Ozempic vs Wegovy: What's the difference between them?
Ozempic is used to treat type 2 diabetes in adults and Wegovy is used for weight loss and long-term weight management in adults and children 12 years and older, in addition to diet and exercise. Both products are also approved to reduce the risk of cardiovascular death, heart attack and stroke in adults with cardiovascular (heart, blood vessel) disease.
Ozempic and Wegovy are the two brand names that Novo Nordisk uses to market injectable semaglutide. They are both injected, but come in different strengths. Rybelsus is an oral tablet form of semaglutide used for type 2 diabetes.
The table below outlines the specific conditions that Ozempic and Wegovy are used to treat and the dosage forms and strengths each semaglutide-containing product comes in.
Ozempic | Wegovy | |
Generic name | Semaglutide | Semaglutide |
Marketed by | Novo Nordisk | Novo Nordisk |
Dosage form and strength |
Injection - 2 mg / 3 mL (0.68 mg/mL)
Injection - 8 mg / 3 mL (2.68 mg / mL)
Dose is increased slowly up to a maximum of 2 mg weekly if required. Each box comes with NovoFine Plus needles. |
Injection - pre-filled, single-dose pen (delivering doses of 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1 mg, 1.7 mg or 2.4mg).
Initiate at 0.25 mg once weekly for 4 weeks. Dose is increased slowly until a maintenance dose of 2.4 mg weekly is reached. |
Uses |
|
An an add-on to a reduced calorie diet and increased physical activity for chronic weight management in adults with an initial body mass index (BMI) of:
As an adjunct to a reduced calorie diet and increased physical activity for chronic weight management in pediatric patients aged 12 years and older with:
In adults, to reduce the risk of cardiovascular death, heart attack and stroke in people with cardiovascular (heart, blood vessel) disease with either obesity or overweight. |
First approved in US | 2017 | 2021 |
For more information on semaglutide (Wegovy, Ozempic and Rybelus), visit here: What is the difference between Wegovy, Ozempic and Rybelus?
This is not all the information you need to know about Ozempic and Wegovy and does not take the place of your doctor’s directions. Discuss any medical questions you have with your doctor or other health care provider.
Related Questions
References
- FDA Approves First Treatment to Reduce Risk of Serious Heart Problems Specifically in Adults with Obesity or Overweight. FDA. March 8, 2024. https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-first-treatment-reduce-risk-serious-heart-problems-specifically-adults-obesity-or
- Ozempic (semaglutide) prescribing information. Revised 9/23/2023. NovoNordisk. Plainsboro, NJ [Accessed Sep 28, 2023]. Available from: https://www.novo-pi.com/ozempic.pdf
- Wegovy (semaglutide) prescribing information. Revised 7/2023. [Accessed Sep 28, 2023]. Available from: https://www.novo-pi.com/wegovy.pdf
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