Saxenda vs Trulicity
Last reviewed against the current FDA prescribing information for both products. Not medical advice.
Short answer
Saxenda (liraglutide) and Trulicity (dulaglutide) are different medicines: Saxenda is taken once daily and Trulicity once weekly.
Saxenda is FDA-approved for weight management; Trulicity is not FDA-approved for weight management. The table below lists each product's approved uses, doses and most common side effects from its FDA label. Your prescriber can tell you which, if either, fits your situation.
This pairing isn't one of our reviewed comparison guides. For the comparisons people ask about most, see all GLP-1 comparisons.
Saxenda and Trulicity side by side
| From the FDA label | Saxenda | Trulicity |
|---|---|---|
| Active ingredient | liraglutide | dulaglutide |
| Drug class | GLP-1 receptor agonist | GLP-1 receptor agonist |
| Manufacturer | Novo Nordisk | Eli Lilly |
| FDA-approved uses |
|
|
| Approved for weight management? | Yes | No |
| How it's taken | Injection under the skin (subcutaneous) | Injection under the skin (subcutaneous) |
| How often | Once daily | Once weekly |
| Starting dose | 0.6 mg once daily for 1 week | 0.75 mg once weekly (adults) |
| Dose increases | Increase each week: 1.2 mg, 1.8 mg, 2.4 mg, then 3 mg from week 5 | Adults: after 4 weeks, may increase to 1.5 mg, then in 1.5 mg steps after at least 4 weeks on each dose if more blood sugar control is needed. Children: may increase to 1.5 mg after at least 4 weeks |
| Maintenance dose | 3 mg once daily for adults (children who do not tolerate 3 mg may use 2.4 mg) | Set by your prescriber based on blood sugar control, within the dose range above |
| Maximum dose | 3 mg once daily | 4.5 mg once weekly in adults; 1.5 mg once weekly in children |
| When to take it | Once a day at any time, regardless of meals | Any time of day, with or without food. The injection day can be changed if the last dose was 3 or more days earlier |
| Pens and devices | Multi-dose 3 mL pen that dials 0.6 mg to 3 mg doses. Pen needles are not included | Single-dose pens: 0.75 mg, 1.5 mg, 3 mg and 4.5 mg |
| Storage | Before first use: refrigerate. After first use, the pen can be kept at room temperature (59–86°F) or in the fridge for 30 days. Do not freeze | Refrigerate. Each pen can be kept at room temperature (up to 86°F) for a total of 14 days. Do not freeze |
| Weight results in the label | In the label’s 56-week trial in adults with obesity, or overweight with a weight-related condition (Study 1), average weight change was −7.4% with Saxenda vs −3.0% with placebo, on top of diet and exercise. (Saxenda label, section 14.1, Table 4) | None: not a weight-management product |
| Most common side effects (≥5%) | Nausea, Diarrhea, Constipation, Vomiting, Injection site reactions, Headache, Low blood sugar, Indigestion (dyspepsia), Fatigue, Dizziness, Abdominal pain, Increased lipase, Upper abdominal pain, Fever, Stomach flu (gastroenteritis) | Nausea, Diarrhea, Vomiting, Abdominal pain, Decreased appetite |
| Boxed warning | Risk of thyroid C-cell tumors. Do not use if you or a family member have had medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or if you have Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2). | Risk of thyroid C-cell tumors. Do not use if you or a family member have had medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or if you have Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2). |
| First FDA approval | December 23, 2014 | September 18, 2014 |
Side effects listed are the label's “most common adverse reactions”; the full label also covers serious risks such as pancreatitis, gallbladder problems and low blood sugar. Weight results come from separate placebo-controlled trials and are not a head-to-head comparison unless stated.
Good to know
- The label says adults should stop Saxenda if they have not lost at least 4% of their starting weight after 16 weeks.
- Trulicity is not FDA-approved for weight management.
Questions to ask your prescriber
- Which of these is approved for my diagnosis, and is it covered by my plan?
- How should I step up the dose, and what should I do if the side effects are hard to tolerate?
- Do any of my other medicines, or my personal or family history, rule one of these out?
- If I switch from one to the other, what dose should I start on and when?
Sources
- Saxenda (liraglutide) injection — FDA prescribing information, DailyMed (label effective February 25, 2026, version 22) (Sections 1, 2, 3, 6, 14.1, 16, boxed warning, Instructions for Use; checked September 24, 2026)
- Drugs@FDA: NDA 206321 (Saxenda) (Original approval date; checked September 24, 2026)
- Trulicity (dulaglutide) injection — FDA prescribing information, DailyMed (label effective June 16, 2026, version 62) (Sections 1, 2.1, 3, 6, 16, boxed warning; checked September 24, 2026)
- Drugs@FDA: BLA 125469 (Trulicity) (Original approval date; checked September 24, 2026)
How we review: every fact on this page is taken from the current FDA prescribing information on DailyMed or from Drugs@FDA, and re-checked on the date shown. This page was reviewed against FDA labeling, not by a named clinician.
Medical disclaimer: This page is general information, not medical advice, diagnosis or treatment, and it doesn't cover every use, dose, warning or side effect. Always follow the advice of your doctor, pharmacist or other prescriber and read the Medication Guide that comes with your medicine. If you think you are having a medical emergency, call your local emergency number. ShotWise is a tracking app and does not prescribe, sell or recommend any medication.
