What is the difference between Wegovy and Ozempic?
Wegovy and Ozempic are both injectable medications that contain the same active ingredient, semaglutide, but they are approved for different uses in the UK. Wegovy is specifically licensed for weight loss in adults with obesity or who are overweight with related health conditions, while Ozempic is only approved for managing blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. The main distinction lies in their dosage: Wegovy is prescribed at higher doses to support weight loss, whereas Ozempic is used at lower doses for diabetes management. Despite these differences, both medicines work in a similar way and can cause similar side effects, though the likelihood and severity may vary due to the dosage used.
- Both contain the same active ingredient: semaglutide.
- Wegovy is approved for weight loss; Ozempic is approved for type 2 diabetes management.
- Wegovy is given at higher doses compared to Ozempic.
- Both are weekly injections but have different dosing schedules.
- Side effects are broadly similar but may differ in frequency and intensity due to dosing.
- They cannot be used interchangeably and are licensed for different conditions in the UK.