Is Saxenda the same as Victoza?

Both medications contain liraglutide as the active ingredient but are approved for different purposes: Victoza is indicated for type 2 diabetes (usually at lower doses), while Saxenda is specifically approved for treating obesity and overweight with comorbidities, at a higher maximum dose.

Why does Saxenda need to be injected daily, unlike Ozempic which is weekly?

This relates to the pharmacological properties of the molecule. Liraglutide has a shorter half-life in the body compared to newer molecules like semaglutide and tirzepatide, which were structurally modified to remain active longer and allow for weekly dosing.

Is Saxenda less effective than weekly medications?

In comparative studies, newer weekly agonists like semaglutide and tirzepatide tend to show greater average weight loss than liraglutide. This doesn’t mean Saxenda is ineffective — it has demonstrated significant results in clinical trials — but there have been advances in the drug class. The choice between options should consider the patient’s profile and preferences, always under medical guidance.

Generally, Saxenda is indicated for adults with obesity or overweight with at least one weight-related comorbidity, always as part of a plan including calorie restriction and increased physical activity. Eligibility and any contraindications should be evaluated by a healthcare provider.

Saxenda (Liraglutide): The Daily Option Before Weekly Agonists

Before Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro became household names, another medication was already demonstrating the potential of GLP-1 receptor agonists in treating obesity: Saxenda, whose active ingredient is liraglutide. Although it receives less attention today compared to the newer weekly options, Saxenda was a significant milestone in the development of this class of drugs.

What is liraglutide?

Liraglutide was one of the first molecules developed to mimic the action of the GLP-1 hormone in a prolonged way in the body. Like the newer molecules, it works by stimulating glucose-dependent insulin release, slowing gastric emptying, and reducing appetite through its action on areas of the central nervous system related to satiety.

The structural difference compared to molecules like semaglutide means liraglutide remains active in the body for a shorter period, which explains the need for daily injections — unlike the weekly medications that became popular later.

Saxenda vs. Victoza: same molecule, different uses

Confusion between Saxenda and Victoza is common since both contain liraglutide as the active ingredient. The difference lies in the approved indication and dosage: Victoza was developed to treat type 2 diabetes, usually at lower doses, while Saxenda is specifically approved for treating obesity and overweight with associated comorbidities, using a higher maximum dose.

How daily administration works

Saxenda is administered via subcutaneous injection once a day, at any time, as long as it is done consistently. Like other drugs in this class, treatment starts with a low dose that is gradually increased over several weeks until reaching the maintenance dose recommended by the healthcare provider. This titration process helps reduce the intensity of gastrointestinal side effects at the beginning of treatment.

The need for daily injections is often seen as a practical disadvantage compared to weekly medications, as it requires more discipline and can impact long-term treatment adherence. On the other hand, some patients prefer this format because it allows for more flexible routine adjustments.

Comparing results with newer medications

Clinical studies with liraglutide have shown significant weight loss in patients with obesity, especially when combined with lifestyle changes. However, later comparative studies evaluating newer molecules like semaglutide and tirzepatide tend to show greater average weight reductions with these newer options.

This does not make Saxenda obsolete or ineffective — it remains a valid and approved alternative, especially in cases where the patient or healthcare provider prefers a molecule with a longer history of use or when specific issues like access, cost, or personal preference influence treatment choice.

Who is Saxenda usually prescribed for?

Generally, Saxenda is indicated for adults with obesity (BMI of 30 or higher) or overweight (BMI of 27 or higher) with at least one weight-related comorbidity, such as hypertension, type 2 diabetes, or dyslipidemia. Treatment is always considered part of a broader plan that includes a calorie-restricted diet and increased physical activity.

Most common side effects

The most frequent side effects involve the digestive system: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation, mainly during the initial dose adjustment period. These symptoms tend to decrease over time. Like other drugs in the same class, Saxenda should not be used by people with a personal or family history of certain types of thyroid cancer, or by pregnant or breastfeeding women, among other contraindications that must be evaluated by a healthcare provider.

The practical experience of daily medication administration

From a behavioral standpoint, daily injections require the patient to consistently incorporate treatment into their routine, similar to other continuous-use medications for chronic conditions. Many patients report that after the first few weeks, daily injections become an automatic habit, linked to a fixed time of day, such as before bed or right after waking up. Still, travel, routine changes, and occasional forgetfulness are more common challenges with daily regimens than weekly ones. It’s important to discuss specific guidance with the healthcare provider for these situations, including what to do if a dose is missed.

Why Saxenda is still prescribed despite newer options

Despite the emergence of weekly medications with superior average results in comparative studies, Saxenda remains a relevant therapeutic option in certain contexts. This includes cases where the patient has already responded well to the treatment, situations where the healthcare provider prefers a molecule with a longer-established safety record, or scenarios where availability and access issues make Saxenda a more feasible option than newer drugs.

Additionally, liraglutide has accumulated more years of real-world safety data, which can be a factor considered by the healthcare provider in specific clinical situations, especially in patients with more complex health profiles.

Transitioning between liraglutide and weekly medications

It is relatively common for patients starting treatment with Saxenda to consider switching to a weekly medication at some point, either for greater convenience or the expectation of additional results. When indicated, this transition should always be planned and supervised by the healthcare provider, who will assess the appropriate timing, guide the new titration process required for the weekly medication, and monitor the response throughout the change.

Saxenda in specific populations

Saxenda is also studied for use in adolescents with obesity in some countries, always under strict eligibility criteria and specialized medical supervision. This pediatric indication underscores the importance of an even more careful evaluation, considering the physical and emotional developmental aspects of this age group, as well as family involvement in treatment monitoring.

In older adults or those with multiple comorbidities, Saxenda use also requires extra caution, as the presence of other health conditions and the use of multiple medications can influence both the safety and expected effectiveness of treatment. In these cases, the decision to start treatment should involve a thorough assessment of individual risks and benefits.

Final considerations

Saxenda holds an important place in the history of GLP-1 agonists, being one of the first options to consistently demonstrate the potential of this class of medications for obesity treatment. Even with the emergence of newer weekly alternatives, it remains a valid therapeutic option in certain contexts, and the choice among available molecules should always be made together with a healthcare provider, considering the clinical profile and preferences of each patient.