Most common
More serious
Most common
More serious
You should not use Wegovy if you:
You should talk to your doctor before using Wegovy if you:
You should not use Ozempic if you:
You should talk to your doctor before using Ozempic if you:
Once weekly
0.25mg once weekly
0.5mg once weekly
1mg once weekly
0.25 mg/0.5 mL, 2 milliliters Wegovy subcutaneous solution costs around $1,400
2 mg/1.5 ml pre-filled Ozempic Pen costs $899 on average for 1.5 milliliters
Wegovy and Ozempic are produced by a Danish pharmaceutical company called Novo Nordisk and are delivered as weekly injections. Wegovy and Ozempic are brand-name drugs that both contain semaglutide, which is a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist. Glucagon-like peptide-1 is a hormone produced by the intestines in response to food intake and works in three main ways: controlling appetite, controlling blood sugar, and controlling intestinal movement. GLP-1 receptor agonists like Wegovy and Ozempic work by mimicking the natural GLP-1 hormone our bodies produce. As both medications are from the same drug class they have similar side effects and safety profiles. But what, exactly, do they do? Also why when they contain the same active ingredient are they used to treat different conditions? Medicines can have vastly different effects based on their dose and Wegovy and Ozempic are perfect examples of this. Read on to find out more.
Wegovy is an FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) approved weight loss drug. It is a higher-dose, 2.4 mg version of the diabetes drug Ozempic (semaglutide). Semaglutide is also manufactured in tablet form under the name Rybelsus.
Wegovy is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist indicated alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity for chronic weight management in adult patients with a body mass index (BMI):
The STEP 1 study involved 1961 overweight or obese people who were given 2.4 mg of a semaglutide once-weekly injection alongside lifestyle intervention. The mean change in body weight from baseline to week 68 was 14.9% in the semaglutide group as compared with 2.4% with placebo.
Ozempic is an FDA approved medication given to adults with type 2 diabetes to:
Ozempic can help you lower your blood sugar levels when used alongside dietary and lifestyle changes. It causes you to secrete more insulin, helping to lower your blood sugar and reduce your risk of major cardiovascular events, like heart attacks and strokes, if you have heart disease.
In the SUSTAIN 7 study, it was found low and high doses of semaglutide were superior to dulaglutide (Trulicity) in improving blood sugar control and reducing body weight. This allowed a significantly greater number of patients with type 2 diabetes to achieve clinically meaningful glycaemic targets and weight loss, with a similar safety profile.
RELATED: Ozempic for weight loss
Wegovy is available in prefilled injection form, in the following doses: 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1 mg, 1.7 mg, or 2.4 mg.
Wegovy should be used once weekly, on the same day each week, at any time of day, with or without meals. Inject Wegovy subcutaneously in the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm.
Start at 0.25 mg once weekly for 4 weeks. Increasing the dose 4 weekly until a dose of 2.4 mg is reached. The maintenance dose of Wegovy is 2.4 mg once weekly.
See the full prescribing information for the complete boxed warning for Wegovy. You are recommended to read the medication guide and advised to always speak with your healthcare provider about any changes to your dose so they can monitor and evaluate your condition.
Ozempic pens can be prescribed in 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, and 1 mg doses.
Ozempic should be used once weekly, on the same day each week, at any time of day, with or without meals. Inject subcutaneously in the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm.
Start at 0.25 mg once weekly. After 4 weeks, increase the dose to 0.5 mg once weekly. If after at least 4 weeks additional glycemic control is needed, increase it to 1 mg once weekly.
This is only a guide as dosing schedules will be determined by your healthcare professional.
Wegovy and Ozempic are injected in the same way. You need to inject under your skin (subcutaneous injection) rather than into a vein or muscle. The fatty tissue just under your skin is the ideal place for the drug to be absorbed gradually. If you inject it deeper into your muscle your body will absorb it too quickly. The effects may not last long and will additionally be more painful. Judging the depth correctly can be quite difficult, particularly if you are slim but it is important to master the technique to stay safe.
The injection sites are the thigh, abdomen, or upper arm, these areas are likely to have enough body fat to allow you to easily inject. The importance of rotating injection sites should be noted to maintain effective drug absorption and prevent problems.
GLP-1 receptor agonists include Bydureon, Byetta, Rybelsus (oral medication of Ozempic), Tanzeum, Victoza, and Saxenda (liraglutide).
The most common side effects of Wegovy and Ozempic in clinical trials compared to placebo include:
In rare instances, Wegovy and Ozempic can cause more serious side effects. These can include:
Your doctor will assess the benefits of using Wegovy or Ozempic against your risk of side effects. Patients are encouraged to report negative side effects or adverse reactions of Wegovy and Ozempic to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
RELATED: Wegovy side effects, Ozempic side effects
Wegovy and Ozempic have a boxed warning by the FDA for thyroid cancer risk including medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC). This was shown in rodent studies but it is unknown whether this can occur in humans. Patients with a history or family history of thyroid cancer, MTC, or with multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome Type 2 (MEN 2) should not take Wegovy or Ozempic. MTC can start as a lump in the throat, and cause voice hoarseness, or windpipe pipe blockage.
Ozempic can also interact with the following medications:
This list is not exhaustive and other prescription drugs may interact with Wegovy and Ozempic. Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
Don’t take Wegovy or Ozempic if you:
Talk to your doctor before taking Wegovy or Ozempic if you:
Wegovy and Ozempic are not the right fit for everyone. Your doctor may prescribe other medications based on your unique needs, medication you currently take, health history, and your health insurance coverage.
