Weight loss

Ozempic vs Wegovy

Same active ingredient (semaglutide), but a different FDA label. Here's what that means for you.

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$0 until a clinician approves. Your clinician helps you choose.

O
Ozempic®
Semaglutide · Diabetes label
GLP-1 receptor agonist
vs
Wegovy®
Semaglutide · Weight-loss label
GLP-1 receptor agonist

Ozempic and Wegovy are both semaglutide made by Novo Nordisk. Ozempic is FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes, with a top dose of 2 mg. Wegovy is FDA-approved for chronic (long-term) weight management, with a top dose of 2.4 mg. Many people use Ozempic off-label for weight loss, meaning for a use its label doesn't cover. That has led to shortages and confusion.

Side by side.

 
Ozempic®
Wegovy®
Active ingredient
Semaglutide
Semaglutide
FDA indication
Type 2 diabetes
Chronic weight management
Maximum dose
2.0 mg weekly
2.4 mg weekly
Trial program
SUSTAIN (diabetes)
STEP / SELECT (weight, cardiovascular)
Insurance coverage
Often covered for diabetes
Limited weight-loss coverage

Who picks which.

Ozempic®
  • You have type 2 diabetes, and insurance covers it
  • Lowering your HbA1c (your average blood sugar) is the main goal
Wegovy®
  • Weight management is the main goal
  • You want the higher 2.4 mg top dose and the STEP trial weight-loss data
View Wegovy®
Our verdict

Ozempic and Wegovy are the same molecule. Pick the brand whose FDA label matches your reason for taking it. Using Ozempic off-label for weight loss is common, but it adds to shortages for people with diabetes. For weight management, Wegovy is the FDA-approved choice.

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Prescription treatments need an online visit. A U.S.-licensed provider reviews it and decides if a treatment is medically right for you. Individual results vary.

Common questions.

Why can't I just take Ozempic for weight loss?
Ozempic is FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes. Its top dose is also lower than the weight-management pen's. For chronic weight management, the approved semaglutide brand is Wegovy. Your clinician decides which product fits your situation.
Is one safer than the other?
They're the same molecule, and both carry the same boxed warning. The different labels don't mean one is safer. Their top doses do differ.

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