Saxenda vs Wegovy
both GLP-1 receptor agonists reviewed for weight management
What the regulatory reviews say
Saxenda is indicated as an adjunct to a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity for chronic weight management in adult patients with an initial body mass index (BMI) of at least 30 kg/m² (obese) or at least 27 kg/m² (overweight) in the presence of at least one weight-related comorbid condition. Wegovy is indicated to reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (cardiovascular death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, or non-fatal stroke) in adults with established cardiovascular disease and either obesity or overweight, and for weight management.
Regulators reviewed Saxenda's efficacy for weight management, noting that in its trials, 56% of patients in the Saxenda arm lost >=5% body weight, compared to 25% in the placebo arm. Wegovy's reviews highlighted that 88.47% of participants achieved a body weight reduction of >=5% in its trials, with an estimated treatment difference in body weight change versus placebo of -14.81.
It is crucial to note that these drugs were studied in separate trials with different designs, populations, and timepoints. The reported figures are not directly comparable, and neither drug is presented as superior to the other.
Each drug's own results — cited
| Saxenda | Wegovy | |
|---|---|---|
| Patients losing >=5% body weight | 56 Saxenda arm NOVO — Saxenda FDA Review (NDA/BLA 206321, 2019), p.41 | 88.47 Proportion of participants achieving body weight reduction ≥5% Novo Nordisk A S — Wegovy EMA EPAR variation assessment repo, p.5 |
| Mean change in body weight | -4.8 Saxenda arm NOVO — Saxenda FDA Review (NDA/BLA 206321, 2019), p.71 | -14.81 Estimated treatment difference (ETD) in body weight change vs placebo Novo Nordisk A S — Wegovy EMA EPAR variation assessment repo, p.5 |
Explore the full evidence
Every cited finding behind both drugs is in the Metabolic research library →
Figures are as stated in the cited regulatory review documents. Educational reference only — not medical or investment advice.