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- Semaglutide is the active ingredient in both Wegovy and Ozempic, manufactured by Novo Nordisk.
- Wegovy is FDA-approved for chronic weight management, while Ozempic is primarily indicated for treating type 2 diabetes.
- Wegovy offers higher maximum doses (up to 2.4 mg) compared to Ozempic (up to 2 mg).
- Both medications are administered as weekly injections and work by slowing digestion and reducing appetite.
- Wegovy is more effective for weight loss, with patients losing an average of 35 pounds after 68 weeks compared to 11 pounds with Ozempic after 30 weeks.
- Ozempic was first FDA-approved in 2017, while Wegovy received approval in 2021.
- In March 2024, Wegovy became the first FDA-approved treatment to reduce cardiovascular risk in overweight or obese adults.
- Both medications may cause similar side effects, including nausea, diarrhea, and constipation.
- Without insurance, Wegovy costs approximately $1,349 for a monthly supply, while Ozempic costs about $935.
Semaglutide is the active ingredient in Wegovy and Ozempic, two injectable medications that Novo Nordisk has gained attention for their weight loss and diabetes management properties. While they contain the same drug, Wegovy is FDA-approved for chronic weight management, while Ozempic is primarily indicated for treating type 2 diabetes.
Mechanism of action of semaglutide
Semaglutide, a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist, exerts its effects through multiple mechanisms. It enhances insulin secretion in a glucose-dependent manner while suppressing glucagon release, improving blood glucose control.
By slowing gastric emptying, semaglutide promotes satiety and reduces food intake, contributing to weight loss. The drug also acts on the brain’s appetite-regulating centers, further decreasing hunger and calorie consumption.
Additionally, semaglutide has been shown to improve insulin sensitivity and reduce hepatic gluconeogenesis. These combined actions significantly reduce HbA1c levels, body weight, and cardiovascular risk factors such as blood pressure and cholesterol.
Wegovy vs. Ozempic
Wegovy and Ozempic, while containing the same active ingredient semaglutide, differ in their dosage forms and strengths. Wegovy is available as a single-dose prefilled pen with higher maximum doses, offering 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1 mg, 1.7 mg, and 2.4 mg options. In contrast, Ozempic is a multi-dose prefilled pen with lower maximum doses of 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1 mg, and 2 mg.
The typical maintenance dose for Wegovy is 2.4 mg once weekly, while for Ozempic it is 1 mg once weekly, though it can be increased to 2 mg for additional blood sugar control if needed. This difference in dosage forms reflects their distinct FDA-approved uses, with Wegovy primarily targeting weight management and Ozempic focusing on type 2 diabetes treatment.
FDA approvals and indications
Semaglutide has received multiple FDA approvals for different indications under the brand names Ozempic and Wegovy. Ozempic was first approved in December 2017 for the management of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular risk reduction in adults with type 2 diabetes and established cardiovascular disease.
Wegovy, approved in June 2021, is indicated for chronic weight management in adults and pediatric patients aged 12 years and older with obesity or overweight adults with at least one weight-related comorbid condition.
In March 2024, the FDA expanded Wegovy’s approval to include reducing the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (cardiovascular death, non-fatal heart attack, or non-fatal stroke) in adults with established cardiovascular disease and either obesity or overweight.
This latest approval makes Wegovy the first weight loss medication approved to help prevent life-threatening cardiovascular events in this specific patient population.