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Key takeaways
Saxenda and Wegovy are FDA-approved injectable weight-loss medications.
Saxenda’s average monthly cost is $1,806 without insurance.
Wegovy’s average monthly cost is $1,835 without insurance.
Saxenda requires daily injections, while Wegovy requires weekly injections.
Clinical studies show 6.4% average weight loss with Saxenda and 15.8% with Wegovy.
Saxenda (liraglutide) and Wegovy (semaglutide) are weight-loss medications approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Wegovy can also lower the risk of cardiovascular death, heart attack, and stroke in people with cardiovascular disease who either have obesity or are overweight. Both medications regulate appetite and increase feelings of fullness to promote weight loss.
Saxenda requires daily injections, while Wegovy requires weekly injections. According to a clinical trial published in JAMA in 2022, Wegovy yields more than double the average weight loss of Saxenda. Below, we’ll explain Saxenda and Wegovy distinctions, prices, discounts, and more.
Saxenda vs. Wegovy: Price and insurance coverage
Without insurance, a monthly supply of Saxenda is typically around $1,802 per
5, 3 mL of 18 mg/3 mL pen injector (about 30 days, depending on your dosage schedule). During the first four weeks, you’ll gradually increase your dosage until you get to a maintenance dose of 3 mg daily. One pre-filled injection pen lasts six days on the maintenance dose, and a pack of five pens lasts 30 days.
Wegovy is similar in cost, with a typical cash price of $1,834.52 per four, 0.75 mL of 2.4 mg/0.75 mL pen-injector without insurance or discounts.
Saxenda and Wegovy aren’t typically covered by Medicare prescription plans for weight loss, similar to many weight-loss medications. However, on March 8, the FDA announced that it had approved a new indication for Wegovy—for reducing the risk of cardiovascular death, heart attack, and stroke in adults with cardiovascular disease who either have obesity or are overweight. Since it is the first weight loss medication to be approved for this indication, it is yet to be seen whether insurance companies and federal and state governments will change their stance on coverage of weight loss medications.
General insurance coverage varies widely for weight loss drugs. Although Novo Nordisk has online tools that allow you to check your cost and coverage for Saxenda and Wegovy, contacting your health insurance company may give you a more accurate idea of what you can expect to pay.
RELATED: How to get Wegovy covered by insurance
Saxenda vs. Wegovy cost and insurance comparison |
||
|---|---|---|
| Saxenda | Wegovy | |
| Typically covered by insurance? | Varies by plan | Maybe, depending on the indication prescribed for |
| Typically covered by Medicare Part D? | No | Not for weight loss |
| Quantity | Monthly supply (five, 3 mL of 18 mg/3 mL injector pens) | Monthly supply (four 0.75 mL of 2.4 mg/0.75 mL injector pens) |
| Average cost without insurance* | $1,802.34 | $1,810.46 |
| SingleCare cost* | $1,190.00 | $1,234.00 |
*Prices subject to change
Saxenda vs. Wegovy: Similarities
Saxenda and Wegovy are weight-loss drugs produced by drug manufacturer Novo Nordisk. Both Saxenda and Wegovy are self-administered through subcutaneous injections (under the skin). Both medications are in a class of medications called glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1) agonists. They function similarly in terms of regulating appetite and boosting feelings of fullness.
For adults, Saxenda and Wegovy also share the same FDA criteria for use as a weight-loss medication:
- A body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher, or
- A BMI of 27 or higher with a weight-related health condition (e.g., Type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, or sleep apnea).
For children ages 12 and older, the FDA criteria differ. Saxenda can be used by children 12 and older who weigh more than 132 pounds and are considered obese based on adult BMI values. Wegovy, however, is for children 12 years and older with an initial BMI at the 95th percentile or greater for age and sex (obesity).
Per the FDA, use of Saxenda or Wegovy should complement a reduced-calorie diet and physical activity.
Saxenda vs. Wegovy: Key differences
Saxenda and Wegovy differ in release dates, active ingredients, injection frequency, and effectiveness. Saxenda gained FDA approval in 2014, requires daily injections, and yields less weight loss on average than Wegovy. Wegovy gained FDA approval in 2021, requires weekly injections, and shows higher weight loss in clinical studies.
RELATED: Saxenda vs. Wegovy for weight loss
“Wegovy has shown greater effectiveness in clinical trials, with users experiencing significant weight loss compared to Saxenda. The choice between them often depends on patient preference for injection frequency and their specific health goals,” says Suzanne Manzi, board-certified MD with Obesity Medicine certification by the American Board of Obesity Medicine and co-founder of Performance Pain and Sports Medicine.
Saxenda vs. Wegovy: Compare key differences |
||
|---|---|---|
| Saxenda | Wegovy | |
| FDA approved | 2014 | 2021 |
| Active ingredient | Liraglutide | Semaglutide |
| Injection frequency | Daily | Weekly |
| Effectiveness | 6.4% average weight loss* | 15.8% average weight loss* |
*Based on 2022 clinical trials by the JAMA Network
Is it okay to switch from Wegovy to Saxenda?
Yes, with guidance from your healthcare provider, it’s possible to switch from Wegovy to Saxenda (and vice versa) for weight loss treatment.
“There are a few reasons why you might want to switch,” says Christie Kunde, Pharm.D., owner of InformedRx. Examples include the need to manage side effects, the medication not working well, the patient having trouble sticking to the dosing schedule, cost or insurance coverage considerations, or just personal preference, according to Kunde.
With your healthcare provider, weigh the potential benefits and risks of switching between Wegovy and Saxenda. An experienced healthcare provider can determine the best treatment plan for your needs. They can also finetune doses while you shift between weight-loss medications.
“The doses of the two medications aren’t equivalent, and depending on how a patient is tolerating a medication and the reason for the switch, a dose titration may be recommended,” says family physician Suneye Koohsari, MD, a diplomate of the American Board of Obesity Medicine and owner of Manhattan Medical Weight Loss.
RELATED: Saxenda alternatives: What can I take instead of Saxenda?
How to save on Saxenda and Wegovy
SingleCare Saxenda coupons and Wegovy coupons are free to use. With SingleCare, you can fill a monthly Saxenda prescription for as low as $1,190.00 and a monthly Wegovy prescription for as low as $1,234.00.
RELATED: How to save on Wegovy for weight loss, 4 ways to save on weight-loss medications
Sources
- Saxenda, Food and Drug Administration (2014)
- Wegovy, Food and Drug Administration (2022)
- Effect of weekly subcutaneous semaglutide vs. daily liraglutide on body weight in adults with overweight or obesity without diabetes, JAMA (2022)
- Saxenda dosing schedule, Saxenda
- FDA approves first treatment to reduce risk of serious heart problems specifically in adults with obesity or overweight, Food and Drug Administration (2024)
- Check coverage for Saxenda® , NovoCare (2024)
- Check cost and coverage for Wegovy®, Wegovy (2024)
