Liraglutide vs. Semaglutide: Understanding the Difference

Finding quality weight loss solutions in the sea of options available in the current market can feel like a chore for many people trying to find a better way to lose weight. Knowing your options is crucial to discovering the best weight loss solution that works for you. One option that many women consider is medical weight loss medications, including Semaglutide and Liraglutide.

These medications help women struggling with traditional weight loss achieve a healthier weight. However, when discussing Semaglutide vs. Liraglutide, several factors will help determine which solution is suitable for you.

If you’re considering medical weight loss medications, continue reading to discover the critical components of Semaglutide vs. Liraglutide and understand their options.

What is Semaglutide?

Semaglutide is a type of weight loss medication for women struggling to achieve results with traditional weight loss solutions. Semaglutide helps manage obesity for adults with a body mass index (BMI) greater than 30, along with overweight adults with a BMI over 27.

Semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist. The treatment mimics the body’s natural GLP-1 hormone to target brain functions involving appetite and food consumption. By mimicking your body’s GLP-1 hormone, Semaglutide allows users to feel fuller for extended periods of time. This full sensation helps deter users from overeating — resulting in weight loss.

Semaglutide administered through once-weekly injections beginning at 0.25 mg for the first month. When an individual pairs this medication with a healthier, more active lifestyle, they can experience significant reductions in body weight.

What is Liraglutide?

For women struggling to lose weight, Semaglutide sounds like the perfect solution. However, there is another popular medication you may come across in your research that shares some similarities with Semaglutide: Liraglutide. 

Like Semaglutide, Liraglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist. The medication is prescribed for adults with a BMI similar to Semaglutide users. However, Liraglutide is also approved for children between 12 to 17 in some instances and is most effective when used to aid your weight loss journey to supplement other parts of your journey, like exercise and a low-calorie diet. While Liraglutide, like Semaglutide, is administered via injection, it is taken once daily rather than weekly.

Dosing for Semaglutide vs. Liraglutide

Though Semaglutide and Liraglutide are GLP-1 agonists, the dosing directions are very different. Once prescribed this medication, users will start on a small dose and gradually increase the amount until reaching the maximum dose.

Semaglutide doses begin at 0.25 mg once weekly and gradually increase once every four weeks. This process continues for the next 17 weeks until the maximum dose, 2.4 mg, is reached. Patients taking Liraglutide will have varying experience because of the frequency that this medication must be taken. Liraglutide begins with doses of 0.6 mg daily, increasing once weekly. After the following five weeks, patients will reach the maximum dose of three mg for Liraglutide.

Weight Loss Results for Semaglutide vs. Liraglutide

Semaglutide and Liraglutide are known for their weight-loss properties, as they are prescribed to patients struggling with weight-related health issues. Deciding between Semaglutide vs. Liraglutide is easiest when you understand the potential results of each medication to determine which is more suitable and effective for your health.

Studies have shown that Semaglutide is more effective in helping patients lose weight than Liraglutide. For example, a 2022 study separated over 300 overweight or obese adults without diabetes into two groups: one for the once-weekly Semaglutide treatment and the other for the once-daily Liraglutide treatment. Over 68 weeks, the study found that adults taking the Semaglutide treatment lost weight significantly more than adults taking the Liraglutide treatment. While the Semaglutide group lost an average of 16 percent of their initial body weight, the Liraglutide group lost an average of six percent.

Side Effects for Semaglutide vs. Liraglutide

While Semaglutide is more effective for patients seeking a successful weight-loss solution, both Semaglutide and Liraglutide have side effects to consider when determining a medical weight-loss solution. Side effects are typically mild and will disappear as your dose gradually increases. Because these medications are both GLP-1 agonists, the differences between Semaglutide vs. Liraglutide are minimal in terms of side effects.

Some common side effects of Semaglutide and Liraglutide include the following.

• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Vomiting
• Abdominal pain
• Headache
• Fatigue
• Upset stomach

These side effects are temporary and should fade as your body adjusts to the medication. As your dose gradually increases, you will notice fewer side effects. However, there are more severe side effects of Semaglutide and Liraglutide that, while rare, should be known.

• Faster heartbeat
• Suicidal thoughts or behaviors
• Pancreatitis
• Gallbladder issues
• Low blood sugar

Can I Take Semaglutide and Liraglutide Together?

While Semaglutide and Liraglutide are both GLP-1 agonists, they should not be used together. Both medications lower blood sugar, and an interaction between the two could cause serious issues. Because Semaglutide and Liraglutide serve similar medical purposes, the chance of experiencing side effects is significantly higher when taken together. 

Find the Right Weight Loss Treatment at Aqua Vitality

Debating over Semaglutide vs. Liraglutide can be daunting when you don’t have expert guidance for the next generation of weight loss solutions. At Aqua Vitality, we aim to give you newfound confidence and high-quality weight loss results through Semaglutide treatments and a range of weight loss and management options.

The enthusiastic experts at Aqua Vitality will help you create a plan to achieve all of your wellness goals. Make progress on your weight loss journey and become healthier by contacting the experts at Aqua Vitality. For more information about what you can get from Aqua Vitality or to schedule an appointment, contact us today!