Wegovy vs Ozempic

Wegovy and Ozempic are different brands of the same medication, semaglutide. However, in the UK, Wegovy is licensed as a weight loss injection while Ozempic is approved for lowering blood sugar levels in type 2 diabetes.

Semaglutide works by mimicking the action of the hormone glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), which is released after you eat a meal. It signals to the brain that you feel full after eating, suppressing your appetite and controlling food cravings. It also prompts your body to produce more insulin when needed, lowering blood glucose levels.

In this guide, we compare Wegovy vs Ozempic to highlight the main differences and similarities between each treatment and help you understand which one may be the most appropriate option for you.

Although Wegovy and Ozempic contain the same active ingredient and work similarly, there are some key differences.

Intended use

The key difference between Wegovy and Ozempic is what they are prescribed for. Wegovy has been approved as a weight loss medication in the UK and is available as a once-weekly injection. Ozempic, on the other hand, is only available to treat type 2 diabetes in people who need help managing their blood sugar levels.

Ozempic was available off-label for weight loss with some private services, which means prescribing a medication for a condition that is different from what it’s licensed for. In this case, Ozempic could be prescribed for weight loss instead of type 2 diabetes.

However, this led to a shortage of medication for people who needed Ozempic and other GLP-1 medications to treat their diabetes. Superdrug Online Doctor doesn't provide off-label prescriptions but we do have a range of approved weight loss treatments available.

Dosage

Another difference between Wegovy and Ozempic is the dosages they are available in.

Wegovy dosages are higher than Ozempic’s. This is because it is approved for weight loss and the higher doses may not be suitable for type 2 diabetes. They both follow a dosage schedule but Ozempic will only be increased from 0.5mg if your blood sugar is still not controlled at this dose. The maximum dose is 2mg for Ozempic which is increased every 4 weeks but only if needed.

For Wegovy, you’ll start at 0.25mg and continue following a 4-weekly schedule until you reach the 2.4mg maximum maintenance dose. You can stick at a lower dose for longer because of side effects, or if you’re happy with your weight loss results at a lower dose.

Eligibility

To be approved for Wegovy or Ozempic treatment, you must meet some specific criteria.

Wegovy weight loss criteria:

To be eligible for Wegovy, you need:

• a body mass index (BMI) of 30 kg/m2 or more or
• a BMI of 27 to 30 kg/m2, and weight-related health issues such as (but not limited to) hypertension.

Ozempic eligibility criteria:

Ozempic is used to treat type 2 diabetes when diet and exercise alone are not enough. It can be used:

• on its own – when metformin isn’t suitable
• with other diabetes medications, when they have not reduced blood sugar levels on their own

Because Wegovy and Ozempic contain the same active ingredient, there are several similarities between the 2 medications.

Active ingredient

The most obvious similarity is their active ingredient. Both Wegovy and Ozempic contain semaglutide, but it is used for different purposes in each medication.

GLP-1 receptor agonists

Wegovy and Ozempic belong to the same class of medication called GLP-1 receptor agonists. After you eat a meal, your small intestine releases the hormone GLP-1. GLP-1 has several functions, including:

• triggering the release of insulin from the pancreas
• controlling blood sugar levels
• slowing stomach emptying
• increasing the feeling of fullness after eating

By mimicking the effects of GLP-1, semaglutide, helps to:

• control the amount of sugar in your blood
• keep you feeling full, reducing cravings and hunger
• reduce your calorie intake (by making it easier to eat less)

Manufacturer

Novo Nordisk manufactures both Ozempic and Wegovy.

Prescription-only

Wegovy and Ozempic are only available in the UK with a prescription from a doctor.

Side effects

The table below shows the common and uncommon side effects of Wegovy and Ozempic. Most are similar and may be common or uncommon depending on the medicine, as they are used in different doses.

Benefits

There are several benefits associated with semaglutide. For example, clinical trials have shown that it can reduce the risk of heart disease in obese or overweight individuals.

