Wegovy vs. Ozempic: Are They The Same? 5 Differences You Should Know About

Wegovy and Ozempic are both once-weekly injectable medications that contain the same active ingredient, semaglutide. These injections have gained widespread attention in recent years and were even placed on the FDA shortage list at time due to high demand.

But despite their similarities, Wegovy and Ozempic aren't the same and aren't considered interchangeable. What's more, Wegovy is now also available as an oral pill, adding another option beyond injections.

Below, we review five differences between Wegovy and Ozempic that you should know about.

1. Wegovy and Ozempic are approved for different uses

Even though they both contain semaglutide, Wegovy and Ozempic were studied for different reasons during clinical trials. Wegovy trials were focused on weight loss. Ozempic trials were focused on Type 2 diabetes and its complications. The results of these trials were used to support each medication’s approved uses.

Wegovy and Ozempic work the same way in the body by mimicking the effects of a natural hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). But you may be prescribed Wegovy or Ozempic for different reasons. In either case, a nutritious diet and regular exercise are key to getting the best results with both.

2. Different people are eligible for Wegovy and Ozempic

As covered above, Wegovy and Ozempic have different approved uses. This also means that eligibility criteria can vary depending on your health history and treatment goals.

You may be eligible for Wegovy if you’re:

• An adult or adolescent considered to be obese

• An adult considered to be overweight and you have heart disease or at least one weight-related health condition (such as high blood pressure or Type 2 diabetes)

You may be eligible for Ozempic if you’re an adult with Type 2 diabetes. If you’re prescribed Ozempic for weight loss but don’t have diabetes, this is considered an off-label use.

EXPERT PICKS: WHAT TO READ NEXT

• How to save: Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) medications such as Ozempic and Wegovy don’t need to break the bank. Explore ways to save on your prescription with this GLP-1 savings guide.

• Semaglutide side effects: Are you feeling nauseated after starting Ozempic or Wegovy? Learn more about potential semaglutide side effects and how to manage them.

• Foods to avoid: Learn more about foods that can worsen Ozempic side effects, plus a few foods to consider adding to your diet.

Is Wegovy used for diabetes?

Not exactly. Wegovy isn’t approved for diabetes. But if you have Type 2 diabetes, you may be eligible for Wegovy. Because of how it works, you may see some blood sugar (glucose) benefits while using it. And healthy weight loss can have positive effects on your blood sugar levels, too. Your prescriber may decide it’s right for you as part of your weight-management plan.

3. Wegovy and Ozempic have different dosage schedules

Wegovy and Ozempic are both available as once-weekly injections, and they share the same starting dose. But their dosage schedules and long-term target doses are different. Wegovy is gradually increased to a higher target dose for weight loss. Ozempic, on the other hand, is slowly increased to lower doses for diabetes or kidney protection.

Wegovy and Ozempic both come as injection pens, but they don’t work the same way. Wegovy comes in a single-dose prefilled pen that you’ll throw away after injecting your dose. The Ozempic pen contains multiple doses, and you’ll need to dial up your specific dose each time you inject.

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The Wegovy pill, on the other hand, has it's own dosage schedule. The starting dosage is 1.5 mg by mouth daily for 30 days. After that, the dosage is increased every 30 days until you reach 25 mg daily.

Will Wegovy and Ozempic start working right away?

Wegovy and Ozempic don’t work overnight. It can take several weeks or months to see their benefits, depending on the reason you’re using them.

If you’re using Wegovy for weight loss, many people begin to notice changes in their appetite shortly after starting treatment. Modest weight loss may begin within the first month. But most weight loss tends to occur within the first 20 weeks (5 months). During clinical trials, adults lost an average of about 10% of their starting body weight during this time.

For Ozempic, the starting dose (0.25 mg) isn’t meant to have a significant effect on your blood sugar levels. Instead, it helps your body adjust to the medication. Most people start seeing blood sugar improvements after the first month. Your dosage may be increased after that to help you reach your treatment goals.

4. Side effects may be more likely with Wegovy than Ozempic

Wegovy is prescribed at a higher dose (up to 2.4 mg weekly for the injection) than Ozempic (typically up to 2 mg weekly). Side effects are slightly more likely with higher doses, so they may be more common with Wegovy.

Both medications are known to cause gastrointestinal side effects, especially when starting treatment or after increasing your dose. These include:

• Nausea

• Vomiting

• Diarrhea

• Constipation

• Stomach pain

To help minimize side effects, both Wegovy and Ozempic are started at a low dose, which is gradually increased over time. This helps your body adjust to the medication.

5. Insurance coverage may be different for Wegovy and Ozempic

Wegovy and Ozempic may be covered differently under your insurance plan. Ozempic is typically covered if you have Type 2 diabetes. Wegovy, on the other hand, may not be covered for weight loss alone. But it may be covered if you have a larger body size and a condition like heart disease. It’s best to check with your plan ahead of time for specific coverage details.

Can you switch from Ozempic to Wegovy?

Ozempic and Wegovy are not technically considered interchangeable. So you typically won’t switch from one to the other. This is especially true if you’re taking Ozempic for Type 2 diabetes, since Wegovy isn’t approved for that use.

That said, sometimes Ozempic is prescribed off-label for weight loss. In this case, your prescriber might decide to switch you from Ozempic to Wegovy.

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

Since Wegovy is available in a higher maximum dose compared to Ozempic, it’s possible that it may result in greater weight loss. However, the highest Wegovy injection and Ozempic doses — 2.4 mg and 2 mg — haven’t been compared directly in studies. This is also the case for the highest Wegovy pill dose (25 mg). So we don’t know for sure if this difference results in significantly more weight loss.

During clinical trials, adults receiving Wegovy injections lost nearly 15% of their starting body weight on average after 68 weeks (almost 16 months). This amount of weight loss is comparable to the Wegovy pill. In a separate trial, adolescents lost about 16% of their starting body mass index (BMI) on average.

How to save on Wegovy and Ozempic

There are ways to save on Wegovy and Ozempic, which are available as brand-name medications. Manufacturer copay cards, patient assistance programs, and other savings options can help make your prescription more affordable.

• GoodRx: If you're new to using GoodRx for semaglutide savings, pay an introductory price for the first two fills: $199 per month for Ozempic or Wegovy injections, or $149 for the Wegovy pill (only available for certain doses). After that, most ongoing fills are $299 or $349 per month, depending on the medication and dose.

• Manufacturer copay cards: If you have commercial insurance, you could pay as little as $25 for Wegovy and $25 for Ozempic with a copay savings card.

• Patient assistance program: If you’re eligible, you could get Ozempic at no cost through a patient assistance program offered by the manufacturer.

Subscribers to GoodRx for Weight Loss can also access FDA-approved, brand-name GLP-1 medications like Wegovy.

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Written by:

Alyssa Billingsley, PharmD

Alyssa Billingsley, PharmD, is the director of pharmacy content for GoodRx. She has over a decade of experience as a pharmacist and has worked in clinical, academic, and administrative roles.

Reviewed by:

Christina Aungst, PharmD

Christina Aungst, PharmD, is a pharmacy editor for GoodRx. She began writing for GoodRx Health in 2019, transitioning from freelance writer to editor in 2021.

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