Mounjaro vs Saxenda: what is the difference and which suits you?

The difference in how they work: GLP-1 versus GLP-1 and GIP

Liraglutide mimics one gut hormone, GLP-1. This hormone suppresses appetite, slows gastric emptying and improves blood sugar. Tirzepatide mimics two hormones: GLP-1 and GIP. That second hormone strengthens the effect on satiety and on the way your body processes fat and sugar. Read more about Mounjaro vs Wegovy.

A second difference is how long they work. Liraglutide wears off after about a day, which is why you inject daily. Tirzepatide stays active for about a week, which is why one injection per week is enough. You can read more about both substances in our articles on tirzepatide and liraglutide.

Injecting daily or weekly: use and dosing schedule

With Saxenda you inject every day at a fixed time; with Mounjaro once a week on a fixed day. Both use a prefilled pen with a thin, short needle, in the abdomen, thigh or upper arm.

The build-up also differs. With Saxenda you go from 0.6 to 3.0 mg per day in five weeks, in weekly steps. With Mounjaro you start on 2.5 mg per week and the doctor only increases after at least 4 weeks, up to the dose you respond well to, with a maximum of 15 mg. If you find daily injections or a fixed routine difficult, you will often experience the weekly pen as calmer. If you prefer to adjust in small, frequent steps, you may actually like the daily pen. The schedules are in our articles on Saxenda dosage and Mounjaro dosage.

Which is better, Saxenda or Mounjaro? What the research shows

In research, tirzepatide scores higher on weight loss than liraglutide, but the studies are not directly comparable and "better" depends on more than the average percentage.

For Saxenda, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) summarises five studies with more than 5,800 adults: on the highest dose, an average weight loss of 7.5%, compared with 2.3% on placebo. For Mounjaro, the SURMOUNT-1 study (NEJM, 2022) in 2,539 adults with obesity showed an average weight loss of 15 to 21% after 72 weeks, depending on the dosage, compared with 3.1% on placebo.

These figures are averages from controlled research with lifestyle support. How much you lose varies from person to person. There are also reasons to choose liraglutide after all: it has been on the market longer, it is reimbursed for a small group, and some people tolerate it better or find a smaller effect sufficient.

Side effects compared

Both medications mainly cause stomach and bowel complaints: nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and constipation, usually during the build-up phase. For Mounjaro, the patient information leaflet also lists reduced appetite and tiredness as very common; for Saxenda, headache. Read more about stopping Mounjaro.

• Saxenda: complaints peak in the weeks in which you increase the daily dose; most people get past them after the build-up phase. Rare: gallstones, pancreatitis. Details in our article on Saxenda side effects.
• Mounjaro: complaints peak shortly after each 4-weekly increase and then decrease; on forums, users also report feeling cold and tiredness. Rare: gallstones, pancreatitis. Details in our article on Mounjaro side effects.

For both: do not use them during pregnancy or if you want to become pregnant, and contact the doctor straight away if you have severe, persistent abdominal pain.

Not sure which medication suits you? Your own BIG-registered doctor (the BIG register is the Dutch register of healthcare professionals) assesses whether medical weight loss suits you and which medication goes with it. Medical weight loss with injections →

Cost and reimbursement: which is more expensive?

In terms of medication, Mounjaro is more expensive than Saxenda on the higher doses; on the starting dose there is little difference between them. Saxenda costs €37.13 per pen, about €186 per month on 3.0 mg. Mounjaro costs €176.57 (2.5 mg), €245.53 (5 mg) and €343.42 (7.5 mg and higher) per 4-week pen, according to medicijnkosten.nl (reference date 1 September 2026). Pharmacy fees and the cost of the doctor come on top of that.

Both programmes at Qlinic have a one-off support fee of €400. Zorginstituut Nederland (the Dutch National Health Care Institute) is assessing tirzepatide for obesity in stages, starting with people with the highest burden of disease; until there is a positive decision, you pay for Mounjaro for weight loss yourself. The details are in our articles on Saxenda cost, the Mounjaro price, Saxenda insurance coverage with CZ and other insurers, and Mounjaro insurance coverage.

