Saxenda Vs. Victoza: Drug Comparison

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​.

Victoza^® (liraglutide) is an injectable medication used to improve blood sugar control in adults and children aged 10 years and older with type 2 diabetes. It works as a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist, enhancing insulin secretion, inhibiting glucagon release, and slowing gastric emptying to lower blood sugar levels. Victoza is also indicated to reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events, such as heart attack, stroke, and cardiovascular death,] in adults with type 2 diabetes and established cardiovascular disease. Common side effects include nausea, diarrhea, and headache. 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

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

Victoza (liraglutide) is indicated:

• As an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults and pediatric patients aged 10 years and older 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

• 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

• Typically taken as an injection once daily

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

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

Most common adverse reactions (incidence ≥5%) in clinical trials are:

• Nausea

• Diarrhea

• Vomiting

• Decreased appetite

• Indigestion

• Constipation

Immunogenicity-related events, including hives, were more common among Victoza-treated patients (0.8%) than among comparator-treated patients (0.4%) in clinical trials

• 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

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

• Patients with a serious hypersensitivity reaction to liraglutide or any of the excipients in Victoza

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

• 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

• Pancreatitis

• Never share a Victoza pen between patients, even if the needle is changed

• Low blood sugar: Adult patients taking an insulin secretagogue or insulin may have an increased risk of low blood sugar, including severe low blood sugar

• Acute kidney injury

• Hypersensitivity reactions

• Acute gallbladder disease

• Pregnancy: Victoza should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus

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.

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 Victoza 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.

Victoza 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 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.

*This information is from the label for brand name Victoza^®. See the Full Prescribing Information for more complete information. Liraglutide, the active ingredient in Victoza, 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.