Switching from Saxenda to Wegovy: what changes, what stays the same

Why do the two medicines work differently even though both are GLP-1s?

Saxenda and Wegovy both activate the GLP-1 receptor, the gut-hormone pathway involved in appetite regulation and slowing how quickly food leaves the stomach. That shared mechanism is why some people already tolerate GLP-1 medicines well before switching. The difference is the molecule itself.

Saxenda contains liraglutide, a shorter-acting compound given every day. Its effects rise and fall within roughly 24 hours, so the body is working with a regular daily peak. Wegovy contains semaglutide, a longer-acting molecule that stays active throughout the week after a single injection. Semaglutide's molecular structure also means it binds the GLP-1 receptor more strongly, which is one reason the weight-loss evidence is more pronounced. The semaglutide overview goes into how the drug works at a biological level if you'd like the fuller picture.

For a direct comparison of what these two medicines are and what sets them apart, this breakdown of how Saxenda and Wegovy differ covers the key distinctions side by side. The practical upshot for someone switching is that the new drug is not simply a weekly version of the old one — it is genuinely a different treatment, which is why the transition process is handled carefully.

How does the switch from liraglutide to semaglutide actually work in practice?

There is no universal protocol stamped across every switchover, and your prescriber will make the call based on your current dose and how well you've tolerated Saxenda so far. That said, the standard approach in UK clinical practice involves stopping Saxenda and allowing a short wash-out before beginning Wegovy at its lowest starting dose of 0.25 mg weekly. Jumping to a higher Wegovy dose because you've been on Saxenda for months is not advisable; semaglutide is a different compound and your system needs to adjust.

Titration on Wegovy then follows the standard schedule, moving up roughly every four weeks as tolerated, toward the 2.4 mg maintenance dose. The Wegovy treatment page sets out how that schedule is structured. One thing patients often ask about is whether the side effects restart from scratch. For many people, yes, the first few weeks on a new dose can bring back some of the nausea and digestive discomfort that settled during their time on Saxenda. This is normal and usually short-lived, but worth expecting rather than being caught off guard.

Your prescriber will also want to know your current Saxenda dose, how long you've been on it, and whether you've had any complications. Transferring to a new service requires evidence of your existing treatment, so having your GP or previous clinic's records to hand makes the process considerably smoother. If you're wondering what information to pull together before starting any transfer consultation, the nume FAQs cover what supporting evidence is typically needed.

Is Wegovy more effective than Saxenda, and what does the evidence actually say?

The honest answer is that the clinical trial data consistently shows greater average weight loss with semaglutide than with liraglutide. The STEP 1 trial, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, reported an average reduction of around 15% of body weight over 68 weeks on Wegovy 2.4 mg alongside lifestyle changes. Saxenda's SCALE trial showed roughly 5–7% average loss at maximum dose. These are averages from different study populations, so direct comparison has limits, but the direction of the evidence is consistent.

NICE reviewed Wegovy (TA875) and recommended it for use in specialist weight management services on the NHS, which reflects confidence in its evidence base. A detailed look at how the two medicines compare across efficacy, dosing and practical use is available on this comparison page.

It is also worth noting that Wegovy now has an approved higher dose. The MHRA approved a 7.2 mg semaglutide pen in April 2026, available for adults with a BMI of 30 or above, and trials at that dose reported average weight loss approaching 20.7% over 72 weeks. Whether that higher dose is appropriate for any individual is a clinical decision. The cost context for Wegovy is worth checking too, since private treatment pricing varies by dose and provider.

What is actually available through a UK regulated pharmacy for weight management?

This is where it's important to be clear. Saxenda is licensed in the UK for weight management, but it is not a treatment disponible through nume. The medicines our GPhC-registered pharmacy dispenses for weight management are Wegovy (semaglutide) and Mounjaro (tirzepatide). Both are prescription-only medicines and both require a full clinical assessment before any prescription is written.

Mounjaro is a dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist (the only medicine of its kind licensed in the UK for weight management) and SURMOUNT-1 trial data showed average weight reductions of around 20–21% at the highest dose. If you're exploring all your options after Saxenda, the weight-loss treatment overview sets out the licensed options clearly.

The NHS also describes the medicines currently available for weight management and their evidence base, which you can read on the NHS England weight-management injections page. For anyone ready to find out whether Wegovy or Mounjaro is clinically suitable after Saxenda, a good starting point is a proper consultation. Our prescribers review every application personally, a real clinician reads your answers and medical history the same day you apply. If you'd like to read more about how the move from Saxenda to Wegovy works in practice before going further, that page goes through the process in more detail.

When you're ready, check your eligibility with a free consultation and one of our GPhC-registered prescribers will take it from there.