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Wegovy vs. Ozempic

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.

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

• Nausea (44%)
• Diarrhea (30%)
• Vomiting (24%)
• Constipation (24%)
• Stomach pain (20%)
• Headache (14%)
• Tiredness (11%)

• 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
• Lung problems during general anesthesia or deep sedation

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.

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

• 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

• 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