Ozempic vs Wegovy: Which Works Best For Weight Loss?

For those who follow popular complement and weight reduction product trends, you might have likely heard of semaglutide, the lively compound in Rybelsus, Ozempic, and Wegovy.

Semaglutide, which helps users shed some pounds by improving blood sugar levels and reducing appetite, has helped people transform their lives quickly. And once you select to try semaglutide, you might have to find out what brand of weight reduction drugs is the perfect selection.

Rybelsus is an oral tablet very just like Ozempic, however the strict each day dosing protocol and reduced bioavailability make it less desirable than the injectable form for some. Wegovy and Ozempic are each once-weekly subcutaneous injectable types of semaglutide, in order that they are sometimes compared.

But, is one higher than the opposite? Are they each great options, or is yet another suitable for some than the opposite? We’ll get into all of that, and more, in this text that breaks down Ozempic and Wegovy to aid you determine which option is best for you. 

Table of Contents:

• What Is Ozempic?
• How Does Ozempic Work?
• What Is Wegovy?
• How Does Wegovy Work?
• Wegovy vs Ozempic: Similarities & Differences
• Wegovy vs Ozempic: A Side-By-Side Comparison
• FAQs

What Is Ozempic?

Ozempic was introduced in 2012 by Danish-based pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk, becoming the primary semaglutide medication.

At first, the corporate planned on using semaglutide as a longer-acting alternative to the drug liraglutide for treating type 2 diabetes mellitus. Ozempic is a compound known as a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist, which helps improve blood sugar levels by lowering blood glucose.

During clinical trials for Ozempic, researchers noticed that patients were losing incredible amounts of weight, which led to latest clinical trials and expanding semaglutide’s use to incorporate weight reduction management. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Ozempic in December 2017 for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus and to cut back the danger of cardiovascular complications in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Even though it isn’t FDA-approved for weight reduction, many doctors prescribe it off-label chubby and obese patients shed some pounds.

Ozempic Dosing For Weight Loss

Ozempic is a once-weekly subcutaneous injection that could be taken any time, with or without food, so long as it’s the identical day each week. Ozempic injections are available doses of 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1.0 mg, and a couple of.0 mg, kept in an injectable pen.

A red-label Ozempic pen comprises 2 mg total and 6 needles, divided into doses of 0.25 mg and 0.5 mg. Users often begin with 4 injections of 0.25 mg, then increase to a maintenance dose of 0.5 mg.

The blue-label Ozempic pen comprises 4 mg total, divided into 4 maintenance doses of 1 mg and 4 needles, and the yellow-label pen has a complete of 8 mg, with 4 needles divided into 4 2 mg doses. The preferred injection sites are the upper arm, front of the thigh, and your waist. Users should rotate injection sites to avoid damage or discomfort.

How Does Ozempic Work?

Ozempic mimics the consequences of GLP-1 glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) hormone. As such, it each triggers the pancreas to release insulin and reduces the discharge of glucagon, a hormone that increases blood sugar levels. This mix helps regulate estimated blood sugar levels and allows glucose to enter cells for use as energy.

Maintaining glycemic control is crucial for each diabetes treatment and long-term weight reduction. Along with stabilizing blood sugar levels, Ozempic also slows down the speed at which food enters the small intestine during digestion, allowing nutrients to be absorbed slower.

The slower absorption helps lower blood sugar levels, keeps you feeling full longer, and might reduce cravings. In higher doses, semaglutide also can help by triggering the brain to suppress appetite and increase satiety¹. To maximise weight reduction, users should eat fewer calories and live a healthy lifestyle.

The usual starting dose is 0.25 mg for the primary 4 weeks, followed by 0.5 mg for not less than 4 weeks. Users can increase the dose as needed, and if the uncomfortable side effects are manageable, as much as a maximum dose of two mg. Studies suggest that users can stay on Ozempic long-term for as much as two years or possibly longer in the event that they can tolerate the uncomfortable side effects and the healthcare provider approves it. 

What Is Wegovy?

Once Novo Nordisk saw the load loss potential within the Ozempic trials, they sought to expand using semaglutide. This led to the event of Wegovy, a higher-dose type of Ozempic explicitly designed to assist users shed some pounds and chronic weight management.

The FDA approved Wegovy in June 2021 for anti-obesity and long-term weight management in adults with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or greater or a body mass index of 27 or greater with not less than one weight-related medical condition, reminiscent of hypertension.

