Semaglutide Vs Liraglutide: Ozempic Vs Saxenda and Victoza

Semaglutide Vs Liraglutide compares the most common brand Ozempic with Saxenda and Victoza.

Semaglutide comes in three brand names: 

• Ozempic
• Wegovy, and 
• Rybelsus

Ozempic and Wegovy are injections administered weekly for diabetes and weight loss respectively, while Rybelsus is an oral tablet used to treat diabetes.

Liraglutide comes in two brands:

• Victoza
• Saxenda

Both Victoza and Saxenda are injections administered once daily. However, Victoza is indicated for diabetes while Saxenda is used to treat obesity.

Below is more detail about these medications. At the end of the article, we have compared the efficacies of Semaglutide vs Liraglutide in the management of diabetes and weight loss.

What is Semaglutide?

Semaglutide represents a highly potent analog of GLP-1, a natural hormone found in the human body.

It closely resembles the endogenous human GLP-1.

Commercially, Semaglutide is available as Ozempic, wherein it is formulated in a low-dose configuration.

This formulation is specifically indicated for the management of Type 2 Diabetes.

Previously, the approved weekly maximum dosage of Semaglutide was 1 mg. However, a recent update has expanded this threshold to allow for a maximum of 2 mg per week.

This adjustment is particularly beneficial for individuals with poorly controlled blood glucose levels.

Ozempic is one of the most potent diabetes medicines, second only to Mounjaro (Tirzepatide). It is recommended as a first-line medicine in diabetic patients with ASCVD (atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease).

Adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus who have a history of heart disease can also take Ozempic to lower their risk of serious cardiovascular events including a heart attack, stroke, or death.

The other two formulations of Semaglutide are:

• Rybelsus
• Wegovy

Rybelsus is an orally administered tablet that has been approved for dosages of 3, 7, and 14 mg to address diabetes.

Notably, ongoing clinical trials are investigating remarkably elevated dosages, reaching up to 50 mg daily.

These higher doses aim to manage weight loss effectively and have demonstrated promising outcomes, leading to substantial weight reduction akin to the impressive results observed with Wegovy.

Wegovy represents an advanced formulation endorsed for weight loss purposes. The initial dose adjustment process mirrors that of Ozempic.

Notably, the maximum weekly dose is set at 2.4 mg.

What is Liraglutide?

Liraglutide, similar to Semaglutide, functions as a GLP-1 analog. It made history as the initial GLP-1 analog sanctioned for weight loss, branded as Saxenda.

This medication is offered in the form of an injectable and is administered once per day. It’s available under two distinct names:

• Saxenda
• Victoza

It’s noteworthy that while both Saxenda and Victoza are injectable medications, they are promoted by Novo Nordisk to address different medical objectives.

What is Saxenda?

In 2017, the FDA authorized a higher dosage of liraglutide, marketed as Saxenda, for weight loss.

Like all other weight loss interventions, it is most effective when used with a low-calorie diet and exercise.

It is indicated in obese individuals with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher or adults with a BMI of 27 or higher who also have metabolic health problems, such as high blood pressure or type 2 diabetes.

It can also be used for children aged 12 and older who weigh more than 132 pounds (60 kg) or whose BMI is more than 30, equal to an adult BMI.

What is Victoza?

Back in 2010, the FDA granted its initial approval to Liraglutide, sold under the brand name Victoza, as a treatment for type 2 diabetes.

Like Saxenda, it is also administered as an injection once daily. However, it is only approved for managing type 2 diabetes.

Victoza is approved for individuals aged 10 and above with type 2 diabetes. It is associated with weight loss but is not an FDA-approved weight loss medicine.

Semaglutide Vs Liraglutide: Indications

Saxenda

Saxenda is indicated for weight loss in adults and children 12 years of age and above if they fulfill the following criteria:

• having a BMI of 30 or more
• Having a BMI of 27 or higher with a specific metabolic health issue, such as type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, or high blood pressure

It can also be used by children 12 years old or older who weigh 132 pounds or more (60 kg or more) or have a BMI of 30 or above, which is the equivalent of an adult measure.

Victoza

Victoza is indicated for the management of type 2 diabetes in adults and children who are 10 years of age or older.

It can be used with metformin, SGLT2 inhibitors (Faxiga and Jardiance), insulin, and sulfonylureas.

It is administered once daily and is not recommended for managing Type 1 diabetes or in combination with another GLP-1 analog such as Ozempic.

Ozempic

Ozempic is indicated for the management of Type 2 diabetes in adults. It is best for people who are overweight or obese and have atherosclerotic heart disease or angina.

It assists patients with type 2 diabetes in lowering blood sugar levels (along with diet and exercise), however, the dose approved for managing type 2 diabetes is not authorized for weight loss.

