Wegovy Vs Ozempic. What's The Difference?

Wegovy and Ozempic belong to the class of drugs called glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1s). Both are manufactured by Novo Nordisk and contain semaglutide as their active ingredient.

Semaglutide was first sold under Ozempic in 2017 when it was developed as a diabetes medication. Wegovy, which includes a higher dose of semaglutide, was introduced by the manufacturer in 2021.

Ozempic was initially intended to treat type 2 diabetes, while Wegovy contains a higher dose of semaglutide and was specifically developed to treat overweight and obesity. When used along with behavioural modifications like diet and exercise, Wegovy and Ozempic are approved for chronic weight management.

These medications are approved for people with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher or for people with a BMI of 27 or greater and with a metabolic condition, like type 2 diabetes or hypertension.

Wegovy Vs Ozempic: What's The Difference?

Both Wegovy and Ozempic contain the same active ingredient: semaglutide. Additionally, both medications are delivered once a week by injection. Wegovy, however, comes in higher doses than semaglutide. Wegovy is the first weight loss medication to receive approval since 2014, and it recently received approval in 2021.

Wegovy

Treatment for chronic weight management with Wegovy is the first drug-approved medication since 2014.  Please review the following information about the medication before speaking with your healthcare provider about whether or not it is right for you.

The Dosage

As Wegovy contains higher doses of semaglutide, it can better cross the blood-brain barrier, increasing total weight loss. If prescribed Wegovy, your healthcare provider will start you on a low dosage and gradually increase it over 16-20 weeks.

Wegovy is starting at 0.25 mg per week. A maximum dose of 2.4 mg per week is available for this medication. Side effects can be reduced.  Side effects can be reduced by gradually increasing the dose.

Side Effects

Wegovy is most commonly associated with gastrointestinal side effects. Among them are:

• Nausea
  
  
• Vomiting
  
  
• Diarrhoea
  
  
• Abdominal pain
  
  
• Constipation
  
  
• Heartburn
  
  
• Burping

Serious side effects are rare, but they are still possible. You should seek emergency treatment if you experience any of the following symptoms:

• With or without vomiting, an ongoing pain in the upper left or middle of the stomach may spread to the back
  
  
• Itching or rashes
  
  
• Eyes, face, mouth, tongue, or throat swelling
  
  
• Breathing or swallowing difficulties
  
  
• Reduced urination
  
  
• Legs, ankles, or feet swelling
  
  
• Changes in vision
  
  
• Dizziness or fainting
  
  
• Upper stomach pain
  
  
• Skin or eye yellowing
  
  
• Fever
  
  
• Stools in clay colour
  
  
• Rapid heartbeats

Effectiveness Of Wegovy And Ozempic

GLP-1s have been researched for over 16 years and have consistently reduced body weight in obese patients with and without diabetes.

As part of its announcement of the approval, the drug approval cited the following results regarding the effectiveness of Wegovy for chronic weight management:

• According to one trial, those who received Wegovy lost an estimated 12.4% of their initial body weight (the participants' average BMI was 38).
  
  
• Another trial found that people who received Wegovy lost 6.2% of their original body weight compared to those who only received a placebo.

In addition to improving metabolic health and body weight, semaglutide has been shown to lower the risk of cardiovascular death, non-fatal myocardial infarctions, or non-fatal strokes in patients with type 2 diabetes at high risk.

Interactions And Warnings

There May Be Some People Who Need To Be Corrected For Wegovy.

Individuals with a family history of medullary thyroid cancer (a rare and primarily genetic cancer) are at risk of thyroid C-cell tumours. Patients suffering from multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2) should avoid using it.

Ozempic

In people with type 2 diabetes, Ozempic can be taken with a diet and exercise program to control blood sugar levels. Adults with type 2 diabetes and heart and blood vessel disease can also benefit from it to reduce their risk of stroke, heart attack, or death.

Chronic weight management can also be achieved with it.

The Dosage

Ozempic and Wegovy contain the same active compound, but Ozempic has lower doses than Wegovy. Your provider will start you on a low dose of Ozempic: 0.25 mg weekly. You may increase your Ozempic dose every four weeks if your provider recommends it. Ozempic can take up to 1.0 mg per week if your doctor recommends it.

Side Effects

Ozempic may cause the same side effects as Wegovy since they contain the same active ingredient:

• Nausea
  
  
• Vomiting
  
  
• Diarrhoea
  
  
• Abdominal pain
  
  
• Constipation
  
  
• Heartburn
  
  
• Burping

Wegovy can cause severe side effects and should be taken seriously. Seek medical assistance if you experience any of the following symptoms:

• With or without vomiting, an ongoing pain in the upper left or middle of the stomach may spread to the back
  
  
• Itching or rashes
  
  
• Eyes, face, mouth, tongue, or throat swelling
  
  
• Breathing or swallowing difficulties
  
  
• Reduced urination
  
  
• Legs, ankles, or feet swelling
  
  
• Changes in vision
  
  
• Dizziness or fainting
  
  
• Upper stomach pain
  
  
• Skin or eye yellowing
  
  
• Fever
  
  
• Stools in clay colour
  
  
• Rapid heartbeats

Effectiveness

Ozempic, like Wegovy, has been shown to support weight loss combined with diet and exercise.

Type 2 diabetes can also be effectively managed with Ozempic.

Interactions And Warnings

Ozempic should not be used by individuals with medullary thyroid cancer and multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN2).  Any medications, supplements, or vitamins you're currently taking should be disclosed to your healthcare provider. GLP-1 or weight loss drugs should not be combined with Ozempic. 

Is Wegovy Or Ozempic Better For Weight Loss?

Overweight and obese individuals committed to implementing long-term behaviour modifications such as dietary changes, exercise, and stress management can benefit from Wegovy and Ozempic. Wegovy's higher doses may help some people lose weight, but what is best for one person may not work for another.

As a result, neither Wegovy nor Ozempic is intended to be "quick fixes" for weight loss.

To reap the benefits of either medication, you must follow your healthcare provider's recommendations to incorporate lifestyle modifications consistently.

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