Diabetes is a manifestation of high blood sugar levels. Research shows that being overweight raises your risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. To help shed excess weight, prescription medications like semaglutide may become effective.

Overweight and obese individuals are at a higher risk of hypertension or high blood pressure. There have been numerous government-led interventions and diets to help curb the increasing prevalence of obesity. However, the numbers of obese adults in the U.S. continue to grow. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report puts obesity prevalence at 41.9% as of March 2020. It also shows that the available knowledge on healthy eating habits and exercises doesn’t help much.

An obese nation should be a significant concern for anyone. Many researchers have spent countless hours in the lab looking into effective weight loss medications such as Saxenda®. Multiple previous weight loss mechanisms haven’t been successful, and people are looking for new effective remedies. Among the medicines that have elicited interest from many are Semaglutide and Liraglutide.

There is considerable debate about which of the two medications is more effective.

What Are Semaglutide and Liraglutide?

Semaglutide is one of the GLP-1 receptor agonist classes of medications approved by the FDA. It’s an injectable drug that increases insulin secretion and reduces blood sugar levels. Also known as Ozempic or Rybelsus, Semaglutide suppresses appetite and induces weight loss.

Other studies also show that Semaglutide provides different mechanisms of energy intake regulation. Also, this medication increases the amount of insulin the pancreas produces and reduces glucagon production by the liver. Semaglutide is used simultaneously with diet and exercise to help you control excess sugar levels.

What Is Liraglutide?

Liraglutide, a GLP-1 analog receptor, is an FDA-approved medication for weight loss. It’s licensed for type 2 diabetes mellitus and preventing cardiovascular complications arising from diabetes. You can use it with diet and exercise to reduce blood sugar levels. Doctors can prescribe Liraglutide injections for weight loss patients with a BMI of 30 or above.

Difference between Semaglutide and Liraglutide

Semaglutide and Liraglutide are both medications GLP-1 receptor agonists family. Yet, they also have differences.
Semaglutide and Liraglutide are medications that can help to control blood sugar levels and reduce excess weight. However, many people need to determine which is more effective. Also, there are many differences between them which this article explains.

Semaglutide is a long-acting injectable drug. Longer injecting drugs allow for the slow release of medicine into the blood. The effects of these injections can last anywhere from two to twelve weeks. It also means the medication can be injected once a week instead of once a day.

Semaglutide, therefore, is a longer-acting alternative to Liraglutide and other similar medicines. So, the main difference between these two weight loss medications is half-life elimination. Semaglutide is a more convenient option, and many people prefer it. Yet, there are many factors you should consider before deciding on which medication to take.

Liraglutide is administered once a week at the same time. It’s because it has an elimination half-life of only 13 hours. Semaglutide is a modification in the structure of the Liraglutide. Thus, it cannot be easily broken down by enzymes.

Semaglutide also has a tablet formula known as Rybelsus and is licensed to treat both obesity and type 2 diabetes in the U.K.

Which is Better, Semaglutide and Liraglutide?

The general agreement is that both are available in injection form and are equally effective for treating type 2 diabetes in adults.

Choosing a suitable medication between semaglutide and Liraglutide can be difficult, given their similarities. It gets even more complicated with the fact that both drugs are effective. However, the existing differences between the two medications should help you choose a suitable option.

Semaglutide injected once a week can help you lose up to 10% of your body weight. It works by reducing food cravings and increasing feelings of fullness. Liraglutide, also an injectable medication, is taken daily simultaneously. However, it can help you lose up to 5% of your weight.

Semaglutide is administered once a week, making it have very few side effects.

However, the strength of semaglutide makes the side effects more severe. While you may not know the effects of medicine until you use it, several people have reported side effects when using the two most popular weight loss medicines.

Semaglutide has very few effects which are more intense when whenever they occur. The effects of Liraglutide include nausea, diarrhea, and constipation. The side effects don’t last long and may disappear in a day or two.

Other side effects include:

• Allergic reactions which include difficulty in breathing, hives, and swelling of the lips, face, throat, and tongue
• Itching skin and rashes
• Fainting or dizziness

Weight loss is different for everyone. How fast you shed extra pounds might depend on your goal and other related health factors. If you use Semaglutide, you will likely lose an average of 12 pounds in eight weeks. Results may still vary for different patients. Weight loss on Liraglutide typically starts within two weeks of using the injection.

Weight loss is an individualized process, and what works for you may never work for a different person. However, Liraglutide brings a more permanent weight loss. You are more likely to get long-term weight loss when you use Liraglutide.

Takeaway

Weight loss is a complex process; there is never a one-fits-all solution. Treatment is depended on every individual. Talking to a professional before taking any of the two medications is essential. Some of the medicines can be deadly due to the presence of amphetamines and other potentially harmful substances.

If you want to lose weight fast, try using semaglutide. It’s also very convenient as you don’t have to take the injections daily. However, Liraglutide is less intrusive and brings a more permanent weight loss. There are lots of available treatment choices. Talk to your doctor to know what works best for you.