WeGovy VS Saxenda (Weight Loss Results, Side Effects & More)

It's time to compare WeGovy VS Saxenda.

Both products are some alternatives for popular weight loss medications.

But are there any differences between them?:

  • Which one has better results overtime?
  • Which is more convenient to use?
  • What product has better ingredients?
  • Is the other one more affordable than the other?

With that, let me give you a fair comparison of these 2 products.

Note: This review is based on my experience + research on these 2 products.


WeGovy Or Saxenda? (In A Nutshell)


In this review, we're going to compare the different features of these weight loss products.

As you probably know, both of them are prescription medications.

  1. They main goal is to boost weight loss in people with diabetes.
  2. On the other hand, they're not designed for healthy people.
  3. But unfortunately, a lot of users who don't have diabetes try these drugs.
  4. They do that just because of their great weight loss potential.

But to give you a short answer, WeGovy is slightly better than Saxenda.

To be exact, WeGovy's dosage consists of only one injection every 7 days.

On the other hand – Saxenda requires daily administration (one injection pen per day).

Honestly, that's a pretty important aspect – so it does make the difference.

Other than that, both WeGovy and Saxenda are pretty much the same from other points of view:

  • each formula comes with one key ingredient (a GLP-1 receptor agonist)
  • have almost identical mechanisms of action
  • formulated as injectable pens
  • their use requires a valid doctor's prescription
  • both have been associated with concerning side effects
  • prices are on the very expensive side

If you ask me, WeGovy and Saxenda are truly effective in terms of weight loss.

This is because they can control and regulate the appetite and satiety.

However, these effects are usually observed in people with diabetes.

On the other hand, they can cause a lot of problems in healthy people using them.

So, if you don't have diabetes but you simply want to shed off your excess weight, look for other options instead.

In my opinion – a supplement called PhenQ is the best choice out there.

It's a supplement (not a prescription drug), but it targets weight in 5 different ways, so you end up shedding off pounds in a healthy but effective way

So overall – I don't really recommend trying either WeGovy or Saxenda (unless your doctor prescribes them).

 

 

 


#1 – Ingredients – DRAW


At first glance, WeGovy and Saxenda look very similar in terms of formulas:

  • injectable prescription medications
  • one single active ingredient
  • FDA-approved for weight loss

The only difference is the major compound present in each product.

To Both of them contain an ingredient that works as a GLP-1 receptor agonist.

So when it comes to promoting weight loss, they have identical mechanisms of action.

This also includes how the main ingredient interacts with your body's neurotransmitters.

With that, let me further explain to you how each product works.

1. WeGovy's Ingredients

Let's begin by examining the formula of WeGovy.

It contains semaglutide as its sole active compound:

  • decreases the body's excess weight
  • stimulates insulin production [1]
  • modulates glucose metabolism [2]
  • normalizes blood sugar and triglyceride levels
  • inhibits problems related to obesity (like type 2 diabetes) [3]

As a result, your body should experience the following benefits:

  • reduced weight
  • increased satiety
  • slower digestion
  • regulated appetite

As I've mentioned in my WeGovy review, semaglutide can influence neurotransmitters.

I'm mostly talking about the glutamatergic neurotransmission and dopamine levels [4].

These factors play important roles in memory, mood, cognition and mental well-being.

Generally, semaglutide has a positive impact on them.

However – there have been recent reports that WeGovy caused some serious issues, like depression and suicidal thoughts.

Although that's still under investigation, I don't encourage you to use the product.

Meanwhile, the rest of WeGovy's inactive ingredients don't really contribute to the product's effects.

Their only  role is to stabilize semaglutide, so that it can be absorbed correctly.

2. Saxenda‘s Ingredients

Meanwhile, Saxenda's major ingredient is called liraglutide.

