Semaglutide vs Liraglutide: Which Is Better for Weight Loss?
Over the past few years, a weight loss drug called Semaglutide has taken the wellness industry by storm. You’ve probably noticed celebrities raving about it recently. This highly popular drug has been around since 2012. However, most people didn’t know about it until the last few years. Initially, the drug was developed to treat type 2 diabetes. But as its anti-obesity benefits became more apparent, it came under higher demand. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the medication for weight loss in 2021. Since then, it has claimed a top spot as one of the most popular weight-loss medications in existence.
Besides Semaglutide, there’s another weight-loss drug called Liraglutide. The two drugs are similar in some ways, such as their classification as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists. But they also differ in key ways, including their efficacy rates. If you’re wondering which drug to choose for your weight loss goals, learning more about each option is important. That way, you can make a well-informed decision. Here are some key differences between Semaglutide vs Liraglutide.
What Is Semaglutide?
Semaglutide is an injectable medication that is classified as a GLP-1 agonist. That means it mimics the action of glucagon-like peptide-1 in the body. This is a type of hormone that may aid in weight reduction. It helps curb hunger, lower blood pressure, and decrease blood sugar.
GLP-1 agonists also stimulate more insulin production in the body. This, in turn, lowers glucose. This function makes the drug ideal for people with diabetes. But at higher doses, Semaglutide also signals to your brain that you’re full. This helps you cut back on the calories you consume without feeling deprived.
Semaglutide has delivered exceptional results to many people who can’t lose weight with just diet and exercise. But that doesn’t mean it’s a miracle cure. You still need to maintain a healthy lifestyle to get optimal results from this drug. That means eating healthy foods and engaging in regular physical activity. People who fail to follow these important guidelines may not lose as much weight as they could otherwise. They may also be more likely to regain weight once they stop taking Semaglutide.
What Is Liraglutide?
When choosing between Semaglutide vs Liraglutide, learn about their similarities and differences. Liraglutide is also a GLP-1 agonist. Like Semaglutide, it’s an injectable drug that improves insulin resistance. It’s a second-line therapy for type 2 diabetes after metformin. It’s also sometimes prescribed for people with chronic obesity. The FDA also approves Liraglutide for weight loss.
Though they have many similarities, Liraglutide and Semaglutide are two different active ingredients. Therefore, they inevitably have some important differences. Some of those differences include varying dosages, dosage frequency, and differences in efficacy. These are all important to understand when choosing between Semaglutide and Liraglutide.
One important thing to note about both Semaglutide and Liraglutide is that they are not meant to be standalone fixes. Though they can help you drop excess weight quickly, you should use these drugs to support a healthy lifestyle. Any good provider of these medications will suggest diet and lifestyle choices. This approach will help you get the best results from your medication.
Taking Liraglutide while eating an unhealthy diet or staying sedentary won’t get optimal results. Even more discouragingly, you’ll likely return to your previous weight quickly. A healthy lifestyle is necessary to experience the best results. Maintain healthy habits both during and after weight-loss injections.
Semaglutide vs Liraglutide: Benefits
Choosing between Semaglutide and Liraglutide is challenging. But it becomes easier once you understand their benefits and side effects. Since both drugs are GLP-1 agonists, you’ll notice that they share many of the same benefits.
Semaglutide Benefits
Semaglutide is the top weight-loss drug in Hollywood right now, and it’s easy to see why. In addition to its top-tier efficacy rates, it also boasts the following benefits:
- Decreased risk of heart disease and other heart risks
- Reduced body weight
- Decreased blood pressure
- Reduced blood glucose levels
- Improved insulin resistance
- Requires only a once-weekly injection beneath the skin
This drug helps with weight loss and maintenance when combined with exercise and a healthy diet.
Liraglutide Benefits
Liraglutide is not as well-known as Semaglutide, but many people still use it to manage their weight. It offers the following benefits:
- Decreased risk of death from cardiovascular disease
- Decreased blood pressure
- Improved blood glucose levels
- Augmented weight loss
- Improved insulin resistance
One drawback of Liraglutide is that it requires daily injections. That is much more frequent than the once-weekly injections required with Semaglutide treatments. Some of the most common injection locations for both Semaglutide and Liraglutide are the upper arm, abdomen, and thigh.
