Ozempic vs. Wegovy: Which is best for weight loss?

Are Ozempic and Wegovy the same?

Ozempic and Wegovy both have the same active pharmaceutical ingredient: semaglutide. Therefore, they both have similar effects (and side effects). While they are the same drug, they are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for different purposes, they come in different doses and they have different delivery methods.

Semaglutide is in a class of drugs called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists. GLP-1 is a hormone in the body that helps regulate appetite, blood sugar and digestion. A “receptor agonist” is basically a substance that activates receptors in the body. So, semaglutide essentially mimics the action of GLP-1 in the body.

This mimicking of GLP-1 is what gives semaglutide its effects. The drug helps users feel less hungry and slows digestion, so users feel fuller for longer. The combination of these two effects is a major part of why these medications are so effective at leading to weight loss.

That said, while the two drugs are very similar, there are a handful of differences between Ozempic and Wegovy, including the following:

• FDA approval: Ozempic is FDA-approved for Type 2 diabetes, while Wegovy is FDA-approved for weight loss.
• Dosage: Ozempic and Wegovy both come in prefilled pens, but the dosages and the number of doses per pen differ.
  • Ozempic pens generally have four doses per pen (one month’s supply) and are available in the following doses:
    • 0.25 milligrams (starting dose)
    • 0.5 milligrams
    • 1.0 milligram
    • 2.0 milligrams
  • Wegovy is generally one dose per pen (so you’d need four for a month’s supply) and comes in the following doses:
    • 0.25 milligrams
    • 0.5 milligrams
    • 1.0 milligram
    • 1.7 milligrams
    • 2.4 milligrams
• Cost: Ozempic is typically more affordable than Wegovy. At the time of publishing, the list price for Ozempic was $968.52 per month, whereas the list price for Wegovy was $1,349.02 per month. List prices are the price set by the manufacturer.

Effectiveness of Ozempic vs. Wegovy

Both Ozempic and Wegovy are extremely effective for weight loss. Studies have shown that Wegovy is a bit more effective than Ozempic — possibly because of the higher maximum dosage of Wegovy (2.4 milligrams for Wegovy, compared with 2 milligrams for Ozempic). However, either option is going to be more effective than previous generations of weight loss medications such as phentermine or liraglutide (Saxenda).

In one commonly cited study published in 2021 in The New England Journal of Medicine, participants taking 2.4 milligrams of semaglutide lost an average of 14.9% of their body weight after 68 weeks, compared with an average loss of 2.4% in a placebo group. Half of participants taking 2.4 milligrams of semaglutide lost 15% or more of their body weight after 68 weeks, compared with 5% in the placebo group.

Note that the dose used in that particular study is the highest dose available for Wegovy, and is not available with Ozempic. Studies that involve lower doses tend to show lower percentages of weight loss, although most of these are also run for shorter time periods, so it’s hard to do an apples-to-apples comparison. What’s clear, though, is that both drugs can help users lose weight.

Ozempic vs. Wegovy cost comparison

Ozempic is more affordable than Wegovy, at least when comparing list prices. Ozempic is currently about $968 for a month’s supply, while Wegovy is around $1,350. Insurance coverage and dosage may impact these prices, but these figures give a good idea of the difference.

Why is Wegovy so much more expensive? Part of the reason is likely the higher potential dosage of the active ingredient, semaglutide. Another factor may be the different injection systems used by the two medications — Ozempic contains a month’s worth of doses in a single injection pen, whereas Wegovy only comes in a single-use pen). Neither drug has a generic version.

In general, you should be prepared to pay full price for either of these drugs if they’re being prescribed for weight loss. Many insurance companies consider obesity to be a cosmetic issue rather than a medical one. That, combined with the high cost, makes it very difficult to get them covered.

Health care professional opinions on Ozempic vs. Wegovy

In general, health care professionals seem to feel positive about prescribing patients Ozempic and Wegovy for weight loss, provided that patients are monitored for side effects and that the drugs are accompanied by lifestyle changes to promote long-term weight loss and health.

“GLP-1 medications like Wegovy and Ozempic can absolutely be helpful tools for patients struggling with weight management. However, I do believe they should be used mindfully and alongside other lifestyle and dietary changes,” Marlee Bruno, a physician assistant and founder of Mind Body & Soul Medical, a medical spa in Pensacola, Florida, said through a representative.

“GLP-1 medications are best suited for patients with significant weight to lose or comorbidity with regard to health issues, such as weight issues plus diabetes,” she said. “It’s important to note that these medications are not for everyone. Those who don’t have a clinical need for weight loss or have certain medical conditions may not benefit the way they hope, and the risks can outweigh the benefits for those individuals.”

Dr. Hussain Ahmad of Click2Pharmacy, an independent pharmacy in the U.K., agreed: “The best candidates for these meds are people who need to lose a significant amount of weight and have other preexisting conditions like Type 2 diabetes or who are at risk for obesity-related complications. These drugs aren’t the best choice for someone with a history of certain cancers or pancreatitis, and definitely not for someone just looking to lose a few pounds quickly,” he said through a representative.

Here’s what Dr. Ahmad said about prescribing Ozempic vs. Wegovy: “I wouldn’t prescribe Ozempic just for weight loss unless the person has Type 2 diabetes and isn’t already on it. In the U.K., there’s a shortage of Ozempic right now because more people are using it off-label for weight loss. That makes it even more important to save it for those who need it to manage their blood sugar rather than just for weight loss alone,” he said.

Ozempic vs. Wegovy side effects and safety

Since Ozempic and Wegovy contain the same active ingredient, the side effect profile for the two is very similar. There may be a slightly higher risk of side effects at the highest dose of Wegovy because it’s more semaglutide than you get in the highest dose of Ozempic.

Common side effects

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Indigestion
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Abdominal pain and bloating
• Headache
• Weakness during exercise

Rare, serious side effects

• Pancreatitis
• Gallbladder disease
• Kidney damage
• Thyroid tumors
• Gastroparesis (stomach paralysis)

The most common side effects of these weight loss medications are stomach-related, and they tend to go away as your body gets used to the drug. You can help lessen side effects by eating smaller, more frequent meals, avoiding fatty and oily foods and drinking plenty of fluids.

You should let your doctor know before taking these medications if you have a history (or a family history) of either pancreatitis or thyroid cancer, as this can increase the chances of encountering these serious side effects.

Bottom line

Wegovy is likely slightly more effective than Ozempic for weight loss, owing to its higher maximum dose. That said, since Ozempic and Wegovy both use semaglutide as their active ingredient, they’re both extremely similar.

The main differences are the FDA-approved use designation, dosage and cost: Wegovy comes in a higher dose and costs more. It’s also the only one of the two that’s officially FDA-approved specifically for weight loss, so it may be more likely to be covered by insurance if you don’t have diabetes.

If it comes down to choosing between one or the other, cost may be a factor — Ozempic’s cash price is lower than Wegovy’s. Obviously, if insurance covers one and not the other, that will make the choice simple for most people. However, when it comes to weight loss, either should prove to be quite effective.