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Xenical vs. Saxenda

Are Xenical and Saxenda the Same Thing?

Xenical (orlistat) and Saxenda (liraglutide [rDNA origin]) Injection are used as adjuncts to diet and exercise to help with weight loss in overweight and obese patients.

Saxenda is used in adult patients with an initial body mass index (BMI) of 30 kg/m2 or greater (obese), or 27 kg/m2 or greater (overweight) in the presence of at least one weight-related comorbid condition (e.g., hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, or dyslipidemia).

Xenical and Saxenda belong to different drug classes. Xenical is a gastrointestinal lipase inhibitor and Saxenda is an analog of human GLP-1 and acts as a GLP-1 receptor agonist.

Side effects of Xenical and Saxenda that are similar include flatulence, abdominal or stomach pain or upset, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, loss of appetite, and headache.

Side effects of Xenical that are different from Saxenda include oily spotting on underwear, urgent bowel movements, fatty or oily stools, increased number of bowel movements, inability to control bowel movements, gas with discharge, loose stools, rectal pain, dark urine, clay-colored stools, itching, yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice), problems with your teeth or gums, cold symptoms (stuffy nose, sneezing, cough, fever, chills, sore throat, flu symptoms), back pain, and skin rash.

Side effects of Saxenda that are different from Xenical include constipation, low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), dizziness, fatigue, indigestion, bloating, urinary tract infection (UTI), dry mouth, changes in taste, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), belching, injection site reactions or redness, lack of energy, gastroenteritis, anxiety, and insomnia.

Xenical may interact with cyclosporine, thyroid medicines, amiodarone, insulin or oral diabetes medicines, HIV/AIDS medications, seizure medicines (especially if your seizures get worse while taking orlistat), vitamin or minerals supplements that contain beta-carotene or vitamin E, and blood thinners.

Saxenda may interact with other oral medications taken at the same time.

What Are Possible Side Effects of Xenical?

Side effects of Xenical include:

  • oily spotting on underwear
  • flatulence
  • urgent bowel movements
  • fatty or oily stools
  • increased number of bowel movements
  • inability to control bowel movements
  • gas with discharge
  • loose stools
  • stomach pain
  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • diarrhea
  • rectal pain
  • weakness,
  • dark urine
  • clay-colored stools
  • itching
  • loss of appetite
  • jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)
  • problems with your teeth or gums
  • cold symptoms (stuffy nose, sneezing, cough, fever, chills, sore throat, flu symptoms)
  • headache
  • back pain, or
  • skin rash.

Tell your doctor if you experience serious side effects of Xenical including blood in your urine, urinating less than usual or not at all, drowsiness, confusion, mood changes, increased thirst, swelling, weight gain, feeling short of breath, severe pain in your upper stomach spreading to your back, or fast heart rate.

What Are Possible Side Effects of Saxenda?

Common side effects of Saxenda include:

  • nausea,
  • diarrhea,
  • constipation,
  • vomiting,
  • low blood sugar (hypoglycemia),
  • decreased appetite,
  • headache,
  • dizziness,
  • fatigue,
  • abdominal or stomach pain or upset,
  • indigestion,
  • bloating,
  • gas,
  • urinary tract infection,
  • dry mouth,
  • changes in taste,
  • gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD),
  • belching,
  • injection site reactions or redness,
  • lack of energy or weakness,
  • gastroenteritis,
  • anxiety, or
  • insomnia.

What Is Xenical?

Xenical (orlistat) is a gastrointestinal lipase inhibitor used to help with weight loss by preventing the digestion and absorption of fat in food by inhibiting the enzyme lipase in the intestine.

What Is Saxenda?

Saxenda (liraglutide [rDNA origin]) Injection is an analog of human GLP-1 and acts as a GLP-1 receptor agonist used for as an adjunct to a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity for chronic weight management in adult patients with an initial body mass index (BMI) of 30 kg/m2 or greater (obese), or 27 kg/m2 or greater (overweight) in the presence of at least one weight-related comorbid condition (e.g., hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, or dyslipidemia)

 

What Drugs Interact With Xenical?

Xenical may reduce the absorption and blood levels of cyclosporine when both drugs are administered together. Xenical may also cause vitamin K levels to decline, and patients taking warfarin (Coumadin) must have their blood clotting monitored closely.

What Drugs Interact With Saxenda?

Saxenda may interact with other oral medications taken at the same time. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use. Saxenda is not recommended for use during pregnancy. It may harm a fetus. It is unknown if this drug passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

 

How Should Xenical Be Taken?

Xenical is taken as oral capsules.

How Should Saxenda Be Taken?

The recommended dosage of Saxenda is 3 mg daily.