Compare Orlistat vs. Saxenda
Saxenda (liraglutide) was discontinued in Australia in December 2025, while Orlistat remains widely available over-the-counter. Orlistat blocks fat absorption ($50-80/month, ~3-5% weight loss) while Saxenda was a daily GLP-1 injection ($370-400/month, ~8% weight loss). Orlistat remains the cheapest and most accessible weight loss medication in Australia.
Compare Orlistat vs Saxenda at a Glance
Compare Orlistat vs Saxenda Cost in Australia
Private prescription cost per month in AUD.
Compare Orlistat vs Saxenda Weight Loss Efficacy
Orlistat Clinical Trials
XENDOS
5.8kg loss vs 3kg placebo
Multiple Phase 3
~3-5% body weight reduction
Saxenda Clinical Trials
SCALE Obesity
8% weight loss vs 2.6% placebo
SCALE Maintenance
Maintained weight loss after initial diet
Clinical trial data at highest approved doses. Individual results vary.
Compare Orlistat vs Saxenda Side Effects
Orlistat
Very common
- Oily/fatty stools
- Oily spotting
- Increased flatulence
- Faecal urgency
Common
- Abdominal discomfort
- Liquid stools
- Frequent bowel movements
- Headache
Serious (rare)
- Liver injury (very rare)
- Kidney stones (rare)
- Reduced fat-soluble vitamin absorption (A,D,E,K)
- May affect absorption of some medications
Saxenda
Very common
- Nausea (39%)
- Diarrhoea
- Constipation
- Vomiting
Common
- Headache
- Decreased appetite
- Dyspepsia
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
Serious (rare)
- Pancreatitis
- Gallbladder disease
- Increased heart rate
- Thyroid tumour risk (animal data)
- Acute kidney injury
Compare How Orlistat and Saxenda Work
Orlistat
Lipase inhibitor
Completely different mechanism to GLP-1 drugs. Inhibits gastric and pancreatic lipase enzymes, preventing approximately 30% of dietary fat from being absorbed. Unabsorbed fat passes through the digestive system. Does not affect appetite or the brain. Most effective with a reduced-fat diet.
Saxenda
GLP-1 receptor agonist
First-generation GLP-1 receptor agonist for weight loss. Same mechanism as Ozempic/Wegovy (appetite reduction, slowed gastric emptying) but requires daily injection and produces less weight loss than semaglutide.
Compare Orlistat vs Saxenda Dosing Schedule
Orlistat
Oral capsule with meals (up to 3x daily)
| Dose | Period | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 60mg OTC | With each meal | Up to 3 capsules/day |
| 120mg Rx | With each meal | Up to 3 capsules/day |
Saxenda
Daily injection
| Dose | Period | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 0.6mg | Week 1 | Starting dose (daily) |
| 1.2mg | Week 2 | Escalation |
| 1.8mg | Week 3 | Escalation |
| 2.4mg | Week 4 | Escalation |
| 3mg | Week 5+ | Maintenance dose |
Compare Orlistat vs Saxenda Australian Regulatory Status
Orlistat
- TGA Status
- Registered (OTC and prescription strengths)
- PBS Listed
- No PBS listing
- OTC Availability
- 60mg available without prescription at pharmacies
- Key Advantage
- No needles, no Rx for lower dose, cheapest option, longest safety record
- Limitation
- Modest weight loss vs GLP-1 drugs; GI side effects related to fat intake
Saxenda
- TGA Status
- Discontinued in Australia (December 2025)
- PBS Listed
- Never PBS listed for weight management
- Replacement
- Novo Nordisk directs patients to Wegovy
- Historical Note
- First GLP-1 approved for weight loss in Australia; now superseded
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Medication Cost CalculatorThis website is for informational and research purposes only.
We are not medical professionals and nothing on this page constitutes medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified doctor or specialist before making any decisions about medication.
The weight loss medication landscape in Australia is changing rapidly. Information on this page may become outdated without notice. Data sourced from the TGA, FDA, MHRA, NICE, PBAC, Australian Prescriber, Obesity Evidence Hub, and clinical trial publications. Last reviewed March 2026.