Saxenda vs Wegovy

Saxenda (daily liraglutide) vs Wegovy (weekly semaglutide shot or daily pill): approved uses, dosing, the STEP 8 head-to-head trial and side effects.

Compares Saxenda (liraglutide 3 mg) and Wegovy (semaglutide), both Novo Nordisk GLP-1 medicines approved for weight management in adults and adolescents 12 and older (the Wegovy pill is for adults). Saxenda is injected daily, starting at 0.6 mg and reaching 3 mg in week 5; Wegovy is a weekly injection reaching 2.4 mg after 16 weeks (up to 7.2 mg for some adults) or a daily pill reaching 25 mg after 90 days. In the 68-week STEP 8 trial, average weight loss was 15.8% with semaglutide 2.4 mg versus 6.4% with liraglutide 3 mg; stomach side effects were similar, but more people stopped liraglutide. A generic version of Saxenda has been available in the U.S. since August 2025. The page also covers missed-dose rules, Saxenda's 16-week progress check, and questions to ask a prescriber.

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