Semaglutide also helps with weight loss in both diabetic and non-diabetic people. After 68 weeks on the 2.4mg maintenance dose:

• obese or overweight people with a weight-related medical condition can lose up to 15% of their starting body weight
• people with type 2 diabetes can lose around 9.6% of their starting weight

No, Ozempic is not available as a weight loss injection in the UK. Although it was prescribed off-label previously for weight loss, this led to medication shortages. Ozempic is now limited for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.

Will Ozempic ever be available in the UK as a weight loss injection?

At present, Ozempic is not available for weight loss in the UK. A suitable alternative is Wegovy which is licensed as a weight loss medication.

How can I get a prescription for Ozempic for weight loss?

Ozempic is not available for weight loss currently. The UK government has now advised doctors to no longer prescribe Ozempic off-label for weight loss due to previous shortages. Instead, Wegovy is a suitable alternative.

To get a Wegovy prescription from Superdrug Online Doctor, you will need to:

• complete a short online health questionnaire for our doctors to review
• if approved, your medication will be delivered to your address or you can collect it from your local Superdrug Pharmacy in as little as 2 to 3 hours after approval

We also have several other weight loss treatments available if Wegovy isn’t appropriate for you.

There are several alternative weight loss treatments to Wegovy and Ozempic available, including both injections and pills.

Weight loss injections

Mounjaro

Mounjaro is the main alternative weight loss injection. It contains the active ingredient tirzepatide and is administered once a week to reduce food cravings and promote a feeling of fullness. When used alongside a diet and exercise plan, people lose around 22.5% of their starting body weight in 72 weeks when they take the maximum 15mg per week dose.

Saxenda/liraglutide

Saxenda is a once-daily weight loss injection that contains the active ingredient liraglutide. It’s long-term out of stock but the generic version of liraglutide is available now. Like Wegovy and Ozempic, liraglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist and works to reduce your appetite and make you feel less hungry. People who use liraglutide lose about 8% of their initial body weight over 56 weeks compared to 2.6% on placebo.

Weight loss pills

At Superdrug Online Doctor, we also offer a range of weight loss pills:

Orlistat

Orlistat, available in 120mg capsules, are a generic version of Xenical. Orlistat works best alongside low-fat meals that are spread across 3 sittings. These pills can be taken up to 3 times a day and many people notice the effects within 2 weeks of starting treatment.

Xenical

Xenical capsules are a branded version of orlistat that are taken up to 3 times a day, before, during, or after a meal containing fat. Like orlistat, you can see results in as little as 2 weeks.

Mysimba

Mysimba tablets contain naltrexone and bupropion. These ingredients act on the part of the brain that regulates your appetite. It signals to your brain that you feel full, curbing food cravings and hunger.

They are available in prolonged-release tablets, and you’ll usually start by taking 1 tablet per day before gradually increasing your dose to 2 tablets, twice a day (morning and evening).

alli

alli is an over-the-counter weight loss medication that contains the active ingredient orlistat. alli capsules contain 60mg of orlistat, half of the prescribed dose and helps you lose weight by reducing how much fat your body absorbs from meals. It’s taken just like orlistat or Xenical, up to 3 times a day.

Wegovy and Ozempic contain the same active ingredient and work in exactly the same way, but they are licensed for different uses in the UK. They’re also available in different doses.

Wegovy is available for weight loss while Ozempic can be prescribed to treat type 2 diabetes. If you are looking for a suitable weight loss medication, Wegovy is the more appropriate choice but there are others, like Mounjaro, available.

Is Wegovy or Ozempic more effective for weight loss?

Wegovy is more effective for weight loss. Wegovy users can lose up to 15% of their starting body weight when they use the 2.4mg per week maintenance dose for 68 weeks. Although Ozempic can induce weight loss, it is only licensed for type 2 diabetes in the UK and is available in lower doses.

Can I take Wegovy and Ozempic together?

No, you must not take Wegovy and Ozempic at the same time because they both contain semaglutide. Combining these medications can increase the risk of side effects and adverse events.

Can you switch from Ozempic to Wegovy or vice versa?

It may be possible to switch from Ozempic to Wegovy and vice versa if you meet the eligibility criteria for the medication you intend to change to. You must only switch under the guidance of your doctor. If you are interested in switching weight loss treatments, you should speak to your doctor for advice.