Semaglutide vs. Ozempic: What's the difference?

What are semaglutide and Ozempic?

Semaglutide and Ozempic are both GLP-1 medications, a type of drug that is widely used for weight loss and diabetes control. Semaglutide is the generic name of the drug, and Ozempic is a popular prescription drug in which semaglutide is the active ingredient.

Both semaglutide and Ozempic mimic the hormone GLP-1, which is naturally found in the body. This hormone regulates blood sugar and appetite in the following ways:

• Increases insulin release, which helps lower blood sugar
• Reduces levels of glucagon, which increases blood sugar, in the body
• Slows digestion and stomach emptying, helping you feel full longer

Ozempic, the brand-name version of semaglutide, is offered as a weekly injection and has been approved by the FDA for use in diabetes management. While Ozempic can help people lose weight, it’s not officially approved for that use. Semaglutide is FDA-approved both for diabetes management (2017) and weight loss (2021).

» LEARN: How to get Ozempic: Step-by-step guide

How effective are semaglutide and Ozempic?

Both semaglutide and its prescription form, Ozempic, are extremely effective at helping people shed body weight, making them great weight loss medication options. A major study called the Semaglutide Treatment Effect in People with obesity (STEP 1) clinical trial found that participants lost nearly 15% of their body weight over a 68-week period compared to a 2.6% weight loss in those taking a placebo.

When it comes to diabetes management, both semaglutide and Ozempic are top performers as well, says Dr. Raj Dasgupta, a board-certified physician and chief medical advisor for Garage Gym Reviews, an online resource for home training. “For diabetes, semaglutide has been proven to reduce A1c and help prevent cardiovascular complications, and Ozempic shows the same results: it lowers A1c, helps with weight loss and reduces the risk of heart disease,” he said.

One crucial difference between semaglutide and Ozempic specifically is the dosage, says Dasgupta. Semaglutide options like Wegovy are given in higher doses, which can sometimes mean people lose even more weight than they would with Ozempic. Despite that, Ozempic is still an extremely effective weight loss medication.

What are the costs of semaglutide and Ozempic?

Without insurance, the cost of Ozempic in the form of a 3 mg Ozempic pen — typically a one-month supply — costs $997.58 as of the date of publication. Wegovy, another form of semaglutide sold at a higher dosage, costs even more at $1,349.02.

“If either drug is prescribed for diabetes (both of which are FDA-approved for this use), insurance is more likely to cover it,” said Dasgupta. “But if you’ll be taking a GLP-1 medication like Ozempic or semaglutide for weight loss, you might require prior authorization. And in some cases, you may have to pay all or part of the cost out of pocket.”

How much you’ll pay for semaglutide, Ozempic or any other GLP-1 medication depends mainly on the type of insurance you have. Keep in mind that there are online coupons and other discounts you can take advantage of in the event your insurance doesn’t cover the medication.

The Ozempic website offers a savings card that boasts you can pay as little as $25 per month. GoodRx is a great place to compare prices and find discounts on semaglutide and Ozempic as well.

Are there alternatives to semaglutide and Ozempic?

If, for some reason, semaglutide and Ozempic aren’t the best GLP-1 medications for you, there are a number of Ozempic alternatives to consider. Here, we’ve included a list of some of your options.

• Rybelsus: Don’t like injections? Rybelsus is an oral semaglutide that doesn’t require injections but works just like Ozempic. You can expect similar results and side effects from this drug.
• Trulicity: The active ingredient in Trulicity is dulaglutide, which is different from Ozempic, but it’s still a GLP-1 medication. It’s marketed for use in controlling diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
• Saxenda: The active ingredient in the GLP-1 medication Saxenda is liraglutide, which is different from Ozempic but is still an effective weight loss medication. You can expect similar results and side effects from this drug.
• Mounjaro: The active ingredient in Mounjaro is tirzepatide, a GLP-1 medication approved by the FDA for weight loss. It costs around $1,000 to $1,200 per month and offers similar results and side effects to semaglutide drugs like Ozempic.
• Zepbound: Zepbound is another FDA-approved weight loss drug that also contains tirzepatide. It typically costs between $1,250 and $1,330 per month. Like other GLP-1 medications, it provides weight loss results and side effects similar to Ozempic.
• Bariatric surgery: If weight loss is your main goal, another option besides taking a GLP-1 drug is bariatric surgery. It reduces how much you can eat to support steady, healthy weight loss over time.
• Exercise and healthy eating: If you’re strictly interested in GLP-1 drugs for weight loss, it’s best to start with healthier lifestyle habits. A low-fat diet and regular low-impact exercise can help boost weight loss and contribute to the long-term effectiveness of any weight loss medications you might take.

» COMPARE: Tirzepatide vs. Ozempic: What's the difference?

Semaglutide vs. Ozempic: Which is better?

Whether semaglutide or Ozempic is better for you will depend on how you plan to use the medication. If you need help managing Type 2 diabetes, Ozempic is probably a better choice because it’s approved by the FDA to treat diabetes and is taken as a weekly injection.

If weight loss is your main goal, a higher dose of semaglutide, such as Wegovy, might be a better option. It's approved by the FDA for this purpose and tends to help people lose more weight than Ozempic.

Cost can also be a factor. Ozempic might be more affordable if your insurance covers it for diabetes. Weight loss prescriptions are less likely to be covered, so semaglutide for weight loss could cost more out of pocket.