Obesity and type 2 diabetes often go hand in hand. Studies show that 86% of adults with type 2 diabetes also suffer from obesity.
Another similarity between these two conditions is that Liraglutide is a medication used to treat both of them, albeit under different brand names. The two drugs in question are Victoza and Saxenda.
Keep reading for a comparison of Victoza vs Saxenda.
What Is Saxenda?
Saxenda is an injectable medication used to combat obesity in people 12 years of age or older. Its active ingredient is liraglutide.
The medication is a GLP-1 agonist, so it imitates the action of a hormone called ‘glucagon-like peptide’. This hormone stimulates insulin production in the body when blood sugar levels rise after a meal.
Insulin helps lower blood sugar levels and keeps type 2 diabetes under control.
So, like other GLP-1 receptor agonists like Victoza, Saxenda may help treat type 2 diabetes. It’s not intended or approved as a diabetes drug, though.
The FDA has approved Saxenda for use as a weight loss medication for adults with a BMI over 27 and for children aged 12 to 17 who weigh over 132 pounds.
What Is Victoza?
Victoza is another brand name for liraglutide. It acts in the same way Saxenda does to lower blood sugar levels. Victoza is an FDA-approved treatment for type 2 diabetes.
It’s not approved as a weight-loss medication.
Victoza vs Saxenda Effectiveness
Saxenda has a maximum daily dose of 3 milligrams, and it’s packaged in prefilled injectable pens. Likewise, you buy Victoza in prefilled pens, but the doses vary between 0.6 mg, 1.2 mg, and 1.8 mg for use once a day.
Separate studies show that both Victoza and Saxenda can cause weight loss. However, it’s impossible to compare the results due to all the variables involved.
Overall, Saxenda produced more significant weight loss in test subjects, although the study lasted much longer. In both cases, the participants followed a healthy diet that would have helped promote weight loss, too.
Victoza stands out as one of the most effective diabetes medications, especially when compared to oral treatments like sulfonylureas. Saxenda is not a type 2 diabetes medication, and it’s never undergone tests in this regard.
Side Effects of Victoza and Saxenda
Since Victoza and Saxenda both help to lower blood sugar levels, you should never take them at the same time. This would cause dangerously low blood sugar levels.
Both drugs have similar side effects, like:
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Vomiting
Decreased appetite is a known side effect of Victoza, and low blood sugar is a side effect of Saxenda. That’s understandable because of the Liraglutide.
Additionally, Saxenda may cause a host of side effects like headaches, tiredness, dizziness, stomach pain, and altered lipase levels. These extra side effects are likely due to the higher dosage of liraglutide per treatment.
More of the Same
While Saxenda and Victoza are essentially the same things, it’s never advisable to use them interchangeably. Each of these medications has been carefully developed for its intended purpose.
Rather, consult your doctor about your Victoza vs Saxenda questions, and always use medications as directed. Are you interested in discovering more about various health topics?
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