It's also a GLP-1 receptor agonist:

  • increases weight loss [5]
  • regulates blood pressure, triglycerides and blood sugar levels
  • improves insulin resistance and pancreatic cell function [6]
  • reduces obesity-related complications (most especially type 2 diabetes) [7]

According to my previous review of Saxenda, it comes with several benefits:

  • appetite suppression
  • body weight reduction
  • delayed gastric acid emptying
  • prolonged feeling of satiety

Now – some research suggests that liraglutide has antidepressant effects [8].

That's simply because it affects the levels of brain neurotransmitters [9].

So ideally – it shouldn't cause any problems.

However, things are pretty similar as in WeGovy's case.

There were some complaints indicating that Saxenda caused suicidal thoughts and depression.

Although there's still no solid proof yet, there's a high possibility that liraglutide had something to do with that.

Again – its mechanism of action is associated with neuronal pathways.

So you might want to avoid the product if you already have past struggles with mental health problems.


Conclusion

Overall – WeGovy and Saxenda are very similar in terms of ingredients.

The only difference is their primary active compound.

But those ingredients still have the same nature (both are GLP-1 receptor agonists).

They basically reduce weight loss and affect the brain in the same way.

 

 


#2 – Consistency & Dosage – WINNER: WeGovy


Now – let's discuss how you should take WeGovy and Saxenda:

  • product administration
  • usage instructions

Again – both prescription medications are administered through injections.

But as you can see above, WeGovy is the winner (because of its lower frequency of use).

So let me further explain each product's features below.

1. WeGovy

Here's a quick description of what Wegovy looks like:

  • colorless liquid
  • watery texture
  • medicine-like scent

The drug comes as a pre-filled injection, so you don't have to worry about measuring your dosage.

Now, it's slightly better than Saxenda since you only need to inject it once a week.

But remember to administer it consistently (on the same day and time each week).

Furthermore – proper training is a must before doing it on your own.

However, I'm still not a huge fan of the product, since using it is painful and it takes a lot of effort.

2. Saxenda

Meanwhile – Saxenda also has the same physical characteristics:

  • no unpleasant odor
  • clear/transparent liquid
  • slightly watery consistency

Additionally – a specialized dose for each person is already set in the injection.

So all you have to do is administer it properly under your skin.

However – its main downside is that you need to inject it every day.

Honestly, using an injectable medicine daily is very uncomfortable.

So even though you can get proper instructions from a doctor, the procedure itself is extremely painful.

Not to mention the focus and time that you need to dedicate to it.


Conclusion

Both Wegovy and Saxenda are hard to use (compared to pills, capsules or syrup).

Honestly – they can cause discomfort, especially to people with a low tolerance to pain.

But if we're only talking about the frequency of use, WeGovy wins over Saxenda.

It's because it only requires weekly injections (compared to Saxenda's daily use).

 

 


#3 – Results – DRAW


Honestly – there's not much of a difference between WeGovy and Saxenda in this chapter.

In my view, they both have a similar positive and negative feedback.

Well – we can account for that to the same nature of their main ingredient.

Note: I only analyzed authentic reviews, not promotional or fake ones.

1. WeGovy

At this point,  you should already have an idea that Wegovy is not that easy to get.

You actually need to present a prescription made by a doctor.

It's true that some people still manage to get it even so.

But we can only count on the reviews on people who used it correctly:

  1. A lot of people who were advised to use WeGovy experienced a rapid weight reduction.
  2. Others achieved healthier BMIs.
  3. Some of them stated that the product curbed their cravings and appetite.
  4. There were also some people who didn't notice any weight loss at all.
  5. The rest of the concerns were about how WeGovy caused mild to serious side effects.

Honestly – the product is indeed effective for reducing excess weight and complications related to it.

The reviews above can actually confirm that.

But people who got it illegally and used it just because they wanted to, well…they might be at risk.

So dangerous adverse effects are extremely possible.

With that, I don't really recommend that you try WeGovy unless you also have diabetes.

You can always find better and safer alternatives that are way more effective for weight loss.

2. Saxenda

Now – Saxenda also has limited reviews, since it's a prescription medication.

