Saxenda vs Zepbound
Last reviewed against the current FDA prescribing information for both products. Not medical advice.
Short answer
Saxenda (liraglutide) and Zepbound (tirzepatide) are different medicines: Saxenda is taken once daily and Zepbound once weekly.
Saxenda is FDA-approved for weight management; Zepbound is 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 Zepbound side by side
| From the FDA label | Saxenda | Zepbound |
|---|---|---|
| Active ingredient | liraglutide | tirzepatide |
| Drug class | GLP-1 receptor agonist | GIP receptor and GLP-1 receptor agonist |
| Manufacturer | Novo Nordisk | Eli Lilly |
| FDA-approved uses |
|
|
| Approved for weight management? | Yes | Yes |
| 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 | 2.5 mg once weekly for 4 weeks (a starter dose, not a maintenance dose) |
| Dose increases | Increase each week: 1.2 mg, 1.8 mg, 2.4 mg, then 3 mg from week 5 | Then 5 mg once weekly; can increase in 2.5 mg steps after at least 4 weeks on the current dose |
| Maintenance dose | 3 mg once daily for adults (children who do not tolerate 3 mg may use 2.4 mg) | 5 mg, 10 mg or 15 mg once weekly for weight reduction; 10 mg or 15 mg for sleep apnea |
| Maximum dose | 3 mg once daily | 15 mg once weekly |
| When to take it | Once a day at any time, regardless of meals | Any time of day, with or without meals. The injection day can be changed if doses are at least 3 days (72 hours) apart |
| 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, single-dose vials, 4-dose vials and 4-dose KwikPens, each in 2.5, 5, 7.5, 10, 12.5 and 15 mg strengths |
| 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. Single-dose pens and vials can be kept unrefrigerated (up to 86°F) for a total of 21 days. KwikPens and multi-dose vials: throw away after 30 days at room temperature, 30 days after first use or 4 weekly doses, whichever comes first. 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) | In the label’s 72-week trial in adults with obesity, or overweight with a weight-related condition, without type 2 diabetes (Study 1), average weight change was −15.0% (5 mg), −19.5% (10 mg) and −20.9% (15 mg) with Zepbound vs −3.1% with placebo, on top of diet and exercise. (Zepbound label, section 14, Table 2) |
| 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, Constipation, Abdominal pain, Indigestion (dyspepsia), Injection site reactions, Fatigue, Hypersensitivity (allergic) reactions, Belching, Hair loss, Acid reflux (GERD) |
| 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 | November 8, 2023 |
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.
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)
- Zepbound (tirzepatide) injection — FDA prescribing information, DailyMed (label effective August 28, 2026, version 40) (Sections 1, 2, 3, 6, 12.1, 14, 16, boxed warning; checked September 24, 2026)
- Drugs@FDA: NDA 217806 (Zepbound) (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.
