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- It’s correct that Wegovy and Ozempic are two names for the same drug: semaglutide. Ozempic is the name of the drug as prescribed for people with diabetes. The FDA approved Ozempic for people with diabetes in 2017 and approved Wegovy for people who have obesity or are overweight and have additional health problems in 2021.
People also ask
Is Ozempic the same as wegovy?
How effective is wegovy & Ozempic for long-term weight loss?
Are Ozempic & wegovy a good treatment for type 2 diabetes?
Are wegovy & Ozempic right for You?
Is wegovy a new weight loss drug?
What happens if you stop taking wegovy & Ozempic?
May 20, 2024 · Considering Wegovy or Ozempic injections for weight loss? Compare the 15 key advantages and disadvantages of these semaglutide medications.
- Overview
- Do Ozempic and Wegovy have generic versions?
- What are Ozempic and Wegovy used for?
- How do dosage and administration compare for Ozempic and Wegovy?
- What are the side effects of Ozempic and Wegovy?
- How effective are Ozempic and Wegovy?
- What do Ozempic and Wegovy cost?
- What are the warnings for Ozempic and Wegovy?
- Can I switch between Ozempic and Wegovy?
- What should I ask my doctor?
Ozempic (semaglutide) and Wegovy (semaglutide) are prescription drugs that may be used to help with long-term weight loss. But only Wegovy is FDA-approved for this use. Ozempic is approved for certain uses related to type 2 diabetes.
This article explains the main ways that Ozempic and Wegovy are alike and different. For more information about these drugs, including details about their uses, see the in-depth articles on Ozempic and Wegovy.
See the list below to find out whether Ozempic or Wegovy is available as a generic. (A generic drug is an exact copy of the active ingredient* in a brand-name medication.)
•Ozempic:
•Available as a generic: no
•Active ingredient: semaglutide
•Wegovy:
•Available as a generic: no
Ozempic and Wegovy are both prescribed to help with long-term weight loss in certain people, along with diet and exercise. Wegovy is FDA-approved for this use, but this is an off-label use for Ozempic. (With off-label use, doctors prescribe a drug for a purpose other than what it’s approved for.)
Ozempic has other uses as well.
See the table below for details on the conditions each drug is used for.
You should only take Ozempic or Wegovy for the use prescribed by your doctor. To learn more about using either of these drugs for your condition, talk with your doctor.
Dosage for adults
Ozempic and Wegovy are both given as an injection under the skin of your belly, upper arm, or thigh. Your doctor will teach you how to use the injection pen. Instructions will also be provided with your medication. With Ozempic, your pen may contain four or eight doses, depending on the strength and dose used. You’ll need to attach a new needle to the pen each time you take a dose. With Wegovy, each pen comes with a needle already attached. Each pen contains a single dose. You’ll use a new pen for each dose.
Mild side effects
Ozempic and Wegovy may cause mild side effects. The table below lists examples of mild side effects that have been reported with these drugs. This table may not include all mild side effects of these drugs. For more information on mild side effects of the two drugs, see the Ozempic prescribing information and Wegovy prescribing information.
Serious side effects
In addition to the mild side effects described above, serious side effects may occur in people using Ozempic or Wegovy. See the table below for a list of side effects that have been reported with these drugs. To learn about your specific risk for serious side effects from Ozempic or Wegovy, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. * Ozempic and Wegovy have a boxed warningfor this side effect. A boxed warning is the mostserious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). To learn more, see the “What are the warnings of Ozempic and Wegovy?” section below.
You may wonder whether Ozempic or Wegovy are effective for your condition.
Ozempic and Wegovy are both used to help with long-term weight loss. For Ozempic, this is an off-label use. (With off-label use, doctors prescribe a drug for a purpose other than what it’s approved for.)
Studies of Wegovy have shown that the drug is effective for long-term weight loss. Studies of Ozempic have shown that the drug is effective for improving blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes (its approved use). These studies have also shown that the drug is effective for long-term weight loss in people with type 2 diabetes.
In addition, the American Gastroenterological Association includes Wegovy in its treatment recommendations for obesity. And the American Diabetes Association includes Ozempic in its treatment recommendations for type 2 diabetes. It notes it could be especially useful for people with this condition who may benefit from weight loss.
It’s important to note that your results from Ozempic or Wegovy may differ from those seen in studies. Talk with your doctor about whether one of these drugs is right for you.
If you’d like to read more about how each drug performed in studies, see the prescribing information for Ozempic and Wegovy.
Whether you have health insurance or not, cost may be a factor when you’re considering these drugs. Visit Optum Perks* to get price estimates for Ozempic and Wegovy when you use coupons from the site. It’s important to note that Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with any insurance copays or benefits.
Keep in mind that what you’ll pay for either drug will depend on your treatment plan, health insurance, and the pharmacy you use.
Ozempic and Wegovy are both brand-name drugs. They’re not currently available in generic forms.
* Optum Perks is a sister site of Healthline.
Ozempic and Wegovy may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. These may be referred to as warnings.
The two drugs share some of the same warnings, but they also have different ones. Some of these warnings are mentioned below. Before you start using Ozempic or Wegovy, be sure to talk with your doctor to see if these warnings apply to you.
The short answer: It’s possible.
Details: To find out more about switching between Ozempic and Wegovy, talk with your doctor. They can recommend the best treatment plan for your personal situation. For weight loss, Ozempic and Wegovy are used at slightly different doses, and your body may respond differently to the two drugs.
Ozempic and Wegovy can both be used for long-term weight loss. But remember that only Wegovy is approved for this use. These drugs can cause similar side effects, but side effects may be more common with Wegovy due to it having a higher dosage.
If you have questions about Ozempic or Wegovy, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Examples of questions you may want to ask include:
•Will Ozempic or Wegovy work best for me?
•How much will Ozempic or Wegovy cost?
•Is one of these drugs easier to administer?
To learn more about Ozempic, see these articles:
Apr 5, 2023 · A diabetes drug for weight loss? Eight reasons to think carefully before starting semaglutide injections, also known as Wegovy or Ozempic.
To get Wegovy prescribed, individuals typically need to meet certain criteria for obesity or overweight. For individuals without a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes, the criteria to be prescribed Wegovy for weight loss are as follows: Body Mass Index (BMI) Criteria: BMI of 30 or higher (considered obese) BMI of 27 or higher (considered overweight ...
Mar 21, 2023 · While Ozempic is FDA approved for diabetes, Wegovy has full FDA approval for weight loss. In June 2021, Wegovy was approved for chronic weight management in patients with: A body mass index (BMI) of 27 kg/m 2 or greater with at least one weight-related condition, like high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, or high cholesterol
Jun 12, 2024 · Wegovy is primarily for weight management in adults and adolescents, demonstrating significant weight loss. Ozempic is primarily for Type 2 diabetes, with a secondary effect of weight loss, but with less pronounced results.
Compare Wegovy and Ozempic side effects, costs and risks for treating Weight Loss and Diabetes Type 2.
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