Semaglutide vs Liraglutide: Efficacy
There aren’t any long-term phase III trials yet that compare the efficacy of Semaglutide against Liraglutide. However, Semaglutide showed superior weight loss results compared to Liraglutide in one meta-analysis. The meta-analysis also showed that Semaglutide was more effective for long-term body weight control.
In another randomized clinical trial lasting 68 weeks, Semaglutide patients experienced a mean body weight reduction of 15.8%. In the same study, patients who received Liraglutide only experienced a 6.4% body weight reduction. This shows Semaglutide has a statistically significant advantage over Liraglutide for weight reduction and management.
Semaglutide vs Liraglutide: What to Expect
When you’re approved for Semaglutide injections, it’s natural to have a lot of questions. You may have a lot of curiosity about how the actual treatments work. The treatment process may differ slightly from one location to another. However, most providers start their patients out with a small dose of the medication. This is to test their tolerance to it and ensure they don’t experience unwanted side effects.
Once the patient becomes used to the small dosage, the provider usually raises the dosage by degrees over time. Eventually, the goal is to get the patient at the maximum dose of 2.4 mg. If you experience unwanted side effects at the full dose, your provider may adjust the dose downward again. The goal is to help you get the maximum benefits from the drug without dealing with unreasonable side effects.
In most cases, providers show patients how to administer the once-weekly dose of Semaglutide at home. However, it’s important to attend regularly scheduled appointments with your provider, as well. Your provider will monitor your progress and ensure the drug is doing what it should.
Liraglutide for weight loss requires daily injections. As with Semaglutide, your provider will likely start you on a low dose. Over time, they’ll slowly raise the dose according to your tolerance. Before injecting the drug, use rubbing alcohol to clean the injection site. You should also change the injection location daily to avoid irritation. Most providers recommend taking the drug at the same time every day so you don’t forget.
Side Effects of Semaglutide vs Liraglutide
All drugs come with a risk of side effects, and GLP-1 agonists are no exception. Most patients experience mild symptoms with Semaglutide and Liraglutide. However, serious side effects are also possible. Here’s what to know about the potential risks associated with these popular weight-loss drugs.
Semaglutide Side Effects
Some of the most common side effects associated with Semaglutide injections include:
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Constipation
- Stomach upset
Thankfully, most of these symptoms subside within a few weeks of use. Serious side effects are rare. They may include pancreatitis, allergic reactions, gallbladder disease, hypoglycemia, and acute kidney injury. People with type 2 diabetes may also experience diabetic retinopathy complications in rare cases. Finally, Semaglutide has a black box warning for thyroid cancer. It’s important to note that there is no human case of thyroid cancer linked to Semaglutide use. However, some mice and rats did develop thyroid cancer in animal trials of the drug.
Liraglutide Side Effects
When it comes to Semaglutide vs Liraglutide side effects, there aren’t too many differences. Some of the most common Liraglutide side effects include:
- Diarrhea
- Decreased appetite
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Stomach upset
- Constipation
Rarer, but more serious side effects may occur. They can include kidney problems, pancreatitis, allergic reactions, and thoughts of suicide. If you experience serious side effects from Semaglutide or Liraglutide, seek immediate medical attention.
Stopping Diabetes Medications
Some patients use Semaglutide or Liraglutide to replace their current diabetes medications. However, stopping diabetes meds without consulting your doctor first can be very dangerous. Your doctor may recommend continuing your diabetes medications while taking Semaglutide or Liraglutide. You may eventually be able to stop your medications once your blood sugar is under control.
Reduce Fat With Semaglutide Injections
If you still struggle to choose between Semaglutide and Liraglutide, contact Body Morph MD. We can help you determine which medication best fits your weight loss goals. We’ll also help you weigh the pros and cons of each medication in terms of cost and efficacy. We offer highly effective Semaglutide injections to Harrison and Yonkers, New York residents. We also serve Westchester, Greenwich, and the Upper West Side. We also have a location in Naples, Florida, where Semaglutide is available. Contact us at 914-391-1274 to schedule your Semaglutide weight loss injections.
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