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Compare Wegovy vs. Ozempic

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, warnings, and more.

Key takeaways

Wegovy (semaglutide) and Ozempic (semaglutide) are both GLP-1 receptor agonists used to lower the risk of heart attack, stroke, and death due to heart problems in adults with heart disease. Both can result in weight loss, but, they have different FDA-approved uses. Wegovy is approved for long-term weight management in adults and children aged 12 and older living with overweight or obesity, while Ozempic is approved for treating Type 2 diabetes in adults. Both medications are injected under the skin once a week, but the dosing schedules differ. Common side effects for both include nausea, diarrhea, and stomach pain. Additionally, both medications carry risks of thyroid cancer, pancreatitis, and gallbladder problems, and should not be used if you have a history of certain thyroid cancers or are allergic to semaglutide.

  • Wegovy (semaglutide)
    Ozempic (semaglutide)
  • Wegovy (semaglutide)
    Ozempic (semaglutide)

  • Summary of Wegovy vs. Ozempic

    Summary for GLP-1 agonist
    Prescription only

    Wegovy (semaglutide) is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist. It comes in prefilled pens you use to inject the medication under the skin once a week. Wegovy (semaglutide) also comes as tablets that are swallowed once a day. This medication is approved for weight loss in some people. It can help lower the risk of heart attack, stroke, and death due to heart problems in adults with a larger body size and heart disease. The pens are also approved for certain adults with a liver problem called metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH). The medication works best when taken with a lower-calorie diet and regular exercise. Side effects include nausea, diarrhea, and stomach pain.

    Summary for GLP-1 agonist
    Prescription only

    Ozempic (semaglutide) is a GLP-1 agonist used with diet and exercise to help adults manage Type 2 diabetes. It can also lower the risk of heart attack, stroke, and heart-related death in some people with Type 2 diabetes. It comes as a once-weekly injection under the skin and as a tablet taken by mouth once a day. The injection is also approved to help slow worsening kidney problems in people with Type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease (CKD). Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

  • Indications of Wegovy vs. Ozempic

    Indications for

    Injectable pens:

    •

    Weight loss and long-term weight management in:

    •People ages 12 years and older who are considered obese
    •Adults considered overweight with at least one weight-related condition (e.g., high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol)
    •

    Lowering the risk of heart attack, stroke, and death due to heart problems in adults with a larger body size and heart disease

    •

    Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) in adults with moderate-to-advanced liver scarring, but not cirrhosis

    Tablets:

    •Weight loss and long-term weight management in adults who are considered obese or overweight with at least one weight-related condition
    •Lowering the risk of heart attack, stroke, and death due to heart problems in adults with a larger body size and heart disease
    Indications for

    Injection:

    •Type 2 diabetes
    •Lower the risk of heart attack, stroke, and heart-related death in adults with Type 2 diabetes and heart disease
    •Lower the risk of worsening kidney problems and heart-related death in adults with Type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease (CKD)

    Tablets:

    •Type 2 diabetes
    •Lower the risk of heart attack, stroke, and heart-related death in adults with Type 2 diabetes at high risk for these events

  • Pros and Cons of Wegovy vs. Ozempic

    Pros and Const for GLP-1 agonist
    Pros
    •Available as once-weekly injectable pens and as once-daily pills
    •Injectable pens approved for weight loss in children ages 12 years and older considered obese
    Cons
    •Can cause stomach pain, nausea, and diarrhea
    •Can't take with other semaglutide products (Ozempic, Rybelsus) or with other GLP-1 agonists
    Pros and Const for GLP-1 agonist
    Pros
    •Only given once per week
    •Might help you lose weight
    •Helps lower the risk of heart problems and kidney problems in people with type 2 diabetes
    •Available as an injection and an oral tablet
    Cons
    •Commonly causes nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
    •Risk of low blood sugar if taken with certain diabetes medications
    •Can't be used for Type 1 diabetes
    •Interacts with medications taken by mouth

  • Common Side Effects of Wegovy vs. Ozempic

    Common Side Effects for
    •Nausea (44%)
    •Diarrhea (30%)
    •Vomiting (24%)
    •Constipation (24%)
    •Stomach pain (20%)
    •Headache (14%)
    •Tiredness (11%)
    Common Side Effects for
    •Nausea (16-20%)
    •Diarrhea (9%)
    •Vomiting (5-9%)
    •Stomach pain (6-7%)
    •Constipation (3-5%)

    Note: Side effects listed above are for Ozempic (semaglutide) injection

  • Warnings of Wegovy vs. Ozempic

    Common Side Effects for
    •Possible risk for thyroid cancer
    •Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis)
    •Gallbladder problems
    •Low blood sugar
    •Kidney damage
    •Allergic reactions
    •Eye problems in people with Type 2 diabetes (diabetic retinopathy)
    •Faster heart rate
    •Possible risk of self-harm
    •Lung problems during general anesthesia or deep sedation
    Common Side Effects for
    •Risk of thyroid tumors
    •Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis)
    •Eye problems
    •Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) when taken with certain diabetes medications
    •Kidney damage
    •Severe stomach problems
    •Severe allergic reactions
    •Gallbladder problems
    •Lung problems during anesthesia or deep sedation

  • Prices with our coupons for Wegovy vs. Ozempic

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