Switching from Saxenda to Wegovy: What You Should Know

Many people using Saxenda (liraglutide) for weight loss are now considering a switch to Wegovy (semaglutide). Both medicines belong to the GLP-1 receptor agonist family, but they differ in effectiveness, dosing, and side effects. With Wegovy now available in New Zealand, we’re seeing more patients ask: “Can I switch from Saxenda to Wegovy — and how do I do it safely?”

Here’s what the latest guidance says.

Why Switch?

Research shows Wegovy often leads to greater weight loss than Saxenda. It’s also much more convenient:

• Saxenda: daily injections

• Wegovy: once-weekly injection

  
  

That makes Wegovy easier to maintain for many patients. However, Wegovy can also cause more gastrointestinal (GI) side effects — nausea, vomiting, or diarrhoea — particularly in the early stages but many people have no side effects at all.

Do You Need a Break Between Medicines?

Good news: no wash-out period is required. According to the Christchurch Medicines Information Service (July 2025), you can stop Saxenda one day and begin Wegovy the next. This makes the transition straightforward for most patients.

Starting Doses When Switching

Your Saxenda dose helps determine the safest Wegovy starting point. The aim is to begin low, then slowly increase every 4 weeks to allow your body to adjust.

Saxenda dose	Suggested starting Wegovy dose
0.6 mg/day	0.25 mg/week
1.2 mg/day	0.25 mg/week
1.8 mg/day	0.25 or 0.5 mg/week
2.4 mg/day	0.25 or 0.5 mg/week
3.0 mg/day	0.5 mg/week

Wegovy titration schedule: 0.25 mg → 0.5 mg → 1 mg → 1.7 mg → 2.4 mg (maintenance)

This slow titration helps reduce side effects and improve tolerability.

Key Takeaways

You can switch straight from Saxenda to Wegovy with no break.

• Start low, increase slowly — dose choice depends on your Saxenda dose.

• Wegovy may offer better weight loss results and is more convenient with weekly dosing.

• GP support is important to guide the transition safely.

How Pocket Lab Can Help

At Pocket Lab, our doctors specialise in weight management and GLP-1 treatments. If you’re considering switching from Saxenda to Wegovy, we’ll:

• Guide your dose adjustments

• Help you manage any side effects

• Provide ongoing support for your weight loss journey

👉 Book a consultation today to talk about making the switch to Wegovy.

Reference

Christchurch Medicines Information Service. Switching from liraglutide (Saxenda) to semaglutide (Wegovy). July 15, 2025. Read more here