Wegovy and Ozempic have become popular over the past few years. Since some celebrities have talked about these medications positively, there’s no doubt that the general public wants to try them out.

Although these medications are proven to work for chronic weight management and other benefits, they’re not for everyone. Anyone who wants to lose weight must first evaluate their case with a doctor before taking any medication.

Both options contain the same active ingredient, which is semaglutide. However, they have slight differences that might make all the difference in certain patients. If you’re interested in trying this “weight loss drug,” make sure to read this article.

Below, we’ll cover both weight loss medications, including their advantages, differences, and potential risks for patients.

What Are Wegovy and Ozempic?

Let’s start with the basics. Ozempic and Wegovy are once-weekly injections. Both of them contain semaglutide, which is a GLP-1 agonist. Some of its effects include:

• Increasing insulin release

• Delaying gastric emptying

• Reducing appetite

• Lowering the amount of released glucagon

Semaglutide is often prescribed to treat type 2 diabetes. Considering that this drug also helps with weight loss, some people have started taking it for those goals.

It’s important to note that Ozempic and Wegovy were researched for different purposes during clinical trials. Ozempic’s studies were mostly about improving low blood sugar levels. Wegovy, on the other hand, focused on weight loss benefits.

Below, we’ll dive deep into each medication, allowing you to understand how each of them works.

About Wegovy

Wegovy is an FDA-approved medication. It’s mostly used to treat obesity/chronic weight management.

Some people also take Wegovy to lower the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events, including strokes and heart attacks.

Although Wegovy works mostly to treat/maintain weight loss in obese patients, some people without any kind of heart disease or weight condition take it too.

About Ozempic

Ozempic is also an FDA-approved medication. However, it’s mostly aimed at adults with type 2 diabetes.

Its goal is to help these patients control blood sugar levels, as well as reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Keep in mind that Ozempic isn’t FDA-approved for weight loss. However, some healthcare providers may prescribe off-label drugs for that purpose.

What Are the Similarities and Differences Between Ozempic and Wegovy?

As you may be thinking, both weight loss drugs serve similar purposes, although they’re marketed differently. Whether you want to take one of them to treat weight loss, high blood pressure, or any other condition, it’s crucial to understand what makes them different.

Similarities

Both medications are meant to be injected subcutaneously once a week. They work with semaglutide as the active ingredient.

Taking Ozempic and Wegovy may help you reduce cardiovascular risk, contribute to your weight loss journey, and improve your blood glucose levels.

Interestingly enough, they also share side effects. Some of the most common ones include nausea, stomach pain, constipation, vomiting, etc.

Differences

The main difference between both options is the FDA’s regulation. As mentioned, Ozempic is approved for adults with type 2 diabetes. Wegovy, on the other hand, is approved for people dealing with obesity or a history of heart disease.

Another difference is the dosage, which may vary depending on the person and the medication used. Typically, Wegovy will involve a higher dose than Ozempic. Patients with type 2 diabetes can technically take Wegovy too, although this one’s not approved for that use.

Finally, you must think about eligibility. In most cases, different people are eligible for certain medications. Ozempic, for example, is for most adults with type 2 diabetes. Wegovy is only for those who meet specific body mass index (BMI) criteria, which we’ll cover further on this page.

Who Can Take Wegovy or Ozempic?

Here’s the most important part of the comparison. Understanding that not everyone can take both medications is crucial to making the right call when buying.

We’ll use the FDA’s regulations to explain eligibility for both options:

As we explained, Wegovy is only for patients who are obese/overweight. Specifically, it’s meant for those with a BMI of 30 (or greater). People with a BMI of 27 (or greater) who also deal with certain cardiovascular conditions may take this medication.

Something important to note is that Wegovy is also approved for weight management in adolescents who are 12 or older. They must have their BMI at (or above) the 95% percentage for sex and age.

Ozempic doesn’t have any specific criteria other than the one mentioned previously. Those with type 2 diabetes may be eligible to take it. Unlike Wegovy, Ozempic is only approved for adults over 18 years old; it’s not meant for adolescents.

Even if you’re technically eligible to take any of these medications, don’t make any decisions without consulting your healthcare provider first.

How Does Someone Take Wegovy or Ozempic for Body Weight Management?

Dosage will vary depending on the patient and the drug. Most of the time, however, you’ll start with a low dosage to help your body get used to the medication.

If everything goes right, you’ll increase the dosage every four weeks until you reach a target. Your healthcare provider will set your maximum dosage based on how your body reacts.

Wegovy patients often follow this dosage schedule:

• Starting Dosage: 0.25 mg per week.

• Month Two: 0.5 mg per week.

• Month Three: 1 mg per week.

• Month Four: 1.7 mg per week.

