Does Wegovy provide faster weight loss results than Saxenda?

Yes — trials show Wegovy users lose more weight earlier than with Saxenda, thanks to its stronger appetite effect and weekly dosing. That said, both require steady use over months for results to build.

The two medicines at a glance

Wegovy and Saxenda belong to the same family of medicines, GLP-1 receptor agonists. They help people feel fuller sooner, reduce appetite, and support healthier eating. The difference lies in the active ingredient and how they are dosed: Wegovy contains semaglutide and is taken once a week, while Saxenda contains liraglutide and is taken daily. This difference in dose strength and frequency is key to how quickly results appear.

What the trials show

In the STEP-1 trial, published in The New England Journal of Medicine, people using Wegovy (semaglutide 2.4 mg weekly) lost on average about 15% of their body weight at 68 weeks. Importantly, reductions in weight began within the first two months. By comparison, the SCALE trials of Saxenda (liraglutide 3 mg daily) reported average weight loss of around 6–8% after a year, with results also beginning in the first few months but generally at a slower pace and lower overall magnitude.

Appetite effects and satiety

Wegovy’s higher dose of semaglutide produces a stronger effect on appetite and satiety signals in the brain compared with liraglutide. Many people describe noticing fewer food cravings and smaller portion sizes within the first few weeks. While Saxenda also reduces appetite, its daily dosing and shorter half-life mean the impact is less powerful, so the rate of weight loss tends to be slower.

Convenience and adherence

Another factor influencing results is convenience. Wegovy’s once-weekly injection is often easier for people to remember and incorporate into their lives than Saxenda’s daily injections. Higher adherence usually translates into more consistent results, especially in the early stages of treatment. NHS clinicians note that patients are often more motivated to continue when they see noticeable changes early on.

Long-term perspective

Although Wegovy produces faster and larger average reductions, both medicines require long-term commitment. The benefits build gradually over many months, and both must be combined with lifestyle support. NICE guidance emphasises that neither medicine is a quick fix: they work best when used consistently and alongside dietary and activity changes.

NHS use

NICE currently recommends Wegovy for NHS specialist weight-management services, given its stronger trial evidence. Saxenda is approved but has a narrower role and is more commonly accessed privately. This reflects the greater effectiveness of semaglutide and the preference for weekly rather than daily dosing in long-term programmes.

Key takeaways

Yes, Wegovy provides faster and greater weight loss than Saxenda for most people, thanks to its stronger appetite effect and weekly schedule. Saxenda can still be effective, particularly for those who respond well to liraglutide, but overall the clinical evidence favours Wegovy for both speed and scale of weight reduction. Neither works instantly, and both require steady use alongside lifestyle changes to maintain results.