Wegovy® vs Ozempic®: Which is best for me?

Reviewed by Dr Bhavini Shah

Wegovy® and Ozempic® share the same active ingredient - semaglutide. Semaglutide mimics the GLP-1 hormone which is released when we eat. Semaglutide helps the body make insulin and makes you feel full. 

Although they both contain semaglutide, the two drugs are branded to be used by separate groups of people for diabetes management and weight loss. The dosages in the pens are also different depending on who is using them. In this article we look at how Wegovy® and Ozempic® are similar, how they work and who they’re suitable for.

What is semaglutide?

The active ingredient in Wegovy® and Ozempic® is semaglutide. These medicines are known as GLP-1 receptor agonists. These treatments are used by different people who are either managing type 2 diabetes or their weight.

Semaglutide belongs to a group of drugs known as GLP-1s. GLP-1s are synthetic versions of a hormone released by the body when you eat. The hormone makes the body release insulin which controls blood sugar levels.

Semaglutide does the following:

• Helps the body make insulin but only when needed
• Reduces the amount of unnecessary sugar (glucose) being released by the liver
• Slows the rate at which the stomach digests and empties food
• Reduces appetite resulting in reduced food intake 

By causing you to feel fuller for longer and potentially more satisfied after eating, semaglutide helps people lose weight.

Key differences between Wegovy® and Ozempic®

Essentially Wegovy® and Ozempic® use the same active ingredient. The main difference is how much semaglutide each medication contains.

Another difference between these two medications are their intended patients - who they’re licensed to be used by. There are certain criteria you need to meet to be able to use each treatment.

Effectiveness and benefits

Both Wegovy® and Ozempic® are effective in treating the conditions they have been manufactured for – obesity and type 2 diabetes.

Wegovy®

In a 68-week study, Wegovy® has helped:

• Around 85% of people lost more than 5% of their body weight
• 66% of people lost more than 10% of their body weight
• 48% of people lost more than 15% of their body weight
• 30% of people lost more than 20% of their body weight  

To achieve this weight loss Wegovy® is combined with a reduced calorie diet and increased exercise.

Ozempic®

Ozempic is not a weight loss drug and has not been tested as one. However it has helped people with type 2 diabetes lose weight. In studies, people using it for diabetes management have lost on average 3.6 to 6.3kgs (8-14lbs).

Side effects and risks

Like all medication, Wegovy® and Ozempic® can cause side effects. There are also risks when taking these medications of more serious complications.

Wegovy®

Common side effects include:

• Nausea
• Fatigue
• Indigestion
• Constipation
• Diarrhoea
• Vomiting
• Increased burping 

“A rare but serious side effect can be acute pancreatitis or inflammation of the pancreas. Usually, cases of acute pancreatitis improve quickly but a small proportion of cases are severe. This is why it’s important to let your doctor know if you experience side effects like abdominal pain or vomiting.” - Dr Mitra Dutt 

Find out more about Wegovy® side effects.

Ozempic®

Common side effects include:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhoea
• Stomach (abdominal) pain
• Constipation 

A possible and serious side effect of taking Ozempic® is inflammation of your pancreas (pancreatitis). If you experience severe stomach pain that won’t go away you should talk to your healthcare provider.

Deciding on the best weight loss injections for you

You’ll need to meet certain criteria to be able to use weight loss injections like Wegovy®. To make sure the medication you request is safe for you to use, a healthcare professional will assess your health including your BMI.

Dr Mitra Dutt explains that:

“Semaglutide should not be mistaken for a magic weight loss medication. To see results, patients will need to change their diet and increase levels of activity too.

“Semaglutide is not suitable for everyone. Usually, you must have a BMI of 30 or above. However, if you have a weight-related health condition, such as asthma or osteoarthritis, the treatment may be recommended if you have a BMI over 27. You should also avoid semaglutide if you have a history of certain medical conditions such as heart failure.”

You’re not suitable for Wegovy® if you:

• Are over 75
• Are pregnant or breastfeeding
• Have liver, kidney or heart failure, an eating disorder or pancreatitis
• Are taking insulin, sulphonylureas or other weight loss drugs that work in the same way as Wegovy®, e.g. Victoza 

At LloydsPharmacy Online Doctor we do not prescribe Wegovy® for patients with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes.

Find out more about who can take Wegovy® here.

Ozempic ® is not licensed as a weight loss medication, it is for diabetes management. To use Ozempic ® in the UK you must have type 2 diabetes.

You’re not suitable for Ozempic® if:

• You or any of your family have ever had MTC or if you have MEN 2
• You are allergic to semaglutide or any of the ingredients in Ozempic® 

Is Wegovy® stronger than Ozempic®?

Wegovy® is available with a higher dose of semaglutide than Ozempic®. The dose you take will depend upon your dosage schedule and individual needs. Your healthcare provider will be able to discuss these with you and set your schedule. 

Can you switch from Ozempic® to Wegovy®?

Although these two medicines contain the same active ingredient they aren’t interchangeable. If you’re using Ozempic® to manage your diabetes you can’t switch to Wegovy® as it’s not approved for diabetes. 

Can you take Wegovy® and Ozempic® together?

No, you shouldn’t take these medicines at the same time. Wegovy® and Ozempic® contain semaglutide (a GLP-1 receptor). While using Wegovy® you shouldn’t use any other medicine containing semaglutide. You also shouldn’t use any GLP-1 receptor agonist medicines or other weight loss medications.

Conclusion

Although Ozempic® and Wegovy® have many similarities including their active ingredient semaglutide. They’re ultimately licensed for different people to use and for different goals. If you’re looking to lose weight, complete our simple online consultation to find out if Wegovy® is right for you.  

References

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8717485/
https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2032183 
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8736331/ 
https://www.ozempic.com/ 
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7193006/
https://www.novo-pi.com/ozempic.pdf#guide 
https://www.novo-pi.com/wegovy.pdf#guide 
https://www.wegovy.com/about-wegovy/weight-loss-with-wegovy.html

https://www.ozempic.com/why-ozempic/what-is-ozempic.html
https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/13801/smpc