Liraglutide vs Semaglutide: side-by-side comparison
Saxenda · Victoza
The original GLP-1 receptor agonist for weight management, with 97% amino acid homology to human GLP-1. Less potent than semaglutide (~8% vs ~16% weight loss) and requires daily injection vs weekly, but now available as generic making it a more affordable option. Works through appetite suppression, delayed gastric emptying, and central satiety signals.
Ozempic · Wegovy · Rybelsus
A GLP-1 receptor agonist used for weight loss, appetite suppression, and type 2 diabetes management. Originally developed and approved as Ozempic for diabetes, the same drug is now FDA-approved as Wegovy for chronic weight management (injectable and, since December 2025, an oral tablet) and as Rybelsus for oral diabetes treatment. Also carries FDA approvals for reducing major cardiovascular events (SELECT trial) and slowing chronic kidney disease progression in type 2 diabetics (FLOW trial).
3 / 10 natty scale / 3
Same lane
Both sit in the same class and are run for cutting, health. This is a like-for-like comparison: read the gaps as real trade-offs.
The tape
Core ratings
The same three rulers every entry on the site is scored with, read head to head.
Natty scale
1 natural · 10 heavy
Effectiveness
Documented effect · of 5Δ0.5
Side-effect severity
Documented burden · of 5Δ0.5
Cost side
Body-load fingerprint
Where each one actually lands its strain, on the calculator's thirteen channels. Tap a row for what it means and which labs track it.
Organ strain
Systemic
Injection & site care
Bars show strain at each one's typical protocol, not your dose. ≈ marks values inferred from side-effect data or category rather than hand-graded. For your numbers, run the calculator.
Logistics
The vitals
Benefit side
What each is for
Shared goals carry both dots; a goal with one dot belongs to that side alone.
Run for
Documented upside
- FDA-approved for weight management
- SCALE trials: 8.0% weight loss at 56 weeks
- 63% of users achieve >5% weight loss
- Visceral fat reduction 12.5-23%
- Generic now available (more affordable)
Run for
Documented upside
- Significant appetite reduction
- Substantial weight loss (~15% at 68 weeks in STEP 1)
- Improved blood sugar control
- Once-weekly dosing (injectable forms)
- FDA-approved with extensive safety data
The downsides
Side effects, aligned
Each entry's documented side effects, sorted onto the same body systems so the gaps and the overlaps are visible. Tap any effect for the detail.
None documented
The exit
Hormonal fallout & recovery
What each does to your own hormone axis while on, and what leaving it costs.
Liraglutide
Does not affect HPT axis. No PCT required. Weight regain is common after discontinuation - consider as long-term therapy.
Semaglutide
Not hormonal. No PCT required.
Read-out
How they separate
- 01
Enhancement
They land at almost the same point on the natty scale (3/10 vs 3/10): a similar distance beyond natural.
- 02
Side-effect bill
Semaglutide's documented side-effect severity is heavier (3/5 vs 2.5/5). The body-load fingerprint above shows where that weight actually lands.
- 03
Body load
The widest gap at typical protocols is heart structure (Semaglutide 2.8/10 vs 0/10).
- 04
Coming off
Neither requires PCT: both leave the natural testosterone axis running.
- 05
Logistics
typical runs are 16-52 weeks vs 12-52 weeks.
Generated from each entry's data file. Descriptive, not a recommendation; nothing here is medical advice.