Wegovy Dosing For Weight Loss

Like Ozempic, Wegovy can be a once-weekly subcutaneous injection that could be taken any time of the day, so long as it’s the identical day. Wegovy is available in five doses, all with their color pen: green 0.25 mg starting dose (weeks 1-4), purple 0.5 mg, brown 1 mg, navy blue 1.7 mg, and black 2.4 mg pen for the utmost dose.

Also like Ozempic, users start with a low dose of 0.25 for the primary 4 weeks before increasing to 0.5 mg. Nevertheless, Wegovy has barely higher doses of 1.7 and a couple of.4 mg to assist promote weight reduction.

Although Wegovy comprises the very same drug as Ozempic, it has barely higher doses and different indications, in order that they usually are not meant to be taken together. Regardless, it has been proven secure for long-term use as much as 68 weeks, with studies showing positive results with limited uncomfortable side effects².

How Does Wegovy Work?

Since Wegovy is identical drug as Ozempic and only comprises semaglutide, it really works nearly identically. Wegovy also mimics the consequences of GLP-1, which helps users shed some pounds by improving blood sugar levels, slowing gastric emptying, reducing appetite, and increasing satiety.

The one difference between Wegovy versus Ozempic is that it has barely higher dosages, which is supposed to potentiate the appetite-suppressing aspect of semaglutide. Wegovy uses higher doses because studies have shown that prime doses of semaglutide can trigger the brain to cut back appetite and keep you full longer.

Within the early stages, the dosing protocol is an identical to Ozempic:

• 0.25 mg for the primary month
• 0.5 mg for the second month
• 1.0 mg within the third month

While Ozempic might keep users at a maintenance dose of 1.0 mg for several months, Wegovy increases the dosage to 1.7 mg in weeks 13-16 (month 4), followed by the utmost dose of two.4 mg in weeks 17 and onward. 

You may learn more about how each types of semaglutide work in our article: How Long Does It Take Semaglutide To Work?

Wegovy vs Ozempic: What Are The Similarities & Differences?

It isn’t surprising that Ozempic and Wegovy have several similarities since they’re the same lively ingredient with different brand names. Let’s take a take a look at how they stack up head-to-head.

Is Ozempic Or Wegovy Higher For Weight Loss?

To reply that query, Novo Nordisk ran several clinical trials that compared various semaglutide medications to at least one one other.

One in every of the trials was STEP (Semaglutide Treatment Effect in Individuals with Obesity), which tested the consequences of two.4 mg of Wegovy on weight reduction. STEP 2 was the trial designed to match the load loss results of the utmost Wegovy dose of two.4 mg to the upkeep dose for diabetes treatment of 1.0 mg Ozempic.

After 68 weeks, 1.0 mg of Ozempic resulted in an estimated mean weight change of -7.0%, while 2.4 mg of Wegovy resulted in a -9.6% mean lost weight.

It also showed that 68.8% of users on Wegovy achieved not less than 5% average weight reduction in comparison with 57.1% on Ozempic. Similarly, 25.8% of users on Wegovy achieved not less than 15% weight reduction in comparison with 13.7% of Ozempic users³.

Based on these results, they concluded that the upper doses of semaglutide in Wegovy led to more significant weight reduction than in Ozempic. Subsequently, Wegovy is healthier for weight reduction because of the upper doses available. Despite this, doctors will often prescribe Ozempic for weight reduction.

Wegovy vs Ozempic Results

While the STEP clinical trials showed that the upper doses of Wegovy led to more significant weight reduction, we thought exploring independent trials can be an excellent idea.

A double-blind trial examined the load loss effects of two.4 mg of Wegovy over 68 weeks. The outcomes showed a mean loss in body weight of 14.9% within the Wegovy group, with a mean lack of 15.3 kg (33.7 lbs)⁴. In a separate study, doses of 1.7 mg and a couple of.4 of Wegovy were compared, showing a mean total body weight reduction of 5.9% at three months and 10.9% at six months⁵.

These results are consistent with other studies and the STEP trials, confirming that Wegovy is superior for weight reduction because of the upper doses of semaglutide. Anecdotal evidence shows similar findings, although people also can achieve tremendous weight reduction on Ozempic.

