Compare Saxenda vs. Wegovy
Saxenda (liraglutide 3mg) was discontinued in Australia in December 2025, with Novo Nordisk directing patients to its replacement, Wegovy (semaglutide 2.4mg). Wegovy produces significantly greater weight loss (~15-17% vs ~8%), requires only weekly injections instead of daily, and has demonstrated cardiovascular benefit in the SELECT trial.
Compare Saxenda vs Wegovy at a Glance
Compare Saxenda vs Wegovy Cost in Australia
Private prescription cost per month in AUD.
Compare Saxenda vs Wegovy Weight Loss Efficacy
Saxenda Clinical Trials
SCALE Obesity
8% weight loss vs 2.6% placebo
SCALE Maintenance
Maintained weight loss after initial diet
Wegovy Clinical Trials
STEP 1
14.9% weight loss vs 2.4% placebo
STEP UP (7.2mg)
21% weight loss
SELECT
20% reduction in CV events
OASIS-4 (pill)
16.6% weight loss (oral form)
Clinical trial data at highest approved doses. Individual results vary.
Compare Saxenda vs Wegovy Side Effects
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
Wegovy
Very common
- Nausea (up to 44%)
- Diarrhoea
- Vomiting
- Constipation
Common
- Headache
- Abdominal pain
- Fatigue
- Dyspepsia
- Injection site reactions
Serious (rare)
- Pancreatitis
- Gallbladder disease
- Acute kidney injury
- Suicidal ideation (under investigation)
- Potential fracture risk (Dec 2025 warning)
Compare How Saxenda and Wegovy Work
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.
Wegovy
GLP-1 receptor agonist
Same mechanism as Ozempic but at higher dose (2.4mg vs 1mg) optimised for weight management. Mimics GLP-1 hormone, reducing appetite, slowing gastric emptying, and improving satiety. The oral pill (US only) uses SNAC technology to protect the molecule in the stomach.
Compare Saxenda vs Wegovy Dosing Schedule
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 |
Wegovy
Weekly injection (oral pill in US only)
| Dose | Period | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 0.25mg | Weeks 1-4 | Starting dose |
| 0.5mg | Weeks 5-8 | Escalation |
| 1mg | Weeks 9-12 | Escalation |
| 1.7mg | Weeks 13-16 | Escalation |
| 2.4mg | Week 17+ | Maintenance dose |
Compare Saxenda vs Wegovy Australian Regulatory Status
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
Wegovy
- TGA Status
- Registered on ARTG for chronic weight management and CV risk reduction
- PBS Listed
- PBAC recommended Jan 2026; price negotiation underway
- PBS Criteria
- BMI ≥35 (≥32.5 for Asian, Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander) + established CVD
- Supply Status
- More stable supply than Ozempic as of early 2026
- Oral Pill
- Not available in Australia. Launched in US Jan 2026.
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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.