Medication comparison
Ozempic and Wegovy are both GLP-1 receptor agonist medications used for Type 2 diabetes (Ozempic) and Chronic weight management. The table below compares FDA-approved indications, dosing, weight-loss outcomes, side effects, contraindications, and current pricing — all sourced from the manufacturer prescribing information.
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This is general drug information, not medical advice. Talk to a licensed clinician before starting, stopping, or switching medication.
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| Property | Ozempic | Wegovy |
|---|---|---|
| Generic name | semaglutide | semaglutide |
| Drug class | GLP-1 receptor agonist | GLP-1 receptor agonist |
| Manufacturer | Novo Nordisk | Novo Nordisk |
| Brand names | Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus | Wegovy |
| Property | Ozempic | Wegovy |
|---|---|---|
| Approved indications | Type 2 diabetes (Ozempic), Chronic weight management (Wegovy) | Chronic weight management |
| Property | Ozempic | Wegovy |
|---|---|---|
| Typical dosing | Titrate to 2.4 mg (weekly SC injection) | Titrate to 2.4 mg (weekly SC injection) |
| Property | Ozempic | Wegovy |
|---|---|---|
| Top side effects | Nausea (44.2%), Diarrhea (31.5%), Vomiting (24.8%) | Nausea (44.2%), Diarrhea (31.5%), Vomiting (24.8%) |
| Contraindications | — | — |
| Boxed warning | Yes | Yes |
| Property | Ozempic | Wegovy |
|---|---|---|
| Pregnancy | C — Discontinue at least 2 months before a planned pregnancy due to long half-life. | C — Discontinue at least 2 months before a planned pregnancy. |
| Property | Ozempic | Wegovy |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | Refrigerate 36-46°F (2-8°C) before first use. After first use, may be stored at room temperature 59-86°F (15-30°C) for up to 56 days. Protect from light. Do not freeze. | Refrigerate before first use. After first use, room temperature up to 28 days. |
| Property | Ozempic | Wegovy |
|---|---|---|
| Avg monthly cost | $997.58 | $1349.02 |
FDA boxed warning
Ozempic: Risk of thyroid C-cell tumors. Contraindicated in patients with personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2).
Wegovy: Risk of thyroid C-cell tumors. Contraindicated in patients with personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2).
Ozempic is semaglutide (GLP-1 receptor agonist) and Wegovy is semaglutide (GLP-1 receptor agonist). Both contain the same active ingredient, dosed differently for different FDA-approved indications.
Ozempic and Wegovy share the same active ingredient (semaglutide). Average weight loss outcomes track the FDA-approved dose for each brand: STEP 1 reported 14.9% mean weight loss on the higher chronic-weight-management dose vs roughly half that on the lower diabetes-dose. The differentiator is dosing and indication, not molecule potency.
Switching between GLP-1 medications requires re-titration when crossing active ingredients (semaglutide ↔ tirzepatide). Always coordinate with your prescriber before switching.
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