Countless real-life users have also reported positive results. One reddit commenter said: “55 lbs in about six months,” (source) One other added: “It’s miraculous! I’m on week 17 and down 25 kilos.” (source)

Ozempic users appear to share the success, with similar weight reduction success stories, reminiscent of this Reddit user who said: “Down 35 kilos in 5 months!” (source) while one other user posted, “Down 47 lbs in six months.” (source)

To learn more concerning the weight reduction potential of those products, try our article: How Much Weight Can You Lose On Semaglutide? I also highly recommend trying out the video below, because it includes a doctor who focuses on weight reduction highlighting the advantages of Ozempic and Wegovy.

The anecdotal evidence shows that each are effective, however it’s also necessary to emphasize that weight-reduction plan and exercise, even while taking Ozempic or Wegovy, play an enormous role. At the top of the day, prescribed drugs can only accomplish that much. You will need to live a healthier lifestyle with nutrient-dense foods and exercise consistently to maximise weight reduction potential.

So, for best results, make sure that your weight-reduction plan and physical activity are in check. Find an excellent workout split, perform weekly LISS cardio, and follow an important plan, like our 4 Week Meal Plan For Weight Loss.

Comparing Mounjaro vs Ozempic vs Wegovy

Mounjaro is the brand name for tirzepatide, a compound known as a glucose-dependant insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP), a hormone very just like GLP-1 in that it helps blood sugar levels.

Since Mounjaro prompts each the GIP and GLP-1 receptors, it really works similarly to semaglutide. Like Ozempic and Wegovy, Mounjaro is injected once weekly subcutaneously. Several studies have shown that Mounjaro controls blood sugar and weight reduction more effectively than semaglutide medications like Ozempic and Wegovy.

Eli Lily conducted the SURMOUNT clinical trials on Mounjaro, which showed a mean total body weight reduction of 26.6% after 84 weeks, in comparison with the roughly 15% lost on Wegovy in an analogous time-frame⁶.

Nevertheless, Mounjaro is costlier with worse uncomfortable side effects than semaglutide medications. Ozempic and Wegovy have a a lot better safety profile, so doctors and patients often prefer it.

Wegovy vs Ozempic: Side Effects

One other a part of the STEP clinical trials was to match Wegovy vs. Ozempic uncomfortable side effects. The trials showed that the protection profile of two.4 mg of Wegovy was just like that of 1.0 mg of Ozempic, with primarily gastrointestinal discomfort.

Below are the drug’s commonest uncomfortable side effects and folks who should avoid them. 

Common Side Effects of Each Medications

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diahrrea
• Constipation
• Headache
• Injection site reactions
• Decreased appetite

As well as, even rarer uncomfortable side effects include bleeding, burning feeling within the chest, pancreatitis, hypoglycemia, and a loss or change of taste.

Some individuals who should avoid Ozempic and Wegovy include those with thyroid issues, thyroid cancer, or those with a history of medullary thyroid cancer, gastrointestinal disorder, a history of pancreatitis, kidney or liver issues, heart problems or issues, and girls who’re pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning on becoming pregnant.

Along with the same uncomfortable side effects, the STEP 2 clinical trials also showed that Ozempic and Wegovy produce similar changes in HbA1c (measurement of blood sugar attached to hemoglobin), systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and other cardiometabolic risk aspects. 

Wegovy vs Ozempic: Cost

One downside of semaglutide is the expensive price tag. These medications are highly desired and have a limited supply, an ideal recipe for booming prices. There may be currently a shortage of those medications, so prices have elevated and might fetch even higher on secondary markets. 

The fee of drugs will rely upon what country you might be in and what sort of insurance coverage you might have, as prices in America are the most costly. As of September 2023, the Ozempic list price is $935.77 for a 28-day supply of all dosages, while Wegovy is $1,349.02 in the US.

Nevertheless, in the event you live in the UK, Ozempic is just $93 and even lower in France at $83. Similarly, Wegovy is just $328 in Germany, roughly one-fourth the worth in America. 

While insurance firms will approve Ozempic for diabetes treatment without hesitation, they’re less prone to approve it for weight reduction. For those who are fortunate enough to get approval, this could significantly drop the worth to roughly $25 for Ozempic and barely higher for Wegovy.

Luckily, Novo Nordisk offers copay savings cards that may prevent as much as $225 per thirty days supply for Wegovy, while Ozempic could be as little as $25 a month. 

For those who’re interested by learning more concerning the costs, try our article: How Much Is Semaglutide Without Insurance?

