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Comparison

Wegovy pill vs Saxenda

The facts that differ, side by side, from each FDA label and trial.

Clinician review pending Updated

Wegovy pill

oral semaglutide · Novo Nordisk

vs

Saxenda

liraglutide · Novo Nordisk

Side by side

Wegovy pillSaxenda
Active ingredientoral semaglutideliraglutide
MakerNovo NordiskNovo Nordisk
ClassGLP-1 receptor agonist (tablet)GLP-1 receptor agonist
Approved forWeight managementWeight management
How you take itonce daily tabletonce daily injection
Starting dose1.5 mg0.6 mg
Highest dose25 mg3 mg
Main trial result13.6% avg loss (OASIS 4, 25 mg, 64 wk)8.0% avg loss (SCALE Obesity and Prediabetes, 3 mg, 56 wk)
Nausea (label)see label39% vs 14% placebo
Missed-dose windowskip and resume the next dayresume the next day (more than 3 days missed: restart titration)
Out of the fridgeRoom temperature in the original packageUp to 30 days after first use at 59°F to 86°F
List pricen/a$1,349/mo
Lowest self-pay$149/monot offered

Prices compiled mid-2026 from manufacturer announcements; re-checked monthly.

Key differences

  • Different molecules. Wegovy pill is oral semaglutide (GLP-1 receptor agonist (tablet)); Saxenda is liraglutide (GLP-1 receptor agonist).
  • Different routine. Wegovy pill is a once daily tablet; Saxenda is a once daily injection.
  • Trial results. Wegovy pill's main trial averaged 13.6% loss vs 8.0% for Saxenda, but those were separate trials with different people and lengths.

Trial weight loss

Wegovy pill 25 mgOASIS 4 · 64 wk
13.6%
Saxenda 3 mgSCALE Obesity and Prediabetes · 56 wk
8.0%
Average % of body weight lost in each drug's main trial. Separate trials, not a head-to-head result.

Which one fits you

That's a decision for you and your prescriber. The factors that usually decide it:

  • Your diagnosis, which decides the approved option and often the coverage
  • Whether your plan covers one and not the other
  • A shot or a pill, weekly or daily
  • How you tolerate side effects
  • Cost if you pay yourself: see the cost index

Common questions

Is Wegovy pill the same as Saxenda?

No. They contain different medicines: oral semaglutide and liraglutide.

Which works better for weight loss, Wegovy pill or Saxenda?

Their main trials were separate, so a direct ranking isn't possible from that data. Your prescriber can weigh your history.

Can I switch from Wegovy pill to Saxenda?

Only with your prescriber. Switching usually means a new starting dose, not a direct swap.

Which is cheaper, Wegovy pill or Saxenda?

List prices are n/a and $1,349/mo a month; lowest self-pay options we track are $149/mo and not offered. Coverage usually matters more.

Sources

  1. Wegovy pill prescribing information (FDA label on DailyMed)
  2. Saxenda prescribing information (FDA label on DailyMed)
  3. SCALE Obesity and Prediabetes trial publication

Clinician review pending. Drafted from primary sources and waiting for sign-off by a licensed clinician (MD, DO or PharmD) before launch. Every number is checked against its source. Drug facts are re-checked quarterly, prices monthly and whenever a label changes. How we review · Report an error