?

Saxenda is available both on the NHS and privately but to be prescribed it on the NHS you’ll need to meet strict criteria. If you’re going private, you’re looking at around £50-£75 per pen, and as you need to take it daily that can quickly add up. Seven £50 pens will set you back £350 per week.

Since Ozempic is only approved to treat type 2 diabetes, if you’re looking for weight loss support without this condition you’ll need to consider an alternative like WeGovy instead. WeGovy can be prescribed on the NHS, but again you’ll need to meet strict criteria. Many people choose to access it directly from licensed online pharmacies, where you can expect to pay between £110 and £300 per month.

We’ve also spoken about Mounjaro, which is another popular alternative to Saxenda and WeGovy. Mounjaro also works by making you feel full earlier, reducing your appetite and helping you to consume less calories. It’s available under very strict criteria on the NHS, but you can access it privately too, with doses starting at around £120 per month.

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Making Your Choice

Picking the right weight loss medication isn’t just about the numbers, it’s about finding the right fit for your lifestyle and budget. If you’re trying to decide between Saxenda and Ozempic there are a few things you’ll need to think about.

Firstly, how often do you want to inject? If you don’t mind doing it daily Saxenda could be fine but if you want something lower maintenance, then the weekly option of Ozempic might be better.

Then there’s the cost. Per pen Saxenda is generally cheaper but because you take it daily it soon adds up. Ozempic costs more per pen but as it’s only taken weekly you could end up spending less over the long term. Either way you’ll need to budget for the monthly outlay, so your treatment isn’t disrupted because of unexpected costs.

Side effects matter too. Some people find Saxenda easy to tolerate because it builds up slowly, but others prefer Ozempic and similar alternatives because the weekly injection means that the side effects settle down between doses.

At the end of the day, your weight loss medication is a personal choice, but if you’re still unsure which is right for you, our clinical team is here to talk you through the options and help you find the best treatment for you.

Always Remember...

It is essential that you speak to a licensed medical professional before starting any weight loss medication. They can provide personalised, expert guidance, assess potential risks and ensure that your chosen treatment is safe and suitable for your health needs.

Start Losing Weight Now!

When you want to lose weight, choosing the right treatment can feel overwhelming but you don’t have to do it alone. Whether you’re looking for Sazenda or Ozempic, or ready to try popular and convenient alternatives such as Mounjaro or WeGovy, we’re here to help.

Our team will take you through a quick, discreet and easy consultation to understand your needs and recommend the best option for you. No stress, no guesswork, just professional, honest advice that takes your needs into account. Let us help you get started on your weight loss journey.

Start your weight loss journey today with a discreet three minute consultation with one of our healthcare professionals. They’ll talk to you about your goals, your medical history and explain the different options before making recommendations to suit your individual needs.

Sources

https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/nejmoa1411892

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK544016/

https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2032183

https://www.drugs.com/ozempic.html#:~:text=Common%20Ozempic%20side%20effects%20include,you%20reach%20your%20target%20dose.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/mhra-authorises-diabetes-drug-mounjaro-tirzepatide-for-weight-management-and-weight-loss