glp1versus

Bydureon BCise vs Saxenda

exenatide extended-release (GLP-1 receptor agonist) vs liraglutide (GLP-1 receptor agonist) — a complete side-by-side comparison.

AstraZenecaNovo Nordisk

Bydureon BCise weight loss

2.3%

Saxenda weight loss

8%

Bydureon BCise dosing

Once weekly

Saxenda dosing

Once daily

Reviewed by Dr. Elena Vance, DOLast reviewed 10 sources cited

Quick Summary

Bydureon BCise (exenatide) and Saxenda (liraglutide) are both glp-1 receptor agonists. In clinical trials, Saxenda showed greater weight loss (8% vs 2.3%).

See the comparison table below for detailed side-by-side data.

Bydureon BCise vs Saxenda: Full Comparison

FeatureBydureon BCise(exenatide extended-release)Saxenda(liraglutide)
Active Ingredientexenatideliraglutide
Drug ClassGLP-1 receptor agonistGLP-1 receptor agonist
ManufacturerAstraZenecaNovo Nordisk
FDA Approved2012-01-272014-12-23
Approved Indications
  • Type 2 diabetes mellitus (adjunct to diet and exercise)
  • Chronic weight management in adults with BMI ≥30 or ≥27 with at least one weight-related comorbidity
  • Chronic weight management in patients aged 12-17 with body weight >60 kg and BMI corresponding to ≥30 kg/m² for adults
Routesubcutaneous injectionsubcutaneous injection
FrequencyOnce weeklyOnce daily
Starting Dose2 mg weekly0.6 mg daily
Maintenance Dose2 mg weekly3.0 mg daily
Max Dose2 mg weekly3.0 mg daily
Weight Loss (%)2.3%8%
A1C Reduction1.3%N/A (not indicated for diabetes)
Key TrialDURATION-1 (30 weeks)SCALE Obesity and Prediabetes (56 weeks)
List Price$800-$950/month$1,349/month
With Insurance$25-$100/month (varies by plan)$25-$250/month (varies; weight-loss coverage is limited)
Savings CardLimited savings programs available$25/month (Novo Nordisk savings card, eligible patients)

Side Effects: Bydureon BCise vs Saxenda

Side EffectBydureon BCiseSaxenda
Nausea11%39%
Diarrhea9%21%
Injection site nodule10-17%Not reported
Headache8%14%
Vomiting4%16%
Constipation6%19%
Pancreatitis (rare)<1%<1%
Decreased appetiteNot reported10%
DyspepsiaNot reported10%
FatigueNot reported8%
DizzinessNot reported7%
Abdominal painNot reported5%
Gallbladder eventsNot reported2.5%

Severity scale: 1 (mild) to 5 (serious). Based on FDA prescribing information and clinical trial data.

Related Comparisons

Bydureon BCise vs OzempicSaxenda vs OzempicBydureon BCise vs WegovySaxenda vs WegovyBydureon BCise vs MounjaroSaxenda vs MounjaroBydureon BCise vs ZepboundSaxenda vs Zepbound

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources & References

FDA & Regulatory

  1. Bydureon BCise FDA Drugs@FDA approval record — FDA
  2. Saxenda FDA Drugs@FDA approval record — FDA

Clinical Trial Records

  1. DURATION-1 clinical trial record — ClinicalTrials.gov
  2. SCALE Obesity and Prediabetes clinical trial record — ClinicalTrials.gov

Peer-Reviewed Literature

  1. Drucker DJ et al. Exenatide once weekly versus twice daily for treatment of type 2 diabetes (DURATION-1). Lancet 2008;372:1240-1250 — The Lancet
  2. Pi-Sunyer X et al. A Randomized, Controlled Trial of 3.0 mg of Liraglutide in Weight Management (SCALE Obesity and Prediabetes). N Engl J Med 2015;373:11-22 — New England Journal of Medicine

Manufacturer Information

  1. Bydureon BCise patient website (AstraZeneca) — AstraZeneca
  2. Saxenda patient and healthcare provider website — Novo Nordisk

Reference Entries

  1. Exenatide entry on Wikipedia — Wikipedia
  2. Liraglutide entry on Wikipedia — Wikipedia

This content is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before making medication decisions. See our full medical disclaimer.