Switching from Saxenda to Mounjaro: how does it work?

Switching from Saxenda to Mounjaro is possible, but only through the doctor. You never combine the medications and you do not decide the timing yourself. This is how a supervised switch works:

1. Discuss the reason. Insufficient results, side effects, the daily injections or the cost: the doctor weighs up whether switching is the solution. According to the liraglutide product text in the Farmacotherapeutisch Kompas (the Dutch national drug formulary), Saxenda is stopped if you have lost less than 5% after 12 weeks on 3.0 mg; that is a natural moment to discuss alternatives.
2. Assessment. The doctor checks whether tirzepatide suits you: BMI, diabetes, other medicines, previous pancreatitis, wish to become pregnant.
3. Stop Saxenda. You do not need to taper off Saxenda; the doctor decides on the last injection. What you notice afterwards is in our article on stopping Saxenda.
4. Start Mounjaro on 2.5 mg. You always begin on the starting dose, even if you were on the highest dose of Saxenda. Your body needs to get used to the new substance.
5. Build up and evaluate. The doctor increases the dose every 4 weeks based on effect and side effects and evaluates the result.

Expect a little more hunger for a while in the first weeks after switching: the starting dose of Mounjaro works less strongly than 3.0 mg of Saxenda. That settles once the dose has been built up.

Which medication suits you? The doctor decides

The doctor assesses whether Saxenda or Mounjaro suits you based on your BMI, your health, your medicines and your preferences. The formal threshold is the same for both: a BMI of 30 or higher, or of 27 with a weight-related condition.

In practice, these points are taken into account:

• Type 2 diabetes: Mounjaro is registered for it and can then be reimbursed; Saxenda is not.
• Reimbursement for severe obesity: if you meet the conditions for Saxenda, you may get liraglutide reimbursed.
• Daily or weekly: a practical preference that determines whether you keep it up.
• Previous experience: people who already used liraglutide without sufficient results often benefit from tirzepatide.
• Contraindications: previous pancreatitis, severe kidney or liver problems and a wish to become pregnant rule out both medications.

At Qlinic, your own BIG-registered doctor assesses your situation during the consultation and decides on the medication together with you within the programme medical weight loss with injections. Also considering semaglutide? Then read our comparisons Mounjaro vs Ozempic and Saxenda vs Ozempic.

Would you like to know whether medical weight loss is right for you? Take the short check and the doctor will assess your situation and the choice of medication. Eligibility check →

Frequently asked questions about Mounjaro vs Saxenda

Which is better, Mounjaro or Saxenda?

In research, tirzepatide (Mounjaro) gave more weight loss on average than liraglutide (Saxenda). What is better for you depends on your health, side effects, cost and reimbursement; the doctor assesses that.

Can you switch from Saxenda to Mounjaro?

Yes, through the doctor. You stop Saxenda, start Mounjaro on the starting dose of 2.5 mg and build up every 4 weeks. Never combine the medications and do not decide the timing yourself.

Which is more expensive, Saxenda or Mounjaro?

In terms of medication, Saxenda costs about €186 per month on 3.0 mg; Mounjaro €176.57 to €343.42 per 4 weeks, depending on the dosage (medicijnkosten.nl, 1 September 2026). At Qlinic, a programme with liraglutide (Saxenda) costs €850 per month and with tirzepatide (Mounjaro) €350 per month, plus a one-off €400.

When will I notice the first effects of Mounjaro?

Most users notice less hunger within 1 to 2 weeks; clear weight loss follows once the dose has been built up. More in our article how fast does Mounjaro work after injection.

How much weight can you lose in 3 months with Saxenda?

That varies from person to person. The medical benchmark is at least 5% of your starting weight after 12 weeks on 3.0 mg. Read more in our article how fast does Saxenda work.

What happens when you stop Saxenda?

Your appetite returns within a few days, and without an adjusted diet and more exercise many people regain weight. That is why you stop in consultation with the doctor and with a plan.

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