Zepbound® vs Saxenda®
The newest high-performing injectable vs one of the original GLP-1 options. Tirzepatide vs liraglutide — here’s how they compare on results, dosing, and cost.
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22.5%
Avg weight loss Zepbound*
From
$299/mo
Zepbound
June 2026
8%
Avg weight loss Saxenda*
From
$145/mo
Saxenda
June 2026
What are they?
Zepbound uses tirzepatide’s dual GIP/GLP-1 mechanism with weekly injections. Saxenda uses liraglutide and requires daily injections — and delivers roughly a third of Zepbound’s average weight loss.
Zepbound
Weight ManagementFDA-approved for chronic weight management in adults with obesity (BMI 30+) or overweight (BMI 27+) with at least one weight-related condition. Uses the same dual GIP/GLP-1 mechanism as Mounjaro at equivalent doses.
Maker
Eli Lilly
Approved
2024
Format
Weekly injection
Max dose
15 mg
Saxenda
Weight ManagementFDA-approved for chronic weight management since 2014. Uses liraglutide — a GLP-1 receptor agonist that requires daily injection. Generic liraglutide was approved in August 2025, reducing costs.
Maker
Novo Nordisk
Approved
2014
Format
Daily injection
Max dose
3 mg
Quick comparison
How they stack up on the metrics that matter most.
| Feature | Zepbound | Saxenda |
|---|---|---|
| Active ingredient | Tirzepatide | Liraglutide |
| FDA approved for | Weight Management | Weight Management |
| Avg weight loss | 22.5%† | 8%† |
| Administration | Weekly injection | Daily injection |
| Insurance | Limited | Moderate |
| Monthly Price | From $299/mo | From $145/mo |
Zepbound
Tirzepatide
Saxenda
Liraglutide
Zepbound
Weight Management
Saxenda
Weight Management
Zepbound
22.5%†
Saxenda
8%†
Zepbound
Weekly injection
Saxenda
Daily injection
Zepbound
Limited
Saxenda
Moderate
Zepbound
From $299/mo
Saxenda
From $145/mo
† Average weight loss data: Zepbound — SURMOUNT-1 (tirzepatide 15 mg, 72 weeks); Saxenda — SCALE (liraglutide 3 mg, 56 weeks).
More energy,
less weight
How you ramp up
Both medications use a gradual dose escalation to minimize side effects.
Zepbound
- 1
2.5 mg
Weeks 1–4
- 2
5 mg
Weeks 5–8
- 3
7.5 mg
Weeks 9–12
- 4
10 mg
Weeks 13–16
- 5
12.5 mg
Weeks 17–20
- 6
15 mg
Weeks 21+
(Maintenance)
Saxenda
- 1
0.6 mg
Week 1
(Daily)
- 2
1.2 mg
Week 2
(Daily)
- 3
1.8 mg
Week 3
(Daily)
- 4
2.4 mg
Week 4
(Daily)
- 5
3.0 mg
Week 5+
(Maintenance)
Start your weight‑loss
journey today
Weight loss compared
Clinical trial data showing average body weight reduction over 68 weeks.
Zepbound (15 mg)
Saxenda (3 mg)
† Average weight loss data: Zepbound — SURMOUNT-1 (tirzepatide 15 mg, 72 weeks); Saxenda — SCALE (liraglutide 3 mg, 56 weeks).
What to expect
How they stack up on the metrics that matter most.
| Side Effect | Zepbound (15 mg) | Saxenda (3 mg) |
|---|---|---|
| Nausea | 28% | 39.3% |
| Diarrhea | 23% | 20.9% |
| Vomiting | 13% | 15.7% |
| Constipation | 11% | 19.4% |
| Headache | N/A | 13.6% |
| Fatigue | 7% | 7.5% |
Zepbound (15 mg)
28%
Saxenda (3 mg)
39.3%
Zepbound (15 mg)
23%
Saxenda (3 mg)
20.9%
Zepbound (15 mg)
13%
Saxenda (3 mg)
15.7%
Zepbound (15 mg)
11%
Saxenda (3 mg)
19.4%
Zepbound (15 mg)
N/A
Saxenda (3 mg)
13.6%
Zepbound (15 mg)
7%
Saxenda (3 mg)
7.5%
Side effects may be more noticeable during dose escalation, but individual experiences vary and some risks can be serious. GLP-1 medications are not appropriate for everyone. Review important warnings, contraindications, and the FDA label or Medication Guide with a licensed healthcare provider before starting or switching treatment.
The bottom line
Branded GLP-1 medications can offer effective weight loss, requiring individualized risk-benefit clinical evaluation.
Two different GLP-1 options
- Zepbound is FDA-approved for chronic weight management in eligible adults and has shown substantial average weight loss in clinical trials, with weekly dosing and medical supervision.
- Saxenda supports steady weight loss, appetite reduction, flexible daily dosing, and long-standing clinical experience demonstrating effective, sustainable metabolic health improvements for many patients.
Providers may pay BestGLP1 a referral fee. We disclose this for FTC compliance; rankings remain editorial.
What you
need to know
On average, yes — Zepbound (tirzepatide) produces about 21% body-weight loss in trials versus about 8.0% for Saxenda (liraglutide). Zepbound’s dual GIP/GLP-1 mechanism and weekly dosing typically deliver stronger weight-loss outcomes.
Saxenda has been FDA-approved for chronic weight management since 2014 and has a long real-world safety record. With a generic liraglutide now available, it’s also one of the cheapest GLP-1 options, which makes it attractive when cost or insurance restrictions matter more than maximum weight loss.
Yes, with provider guidance. Because the molecules and dosing are different, your provider will typically stop Saxenda and restart you at Zepbound’s lowest dose (2.5 mg weekly), titrating up to manage side effects and assess your response.
Generic liraglutide narrows the cost gap, but it doesn’t close the efficacy gap — average weight loss on Saxenda remains roughly a third of Zepbound’s. Generic Saxenda is competitive on price, not on results.
Yes. Both Zepbound and Saxenda require a prescription from a licensed healthcare provider. A consultation is required to assess whether treatment is appropriate for you.
- Zepbound (tirzepatide 5/10/15 mg). Trial: SURMOUNT-1 (2,539 participants, 72 weeks, adults with obesity/overweight without Type 2 Diabetes). Average weight loss by dose: 5 mg: −16.0%, 10 mg: −21.4%, 15 mg: −22.5% vs −2.4% placebo. Jastreboff et al., NEJM 2022.
- Saxenda (liraglutide 3.0 mg). Trial: SCALE Obesity and Prediabetes (3,731 participants, 56 weeks, adults with obesity/overweight without Type 2 Diabetes). Average weight loss: −8.0% vs −2.6% placebo. Pi-Sunyer et al., NEJM 2015.
BestGLP1 publishes these guides for informational and comparison purposes only. The information on this site is not medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and is not a substitute for guidance from a licensed healthcare professional. GLP-1 medications must be prescribed and monitored by a qualified provider; consult your provider to determine whether treatment is appropriate for your individual circumstances. Prices, side-effect rates, and clinical figures shown here are general references drawn from manufacturer labelling and published trials, and may not reflect your specific situation.
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Providers may pay BestGLP1 a referral fee. We disclose this for FTC compliance; rankings remain editorial.