Plenity vs. Wegovy for Weight Management: 6 Similarities and Differences to Consider

For many people, medications such as Wegovy (semaglutide) can be an effective addition to lifestyle changes to help them manage their weight over the long term. But sometimes these medications can be difficult to access, and they aren’t right for everyone. In this case, there’s another type of treatment that you may not have considered: medical devices.

Plenity is an FDA-cleared medical device for weight management in adults. It’s a capsule that you take by mouth before lunch and dinner. And similar to Wegovy, it can make you feel full so you eat fewer calories. But, it works differently to achieve this effect.

So, how do Plenity and Wegovy compare? Below, we cover six similarities and differences between these weight management options.

Promotional Disclosureinfo_outlined

SPECIAL OFFER

Save every month on GLP-1 meds with GoodRx

Save an average of $235 on FDA-approved GLP-1s like Ozempic and Zepbound.

Get Savings

1. Wegovy is a medication, while Plenity is a medical device

Wegovy and Plenity are reviewed and regulated differently by the FDA. Wegovy is an injectable medication that has gone through the full FDA approval process. And while Plenity is a capsule that you take by mouth, it’s considered a medical device.

Prior to its approval, Wegovy went through three phases of human clinical trials to prove that it’s safe and effective for chronic weight management. After a rigorous review, the FDA concluded that Wegovy’s benefits outweigh its potential risks.

As for Plenity, it isn’t absorbed by the body. Instead, it works through mechanical (or physical) action in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. That’s why it’s considered a medical device instead of a medication.

Plenity is the first medical device of its kind, so it required FDA clearance before it could be marketed. In this case, the manufacturer had to present clinical study data to provide reasonable assurance that Plenity is safe and effective to use.

FDA approval and clearance are two different processes with distinct requirements. In short, FDA approval requires a higher standard of evidence, and the review process is more rigorous. Some medical devices, such as high-risk devices like pacemakers, require FDA approval (called premarket approval). But this isn’t the case for Plenity, since it’s not considered to be high risk.

2. Wegovy and Plenity work differently for weight loss

Wegovy and Plenity both can make you feel full, so you eat fewer calories. But, they do this in different ways.

Wegovy is a once-weekly injectable glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonist. It works by acting like GLP-1, a gut hormone normally found in the body. After you inject Wegovy, it works on areas of the brain that regulate your appetite and fullness. It also slows the movement of food out of your stomach. You may also find that your food cravings change after starting treatment.

Plenity is an oral capsule that’s filled with water-absorbing particles made from cellulose (plant fiber) and citric acid. You’ll take three Plenity capsules 20 minutes before lunch and dinner with 16 oz (2 cups) of water. The capsules release the particles in your stomach, where they absorb the water and mix with the food from your meal. This temporarily increases volume in the stomach, which can make you feel full and cause you to eat less.

Neither Wegovy nor Plenity is meant to be taken on its own. Either should be combined with dietary and lifestyle changes for best results.

3. Different people may be eligible for Wegovy and Plenity

Both Wegovy and Plenity have body mass index (BMI) criteria for their use. But, this is slightly different between products. And there are some differences in eligible age groups, too.

Wegovy is approved for adults with a BMI of 30 or greater, or a BMI that’s at least 27 with one or more weight-related health conditions. Adolescents ages 12 and older with an initial BMI at or above the 95th percentile for their age and sex also qualify. However, Wegovy is sometimes prescribed off-label for people who don’t meet these criteria.

Unlike Wegovy, Plenity is only cleared for use in adults ages 22 and older. But Plenity’s BMI eligibility guidelines are slightly broader, including adults with an initial BMI of 25 to 40.

To access Wegovy or Plenity, you’ll need a prescription from a licensed prescriber. Neither option is available over the counter (OTC). Many medical devices don’t require a prescription. But with medical devices such as Plenity, the FDA may determine that a prescription is required to manage their risks.

4. Wegovy may result in greater weight loss than Plenity

Wegovy and Plenity haven’t been studied together. But, individual studies suggest that Wegovy would likely provide a greater weight loss benefit.

During the largest Wegovy clinical trial, people receiving Wegovy for 68 weeks lost nearly 15% of their starting body weight, on average. Nearly 70% of people achieved at least 10% weight loss, and half lost 15% or more of their starting body weight. Another 2-year trial has shown sustained weight loss with Wegovy over this period of time.

During a 24-week Gelesis Loss of Weight (GLOW) clinical study, people taking Plenity lost an average of about 6.5% of their starting body weight — compared with 4.4% in those who didn’t take it (placebo group). Nearly 60% of people achieved at least 5% weight loss, and 27% of people lost at least 10% of their starting body weight. Gelesis is the maker of Plenity.

A smaller group of people continued or started Plenity for an additional 24 weeks. During this time, they were able to maintain their weight loss and lose some additional weight.

5. Wegovy may be a better option if you have heart disease

In addition to its effects on body weight, Wegovy has proven cardiovascular benefits for certain people with heart disease. Plenity may have some positive effects on blood pressure, cholesterol, and other factors. But more research is needed to know for sure.

Results from a recent clinical trial show that Wegovy can lower the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). MACE is a term that includes heart attack, stroke, and cardiovascular-related death. In people who have heart disease and are considered overweight or obese, Wegovy lowered the risk of MACE by 20%.

During the Plenity GLOW study, people with high cholesterol saw some improvements in their levels. This included an 11% average decrease in LDL (“bad”) cholesterol and an 18% decrease in triglycerides (a type of fat in the blood). And in the Plenity group, more people with high blood pressure at the beginning of the study had normal blood pressure at the end of the study.

6. Wegovy and Plenity can cause gastrointestinal side effects

It’s well-known that Wegovy can cause GI side effects, such as nausea, constipation, and gas and bloating. These side effects are also possible with Plenity.

For Wegovy, the GI side effects tend to be worse when you start treatment and after dose increases. This is one of the reasons you’ll start with a lower dose and slowly work your way up. For some people, these side effects tend to improve over time and can be managed with dietary changes.

For Plenity, you may experience mild-to-moderate GI side effects within the first 3 months of treatment. But, these side effects tend to resolve within a few weeks after they develop. Since Plenity can fill you up faster during a meal, it may help to eat more slowly so you can better gauge when you’re full.

While less common, Wegovy has been linked to more serious side effects. Examples of these include pancreatitis (an inflamed pancreas), gallbladder problems, and stomach paralysis (gastroparesis). Severe side effects were also reported during the Plenity study, but they were more common in the placebo group.

Your healthcare team may consider these possible side effects when deciding which option is best for you. For example, Plenity may be a potential fit if you have a history of pancreatitis or have had difficulty tolerating medications such as Wegovy.

Why trust our experts?

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.

Our editorial standards

Meet our experts