Switching from Saxenda to Wegovy: what you need to know
Are you considering switching from Saxenda to Wegovy? Get the facts you need to make a decision.
Are you taking Saxenda for weight loss but are thinking of switching to Wegovy?
This guide is for you. It explains all the key facts you need to know before making a decision, including the benefits of Wegovy and how switching works.
Similarities and differences
Saxenda and Wegovy are quite similar. They are both GLP-1 receptor agonists (most often abbreviated to 'GLP-1s'). This means they work in the same way – they mimic natural hormones involved in digestion, hunger and regulating blood sugar.
Because the drugs are so similar, many of Wegovy's effects will be familiar to you as a Saxenda user. These effects include:
- Appetite suppression: Wegovy, like Saxenda, sends signals to the brain that promote feelings of fullness and satisfaction.
- Slowing digestion: both drugs slow stomach emptying, which makes you feel full more quickly and for longer.
- Reducing snack cravings: by helping to regulate blood sugar levels, Wegovy and Saxenda make it less likely that you'll crave sugary, calorific snacks.
For many people, these similarities are welcome. You've taken Saxenda, so you know what to expect with Wegovy.
But it's not all apples and apples. There are several differences with Wegovy that may make it a more suitable option for you.
Let's look at these differences one by one.
1. Wegovy is taken weekly
One of the most significant differences between Saxenda and Wegovy is the dosing schedule. As you know, Saxenda must be injected once daily. With Wegovy, however, you take the injection once per week.
You might prefer this dosing schedule, or you might not. For many users, however, a weekly injection is easier to manage than a daily dose.
2. Wegovy is more effective
Generally speaking, Wegovy is more effective as a weight loss treatment than Saxenda.
In a clinical trial testing Saxenda's effectiveness, participants lost an average of 8% of their starting body weight over 56 weeks of treatment.
In a similar trial looking at Wegovy, participants lost 14.9% on average. This trial lasted 68 weeks.
Researchers have also compared the two drugs in a head-to-head trial under identical conditions. In this 68-week study, Saxenda users lost 6.4% of their starting body weight, while Wegovy users lost 15.8%.
It's worth noting that the participants in these trials followed diet and exercise regimes as well as taking the medications. These lifestyle changes are essential for getting the best results.
3. Wegovy may have less severe side effects
If you've experienced side effects on Saxenda, you can expect many of the same side effects with Wegovy. The most common include gastrointestinal upsets like nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and constipation.
However, while the side effects are similar, clinical trials suggest that Wegovy tends to be easier to tolerate than Saxenda. In a study comparing the two drugs, 12.6% of Saxenda users stopped their treatment because of side effects. With Wegovy, the proportion was just 3.2%.
Learn more about the common side effects of Wegovy.
Is it worth switching from Saxenda to Wegovy?
As we've seen, Wegovy has several benefits over Saxenda that might make it more suitable as a weight loss treatment for you.
- If you find it difficult to manage a once-daily injection, Wegovy's weekly dosing schedule may suit you better.
- If you haven't seen the results you want with Saxenda, Wegovy may help you lose more weight more quickly.
- If you find Saxenda's side effects hard to tolerate, you may have better luck on Wegovy.
However, pay attention to those 'mays'. It's important to remember that medications affect everyone differently. While Wegovy is, on average, more effective and easier to tolerate, your experience may vary.
And don't forget that Wegovy, like Saxenda, is a prescription weight loss drug. It must be prescribed by a medical professional and can only be offered to people who meet the eligibility criteria.
Am I eligible for Wegovy?
Wegovy is only available to those who meet certain criteria. Put simply:
- you must have a BMI of 30 or greater, or
- you must have a BMI of at least 27, along with a weight-related health condition.
These are the basics. But there are other factors to consider, including your medical history, your ethnic background and which drugs you're currently taking.
It can get complicated. That's why you must have a consultation with a medical professional before you can get a prescription for Wegovy. This is to make sure it's safe and appropriate for you to take the drug.
How to go about switching from Saxenda to Wegovy
Start by talking to your prescriber and letting them know you're considering making the switch. They'll look at your progress on Saxenda and draw up a plan to make sure you can transition safely and effectively to Wegovy.
It's really important to follow your prescriber's instructions because the two drugs can interact. If you transition too quickly or take the wrong dose, you risk heightened side effects and other potentially dangerous problems.
Your prescriber may recommend switching straight away (after 48 hours) or slowly stopping your Saxenda treatment before moving you to Wegovy. It's also possible that they'll decide that Wegovy isn't right for you.
If you think you might want to purchase Wegovy through SemaPen, you can kickstart the process by completing our online consultation form. One of our experts will review your answers and get in touch to discuss your options.
What happens when I stop taking Saxenda?
Saxenda isn't an addictive drug, so it doesn't cause withdrawal symptoms when you stop taking it.
That said, it's not unusual to experience some unpleasant symptoms as your body gets used to the change. These can include changes in appetite, as well as nausea and vomiting.
You may also experience heightened side effects when you first start taking Wegovy. Most people find that these side effects get easier to tolerate with time.
Remember to speak to your medical team before stopping Saxenda.
Do I have other options?
Yes. Mounjaro is another injectable weight loss drug that works similarly to Saxenda and Wegovy.
Mounjaro is the newest of the three drugs – and it also appears to be the most effective. On average, Mounjaro users achieve 20.9% weight loss as part of a supervised weight loss programme.⁴ That's about 6% more than with Wegovy and about 15% more than with Saxenda.
Want to know more about the differences between Wegovy and Mounjaro? Read our guide: 'Mounjaro vs Wegovy: which is right for you?'
SemaPen is an online clinic specialising in injectable weight loss medications. Are you considering switching from Saxenda to Wegovy or Mounjaro? With SemaPen, you get tailored, ongoing advice from real UK obesity experts. You can take our online consultation to find out if you're eligible.
Sources
1. Pi-Sunyer, X. et al. (2015) "A Randomized, Controlled Trial of 3.0 mg of Liraglutide in Weight Management" New England Journal of Medicine, 373(1) https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa1411892
2. Wilding, J.P.H. et al. (2021) "Once-weekly semaglutide in adults with overweight or obesity" New England Journal of Medicine, 384(11) https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa2032183
3. Rubino, D.M. et al. (2022) "Effect of Weekly Subcutaneous Semaglutide vs Daily Liraglutide on Body Weight in Adults With Overweight or Obesity Without Diabetes: The STEP 8 Randomized Clinical Trial" JAMA, 327(2) https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2021.23619
4. Jastreboff, A.M. et al. (2022) "Tirzepatide Once Weekly for the Treatment of Obesity" The New England Journal of Medicine, 387(3) https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa2206038
This article was reviewed and approved by Alice Fletcher, Lead Bariatric Dietician, on 21 May 2025.
