While Saxenda and Ozempic both contain the active ingredient liraglutide, their respective dosage schedules and effectiveness differ significantly. While both require injections on an ongoing basis, Wegovy only needs one weekly injection as opposed to Saxenda, which requires daily ones.
Before changing between medications, please consult with a GP or medication provider in order to ensure it’s safe.
What is Saxenda?
Saxenda is an injectable medication designed to suppress appetite. It mimics glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), an agent released post-meals to induce feelings of fullness and satisfaction.
Saxenda can interact with certain medications, and it is crucial that you inform your healthcare provider of all prescription and over-the-counter drugs that you take, including vitamins, herbs, and supplements.
Nausea is a common side effect of Saxenda, so it’s essential to drink plenty of fluids while taking it in order to prevent dehydration and limit high-calorie foods such as candy and sweet beverages. Saxenda should be used as part of an overall weight loss plan, including healthy eating and exercise, and supports are available online that offer free calorie tracking apps as well as supportive communities to help manage symptoms more easily.
What is Ozempic?
Ozempic is an injectable medication used in conjunction with healthy lifestyle changes to control blood sugar in adults living with Type 2 diabetes. As part of its class of GLP-1 agonist medications, it mimics gut hormones to lower postmeal blood sugar levels and helps people feel satiated after meals.
Ozempic may slow stomach emptying, which can impact other medicines that must pass quickly through your system – such as sulfonylureas and insulin. Before taking other medications with Ozempic, it is wise to consult your healthcare provider first.
Ozempic’s primary side effects are stomach upset, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea that typically manifest early on but improve over time. It comes in pre-filled pens injected into the belly, thighs, or arms weekly; an oral tablet called Rybelsus and higher dose versions called Wegovy are also available as options to aid weight loss in people both with and without Type 2 Diabetes.
Dosage
Your GP or medication provider should be able to advise on whether changing medications is suitable and develop a plan. Ozempic and Saxenda are GLP-1 receptor agonists which work similarly in managing weight. Both medications come equipped with self-injection pens for easy administration under the skin of the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm.
Both medications follow an initial ramp-up dosage schedule to minimize side effects, gradually increasing your dosage over several weeks until reaching a maintenance dose of 0.5mg per week. Missing one dose won’t necessarily cause issues; just make sure that it takes place at its proper time to avoid double dosing.
Side Effects
Ozempic has been reported to cause severe gastrointestinal side effects, including nausea and vomiting, which may even lead to dehydration and malnutrition in some individuals. Furthermore, its anti-appetite medications suppress appetites, which may further compound nutritional deficits.
The FDA states that they don’t know whether Ozempic causes ileus due to limited data available, yet they are investigating this matter. They have noted that reported cases could be caused by any number of things, including masses, hernias, or scar tissue formation.
The FDA advises those taking medication to stay hydrated to reduce the risk of dehydration and inform their physicians if they experience kidney issues (kidney failure) or have had prior pancreatitis episodes.
Precautions
If you are uncertain of your decision to switch, speak to your GP or prescriber, as they will be able to offer advice and create a plan for making this change.
As GLP-1 agonists, Saxenda and Ozempic share many similarities, yet there are some key distinctions between them.
One major difference is that Saxenda must be taken on a daily injection, while Ozempic should only be administered every other week. A weekly dosing schedule may help some individuals manage side effects more effectively, including nausea and vomiting. When switching medications, it is essential to follow your GP or prescriber’s advice in order to ensure a safe and effective treatment regime; taking incorrect amounts could result in serious side effects.