Wegovy vs Ozempic: A Side-By-Side Look

We just covered a variety of information, and sometimes it helps to take a look at things side by side. Here’s a take a look at the 2 medications.

FAQs on Semaglutide Options

These are among the mostly asked questions on Ozempic versus Wegovy. 

What’s another type of Semaglutide?

Rybelsus is an oral tablet version of semaglutide, the lively drug in Ozempic and Wegovy. Alternative weight reduction medications with similar results include liraglutide and Mounjaro. 

Why are people using Ozempic as an alternative of Wegovy?

Ozempic is the preferred semaglutide medication and has led to people specifically requesting the medication without realizing Wegovy is sort of an identical. They’re each great options. 

Why am I not shedding weight on Ozempic?

Reasons for not shedding weight on Ozempic include a poor weight-reduction plan, lack of exercise, not staying on long enough, too low of a dosage, poor hydration, poor sleep habits, use of alcohol or drugs, or it’s possible you’ll not be responding to the medication. Make sure you check in along with your doctor in the event you’re not shedding weight. You can too learn more about this by heading to our article: 7 Reasons You are Not Losing Weight On Semaglutide.

Why is Ozempic so hard to get?

Except for requiring a prescription, there’s currently a worldwide shortage of Ozempic and semaglutide until not less than mid-2024. It’s a fancy process to provide the drugs, and the demand exceeds the provision. 

Does Wegovy cause hair loss?

There is no such thing as a evidence that Wegovy or other semaglutide products cause hair loss. 

Do you gain weight back after using Wegovy?

Many individuals gain weight back after using Wegovy; nonetheless, that’s because of a poor weight-reduction plan and lack of exercise. Maintaining a healthy weight-reduction plan and consistent workout routine is imperative to forestall weight gain. 

Wegovy vs Ozempic: Which Is Best For You?

Each options are brand-name diabetes medications that could be used for weight reduction. Each comprises the drug semaglutide, which mimics the consequences of GLP-1, a hormone released as a response to eating.

These drugs trigger a rise in the discharge of insulin, a decrease in glucagon, a slowing of gastric emptying, a discount in appetite, and a rise in satiety. This leads to higher glycemic control, ideal for type 2 diabetes treatment, and significant weight reduction.

Each are available once-weekly subcutaneous injections, but Wegovy has barely higher dosages, making it higher for weight reduction.

The choice on which to make use of will come all the way down to your goals, your doctor’s selection, and the supply of the medications. Each have been proven to assist promote weight reduction and could be used safely long-term, so you possibly can’t go improper with either.

For more information on weight reduction potential, try our article: How Much Weight Can You Lose On Semaglutide? To match these products to other options, try our articles comparing Liraglutide vs. Semaglutide and Ozempic vs. Rybelsus.

References:

1. Chao, Ariana M, et al. “Clinical Insight on Semaglutide for Chronic Weight Management in Adults: Patient Selection and Special Considerations.” Drug Design, Development and Therapy, vol. Volume 16, Dec. 2022, https://doi.org/10.2147/dddt.s365416.
2. FDA. “FDA Approves Latest Drug Treatment for Chronic Weight Management, First since 2014.” FDA, 4 June 2021, www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-new-drug-treatment-chronic-weight-management-first-2014.
3. Singh, Gurdeep, et al. “Wegovy (Semaglutide): A Latest Weight Loss Drug for Chronic Weight Management.” Journal of Investigative Medicine, vol. 70, no. 1, 27 Oct. 2021, https://doi.org/10.1136/jim-2021-001952.
4. Wilding, John P. H., et al. “Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults with Obese or Obesity.” The Latest England Journal of Medicine, vol. 384, no. 11, 10 Feb. 2021, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33567185/, https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa2032183.
5. Ghusn, Wissam, et al. “Weight Loss Outcomes Related to Semaglutide Treatment for Patients with Obese or Obesity.” JAMA Network Open, vol. 5, no. 9, 19 Sept. 2022, p. e2231982, jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2796491?resultClick=1, https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.31982.
6. Company, Eli Lilly and. “Tirzepatide Demonstrated Significant and Superior Weight Loss In comparison with Placebo in Two Pivotal Studies.” Www.prnewswire.com, www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/tirzepatide-demonstrated-significant-and-superior-weight-loss-compared-to-placebo-in-two-pivotal-studies-301887287.html.