Ozempic is considered the second most effective diabetes drug, after Mounjaro. It lowers A1C by 1.8%

Semaglutide Vs Liraglutide Dosage – Victoza VS Saxenda VS Ozempic

Saxenda Dose Titration:

To lessen the possibility of gastrointestinal side effects, it is administered initially in a low dose and then titrated upwards to the most effective and tolerable dose every week.

• 1st week: Daily subcutaneous injection of 0.6 mg
• 2nd week: Subcutaneously administered 1.2 mg once daily.
• 3rd week: Daily subcutaneous injections of 1.8 mg
• 4th week: Subcutaneously administered 2.4 mg once a day.
• 5th week: Subcutaneously administered 3 mg once a day.

Victoza Dose Titration:

Initial dosage: Administer 0.6 mg subcutaneously once daily for a week to lessen gastrointestinal symptoms, but note that this amount is ineffective for glycemic control.

The dose titration is similar to Saxenda, however, the maximum dose above 1.8 mg is not indicated for managing diabetes:

• 1st week: Daily subcutaneous injection of 0.6 mg
• 2nd week: Subcutaneously administered 1.2 mg once daily.
• 3rd week: Daily subcutaneous injections of 1.8 mg

Ozempic Dose Titration [Ref]:

Ozempic is given once every week. The process of adjusting the dosage happens every four weeks.

Initially, the medication is taken at a dose of 0.25 mg per week for four weeks. Following this, the dose is raised to 0.5 mg weekly, and then to 1 mg weekly.

For individuals who are successfully managing their blood glucose levels, a maintenance dose of 0.5 mg can be continued.

However, if blood glucose remains unregulated, the dose can be increased to 1 mg per week.

More recently, the FDA has approved a dosage of 2 mg in cases of diabetes where blood glucose control is difficult even with the 1 mg dose.

Semaglutide Vs Liraglutide Side effects

All GLP-1 analogs have side effects involving mostly the gastrointestinal tract. These include constipation, diarrhea, nausea, bloating, and abdominal pain.

Allergic reactions and injection-site reactions are not very common but can occur.

Here is a list of the common side effects of Semaglutide vs Liraglutide (Saxenda and Ozempic):

• Side Effects of Victoza and Saxenda:

Gastrointestinal side effects are the most common and include constipation or diarrhea, vomiting, or nausea, and abdominal pain.

Medullary thyroid cancer and MEN-II syndrome is one contraindications to the use of GLP-1 analogs.

Symptoms of a thyroid tumor include a lump or enlargement in the neck, difficulty swallowing, hoarseness, and shortness of breath.

Pancreatitis and gallbladder disease including gallstones are also associated with Liraglutide.

Patients may present with fever, upper stomach discomfort, and jaundice. Those with pancreatitis may become very sick in a short matter of time and may need hospitalization.

Pancreatitis, symptoms include intense upper stomach discomfort that radiates to your back, nausea that may or may not cause vomiting, and a rapid heartbeat.

Patients may also develop kidney failure and palpitations.

Side effects of Semalgutide (Ozempic)

Typical side effects of Ozempic and other formulations of Semaglutide include:

• Low blood glucose (in patients with type 2 diabetes), especially when used with insulin or sulfonylureas.
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Abdominal discomfort
• Appetite loss
• Heartburn
• Bloating
• Nausea
• Burping
• Headaches
• Vertigo
• Gas
• Vomiting
• Fatigue

Semaglutide Vs Liraglutide Summary: Victoza Vs Saxenda Vs Ozempic:

Here is a table comparing the similarities and differences between Victoza, Saxenda, and Ozempic:

Overall, while Victoza and Saxenda are both forms of liraglutide, they have different indications and dosages.

Victoza is used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and is administered once daily, while Saxenda is used for weight management and is administered once daily at a higher dose.

Ozempic, on the other hand, is a different drug altogether, using Semaglutide as the active ingredient, and is administered once weekly.

All three drugs have a similar mode of action and potential side effects.

Semaglutide Vs Liraglutide: Efficacy in Diabetes and Weight Loss:

Ozempic is considered more potent than Victoza in controlling A1C.

Saxenda has comparable efficacy in lowering body weight as Ozempic.

However, it is important to note that despite Ozempic being approved only as a drug to treat diabetes, its efficacy in reducing body weight is comparable to that of Saxenda.

Here is a table comparing the efficacies of Victoza, Saxenda, and Ozempic in lowering A1C and body weight:

Overall, Saxenda and Ozempic are more effective at inducing weight loss than Victoza.

While all three drugs can lower A1C levels, Ozempic has the highest potential for A1C reduction.

However, the actual efficacy of these medications may vary depending on individual factors such as age, gender, and disease severity.