In This ArticleView AllIn This ArticleWhat Is Ozempic?What Is Wegovy?DifferencesSimilarities
In This ArticleView All
View All
In This Article
What Is Ozempic?
What Is Wegovy?
Differences
Similarities
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Photo:Novo Nordisk. EatingWell design.
Novo Nordisk. EatingWell design.
If you’re exploring diabetes or weight-loss medications, Ozempic and Wegovy have become two popular options of injectable treatments. Both medications support blood sugar control and weight loss, but they serve slightly different purposes.
Modifying the hormone GLP-1 encourages the body to release insulin and signals the brain to feel more full. Of course, this in turn helps with regulating appetite, weight loss and managing blood sugar levels. Let’s dive into the details to explore how Ozempic and Wegovy work, who might benefit from each and the similarities and differences between them.
Ozempic, the brand name for semaglutide, is primarily designed to help manage type 2 diabetes specifically in folks who also may benefit from weight loss. By slowing down stomach emptying and reducing appetite signaling in the brain, Ozempic helps people with type 2 diabetes manage their blood sugar more effectively.
It’s typically prescribed for adults who haven’t achieved adequate blood sugar control with diet and exercise alone. While taking it can result in weight loss, it’s not FDA-approved solely for weight loss, and its main goal is to support diabetes management.
How Are Ozempic and Wegovy Different?
Both Ozempic and Wegovy contain semaglutide. Ozempic is FDA-approved for those with type 2 diabetes. However, Wegovy is an anti-obesity medication that is FDA-approved for those with a BMI of 30 or higher or those with a BMI of 27 or higher with a comorbid condition like sleep apnea or high blood pressure. The dosing is somewhat different, and the pens they come in are different as well,Amy Shults, RDN, CDN, CDCES, explains.
Although Ozempic and Wegovy both containsemaglutide, they differ in key areas like dosage, intended use and FDA approval status. Below is a breakdown of how these medications compare:
How Are Ozempic and Wegovy Similar?
While the medications have their differences, they have some similarities too:
We always recommend working with your health care provider to monitor side effects and make sure your medication meets your personal health needs.
The Bottom Line
Remember, Wegovy and Ozempic contain the same active ingredient, semaglutide. Ozempic is FDA-approved for treatment of type 2 diabetes while Wegovy is approved for obesity management. One of the key differences is the dosages, with Wegovy having slightly higher doses,Daria Zajac, RD, LDN, reminds us. If you’re considering either of these medications, talk to your health care provider to determine which might be the best fit for your individual health needs and goals.
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SourcesEatingWell uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.Gao X, Hua X, Wang X, Xu W, Zhang Y, Shi C, Gu M.Efficacy and safety of semaglutide on weight loss in obese or overweight patients without diabetes: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.Front Pharmacol. 2022 Sep 14;13:935823.Singh G, Krauthamer M, Bjalme-Evans M.Wegovy (semaglutide): a new weight loss drug for chronic weight management.J Investig Med.2022 Jan;70(1):5-13.Lincoff AM, Brown-Frandsen K, Colhoun HM, Deanfield J, Emerson SS, Esbjerg S, Hardt-Lindberg S, Hovingh GK, Kahn SE, Kushner RF, Lingvay I, Oral TK, Michelsen MM, Plutzky J, Tornøe CW, Ryan DH; SELECT Trial Investigators.Semaglutide and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Obesity without Diabetes.N Engl J Med.2023 Dec 14;389(24):2221-2232.
Sources
EatingWell uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.Gao X, Hua X, Wang X, Xu W, Zhang Y, Shi C, Gu M.Efficacy and safety of semaglutide on weight loss in obese or overweight patients without diabetes: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.Front Pharmacol. 2022 Sep 14;13:935823.Singh G, Krauthamer M, Bjalme-Evans M.Wegovy (semaglutide): a new weight loss drug for chronic weight management.J Investig Med.2022 Jan;70(1):5-13.Lincoff AM, Brown-Frandsen K, Colhoun HM, Deanfield J, Emerson SS, Esbjerg S, Hardt-Lindberg S, Hovingh GK, Kahn SE, Kushner RF, Lingvay I, Oral TK, Michelsen MM, Plutzky J, Tornøe CW, Ryan DH; SELECT Trial Investigators.Semaglutide and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Obesity without Diabetes.N Engl J Med.2023 Dec 14;389(24):2221-2232.
EatingWell uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.
Gao X, Hua X, Wang X, Xu W, Zhang Y, Shi C, Gu M.Efficacy and safety of semaglutide on weight loss in obese or overweight patients without diabetes: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.Front Pharmacol. 2022 Sep 14;13:935823.Singh G, Krauthamer M, Bjalme-Evans M.Wegovy (semaglutide): a new weight loss drug for chronic weight management.J Investig Med.2022 Jan;70(1):5-13.Lincoff AM, Brown-Frandsen K, Colhoun HM, Deanfield J, Emerson SS, Esbjerg S, Hardt-Lindberg S, Hovingh GK, Kahn SE, Kushner RF, Lingvay I, Oral TK, Michelsen MM, Plutzky J, Tornøe CW, Ryan DH; SELECT Trial Investigators.Semaglutide and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Obesity without Diabetes.N Engl J Med.2023 Dec 14;389(24):2221-2232.
Gao X, Hua X, Wang X, Xu W, Zhang Y, Shi C, Gu M.Efficacy and safety of semaglutide on weight loss in obese or overweight patients without diabetes: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.Front Pharmacol. 2022 Sep 14;13:935823.
Singh G, Krauthamer M, Bjalme-Evans M.Wegovy (semaglutide): a new weight loss drug for chronic weight management.J Investig Med.2022 Jan;70(1):5-13.
Lincoff AM, Brown-Frandsen K, Colhoun HM, Deanfield J, Emerson SS, Esbjerg S, Hardt-Lindberg S, Hovingh GK, Kahn SE, Kushner RF, Lingvay I, Oral TK, Michelsen MM, Plutzky J, Tornøe CW, Ryan DH; SELECT Trial Investigators.Semaglutide and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Obesity without Diabetes.N Engl J Med.2023 Dec 14;389(24):2221-2232.
