Recently, there is a prescription drug that has emerged as the diet secret of many influencers. Saxenda and Wegovy. As it has been officially licensed for use in Korea, it is attracting the attention of many people. These ingredients mimic the body’s natural hormones that help regulate hunger and how much you eat, which can help promote weight loss when combined with diet and exercise. Medically, they are glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists.
Both drugs are manufactured by Novo Nordisk, and work in a very similar way, but there are some differences. Let’s take a closer look at the differences between Saxenda and Wegovy.
Saxenda vs. Wegovy: Key Differences
The main difference between Saxenda and Wegovy is that they differ in active ingredients. The active ingredient in Saxenda is liraglutide, while the active ingredient in Wegovy is semaglutide. Both active ingredients act as GLP-1 receptor agonists. Wegovy is a relatively recent approved drug that hit the market in 2017, seven years after Saxenda was approved in 2010 .
Another key difference lies in the dosing schedule. Saxenda is administered as an injection once a day, while Wegovy is administered as an injection once a week. This is because Saxenda has a short half-life of 13 hours, compared to Wegovy’s half-life of about 13 weeks.
Saxenda vs. Wegovy : treatment conditions
Both Saxenda and Wegovy are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for chronic weight management in adults with a BMI of 30 or greater (obese) or 27 or greater (overweight) and weight-related conditions such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, or high cholesterol. In addition, both drugs are approved for the treatment of obesity in people 12 years of age and older.
Neither medication is a cure for obesity or weight-related health problems, but they can help support a weight loss treatment plan. Both medications should be used in conjunction with a low-calorie diet and regular physical activity.
Is Wegovy better than Saxenda?
Wegovy and Saxenda are both effective weight loss drugs that are backed by clinical research. Both can help promote weight loss by increasing insulin production and suppressing appetite. However, some studies suggest that one may lead to greater weight loss than the other.
One study over 68 weeks found that adults who were obese or overweight and took semaglutide (the active ingredient in Wegovy) once a week lost significantly more weight than those who took liraglutide (the active ingredient in Saxenda) daily .
Although both drugs were combined with diet and exercise, more than one-third of participants who took semaglutide lost more than 20% of their body weight, while only 6% of participants who took liraglutide experienced the same weight loss.
The weight loss benefits of both medications can vary depending on a variety of factors, including your overall medical history and response to the medication.
Saxenda vs. Wegovy side effects
The GLP-1 receptor agonists Saxenda and Wegovy can cause similar side effects, such as nausea, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, indigestion, and gastrointestinal problems such as abdominal pain. Other side effects may include headache and dizziness.
Both medications can cause injection site reactions, such as swelling, itching, or redness around the injection site, but Saxenda may be more likely to cause these reactions than Wegovy. Saxenda may increase levels of the lipase (https://ko.wikipedia.org/wiki/%EB%9D%BC%EC%9D%B4%ED%8E%98%EC%9D%B4%EC%8A%A4) enzyme, and Wegovy is known to cause common cold symptoms, such as a runny nose and sore throat.
-The frequency of administration is not based on data from head-to-head trials. This may not be a complete list of side effects that may occur. Ask your doctor or healthcare provider for more information.
Source: DailyMed (Saxenda), DailyMed (Wegovy)
Saxenda and Wegovy Drug Interactions
Because Saxenda and Wegovy can delay the emptying of the stomach, they can slow the absorption of over-the-counter and prescription medications taken orally. As a result, taking Saxenda or Wegovy may increase the time it takes for the drug to work or reduce the effectiveness of the drug.
Saxenda vs. Wegovy Cautions
Saxenda and Wegovy can cause an increase in heart rate, which can lead to potential problems for people with cardiovascular disease or high blood pressure. In addition, Saxenda and Wegovy carry the risk of acute pancreatitis, acute gallbladder disease, kidney problems such as kidney failure, suicidal thoughts, or related behaviors. Hypoglycemia is a potential risk for both medications, especially for people taking other medications for diabetes.
If you experience persistent or worsening side effects, seek medical help immediately. If you experience signs or symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as hives, swelling of the face or neck, or difficulty breathing, you may need emergency medical attention.
Saxenda or Wegovy should not be used during pregnancy as they can harm the fetus. Due to the long half-life of Wegovy, women who are planning to become pregnant should stop taking Wegovy at least 2~3 months before conception.While it is currently unknown whether Saxenda or Wegovy can harm breastfed babies, if you are pregnant or planning to breastfeed, please consult your healthcare professional before taking Saxenda or Wegovy.
Saxenda vs Wegovy List of FAQ
- Which is better Saxenda or Wegovy?
Saxenda and Wegovy are effective drugs approved for weight management. The effectiveness of the drug can vary depending on various factors, such as individual reactions and dosage. However, current research suggests that Wegovy may lead to greater weight loss than Saxenda.You can consult with a specialist who can recommend the most appropriate option based on your individual’s overall condition.
- Is it OK to switch from Saxenda to Wegovy?
It may be at the discretion of a medical professional. However, this transition should not be carried out without medical guidance. The appropriate way to change medications may depend on the reason for changing medications and the current dose of medications you are changing medications. For example, if you are on a low dose of Saxenda, it may include starting with a low dose of Wegovy and gradually increasing to a target dose.
- How do Saxenda and Wegovy cost?
Saxenda:
- Price of 1 pen: Varies depending on the pharmacy and hospital, and is usually between 80,000 won and 150,000 won.
- Monthly cost: It depends on the dose used, but the maximum dose of 3.0 mg requires 5 pens per month for injection, and the total cost can be around 600,000 won.
Wegovy:
- Domestic shipping price: It is set at about 372,025 won per pen.
- Consumer price: Varies from hospital to hospital, with an average ranging from 400,000 won to 800,000 won.
- Saxenda and Wegovy Medical Insurance and Actual Expense Insurance
Both Saxenda and Wegovy are injectable drugs used to treat obesity. Both drugs are currently classified as non-reimbursable items that are not covered by the National Health Insurance in South Korea. Therefore, if you are prescribed these medications, you will have to pay the full cost.
Indemnity Medical Insurance Coverage:
- Saxenda: In general, prescriptions for the treatment of obesity are not covered by indemnity insurance. However, if you have a comorbidity related to obesity (e.g., high blood pressure, diabetes, etc.), you may be eligible for indemnity insurance coverage if Saxenda is prescribed for the treatment of that condition. This may vary depending on the insurer’s policy and individual contract, so it is recommended that you contact your insurance company directly to determine the specific coverage.
- Wegovy: Prescriptions for the treatment of obesity are often not covered by indemnity insurance. However , if you have certain comorbidities, such as cardiovascular disease, you may be eligible for indemnity insurance coverage if Wegovy was prescribed for the treatment of that condition. Again, this depends on the insurer’s policy and individual contract, so please check with your insurance company for exact coverage.
Notes:
- Policies vary by insurer: Each insurer may have different coverage standards and policies, so it’s important to check your insurer’s coverage standards before prescribing medication.
Saxenda and Wegovi are not currently covered by NHI, and coverage for indemnity may depend on the individual’s health condition, comorbidities, and insurer’s policies. You should contact your insurance company directly to find out if you can get the exact coverage.
