Ozempic Vs. Saxenda: Drug Comparison

Ozempic^® (semaglutide) is an injectable medication used to improve blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes and to reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events in individuals with established heart disease. It works by mimicking the hormone glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), which increases insulin secretion, decreases glucagon release, and slows gastric emptying. Administered once weekly, Ozempic is often part of a comprehensive treatment plan that includes diet and exercise. Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain, and it should be used with caution in patients with a history of pancreatitis​.

Saxenda^® (liraglutide) is an injectable medication used for chronic weight management in adults with obesity or overweight with at least one weight-related condition, such as hypertension, type 2 diabetes, or high cholesterol. It works by mimicking the hormone glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), which helps regulate appetite and food intake, leading to reduced caloric consumption and weight loss. Administered once daily, Saxenda is used in conjunction with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity. Common side effects include nausea, diarrhea, and constipation, and it should be used with caution in patients with a history of pancreatitis​.

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist

Ozempic (semaglutide) is indicated:

• As an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus

• To reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus and established cardiovascular disease

Saxenda (liraglutide) is indicated:

• As an adjunct to a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity for chronic weight management in:

  • Adult patients with an initial body mass index (BMI) of:

    • 30 kg/m² or greater (obese), or

    • 27 kg/m² or greater (overweight) in the presence of at least one weight-related comorbid condition (e.g., hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, or dyslipidemia)

  • Pediatric patients aged 12 years and older with:

    • Body weight above 60 kg and

An initial BMI corresponding to 30 kg/m² for adults (obese) by international cut-offs

• Typically taken as an injection once weekly

• Comes in single-patient-use pens that deliver 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1 mg, or 2 mg per injection

• Typically taken as an injection once daily

• Comes in single-patient-use pens that deliver 0.6 mg, 1.2 mg, 1.8 mg, 2.4 mg, or 3 mg per injection

The most common adverse reactions, reported in ≥5% of patients are:

• Nausea

• Vomiting

• Diarrhea

• Abdominal pain

• Constipation

Most common adverse reactions, reported in greater than or equal to 5% are:

• Nausea

• Diarrhea

• Constipation

• Vomiting

• Injection site reactions

• Headache

• Low blood sugar

• Indigestion

• Fatigue

• Dizziness

• Abdominal pain

• Increased lipase

• Upper abdominal pain

• Fever

• Inflammation of the digestive system

• Personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or in patients with multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2

• Serious hypersensitivity reaction to semaglutide or any of the excipients in Ozempic

• Drug interactions: Ozempic delays gastric emptying and may impact the absorption of concomitantly administered oral medications

• Personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2

• Hypersensitivity to liraglutide or any excipients in Saxenda

• Pregnancy

• Drug interactions: Saxenda delays gastric emptying. May impact absorption of concomitantly administered oral medications

• Pancreatitis

• Diabetic retinopathy complications

• Never share an Ozempic pen between patients, even if the needle is changed

• Low blood sugar: Concomitant use with an insulin secretagogue or insulin may increase the risk of low blood sugar, including severe low blood sugar

• Acute kidney injury

• Hypersensitivity reactions

• Acute gallbladder disease

• Females and males of reproductive potential: Discontinue Ozempic in women at least 2 months before a planned pregnancy due to the long washout period for semaglutide

• Thyroid C-cell tumors

• Acute pancreatitis

• Acute gallbladder disease

• Low blood sugar: Can occur in adults when Saxenda is used with an insulin secretagogue (e.g., a sulfonylurea) or insulin

• Heart rate increase

• Renal impairment

• Hypersensitivity reactions

• Suicidal behavior and ideation

WARNING: RISK OF THYROID C-CELL TUMORS

In rodents, semaglutide causes thyroid C-cell tumors. It is unknown whether Ozempic causes thyroid C-cell tumors, including medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), in humans as the human relevance of semaglutide-induced rodent thyroid C-cell tumors has not been determined.

Ozempic is contraindicated in patients with a personal or family history of MTC or in patients with multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2). Counsel patients regarding the potential risk of MTC and symptoms of thyroid tumors.

WARNING: RISK OF THYROID C-CELL TUMORS

Liraglutide causes thyroid C-cell tumors at clinically relevant exposures in both genders of rats and mice. It is unknown whether Saxenda causes thyroid C-cell tumors, including medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), in humans, as the human relevance of liraglutide-induced rodent thyroid C-cell tumors has not been determined.

Saxenda is contraindicated in patients with a personal or family history of MTC or in patients with multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2). Counsel patients regarding the potential risk of MTC and the symptoms of thyroid tumors.

*This information is from the label for brand name Ozempic^®. See the Full Prescribing Information for more complete information. Semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic, may also be the active ingredient in other medications, and this information may not be accurate for all medications that include the active ingredient semaglutide.

*This information is from the label for brand name Saxenda^®. See the Full Prescribing Information for more complete information. Liraglutide, the active ingredient in Saxenda, may also be the active ingredient in other medications, and this information may not be accurate for all medications that include the active ingredient liraglutide.