glp1versus

Rybelsus vs Victoza

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

Novo NordiskNovo Nordisk

Rybelsus weight loss

4.4%

Victoza weight loss

3.2%

Rybelsus dosing

Once daily

Victoza dosing

Once daily

Reviewed by Dr. Elena Vance, DOLast reviewed 11 sources cited

Quick Summary

Rybelsus (semaglutide) and Victoza (liraglutide) are both glp-1 receptor agonists. In clinical trials, Rybelsus showed greater weight loss (4.4% vs 3.2%).

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

Rybelsus vs Victoza: Full Comparison

FeatureRybelsus(semaglutide)Victoza(liraglutide)
Active Ingredientsemaglutideliraglutide
Drug ClassGLP-1 receptor agonistGLP-1 receptor agonist
ManufacturerNovo NordiskNovo Nordisk
FDA Approved2019-09-202010-01-25
Approved Indications
  • Type 2 diabetes mellitus (adjunct to diet and exercise)
  • Type 2 diabetes mellitus (adjunct to diet and exercise)
  • Reduction of major adverse cardiovascular events in adults with type 2 diabetes and established cardiovascular disease
  • Type 2 diabetes in patients aged 10+ years
Routeoralsubcutaneous injection
FrequencyOnce dailyOnce daily
Starting Dose3 mg daily0.6 mg daily
Maintenance Dose7 mg or 14 mg daily1.2 mg or 1.8 mg daily
Max Dose14 mg daily1.8 mg daily
Weight Loss (%)4.4%3.2%
A1C Reduction1.4%1.1%
Key TrialPIONEER 1 (26 weeks)LEADER (188 weeks)
List Price$935-$1,029/month$950-$1,100/month
With Insurance$25-$150/month (varies by plan)$25-$150/month (varies by plan)
Savings Card$10/month (Novo Nordisk savings card, commercially insured)$25/month (Novo Nordisk savings card, commercially insured)

Side Effects: Rybelsus vs Victoza

Side EffectRybelsusVictoza
Nausea11-20%28%
Abdominal pain5-11%Not reported
Diarrhea5-10%17%
Decreased appetite3-9%9%
Vomiting4-8%11%
Constipation3-5%6%
Pancreatitis (rare)<0.5%<1%
HeadacheNot reported9%
DyspepsiaNot reported7%

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

Related Comparisons

Rybelsus vs OzempicVictoza vs OzempicRybelsus vs WegovyVictoza vs WegovyRybelsus vs MounjaroVictoza vs MounjaroRybelsus vs ZepboundVictoza vs Zepbound

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources & References

FDA & Regulatory

  1. Rybelsus FDA Drugs@FDA approval record — FDA
  2. Victoza FDA Drugs@FDA approval record — FDA

Clinical Trial Records

  1. PIONEER 1 clinical trial record — ClinicalTrials.gov
  2. LEADER clinical trial record — ClinicalTrials.gov

Peer-Reviewed Literature

  1. Aroda VR et al. PIONEER 1: Oral Semaglutide Monotherapy vs Placebo in Type 2 Diabetes. Diabetes Care 2019;42:1724-1732 — Diabetes Care
  2. Husain M et al. Oral Semaglutide and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes (PIONEER 6). N Engl J Med 2019;381:841-851 — New England Journal of Medicine
  3. Marso SP et al. Liraglutide and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Type 2 Diabetes (LEADER). N Engl J Med 2016;375:311-322 — New England Journal of Medicine

Manufacturer Information

  1. Rybelsus patient and healthcare provider website — Novo Nordisk
  2. Victoza patient and healthcare provider website — Novo Nordisk

Reference Entries

  1. Semaglutide 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.