So let me list down the feedback I found (on the official website and on some reliable sources):

  1. Most of the people who used Saxenda definitely lost their excess weight.
  2. Some of them normalized their BMI after using the product consistently.
  3. Others felt that their appetite and their hunger were lower.
  4. There were also people who gained more weight (rare cases).
  5. A few of the previous users also experienced adverse reactions (common to severe).

Just like what I mentioned about WeGovy, Saxenda can surely boost weight loss.

But again, this applies to people who have real health problems.

Otherwise – using Saxenda randomly will put your health in a dangerous place.

So if you're healthy and just aiming to lose your excess weight, I encourage you to refrain from using Saxenda.

There are less risky options that are equally (or even more) effective for weight reduction.


Conclusion

In conclusion – WeGovy and Saxenda are proven to boost weight loss in people with diabetes.

Obviously, only this category of users can get a prescription for any of these drugs.

However – if you're a healthy individual who wants to lose weight, don't use any products randomly.

They can actually do you more harm than good.

Instead, you should go for a safer alternative that works just as well.

 

 

 


#4 – Side Effects – DRAW


Let's now talk about the potential adverse effects that WeGovy and Saxenda can cause.

So far, I'm giving you a heads-up that both products are almost identical here.

Their main ingredients have the same nature, so expect them to be super similar.

1. WeGovy

I told you before about WeGovy's adverse reactions.

Honestly – they can go from mild to very serious:

  • nausea, tiredness or fatigue
  • allergic reactions
  • digestive issues (diarrhea, vomiting, bloating or constipation)
  • swelling at the injection site
  • elevated heart rate
  • hypoglycemia
  • pancreatic, gallbladder and kidney problems
  • worsen diabetic retinopathy
  • mental health concerns (depression or suicidal ideations)

The first thing you should remember is not to use WeGovy while you're on other medications.

I'm mostly talking about drugs that already contain GLP-1 agonist receptors.

There's a high chance that those drugs interact and end up damaging your organs.

Additionally – you need to be familiar with the list of health conditions that are incompatible with WeGovy.

And as I said, you can't use it if you have a history of mental health problems.

Now – the connection between those issues and the product is still under investigation.

But it's best to avoid WeGovy in the meantime

Its semaglutide can affect your brain negatively.

2. Saxenda

Now – we can't avoid the fact that Saxenda has lots of side effects too.

Let me give you a short overview:

  • vomiting, nausea or tiredness
  • constipation, loose bowel movement or stomach cramps
  • redness around the injection sites
  • low blood sugar levels
  • allergy to the medication
  • abnormal/fast heart rate
  • kidney issues and gallstones
  • pancreatic inflammation
  • depression or suicidal thoughts

As you can see, these issues are similar WeGovy's adverse effects.

That's because they both contain a GLP-1 receptor agonist (liraglutide for Saxenda).

You should be aware that not all people are allowed to use these products.

That's mostly available for those who have the health problems listed on Saxenda's website/ labels.

Furthermore, don't use it simultaneously with other medicines with the same composition.

Also – Saxenda has been recently linked to potential mental health issues.

As I've mentioned, liraglutide works with neuronal pathways.

Although their connection is not yet concluded , try your best to avoid the product.

So unless your doctor allowed you to use Saxenda, I highly encourage you to stay away from it.


Conclusion

To sum it up, both WeGovy and Saxenda have similar dangers.

Both are at risk of triggering some potential side effects.

That's because their main ingredients fall into the same category.

So unless your doctor recommends them, don't use these drugs randomly.

You can always find safer alternatives that really boost weight loss (a lot more than Saxenda and WeGovy, actually).

 

 


#5 – Price – DRAW


For the last category, WeGovy and Saxenda are produced by the same company.

You can already guess that their price tags are not far off.

But to give you a quick answer, both medicines are very expensive.

Note: I will only analyze the price of the 2 products.

1. WeGovy

At this point, the accessibility of WeGovy is limited, since it's a prescribed medicine.

So it can't be purchased easily in any online or offline marketplaces.

In order to get one, you really need a written prescription from your doctor.

