glp1versus

Byetta vs Wegovy

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

AstraZenecaNovo Nordisk

Byetta weight loss

2.8%

Wegovy weight loss

16.9%

Byetta dosing

Twice daily (within 60 min before meals)

Wegovy dosing

Once weekly

Reviewed by Dr. Elena Vance, DOLast reviewed 13 sources cited

Quick Summary

Byetta (exenatide) and Wegovy (semaglutide) are both glp-1 receptor agonists. In clinical trials, Wegovy showed greater weight loss (16.9% vs 2.8%).

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

Byetta vs Wegovy: Full Comparison

FeatureByetta(exenatide)Wegovy(semaglutide)
Active Ingredientexenatidesemaglutide
Drug ClassGLP-1 receptor agonistGLP-1 receptor agonist
ManufacturerAstraZenecaNovo Nordisk
FDA Approved2005-04-282021-06-04
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+ with BMI at 95th percentile or greater
  • Reduction of risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (cardiovascular death, non-fatal MI, non-fatal stroke) in adults with established CVD and either obesity or overweight (March 8, 2024)
Routesubcutaneous injectionsubcutaneous injection
FrequencyTwice daily (within 60 min before meals)Once weekly
Starting Dose5 mcg twice daily0.25 mg weekly
Maintenance Dose10 mcg twice daily2.4 mg weekly
Max Dose10 mcg twice daily7.2 mg weekly (Wegovy HD, approved March 19, 2026)
Weight Loss (%)2.8%16.9%
A1C Reduction0.8%N/A (not indicated for diabetes)
Key TrialAC2993 Phase 3 (30 weeks)STEP 1 (68 weeks)
List Price$800-$900/month$1,349-$1,650/month
With Insurance$25-$100/month (varies by plan)$25-$250/month (varies by plan; many plans exclude weight-loss drugs)
Savings CardLimited savings programs available$0/month for eligible patients (NovoCare savings program)

Side Effects: Byetta vs Wegovy

Side EffectByettaWegovy
Nausea44%44%
Vomiting13%24%
Diarrhea13%30%
Headache9%14%
Dizziness9%Not reported
Dyspepsia6%Not reported
Jittery feeling4%Not reported
Pancreatitis (rare)<1%<1%
ConstipationNot reported24%
Abdominal painNot reported20%
FatigueNot reported11%
Gallbladder eventsNot reported2.6%

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

Related Comparisons

Byetta vs OzempicWegovy vs OzempicByetta vs MounjaroWegovy vs MounjaroByetta vs ZepboundWegovy vs ZepboundByetta vs RybelsusWegovy vs Rybelsus

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources & References

FDA & Regulatory

  1. Byetta FDA Drugs@FDA approval record — FDA
  2. Wegovy FDA Drugs@FDA approval record — FDA

Clinical Trial Records

  1. AC2993 Phase 3 clinical trial record — ClinicalTrials.gov
  2. STEP 1 clinical trial record — ClinicalTrials.gov

Peer-Reviewed Literature

  1. DeFronzo RA et al. Effects of Exenatide on Glycemic Control and Weight Over 30 Weeks in Metformin-Treated Patients with Type 2 Diabetes. Diabetes Care 2005;28:1092-1100 — Diabetes Care
  2. Wilding JPH et al. Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight or Obesity (STEP 1). N Engl J Med 2021;384:989-1002 — New England Journal of Medicine
  3. Lincoff AM et al. Semaglutide and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Obesity without Diabetes (SELECT). N Engl J Med 2023;389:2221-2232 — New England Journal of Medicine

Safety Communications

  1. FDA approves first treatment to reduce risk of serious heart problems in adults with obesity or overweight (March 8, 2024) — FDA
  2. FDA approves fourth product under National Priority Voucher Program: higher dose Wegovy (Wegovy HD, March 19, 2026) — FDA

Manufacturer Information

  1. Bydureon/Byetta patient website (AstraZeneca) — AstraZeneca
  2. Wegovy patient and healthcare provider website — Novo Nordisk

Reference Entries

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