• Month Five: 2.4 mg per week.

While 2.4 mg is often the target dosage for patients, not everyone may handle it. If your body can’t tolerate such a high dosage, you may get it reduced to 1.7 mg.

Ozempic patients will get a similar schedule. The main difference is that the maximum dosage is 2 mg per week. It’s not safe to take anything higher than that.

As we mentioned previously, both medications are injectable. Usually, Ozempic will come in a pen that contains multiple doses. When you want to take the medication, you’ll have to dial up the dose.

Wegovy, on the other hand, may come with a prefilled pen that only has one dose. Typically, you’ll have to throw away the pen after injecting yourself. Make sure to ask your doctor about the process before taking any injections.

How Effective Are Ozempic and Wegovy?

The effectiveness depends on the person and the medication used. However, keep in mind that it’ll take a few months until you start seeing considerable results.

People who take Ozempic, for example, may start seeing improved blood glucose levels after the first couple of months. On top of that, the patient may start noticing weight loss benefits.

Those who take Wegovy could experience greater weight loss benefits due to the nature of the medication.

Although both medications do an excellent job of promoting weight loss and improving blood sugar levels, they’re not “magic” tools. If you want to see great results, you must also consider lifestyle changes, including exercising, dieting, and more.

Are There Any Risks of Getting These Medications?

Wegovy and Ozempic come with a few side effects/risks. Those taking Wegovy may have a higher chance of experiencing them.

Some common side effects include:

• Headaches

• Nausea

• Abdominal/stomach pain

• Fatigue

• Burping

• Diarrhea

In rare cases, these medications may also increase the risk of certain conditions, including:

• Hypoglycemia

• Pancreatitis

• Eye damage

• High heart rate

• Kidney damage

• Anxiety/depression

Most of the time, these effects will be more likely to appear as you increase the dosage. This is why it’s so important not to rush anything. Ask your healthcare provider for advice, and consider lowering your dosage if you start experiencing any of the mentioned effects.

How Much Do Wegovy and Ozempic Cost?

It depends on where you buy them. You may save a bit of money if you’re getting a lower dosage, paying through insurance, or applying to a drug savings program.

Wegovy might cost more than Ozempic due to its dosage. One month of Ozempic could cost around $900 without insurance. Wegovy’s treatment, on the other hand, could go as high as $1,300. Insurance plays a big role when buying these medications. They’re covered differently under most plans.

Something you should note is that, at the time of writing, both medications are hard to find in stock. Moreover, they’re in much higher demand, making them trickier to buy.

While you may be tempted to go to random websites to find off-brand alternatives to Wegovy and Ozempic, it’s not worth it. Untested products will only increase the risk of experiencing the side effects mentioned in the previous section.

Although it may take some time to find the medication, stick to approved and tested versions only. They’ll ensure your body is as safe as possible during the treatment.

Are These Medications Interchangeable?

Wegovy and Ozempic are “similar” in terms of ingredients, so many people may consider using both. However, they’re not interchangeable.

Remember, Ozempic and Wegovy are approved for two different cases. If you’re taking Ozempic for treating type 2 diabetes, for example, it may not be a great idea to switch to Wegovy without asking a doctor first. This is because the latter is primarily meant for weight loss.

Which Option Is Better for Weight Loss?

These medications haven’t been directly compared in medical studies, so it’s tricky to tell whether one is better than the other for body weight management.

Wegovy, however, comes with a higher maximum dose than Ozempic. This slight difference might make it better for achieving weight loss goals.

Moreover, since Wegovy is approved specifically for weight management, it could have a stronger effect on the patient. Still, the effect of any medication will also depend on how the person’s body takes each dose.

Which Medication Should You Get?

Since there’s no “better” option, you should get the medication that best fits your goals. The best way to know is to talk to your healthcare provider about both Ozempic and Wegovy. They’ll go over your medical files and help you determine which one offers the best solution.

It’s crucial to pay attention to all the pros and cons that you’ll receive from your doctor. If you’re someone dealing with obesity, Wegovy might be the better option. On the other hand, if you have type 2 diabetes, Ozempic might have the best effect.

When talking to your doctor, remember to also ask about potential diet and exercise plans. These extra programs will help you get better results without damaging your body.

Bottom Line

We’ve reached the end of our Wegovy vs. Ozempic debate. While both options help reduce weight, which may contribute to a reduction in fatty liver disease, cardiovascular conditions, and other related problems, it’s crucial to know which one may work best for your case.

Make sure to ask a reputable healthcare provider for advice. They’ll be the ideal option to help you determine which medication suits your body and needs the best.

Also, remember that these treatments are expensive and may last for more than a few months. If you want to commit to Wegovy or Ozempic, make sure you prepare financially.