Still, let me give you a quick rundown of its price range:

  • a 4 weeks' supply is $1349.02
  • discounted price will depend on the type of insurance you have

Again, you're required one injection per week so you basically need to spend around $337 for each one.

Honestly, it's a very expensive option for a weight loss treatment.

Sure, WeGovy is effective in many cases – but that doesn't make its price any better.

Not to mention that it comes with such a huge amount of risks!

So there's no way I could recommend it, given its absolutely huge price!

2. Saxenda

Now – Saxenda also requires a prescription before buying it.

So if you're curious, here are details about its pricing:

  • 30-day supply costs $1349.02
  • you might get a discount if you have insurance coverage

Basically – you're spending $45 per injectable pen.

Well – it might look like it's more affordable than WeGovy.

But you have to remember that you need to use Saxenda every day.

In my view, there's no difference between the two products, since they are still both incredibly highly priced.

Again – there are other weight loss regimens that cost way less.

At the same time, they are also effective and they don't put your health at any risks.

So with that, I don't really advise you to spend a lot on a product like this.


Conclusion

If you ask me, WeGovy and Saxenda are very pricey weight loss options.

Even if they are proven to be effective, I still don't encourage you to buy any of them.

You would spending more than $1000 a month on products that come with a lot of risks.

So honestly, there's no winner at this chapter.

You can certainly find some much better (and safer) options out there.

 

 

 


#6 – Pros & Cons


Overall – let's summarize the pros and cons of the two products in this chapter.

In that way, you can see the similarities and differences so you can decide which one to try (if you're still planning to).

1. WeGovy

2. Saxenda

 

 

 


My Verdict – WeGovy Or Saxenda?


Short answer: WeGovy – just because its frequency of use is less than that of Saxenda.

But honestly, it's just slightly better and the 2 drugs are quite similar overall:

  • Both contain a GLP-1 receptor agonist as a major ingredient
  • They have the same mechanisms of action
  • The two medications come as injectable pens
  • Both require a doctor's prescription
  • They can cause alarming adverse reactions
  • Both products carry a very high price tag

In reality, the effects of both products are regulated appetite, reduced weight and increased satiety.

With that, it's highly expected that their results to the users are also aligned.

So in reality, WeGovy is only better than Saxenda because it just requires one injection a week.

But if you ask me, my views on the products are still the same and I still don't recommend them.

Now – what better option do I suggest instead?

Well, allow me to introduce PhenQ – my #1 recommendation for weight loss:

PhenQ Review

  • Contains ingredients in their safest forms
  • Really proven to reduce excess weight and fats
  • Provides 5 mechanisms of action to inhibit further weight gain and curb cravings
  • Very affordable weight loss regimen
  • Safe to use and easy to take on a daily basis

Maybe, you would think that PhenQ is weaker (since it's just a supplement).

But let me tell you that it's a much better alternative, since it's potent enough to help you lose weight.

Not to mention that has zero complaints on serious side reactions (as Saxenda and WeGovy do).

On top of that, you can get it for as low as $37 (one month supply) from its normal price of $69.

So if you're after suppressing your appetite, stopping weight gain and reducing excess weight, PhenQ will do that for you.

Those are just a few of the reasons why it's my top recommended weight loss supplement.
best weight loss supplement

References:

1 – https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/neuroscience/-incretin/

2 – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/-pmc/articles/-PMC8736331/

3 – https://www.uab.edu/news/-research/item/-weight-loss-drug-semaglutide/

4 – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/-pmc/articles/-PMC7848227/

5 – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/-pmc/articles/-PMC3781545/

6 – https://www.elsevier.es/-liraglutide-on-weight-reduction/-X1665579614365466/

7 – https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/-23360033/

8 – https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/-36566932/

9 – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/-pmc/articles/-PMC4478577/

 

 

Written by 

Paula has a background in Chemistry and continues to pursue further studies in it. She loves searching for the best products in the market that will give excellent benefits to the human body and share them with you.

Fact Checked by Oltea Roman, Pharm. D.

Last updated: August 30, 2023

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